Discover Hillsborough,
North Carolina.
The seat of Orange County, just north of Alamance County and part of the West Triangle: a preserved 18th and 19th century downtown, an Eno River greenway, and Occoneechee Mountain just outside town.
Things to Do
in Hillsborough
Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, laid out in 1754 where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River. Its preserved downtown, a riverside greenway, the Speedway's racing history, and Gold Park and Occoneechee Mountain nearby all anchor the local week. Here is the verified shortlist.
01
Historic downtown & the courthouse square
Hillsborough's downtown is one of the most preserved in the Piedmont, and it sits on deep history: the town was laid out in 1754 where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River, hosted five state General Assemblies and the 1788 Constitutional Convention, and served as a base for both sides during the Revolutionary War. Today the Historic Orange County Courthouse anchors King and Churton streets, 18th and 19th century storefronts hold galleries, bookshops, coffee shops, and restaurants, and the surrounding National Register district preserves more than 100 buildings.
- Laid out in 1754 at the Great Indian Trading Path crossing
- Historic Orange County Courthouse (1844) on the square
- 100+ buildings in the National Register downtown district
02
Occoneechee Speedway Historic Site
The Speedway is one of only two tracks to host NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season, and it is the only one of those original dirt tracks still in existence. Races ran here from 1947 to 1968, ending with a 1968 finale won by Richard Petty. Today the 44-acre National Register site preserves about four miles of walking trails through pine and sycamore forest along the Eno, with ruins of the old grandstands still standing, and it is part of North Carolina's Moonshine & Motorsports Trail.
- One of the first two NASCAR tracks, from the 1949 season
- Site of the final 1968 race, won by Richard Petty
- Four miles of trails; grandstand ruins still visible
03
The Riverwalk along the Eno
The paved, accessible Riverwalk follows the Eno River through downtown Hillsborough, linking Gold Park to the Occoneechee Speedway trails and the James M. Johnston Nature Preserve. It carries the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through town and makes an easy, family-friendly walk from the courthouse square down to the water. The Gateway Center by the Eno River parking deck is the handiest starting point, and the greenway is open from 8 a.m. to a half hour after sunset.
- Paved, ADA-accessible greenway along the Eno River
- Carries the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Hillsborough
- Links Gold Park to the Speedway trails and nature preserves
04
Gold Park & Occoneechee Mountain
Gold Park (415 Dimmocks Mill Road) is the town's riverside community park, with the Riverwalk running through it, a multi-use field and picnic shelter, an accessible playground with musical instruments, a pollinator garden, and a fenced dog park. A short drive away, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area protects the highest point in Orange County, 867 feet above the Eno, with about three miles of trails, an overlook, two small fishing ponds, and picnic areas. The mountain's trail connects to the Riverwalk toward downtown.
- Gold Park: riverside park with dog park and musical playground
- Occoneechee Mountain: the highest point in Orange County, 867 ft
- About 3 miles of trails, an overlook, and fishing ponds
Park and town links go to official Town of Hillsborough and NC State Parks pages; businesses link to their own sites. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go.
Restaurants, Shops &
Local Favorites
Every spot below is a real Hillsborough business with a working website. We do not print invented reviews, hours, or ratings; use each place's own site for today's details. Most sit on Churton or King Street, a short walk from the courthouse square.
Antonia's Restaurant
Italian · 101 N Churton St
Saratoga Grill
American kitchen + bar · 108 S Churton St
Wooden Nickel Pub
Pub + grill · 113 N Churton St
Hillsborough BBQ Company
Barbecue · 236 S Nash St
The Nomad at The Osbunn
Kitchen + bar · 122 W King St
TACOS LOS ALTOS
Tacos · 126 W King St
Hillsborough Bakeshop & Pasta Co
Bakery + kitchen · 110 S Churton St
Cup-A-Joe
Coffee + cafe · 112 W King St
Weaver Street Market
Community food co-op · 228 S Churton St
Steve's Deli, Bakery & Cafe
Deli + cafe · 610 N Churton St
Kim's Bake Shop
Bakery + pies · 111 N Churton St
Joe Van Gogh Coffee Roastery
Coffee roaster + cafe · 505 Meadowlands Dr
More coming
We add favorites as we verify them. Know a Hillsborough spot we should feature?
