HILLSBOROUGH, N.C., 2025 – After months of restoration following Tropical Melancholy Chantal, Hillsborough’s beloved trails and greenways are open as soon as once more, able to welcome guests. This small city alongside the Eno River is filled with historical past, attraction, and creativity, and its mixture of procuring, eating, reside music, and outside exploration makes for a small-town getaway with massive attraction.
Start your journey on the Riverwalk, a paved greenway that winds alongside the Eno and leads you straight into the guts of historic Hillsborough. From the path, it is just steps to downtown’s boutiques, galleries, and eating places, making it simple to pair outside exercise with cultural exploration.
Customers will discover loads of treasures in regionally owned shops. Carlisle & Linny Classic Jewellery dazzles with one-of-a-kind items, whereas Uniquitiques affords antiques and quirky finds. Artwork fans can discover Spiral Studios or browse the cabinets of Purple Crow Bookshop, an area favourite full of must-reads. For style and residential design, 108 Churton, Vesta, and Dwell Hillsborough showcase a classy mixture of attire and décor. Even plant lovers have their spot at The Flower Patch or Six of Cups, the place greenery and items line the cabinets.
When it’s time to eat, Hillsborough delivers flavors as assorted as the paths alongside the river. Savor barbecue at Hillsborough BBQ Firm, seize a slice at Pizza Cornicione, or quiet down with frozen custard at Whit’s. For a night out, cease by Eno River Brewing for craft beer and a riverside seat, then head to Nash Avenue Tavern, the place reside music fills the air. Many nights in Hillsborough finish with reside music, whether or not it’s a bluegrass jam, jazz set, or native singer-songwriter efficiency.
A City Steeped in Historical past
Hillsborough wears its historical past proudly, and lots of websites are inside a brief stroll or drive of downtown. The Occaneechi Duplicate Village, simply off the Riverwalk, provides an enchanting glimpse into life alongside the Eno a whole bunch of years in the past. For a mixture of historical past and pure magnificence, go to Ayr Mount, a Federal-era residence inbuilt 1815. Admission is charged for home excursions, however the surrounding Poet’s Stroll path is free. This mile-long loop by way of meadows and shaded woods affords sweeping views of the Eno and stands as one in every of Hillsborough’s most peaceable spots.
One other can’t-miss cease is the Occoneechee Speedway Path, the one surviving dust observe from NASCAR’s 1949 inaugural season. Right this moment it’s a preserved historic website, the place guests can stroll the oval, discover the stays of the grandstand, and picture the roar of engines that when echoed right here.
Trails and Out of doors Adventures
Whereas the city affords loads to see, Hillsborough’s trails are the thread that ties all of it collectively. The Riverwalk itself is ADA-accessible, family-friendly, and straightforward to achieve from downtown parking. Alongside its path, you’ll go River Park, a wide-open inexperienced house good for picnics, and Gold Park, a 20-acre favourite with trails, playgrounds, and an accessible musical play space for youths.
For these trying to stretch their legs farther, Hillsborough is a gateway to bigger outside escapes. The Occoneechee Mountain State Pure Space affords a rewarding climb to the best level in Orange County at 867 toes, with seasonal views which are breathtaking year-round. For a extra relaxed outing, the Seven Mile Creek Pure Space offers wooded paths ideally suited for birdwatching and quiet reflection.
Festivals, Taste, and a Weekend to Bear in mind
Hillsborough is greater than a day journey, it’s a vacation spot price a weekend. Keep in a single day on the fantastically restored Colonial Inn, the place historical past meets trendy consolation, or settle into one of many city’s cozy bed-and-breakfasts. Festivals and seasonal occasions fill the calendar, from the River Park Live performance to the Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Competition, together with artwork walks, music celebrations, and history-focused gatherings.
Regardless of the challenges introduced by Tropical Melancholy Chantal, the city has rallied to revive its beloved outside areas. Right this moment, each the greenways and the companies they join are thriving once more. Whether or not you come for boutique procuring, historic websites, a vigorous night time of music, or a riverside stroll, Hillsborough affords massive adventures round each bend.
