10 Summer Getaway Ideas When Visiting Chapel Hill & Orange County, NC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., June 8, 2016 -- The official first day of summer is just around the corner, but there is still time to make your travel plans. Come to Chapel Hill & Orange County, NC to experience a variety of festivals and events highlighting outdoor music, food, history, culture and more. The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau shares a variety of ten "must do" events, festivals, attractions and more worth planning a trip to Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, NC in central North Carolina this summer.

Celebrate the North Carolina Botanical Garden's 50^th Anniversary year and experience its natural Habitat Gardens from the Mountains, Piedmont to the Coastal Plains. It's like walking across North Carolina all in one location. The kids also love the venus flytraps.

Relax at one of the many live outdoor music concerts and movies every week. The Carolina Inn hosts Fridays on the Front Porch with music and food trucks under the trees. Downtown Chapel Hill's Wallace Parking deck hosts movies on selected Thursdays. Southern Village holds "A Southern Summer" with weekly music, movies and markets on the Green. Weaver Street Market features After Hours music and Jazz Brunch on Thursdays and Sundays. 

Last Fridays in Hillsborough throughout the summer from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm includes music on the courthouse lawn, kids' events, activities at local historical sites and tons of outdoor dining. Start 30 minutes early and see nearly 20 venues on the Last Friday Art Walk. 

Summer is the perfect time to take a guided tour. Contact Preservation Chapel Hill for tours of Franklin Street, the Old Cemetery, Carrboro and more.  Learn about the history of the nation's first public university and tour the beautiful University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. Finally take a guided tour of Hillsborough, the Piedmont NC's oldest town, through the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough. 

The 14th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle, July 8-24. An international festival of new, ten-minute plays. 10 Actors, 10 Directors, 10 Minutes, 10 By 10 at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, NC. 

17th Giant Puppet Festival, August 5-September 5. Paperhand Puppet Intervention's annual summer puppet festival occurs weekends in historic Forest Theatre on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Bluegrass Festival at Moorefields, September 10. Five bands on the lawn, food trucks, beer and wine. Don't' forget the Last Sunday of the Month Open Houses and tour the historic 231-year old Moorefields house and grounds.

Fantastic cuisine is everywhere as well as award winning restaurants and chefs. For some quick bites, try the famous BLTs at Merritt's Store & Grill, Fried green tomatoes at Weathervane, burgers at Al's Burger Shack, and frosty milkshakes and Cherry Limeade at Sutton's Drug Store. 

Farmers' Markets are big here. In fact there are five to choose from open four days a week. Special summertime events include Tomato Day, Kids Cooking Classes and Food Truck Rodeos. Don't forget the Carrboro Farmers' Market Harvest Dinner on September 15.

Hog Day, September 16-17.  34th annual Festival in downtown Hillsborough at the River Park features local bands, fun contests & games, crafts and their famous BBQ cook-off contest.

For information about these and other events and festivals, plus details about accommodations, shopping and other attractions in the Chapel Hill and Orange County, NC area, visit www.visitchapelhill.org or call (919) 245-4320. Ask for a copy of our 2016 Great Summer Getaway to Chapel Hill & Orange County, NC brochure. 

Photo Caption - Chapel Hill's North Carolina Botanical celebrates its 50th Anniversary throughout 2016.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40535

CONTACT: Patty Griffin
         Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
         (919) 245-4321
         [email protected]