Visit Hillsborough, NC

Past Meets Present Preservation Tour
2024-05-18 10:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join the Past Meets Present Preservation Tour for an exclusive glimpse into the hidden facets of Hillsborough’s notable landmarks. This tour offers access to five stops, unveiling rarely seen spaces and providing unique insights into the preservation efforts of these iconic sites. Tickets can be purchased here.
What to Expect
The Preservation Tour is self-paced, with docents stationed at each location. Participants must check in and receive the appropriate wristbands for entry. The tour consists of five locations: Hogg House, Dickson House, Masonic Lodge, Dickerson Chapel, and the Coachman’s Quarters. Ticket holders will also have the opportunity to purchase a limited-access pass to the Eno Cotton Mill.
Timing
The Preservation Tour locations will open at 10:30 am and be available until 3 pm. As a self-paced tour, attendees are encouraged to map their schedules accordingly.
Check-In
All attendees must check in at the Dickson House (Hillsborough Visitor Center) before visiting the tour locations. A designated welcome table will be positioned near the front porch or inside the Dickson House, where attendees can pick up their programs and wristbands. Check-in at the Dickson House will begin at 10 am on Saturday, May 18th; however, early pick-up will be available from 10 am to 4 pm beginning Thursday, May 16th. For questions or concerns regarding check-in, please email Ben@historichillsborough.org.
Parking
There is ample free parking throughout downtown Hillsborough. All locations, except the Eno Cotton Mill, are accessible by sidewalk. For those wishing to park closer to each site, please see the details below.

The Eno Cotton Mill parking is located directly in front of the Eno Cotton Mill offices.
The Coachman’s Quarters is best accessed by walking from the free public lot off Cameron Street. If needed, a drop-off circle is available closer to the Coachman’s Quarters. A map with details will be included in the check-in packet.
Dickerson Chapel provides limited parking in the grassy areas near the chapel doors and on the street.
Masonic Lodge is best accessed by the free public lot off King Street (behind Cup-A-Joe); however, they also offer limited street parking.
Hogg House offers onsite parking, but we encourage those who can walk from the free public lot off Cameron to do so.
Dickson House has free street parking available on all three sides of the building and accessible walkways throughout.

Additional Sites to See
While in town, we invite you to explore additional sites and planned activities for the day.
-Excursion Day: Experience Hillsborough, the small town with big history, through a day of FREE activities at our local sites! You can view more details on the event page.
-The Burwell School Historic Site: Free tours from 11 am until 4 pm
-The Occaneechi Replica Village: Explore the sacred grounds and learn more about the indigenous peoples who first called Hillsborough home.
-The Occoneechee Speedway: Calling all NASCAR fans! The historic Occaneechee Speedway is a must-do for all history buffs or outdoor enthusiasts. Hike your way into the history dirt trail that sported the likes of Louise Smith, Richard Petty, and Fireball Roberts.
-Hike Occoneechee Mountain: The highest point in Orange County is located in Hillsborough. Stroll the 3 miles of trails or brave the service entry to the overlook; whichever path you take, the views are worth it.
-Dine and Shop in Historic Hillsborough: From Churton & King to the west end, Hillsborough’s shopping and dining will keep you busy. From locally owned art galleries to carefully curated dishes, we encourage you to explore all it offers.
Plan more about why you are here with Visit Hillsborough’s itineraries and guides.

Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tours 2024
2024-06-08 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-06-15 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-07-13 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-07-20 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-08-10 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-08-17 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-09-21 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-10-12 10:30 - 12:30 and 1 more date | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns, with a guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and signs of its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen everywhere.
The tour begins at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, located in the eighteenth century Alexander Dickson Farm House, and guides visitors to a variety of historic places from the site of a 1790s African American-owned distillery to the 1840s Orange County Courthouse and the grave of one of North Carolina’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.
This is an in-person walking tour that sometimes crosses uneven terrain. Please plan to be walking or standing for the duration of the event, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle (plus your curiosity)!
For groups that are concerned about the length, duration, or terrain of the tour. Please, contact The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for other options, including bus tours.

