Burlington
Around Burlington
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · North Carolina · 183k people
Burlington
Locals say Alamance County
Where the Haw River winds through mill-town history.
Elon University goldElon University maroon
Welcome to Alamance County, where the Haw River runs through historic mill towns and Elon's campus buzzes with energy. Whether you're here for the trails, the ballgames, or the barbecue, you'll find a friendly community that loves its small-town character.
Clubs for Burlington
No clubs for Burlington yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Burlington. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Burlington. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Elon University Campus Historic brick campus with a classic quad.
- Alamance Battleground State Historic Site Site of the 1771 Battle of Alamance.
- Haw River Trail Multi-use trail along the river through Alamance County.
- Lake Mackintosh Popular for fishing, boating, and picnics.
- Burlington City Park Features a vintage carousel and historic parkland.
- Glencoe Mill Village Restored textile mill village with a museum.
- Outdoors Hike or bike the Haw River Trail
- Outdoors Fish or boat on Lake Mackintosh
- With kids Ride the carousel at Burlington City Park
- With kids Visit the Alamance County Historical Museum
- Evenings Catch a show at a local brewery
- Evenings Live music at Saxapahaw's gathering spot
- Locals love Farmers markets
- Locals love Haw River trails
Through the year
Humid subtropical with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside.
Getaways
- Greensboro Science center, museums, and shopping.
- Durham–Chapel Hill Research triangle attractions, music, and food.
- Winston-Salem Arts district, historic sites, and breweries.
- Raleigh State museums, parks, and nightlife.
Local flavour
Teams
- Elon Phoenix NCAA Division I
- Burlington Sock Puppets Appalachian League (collegiate summer)
Also rooting for Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), UNC Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, NC State Wolfpack (college)
Eat and drink
- North Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ Lexington-style is common in the Piedmont
- Cheerwine Cherry soda born in North Carolina
- Sweet tea A Southern staple
Where people go
- Historic mill villages
- Haw River trails Natural recreation areas
- College town cafes Elon University area
- Farmers markets Local produce and crafts
Heritage and traditions
Alamance County is proud of its deep textile heritage, the site of the Battle of Alamance, and a strong Quaker tradition that shaped its character.
This time of year in Burlington
- Leaf peeping and apple picking at local orchards Fall Fall colors and fresh apples are a seasonal treat.
- Quaker Heritage Day at Spring Friends Meeting Fall Celebrates the area's Quaker history with tours and demonstrations.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Alamance Battleground Revolutionary War Reenactment May Commemorates the 1771 Battle of Alamance, a precursor to the American Revolution.
- Saxapahaw Music on the River Summer Outdoor concerts at the Saxapahaw mill village along the Haw River.
- Mebane Christmas Parade December A small-town holiday tradition with floats and local bands.
- Burlington Art in the Park Spring Local artists showcase paintings, pottery, and crafts in a city park.
- Quaker Heritage Day at Spring Friends Meeting Fall Celebrates the area's Quaker history with tours and demonstrations.
- Snow Camp Outdoor Drama Summer Historical drama about the Regulator movement performed in an outdoor amphitheater.
Landmarks with a story
- Spring Friends Meeting One of the oldest Quaker congregations in the state, reflecting the area's early settlement.
- Alamance County Courthouse A 19th-century courthouse in Graham, the county seat, with a distinctive cupola.
- Textile Heritage Museum Located in Glencoe, it preserves the story of the textile industry and mill village life.
- Mebane Train Station A restored railroad depot that anchors Mebane's historic downtown.
- Snow Camp A Quaker settlement that hosted the Regulators and now features the outdoor drama.
- Burlington's Historic Depot A former railroad station that now serves as a visitor center.
Food traditions
- Livermush breakfast A Western North Carolina specialty of spiced liver and cornmeal, often fried and served on biscuits.
- Pimento cheese sandwiches A Southern staple of sharp cheddar, pimentos, and mayo, served at picnics and gatherings.
- Boiled peanuts Roadside snack of green peanuts boiled in salty brine, popular in the summer.
- Chow-chow relish A tangy relish made from green tomatoes, cabbage, and peppers, served with beans or hot dogs.
- Country ham with red-eye gravy A salty cured ham served with a gravy made from coffee and ham drippings.
Music and arts
- Haw River Ballroom A restored mill that hosts national and local musicians in an intimate setting.
- Snow Camp Outdoor Drama A summer theater tradition telling the story of the Regulators.
- Quaker folk art Simple, functional crafts and quilting traditions from the Quaker heritage.
- Textile arts Weaving and fabric arts rooted in the mill history.
A little history
- 1771 Battle of Alamance
- 18th century Quaker Settlement
- 1850s Railroad Arrival
- 20th century Textile Boom
- 1923 Founding of Burlington Industries
- Game day High school football on Friday nights
- Game day Elon Phoenix basketball games
- Outdoors Paddle the Haw River
- Outdoors Hike a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
- With kids Visit the Textile Heritage Museum
- With kids Go to the farmers market
Locals speak a Southern Piedmont dialect with a drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The accent is less pronounced than coastal Southern but still distinct.
Only here
- The Battle of Alamance is considered the opening salvo of the American Revolution.
- The name 'Alamance' comes from a Native American word for blue clay.
- Burlington was named after the textile company, not the city in Vermont.
- Glencoe Mill Village is a preserved textile village with worker housing.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; pack layers for spring and fall.
- Traffic on I-40/85 can be heavy during rush hour; use back roads like US-70 for a slower pace.
- Try a Cheerwine float at a local diner—it's a North Carolina classic.
- Learn to say 'Saxapahaw' (SAX-uh-pa-haw) and 'Mebane' (MEB-in) to sound like a local.
- Explore the Haw River Trail early in the morning to avoid the heat.
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Part of Greensboro area
Nearby
Every areaGreensboroNorth CarolinaCrossroads of the Piedmont, rich in history and flavorCaswell CountyNorth CarolinaSlow roads, big skies, and a warm welcome.Durham–Chapel HillNorth CarolinaTwo college towns, one Carolina soul.DanvilleVirginiaWhere the Dan River hums with history.SanfordNorth CarolinaWhere the bricks are made and the barbecue is slow.Winston-SalemNorth CarolinaWhere history and innovation share a sweet tooth.MartinsvilleVirginiaRacing heart, Piedmont soulRaleighNorth CarolinaWhere oaks shade the future and barbecue warms the soul.
Burlington, NC. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.