- How did Burlington originate?
- Burlington was born when the North Carolina Railroad needed a place to build, repair, and maintain the railroad in the area.
- How did Burlington continue to thrive after the railroad company left?
- The bustling metropolis would have died out when the railroad company left if it hadn’t been for the tenacity of its citizens who believed in their community.
- What attractions does Burlington offer visitors?
- Burlington offers visitors a wealth of history, a passion for the conservation of natural resources, shopping, and unique dining options that have stood the test of time.
- What activities can families and visitors enjoy in Burlington?
- Families and visitors will find everything from old-fashioned baseball to modern-day farm-to-table dining in Burlington.
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1. Animal Park at the Conservators Center
Explore exotic animals and enjoy an exciting, educational family adventure.
Animal Park at the Conservators Center is 45 acres of forested area and housing facilities for over 70 large and small wild cats, including lions and tigers. In 2007, the center opened its doors to the public in an effort to help fund the growing facility to ensure the animals received the best care in their new home. Visitors of the Conservators Center will learn about the individual animals at the facility from well-educated tour guides who are always up-to-date on facts and information they obtain from reliable sources. Staff at the center include well-trained veterinarians specializing in large animals to keep each resident healthy and strong.
676 E. Hughes Mill Road, Burlington, NC 27217, Phone: 888-650-1139 or 336-421-0883
2. Cedarock Park
Walk along scenic trails and enjoy a relaxing picnic in nature.
Cedarock Park began as a farm in 1830 and is now a sprawling 500-acre nature preserve along the banks of Rock Creek in the Cane Creek Mountains. The park offers six miles of hiking trails and six miles of horseback riding paths. Visitors can play on one of two 18-hole disc golf courses or shoot a round of footgolf. Additional sports include a basketball court, a volleyball court, and open fields for more outdoor games. Other activities include camping, kayaking, canoeing, picnics, and playgrounds. The highlight of Cedarock Park is the restored 1800s farm where guests learn about life on a 19th-century farm and interact with the goats and donkeys.
4242 R Dean Coleman Rd, Burlington, NC 27215, Phone: 336-229-2410
3. Granddaddy’s Antique Mall
Discover unique treasures and explore vintage finds at this massive antique mall.
Granddaddy’s Antique Mall provides visitors with two-acres of treasure hunting fun amongst the 230 booths of antiques and collectibles. The antique mall features a Mom and Pop General Store display with an old-timey feel that takes you back in time. Guests will stumble upon a wide selection of vintage clothing and toys, antique art pieces and memorabilia, a multitude of classic advertising signage, and a plethora of general store knick-knacks. Granddaddy’s Antique Mall first opened in 1997 and is one of the biggest malls of its kind offering a great place to search for unusual home decor and unique gifts.
2316 Maple Ave., Burlington, NC 27215, Phone: 336-570-1997, Instagram
4. City Park
Enjoy family-friendly attractions and ride the historic carousel at this lively park.
City Park is a fun-filled family activity center featuring an amusement park with a miniature train, railed car ride with the choice of a firetruck, police car, tractor, truck, and jeep, as well as a boat ride. The carousel is currently being refurbished and scheduled to reopen in 2021 and the airplane ride is closed for maintenance. A large playground offers slides, swings, and climbing adventures and is adjacent to a picturesque fountain. Guests can picnic in the park or rent a gazebo for special occasions. Nature lovers enjoy strolling along the park’s trails and crossing the bridges over Little Almanac Creek.
1388 Main Street, Burlington, NC 27215, Phone: 336-222-5030
5. Alamance Battleground State Historic Site
Explore battlefield history and admire preserved Revolutionary War landmarks.
Alamance Battleground State Historic Site commemorates the location of the battle fought in 1771 between Royal Governor William Tyron and a group of settlers. It also marks the location of a Revolutionary War battle between General Cornwallis and the Deleware Light Infantry. A visitor center shows guests a film about the battles and life as a settler in North Carolina. Also on display are archeological relics discovered on-site, a replica of a war cannon and two monuments dating back to 1880 and 1901. Tours of the Allen House built in 1872 that depict homes built in the early days of North Carolina’s history.
