Sensory friendly activities
Sensory-friendly Orange County
Orange County has been an understanding and welcoming community for neurodivergent people and their families since the 1960s, when the TEACCH® Autism Program was launched at UNC-Chapel Hill. The ground-breaking clinical, research and training program has become a global model. Today, our community is home to a number of sensory-friendly activities and neuro-inclusive environments.
We created this list of neuro-supportive venues and excursions. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates!
Sensory-friendly activities in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Public Library
100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill
Web: chapelhillpubliclibrary.org
Instagram: @chapelhillpubliclibrary
Facebook: ChapelHillPublicLibrary
The library offers a lot of options for neurodiverse people of all ages. As part of its Neurodiversity and Nature initiative, it has youth nature sensory kits (and coming soon for adults) that encourage relaxation, mindfulness and fine motor skills. Check availability here. The Library also features quiet areas and sensory-friendly furniture like bean bags, wobble stools and papasan and hanging chairs. It also has fidgets and noise-canceling headphones available for use in the building. There’s also a sensory trail on the grounds that winds through Pritchard Park.
B3 Coffee
Various locations
Web: b3coffee.org
Instagram: @b3coffee
Facebook: B3Coffee
This nonprofit uses coffee to bring together neurodiverse and sensory-sensitive people – and their neurotypical friends and family – for social and vocational opportunities. Many of its public programs are at the Chapel Hill Public Library, including a casual gathering most Sundays at 1:00 p.m., where participants chat, play games, make crafts and more. On the second Wednesday of the month, they host Books and Belonging!, a group discussion of all kinds of literature with sensory support and interactive materials. Check the B3 calendar to find events and programming.
The Gathering Place
157 E. Rosemary Street, Second Floor, Chapel Hill
Web: thegatheringplacegames.com
Instagram: @thegatheringplacegames
Facebook: TheGatheringPlaceGames
Although they don’t have specific quiet hours, this gaming-focused bar in uptown Chapel Hill is an openly welcoming, inclusive and considerate neurodivergent-friendly environment. The Parents and Kids Club meets on Saturdays at 11:00 am with board games, magic, Pokemon and more.
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
250 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Instagram: @moreheadplanetarium
Facebook: MoreheadPlanetarium
You can visit the place where NASA astronauts trained! The Planetarium offers science and space programming, exhibits, a tinker space and a full-dome digital video projection theatre. They also host Science LIVE demonstrations onsite and Science Cafés. Sensory-friendly public programming is under development, including special neuroinclusive events like Sensory-Friendly Science Night. Check their calendar and social media for upcoming events.
Ackland Art Museum
101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill
Web: Ackland Art Museum
Instagram: @ackland_art_museum
Facebook: AcklandArtMuseum
In 2024, the Ackland became the first art museum in North Carolina to offer EnChroma glasses to visitors with color vision deficiency. Now experience the colorful art works on display with a broader range of colors - more clearly and distinctly. Borrowing the glasses is free of charge for adults and children. Click here to reserve a pair prior to your visit - note reservations are limited during the winter holidays.
Blawesome Farm
1002 Cane Valley Lane, Chapel Hill
Web: blawesome-flowers.myshopify.com/
Instagram: @beautiful.blawesome
Facebook: beautifulblawesome
Visit a flower farm and shop co-owned and operated by Raimee Sorenson, who lives with autism, and his family. The farm hosts floral design and other workshops for the public, and private, personalized sessions. Learn more about workshops here. Three types of tours are also available. In addition to a custom tour to meet your needs and interests, Raimee leads a hands-on tour explaining how the farm works and showing off what’s growing and his mom, Rebecca, leads a tour for parents and professionals explaining social farming, community building and the farm’s backstory and operations. Tours are $150 for up to six participants. Schedule a tour here.
Neuro-Inclusive Carrboro
The ArtsCenter
400 Roberson Street, Carrboro
Web: artscenterlive.org
Instagram: @artscenterlive
Facebook: ArtsCenterLive
The arts hub of Carrboro, ArtsCenter visitors can attend art exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances and classes. Its staff receives training from Neurodiversity Empowerment Services and is dedicated to creating a neuro-inclusive and sensory-friendly environment for self-expression and arts engagement.
Sensory-Supportive Activities in Hillsborough
Orange County Historical Museum
201 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough
Web: orangehistorync.org/
Instagram: @orangehistorync
Facebook: OrangeHistoryNC
Chronicling the history of Orange County, the Museum hosts special exhibitions and a permanent collection that includes portraits of imminent County figures and the only complete set of Colonial weights and measures in the country! Though it doesn’t have standing neurodivergent-friendly events, curators are happy to accommodate visitors with particular needs. You can request a quieter, private tour on Wednesdays when the Museum is open by appointment only.
Orange County Public Library, Main Branch
137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
Web: orangecountync.gov/3009/Library
Instagram: @ocplnc
Facebook: OCNCLibrary
The Main Branch holds Inclusive Minds Youth Social Club events for neurodivergent youth ages 8-18 and their caregivers on the last Sunday of the month. Registration is required. They also have neuro-inclusive furnishings such as light covers to reduce brightness, lounge chairs with lap desks and bean bags. Sensory kits in the Children’s Area and Teen Room include noise-canceling headphones, dark glasses, fidgets and weighted lap pads.
Bluestem Conservation Cemetery
1900 Hurdle Mills Road, Cedar Grove
Web: bluestemcemetery.org
Instagram: @bluestemcemetery
Facebook: BluestemConservationCemetery
Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Orange County, this 87-acre nature preserve has a quiet hour every Friday from 12:00 to 1:00pm. The sensory-friendly environment features easy meadow and woodland trails and picnic tables. It’s also a popular spot for artists, journalers and birdwatchers. One of only 13 conservation cemeteries in the country, Bluestem is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year and all are always welcome (including leashed dogs). Check their social media for the most up-to-date event information, including sensory walks and other organized opportunities for forest bathing and quiet reflection.
Orange County continues to be a welcoming community for everyone. If you know a sensory-friendly activity or neuro-inclusive venue we’ve missed, please let us know.