Tickets are $10. Kids age 10 and under are free. Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-hillsborough-guided-walking-tour-tickets-314636485197

Hillsborough's Black & Indigenous History Guided Tour
2024-06-15 10:30 - 12:30 | Hillsborough Main Library, 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, 27278, United States
Event Details

As part of our Black Literature & Arts Celebration, The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough is providing a 90 minute, guided walking tour of Hillsborough’s Black and Indigenous History led by Judge Beverly Scarlett. The tour will begin at the library and follow a route through downtown. Registration is required. This event is free and open to the public. Funding by the Friends of the Library used to pay for this tour was donated by Alliance for Historic Hillsborough to support the preservation of historic Dickerson Chapel AME Church.
To reserve your spot, visit this link: https://orangecountync.librarycalendar.com/event/hillsboroughs-black-indigenous-history-guided-tour-14361
NOTE: Please be aware that this is a walking tour over several blocks in and around historic areas and may include hills, uneven ground, and spaces with limited mobility for wheelchairs and strollers. Plan to wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle as well as a hat and/or umbrella for shade. In case of bad weather, the tour will be postponed to another date.
The Black Literature & Arts Celebration (BLAC) an annual celebration that takes place during the week leading up to Juneteenth. Click to read more about this year’s events.

Outlandish Tour and a Wee Swallie at Yonder
2024-07-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
3pm-5pm: Outlandish Hillsborough Walking Tour: Explore Hillsborough on an afternoon walking tour and learn how Claire and Jamie saw the town. In the fourth and fifth books of the Outlander Series, Drums of Autumn and The Fiery Cross, as well as in the fifth season of the hit tv series based on the books, the main characters settle in a fictional Scottish community in North Carolina. The story intertwines with that of the Regulator Uprising in and around Hillsborough in the 1770s, making Hillsborough a natural location for this event.
The tour will begin at the Hillsborough Visitors Center and will take you to see many of the sites featured within the Outlander series relating to Hillsborough and the Regulator uprising prior to the Revolutionary War.
5pm – 6pm: A Wee Swallie at Yonder Southern Cocktails & Brew: Make your way down to the local brewhouse for a wee dram. Taste the flavors of Scotland through a traditional Scottish cocktail and a taster of Scottish Ale while enjoying the charismatic mixology demonstration from Yonder’s own Eryk Pruitt. Slàinte mhath!
This is an in-person walking tour. The tour will be 2-hours long and could have some uneven terrain. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle. Period-themed costumes are welcomed and encouraged.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/925364087897/?aff=oddtdtcreator
Refunds available up until 5 days prior to event. Ticket transfer options available. Taxes and fees cannot be refunded due to Eventbrite’s policies.

Original Historic Ghost Tour
2024-07-27 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-27 19:30 - 22:00 | Nash and Kollock St., Hillsborough, NC, Nash and Kollock St., Hillsborough, NC, United States
Join Enoch Pugh (b1735-d1771), a hanged Regulator, for an easy walk through downtown Hillsborough in our best, original mix of ghosts and (unliving) history! You’ll see three haunted houses, and learn about local legends and history while visiting two cemeteries, and the execution site. (2.5 hrs / 1.5 mi)

An Outlandish Morning with Lord John Grey at Moorefields Estate
2024-08-17 10:30 - 13:00 | Moorefields Historic Site, 2201 Moorefields Rd., Hillsborough, NC, United States
SOLD OUT: If you would like to join our Outlandish Waitlist, please email our Site Coordinator at Ben@historichillsborough.org.
Take a trip to 1700s Hillsborough with Lord John Grey. Start your morning exploring the historic Moorefields estate, once owned by Colonel John Gray. Conclude your early afternoon by following the paths of Jamie and Claire through the downtown streets.
10:30-11:30am – Walking Tour at Moorefields- Join Lord John Grey at the historic Moorefields for some traditional English refreshments of biscuits, scones, and tea as you walk the grounds. In the fourth and fifth books of the Outlander Series, Drums of Autumn and The Fiery Cross, as well as in the fifth through seventh seasons of the hit TV series based on the books, the main characters settle in a fictional Scottish community in North Carolina. The Frasers’ story intertwines with the realities of life in North Carolina in the 1700s and that of the Regulator uprising in and around Hillsborough, making Hillsborough a natural location for this event. Moorefields sits on land originally granted to Hillsborough’s “real” John Gray, a Colonel whose life circumstances overlap with the stories of both Lord John Grey and Jamie Fraser. After walking the grounds, get a sneak peak of the 1785 home that still stands on the property. After exploring the house, you’ll rejoin Lord Grey in historic Downtown.
*Driving between Moorefields and Downtown takes about 10-15 minutes
11:45-1:00pm – Historic Downtown Walking Tour: Rejoin Lord John at the Hillsborough Visitor’s Center before walking Churton and King streets to visit the places the Frasers would have seen as they navigated the colonial legal system and the Regulator Uprising of the 1770s .
This tour is in collaboration with the Friends of Historic Moorefields
– Agenda