5803 NC-62, Burlington, NC 27215, Phone: 336-227-4785
6. Glencoe Mill Village
Walk through a restored mill village and discover rich textile heritage.
Glencoe Mill Village is the best-preserved cotton mill complex in the United States. This historic district consists of over 50 buildings and structures originally erected beginning in 1880. The village is made up of a cotton mill and textile complex as well as the housing community where employees lived. The 105-acre site sits on the banks of the Haw River and buildings include a mill, wheelhouse, picker and dye houses, along with warehouses, an office, and a company store. Guests can drive-by the historic complex, read the many informative placards or visit the Textile Heritage Museum. The area features walking trails, picnic spots, and a canoe launch.
Glencoe Street, Burlington, NC, 27215
7. Burlington Athletic Stadium
Catch an exciting baseball game and enjoy a fun family outing.
Burlington Athletic Stadium was originally constructed in Danville, Virginia before being disassembled and rebuilt at its current location in North Carolina. It serves as the home field for the minor league Burlington Royals, Major League Baseball’s farm team for the Kansas City Royals. The stadium had a cameo appearance in the 1988 movie Bull Durham and was also the location for the longest single game lasting 27-innings over an 8-hour period that same year. Burlington Athletic Stadium gives visitors the authentic minor league experience before the days of big-money baseball. The layout of the clubhouses and dugouts gives fans a chance to get autographs as the players pass through the concourse.
1450 Graham St, Burlington, NC 27217, Phone: 336-222-0223
8. Textile Heritage Museum
Explore exhibits showcasing North Carolina’s rich textile industry history.
Textile Heritage Museum was created in 2002 by volunteers wanting to preserve the memory of the textile industry. The museum was established to educate visitors about how clothing was made particularly for the US Military beginning during WWI. Items on display include textile machinery, the fabrics created at the mill, and the clothing that was made. The museum is part of the Glencoe Mill Village that was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Admission is free and guests can choose between a guided tour or explore the museum and surrounding village at their leisure. The complete tour will take approximately 1-2 hours in order to see all the museum and village have to offer.
2406 Glencoe Street, Burlington, NC 27217, Phone: 336-270-6374, FB
9. Haw River Trail and Paddle Trail
Hike scenic trails or paddle along peaceful waters for an outdoor adventure.
The Haw River Trail consists of more than 20 miles of hiking along the scenic Haw River where visitors will encounter lush plant life and woodland creatures. In addition, guests can picnic or go fishing on spots along the sparkling waters. The Paddle Trail gives canoe and kayakers of all experience levels the opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty of the Haw River. Both the Haw River Trail and Paddle Trail are part of a community effort to promote conservation of this majestic natural resource. The results have improved the quality of the water and created habitats for the wildlife along the river.
3916 R. Dean Coleman Road, Burlington, NC 27215, Phone: 336-229-2229
10. Alamance County Historical Museum
Discover local history and explore exhibits in a charming historic home.
The Alamance County Historical Museum is part of the nearly 1700-acre grain plantation from the 19th-century. The plantation house that now serves as the museum was built beginning in 1790 by a Bavarian family. The museum features a parlor, music room, and dining room on the first floor furnished with mid-19th-century pieces and accessories. The second floor contains three bedrooms, one of which is furnished with bedroom pieces and the other two contain collections of antiquities, like clothes, blankets, and military memorabilia. Visitors can wander the grounds and see the granary, corn crib, carriage house, garden, and the family cemetery.
4777 south, 9295, NC-62, Burlington, NC 27215, Phone: 336-226-8254, FB
Map:
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Animal Park at the Conservators Center
- 2. Cedarock Park
- 3. Granddaddy’s Antique Mall
- 4. City Park
- 5. Alamance Battleground State Historic Site
- 6. Glencoe Mill Village
- 7. Burlington Athletic Stadium
- 8. Textile Heritage Museum
- 9. Haw River Trail and Paddle Trail
- 10. Alamance County Historical Museum