Downtown shopping
Churton & King streets
Shops &
galleries
King and Churton streets are owner-curated shopping streets: the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop and the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts show local work, Purple Crow Books and Dual Supply Antiques fill the antique-and-book niche, and The Town Scoop, Say Wear Boutique, Uniquitiques, and Weaver Street Market round out the mix. For the current lineup, the Visit Hillsborough shopping guide is the one to bookmark.
Menus, hours, and seasons change. Always confirm details with the business directly.
Events &
Happenings
Hillsborough's calendar runs on the square and the river: Hog Day each September, the monthly Last Fridays Art Walk, and winter holidays that light up Churton Street. We list only recurring, officially confirmed events, and we point you to the current calendars so you always have the exact dates.
Annual, third weekend of September
Orange County's largest and oldest festival, running since 1983: barbecue cook-off, car show, live music, and a 5K, with proceeds supporting youth programs and schools. · River Park, E Margaret Ln
Last Friday of each month
Galleries, studios, and shops stay open for artist receptions and live music, with a makers market on the courthouse lawn May through October, presented by the Hillsborough Arts Council. · Downtown, courthouse square
Annual, first weekend of December
The town's holiday parade and tree lighting, part of the Jingle and Joy weekend hosted by the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. · Churton Street
Annual, early December
A holiday home tour of Hillsborough historic houses, presented by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough. · Historic homes around town
Neighborhood
Spotlights
Hillsborough's neighborhoods are next on our list. Until the deep dives are ready, here is the honest townwide read on housing character, and an easy way to tell us which neighborhood to profile first.
Spotlight coming soon
Tell us which Hillsborough neighborhood you want profiled first.
Spotlight coming soon
The historic district, mid-century streets, or the newer communities?
Spotlight coming soon
We build spotlights from public records and builder history.
Also in this guide
Residential character
The bigger
picture
Hillsborough's housing runs from a preserved historic core to newer neighborhoods, with a character older than most of Alamance County's new construction. Tree-lined streets near downtown hold 18th and 19th century homes in the National Register district, a ring of mid-20th-century neighborhoods sits just beyond the core, and newer communities such as Waterstone and Collins Ridge are adding single-family homes and townhomes on the edges. Orange County Schools serves the town, and the I-85 position keeps Chapel Hill, Durham, and the Research Triangle Park close for commuters.
- National Register historic district: 100+ homes from the 18th and 19th centuries
- Mid-20th-century neighborhoods and newer edges
- Served by Orange County Schools; easy I-85 access to the Triangle
Hillsborough
Real Estate
Hillsborough's board runs from preserved historic homes near the square to mid-century neighborhoods and newer communities on the edges, with buyer demand tied to the town's Orange County schools and its I-85 commute into the Triangle. We are compiling the townwide snapshot from public records; until it is ready, here is where to go from here.
Draft
Median sale price
Citywide figures are being compiled from public sales data.
Public records, pending · Nov 2026
Draft
Days on market
Being compiled; ask us for today's numbers.
Public records, pending · Nov 2026
Draft
New construction share
Being compiled for the town and its edges.
Public records, pending · Nov 2026
Draft
Active inventory
Current active count available on request.
Public records, pending · Nov 2026
Townwide figures for Hillsborough are being compiled from public sources and change often. Ask us for today's numbers for your street, your price range, or your neighborhood.
Homes for Sale
A snapshot of publicly listed homes across the West Triangle and nearby towns, plus live sources, and an ask-Gabe route to Hillsborough's active board.
Buyer & Seller Resources
Free video lessons on pre-approval, pricing, staging, and closing costs.
What's Your Home Worth?
A free, personalized review from a local professional, not an online estimate.
Market updates · being compiled
-
Citywide numbers are on the way
We are compiling Hillsborough's median sale price, days on market, and new construction share from public sales records. Until the snapshot is posted, the fastest way to a real number is a quick call: tell Gabe your street or price range and he will pull today's comps for you.
Public sales records, in progress
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What drives the market here
Hillsborough anchors Orange County's northwest corner, and buyers come for the historic character, the Eno River setting, and the I-85 commute to Chapel Hill, Durham, and the Research Triangle Park. Historic homes near downtown turn over in a steady, small-batch market, while the town's newer communities keep adding supply.
General market context · verify before you decide
Official & local
resources
For permits, parks, events, schools, and visitor info, go straight to the source. These are the official Town of Hillsborough, county, and visitor pages we trust.
Curious what a Hillsborough home is worth?
Get a free, personalized home value review from Gabe at Keller Williams Central, with no obligation and no pressure.