Gates Open at Moorefields at 10:15am
A Walk with Lord John Begins Promptly at 10:30am
Tour the Lower Level of the Home Following the Walk
Downtown Walking Tour Begins at 11:45am at the Dickson House (Hillsborough Visitors Center)
Tour concludes at 1pm

– Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/8a6c78f1-2874-423c-9e72-4a36dfcf8f63

Outlandish Walking Tour
2024-09-07 10:30 - 12:30 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Beginning in the 4th book of the Outlander series and the 5th season of the hit TV show, Jamie and Claire Fraser settle in a fictional Scottish community in North Carolina. The story intertwines with that of the Regulator Uprising that took place in and around Hillsborough in the 1770s, making Hillsborough a natural location for this event.

The tour will begin at the Hillsborough Visitor Center and will take you along the Frasers’ footsteps to see many of the sites featured within the Outlander series relating to Hillsborough and the Regulator uprising prior to the Revolutionary War.
This is an in-person walking tour that sometimes crosses uneven terrain. Please plan to be walking or standing for the duration of the event, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle (plus your curiosity). Period-themed costumes are welcomed and encouraged!
Purchase tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/be2e5888-de29-48d1-9ed5-0d286fac475c

Hillsborough Halloween Spirit's Tours 2024
2024-10-18 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-10-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and The Orange Community Players for our annual Spirit‘s Tours. Come face-to-face with our ghostly residents to hear the chilling tales of Hillsborough’s spooky past.
Tours last approximately one hour. The ghost performances are family-friendly, but please be aware that this is a walking tour over several blocks, and may include hills and uneven ground.
Schedule – Tours will begin at 6pm. Tours start every 20 minutes. The last tour begins at 7:40pm.
Tickets 2024: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/b5f692eb-a8c8-4a83-8b20-22d51c941aec
Adult – $20
Children 5-12 – $10

Historic Hillsborough Guided Tours
2025-03-01 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-08 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-15 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-22 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-04-12 10:30 - 12:30 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns, with a guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and signs of its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen everywhere.
The tour begins at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, located in the eighteenth century Alexander Dickson Farm House, and guides visitors to a variety of historic places from the site of a 1790s African American-owned distillery to the 1840s Orange County Courthouse and the grave of one of North Carolina’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.
This is an in-person walking tour that sometimes crosses uneven terrain. Please plan to be walking or standing for the duration of the event, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle (plus your curiosity)!
For groups that are concerned about the length, duration, or terrain of the tour. Please, contact The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for other options, including bus tours.
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/3277bebb-5a4c-48ec-9a1e-0c4e287138b5

Churton Street Stroll
2025-03-29 10:30 - 12:30 | River Park, 140 East Margaret Lane , Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us for this fascinating walking tour and discover the stories behind the sixteen historical markers that line four blocks of one of the Piedmont’s oldest streets. They start in the 1600s and go right through to the 1960s. The FULL stories behind the people and events depicted briefly on the markers are often much more interesting than might be supposed. In just two hours, you’ll hear about all 16, and even visit some of the subjects in the town cemetery. Along the way you’ll meet surveyors, merchants, generals, governors, lawyers, scientists, enslaved people, and much more.
It turns out the “cute” little town of Hillsborough has had a very outsized impact on Orange County, North Carolina, the United States, and even the world.
Tours start at 10:00 AM, we will meet at the Arch across the street from Weaver Street Market (228 S. Churton) to embark on this surprising adventure.
Details
For questions, please contact Barney Caton at hauntedhillsborough@gmail.com.
Tickets: Tours are $15 per ticket. Buy them here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/67562535-3d95-449c-8453-dd9c682850fd
Time: Tours begin at 10:00 am and will last 2 hours. Each tour will be limited to 20 participants
Meet your Guide: Tour-goers will meet at the arch located in River Park, across from Weaver Street Market.
Parking: Guests have access to free parking at the parking deck next to Weaver Street Market, the Riverpark Pavilion, or any street parking available.
What to Bring: This is an in-person walking tour. Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

