Seasonal Best Bets

While any season is a great time to visit, FALL has a particular vibe. Temperatures are finally cooling down in Chapel Hill and Orange County and the excitement of football, festivals, and food featuring local seasonal flavors is on everyone's mind. Take this vibe and surround it by a landscape dotted with farm pastures, barns and beautiful trees that continuously change color as the autumn months progress and you have your perfect weekend getaway. There is plenty to celebrate in the communities of Orange County, NC!  And we invite you to join us!. Scroll down and plan your visit around these best bets for Fall. 

The Second Friday ArtWalk is a great way to experience the local art scene in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. FREE

Enjoy the parks, greenways and trails throughout Orange County. You'll find urban greenways, state and community parks with miles of trails, and community gardens perfect for hiking and relaxing on our Things to Do page.

Shop downtown specialty and boutique stores on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, Main Street in Carrboro, and Churton Street in Hillsborough. Check out this digital guide of our unique shops to plan your shopping excursion.

Hillsborough is happening on Sundays: Concerts at the courthouse, horse drawn carriage and train rides, art galleries, historic site tours, local eateries and craft beers.

The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill hosts Fridays on the Front Porch (FOFP) featuring live music on the front porch/lawn of this historically but modern and charming hotel. Food and cocktails are available for purchase. The concerts begin at 5 pm, no cover and open to the public. Through mid October.

Stop by any of our Farmers Markets open Saturdays all year and certain weekdays during the spring, summer and fall months. Many of our local farmers have roadside stands and invite visitors to pick your own berries. Visit Things to Do Farm Life & Markets for a list of our farmers and markets.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Campus is so beautiful during fall. Catch a football game, take a self-guided tour or just a bike ride or a stroll through the campus can be a very rewarding experience!

You also might be interested in these seasonal trip ideas...