Day Out in Hillsborough, NC-Our Top 5 Things to See & Do!

Are you looking to get out of the house this summer, of course you are. Check out Hillsborough, NC. This small town has a population of about 7,115 residents. The downtown historic districts, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features more than 100 homes, churches and buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Come along as we explore Hillsborough, NC

Our Top 5 List

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#1

Ayr Mount

Garden at Ayr Mount

Back of the house at Ayr Mount

Ayr Mount is a Federal-era plantation house built in 1815 in Hillsorough, North Carolina by William Kirkland. Kirkland, named the house in honor of his birthplace, Ayr, Scotland. Unlike the other houses in the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust collection, Ayr Mount looks deceptively simple, even austere on the outside. There are no soaring columns proclaiming its classicism. On the other hand, Ayr Mount is far grander – especially in the interior – than one might expect from a first look at the exterior. The ceiling height of 14 feet is unusual for this period as is the elaborate Federal period woodwork and plasterwork found throughout the house.

Visit Ayr Mount for more info.

#2

Flag Stand

Grandstands

Walking Trail

Occoneechee Speedway Trail is a walking trail through natural and cultural history. The original track was a half-mile horse track built by Julian S. Carr for Occoneechee Farms. It was later expanded and used by NASCAR. This 44-acre site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002. Four miles of trail take you along the banks of the Eno River where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. The 1-mile oval Occoneechee/Orange Speedway was active from 1948-68, attracting the best stock car drivers and thousands of spectators. 

Race over here to plan your day at the track

#3

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

The first St. Matthew’s Church was built circa 1768 at Tryon and Churton Streets. Although it was damaged during the Revolutionary War, it served as the site of the NC Constitutional Convention of 1788 and as the site of Hillsborough Academy, but by 1800 had disappeared either by fire or demolition. The church was reorganized in 1824, and in 1825 the present building was erected on land donated by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin (1787-1870).

More info can be found here

#4

We brought our bikes along and enjoyed a beautiful ride on Riverwalk. It is a paved, ADA accessible, urban greenway along the Eno River that stretches nearly 2 miles from Dimmocks Mill Road/Gold Park through West Hillsborough and Downtown over to the Occoneechee Speedway property trails.

Plan your bike ride or walk Riverwalk

#5

Hillsborough BBQ Company offers pork BBQ, chicken, ribs, fixins and sides. While whole hog bbq is its specialty, all of its meats, appetizers, sides, vegetarian options, soups, and pies are made from scratch with the best ingredients available.

Feed your hunger here

We are sure you will love Hillsborough, just as much as we did.

Get out and explore.

 📸Gary Nash

Happy Adventuring!