West Hillsborough Walk and Talk
2025-03-29 10:30 - 12:30 | West Hillsborough Parking Lot, West Hillsborough Parking Lot, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us for a fun and informative stroll through the charming streets of West Hillsborough. Discover the rich history, historic mills, and hidden gems of this beautiful community.
Embark on a captivating Stroll of West Hillsborough, where the echoes of its industrial past still resonate today. See the historic Eno Cotton Mill and Bellevue Manufacturing Company, learning about the techniques that powered them and the different owners. Delve into the stories of the local mill villages, once bustling with the energy of hardworking communities. Experience the vibrant spirit of modern-day West Hillsborough, where local businesses continue to thrive. Join us for an unforgettable journey through time and tradition in this picturesque corner of North Carolina.
Buy tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/west-hillsborough-walk-and-talk
* This is an in-person walking tour that sometimes crosses uneven terrain. Please plan to be walking or standing for the duration of the event, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle (plus your curiosity)!

Open Farm Day at Firefly Farm
2025-04-05 08:00 - 18:00 | Firefly Farm, 4911 Hunt Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
You are invited to the Open Farm Day at Firefly Farm . Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8 am till 6 pm. This free event is the perfect opportunity to see what we are growing. We are a U-pick flower farm, growing many varieties of flowers. Come out and wander the farm and pet the animals.
Schedule of Events for Open Farm Day at Firefly Farm
No ticket needed – free event, open to the public
8 am – Gates open. Farmer Cindy and staff will be available to answer any questions you may have. Wander the farm – be our guest! While the wildflowers are not ready for the U-pick season yet, this is a great time to see what the farm has to offer. Select flowers will be available for purchase and we may have a special opportunity for U-pick tulips. Park at the barn or in the overflow lot (follow the yellow signs). Check in at the barn to begin your adventure (map available). Walk the labyrinth. Say hello to the farm animals and the unicorn. Swing on the farm swing. Touch a tractor. Find a hammock and take a nap while the kids make a craft. Enjoy the fresh air and run around outside. Make it your day.
Special activity: Farm tours will occur at 10 am, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm. Meet Farmer Cindy at the barn and she will lead you around some of the flower gardens and discuss what is happening on the farm. Feel free to ask questions. During the 10 am and 4 pm tours, we will feed the animals!
Vendors joining us include: Burger Bistro, Smokehouse Bandits BBQ, Ms. Tori and her crafts (A Child’s Creative Curiosity), State Farm, First National Bank, CirclesandSymmetry Etsy store and others! Plan on buying some delicious food and sweets, finding your favorite spot on the farm, and having a picnic on a beautiful Spring day!
6 pm – Gates close. Thank you for joining us! www.fireflyfarmnc.com

Revolutionary Era Walking Tour 2025
2025-04-05 11:00 - 13:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us for a Revolutionary Era guided walking tour of Hillsborough’s historic district!
Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns, with a guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and signs of its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen everywhere.
This is a two-hour, in-person walking tour. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle (and your curiosity)! Visitors participating in the tour can meet on the front porch of the Visitor Center before the tour begin.
Get tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/revolutionary-era-walking-tour

Ayr Mount Tours 2025
2025-04-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Ayr Mount Historic Site, 376 St. Mary's Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Ayr Mount strikes a startling figure in the historical town. The 1815 federal, masonry edifice was the first of its kind in this once bustling trade town, and thanks to the preservation efforts of our founder Richard Jenrette, remains well preserved with several original family objects on display.
CAHPT invites you to explore the site to learn about the design, construction, and maintenance of the estate as well as the lives of those, enslaved and free, who crafted and occupied the extravagant home and landscape from 1820 to 2018.
Visitors are welcome to explore the site select Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays April through November. Guided tours will be offered Thursday & Friday at 1:00pm and 2:30pm. Tour times for Saturday take place at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm. All guests must purchase tickets in advance.
Tickets can be bought here: https://secure.jenrette.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents
This is a potentially strenuous tour which includes climbing stairs, traversing uneven terrain, and enduring uncomfortable weather conditions and the presence of bugs or other wildlife. We regret that we cannot be responsible for those needing assistance and encourage all guests to dress accordingly. No food or beverages are allowed in the houses with the exception of a closed bottle of water.
