Burlington, NC
Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the US state of North Carolina. It is the capital of North Carolina’s Burlington Statistical Area, which includes all of Alamance County, where most of the city is located, and is part of the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point CSA. According to the 2020 census, the population was 57,303, making Burlington the 18th largest city in North Carolina. Planning to travel to Burlington City or already there? Either way, this list offers great things to do in Burlington, NC that will make your entire stay exciting. Founded in 1857 as a “City of Company Stores”, Burlington has undergone tremendous changes to become the vibrant city it is today. Originally founded as the stores and offices of the North Carolina Railroad Company, the city has developed into one of the best cities in North Carolina.
The city has a lot to offer, from attractive open parks like Burlington City Park, Fairchild Park and North Park to museums and shopping centers. If you’re planning a trip to Alamance County, this comprehensive guide will give you the most unique things to do in Burlington, North Carolina. The Company Store Depot is a souvenir featuring old railroad tracks. The depot, which dates back to the mid-1800s, is located in the CBD and originally served as a departure and arrival station for rail passengers. The depot was originally located near the railroad tracks, but was moved to its current location in 1978. Today, residents use the site for community group meetings and special outdoor concerts and events. The Activities Room of this historic site has a gallery of famous residents and all the important events that took place in 1893 and every decade in the city through the next century. These wall portraits are the work of renowned painter Rodney Moser and were presented and commissioned in 1993. It is a great place to learn about Burlington’s history and achievements. While there you will also have the opportunity to see the historic “Norfolk and Western Cab” located behind the depot. Paramount Theater is the right place for theater lovers. Founded in 1929 as a large theater, that site was a center of entertainment and culture for the people of Burlington. Although the doors of the theater were temporarily closed in 1994 for renovations, it reopened in 1998 with excellent features and capacity. Since reopening, the Paramount has hosted many events, musicals, plays, concerts, classic films, and community and business meetings. If you want to reserve a seat at this incredible theater, their box office is open weekdays from 12-3pm and one hour before the event.
Best of all, you can make credit card reservations anytime 2 /7 by calling 336-222-TIXS. For those looking for romantic things to do in Burlington, a classic movie or a great play will do. You can also visit Charleston and taste its local cuisine and drink a refreshing beer. For theater lovers, the Paramount Theater is the place to be. Founded in 1929 as a large theater, that site was a center of entertainment and culture for the people of Burlington. Although the doors of the theater were temporarily closed in 199 for renovations, it reopened in 1998 with excellent features and capacity. Since reopening, the Paramount has hosted many events, musicals, plays, concerts, classic films, and community and business meetings. If you want to reserve a seat at this incredible theater, their box office is open weekdays from 12-3pm and one hour before the event. Best of all, you can make credit card reservations anytime 2 /7 by calling 336-222-TIXS. For those looking for romantic things to do in Burlington, a classic movie or a great play will do. You can also visit Charleston and taste its local cuisine and drink a refreshing beer. And if you’re in the area now, you can enjoy the festival’s entertainment, food and children’s activities. And that’s not all! There’s more to do in Burlington, NC City Park. You can also enjoy, for example, a miniature train ride that dates back to 1951. Although new engines purchased in 1978 and 1979 replaced the original trains, the experience remains incredible. You can never run out of viewing opportunities at Burlington City Park. And if you are planning a trip, the park should be on your list of places to visit. The adventure doesn’t end there. Charleston Walking Tours is another great vacation idea that you definitely don’t want to miss.
Established in 1993, Lake Mackintosh Park and Marina is also the main reservoir for the city of Burlington. While the lake covers more than 1,150 acres of land, it also boasts 61 miles of shoreline. The lake is fed by two tributaries, Little Alamance and Greater Alamance Creek, which are also the main source of stocked fish in the lake. Lake Mackintosh is located on Huffman Mill Road, just outside the city limits. Not only is it ideal for fishing and kayaking, it also offers many recreational opportunities. However, since it is the city’s primary reservoir, the park administration does not allow swimming or jet skiing in the lake. Key attractions and activities include: Kayak and Rowboat Rentals, Large Playground, Picnic Areas, Outdoor Canopies – Rentals, Lakeside Clubhouse – Rentals, Boat Ramps, Bank and Pier Fishing. If you like kayaking or canoeing, you can rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy the morning sun rising on the lake. Exploring the beaches of South Carolina is another great vacation.
Another bucket lister must visit, even more things to do in Burlington, NC Cammack Lake is another incredible attraction. Located along Union Ridge Road north of the city of Burlington, the park covers more than 800 acres and has more than 50 miles of shoreline. Järvisatama offers unique leisure opportunities for boaters, fishermen, kayakers and walkers. Nature lovers can enjoy views of bald eagles or deer grazing by the lake. Unique features and activities include water slides, a playground, a handicap accessible bank and fishing pier, outdoor shelters with rental services, a building and pool with rental services, and a two-mile hiking trail. Park opening hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on some days when they are slightly different. This schedule is important when you need to plan your day. Another famous place in Burlington is the Aquatic Center (BAC) of the city. This modern aquatic center is open to the public and is perfect for a family day out. Some of the unique features of this facility include: a zero-depth well, climbing, trail, recreational swimming and deep diving. The facility has a 300,000-gallon water pool, ideal for those seeking aquatic exercise, therapy or lessons. If you need some quality time on the water, this facility offers a variety of parts to suit your needs. One of the components of the facility, the North Park Pool, offers other features such as a children’s pool, full bathrooms and playgrounds. If you want to hang out on the tennis court, the Burlington Tennis Center is the perfect place. This state-of-the-art facility offers 12 tennis courts available for both open and tournament play. Located on Overbrook Road near the Aquatic Center, this tennis center offers youth programs and lessons, as well as men’s and women’s nights for entertainment. It is recognized by the United States Tennis Association as one of the premier tennis facilities in the country. For those looking to blow off some steam and relax, this is a great place to visit in the city of Burlington.
Things to do in Burlington, NC just got better for people who love to bike. Open to all riders, the Burlington BMX motocross track offers an opportunity to ride one of the best bike tracks in the United States. BMX bike racing includes sprint bike races that are run off-road on single-lap tracks. This adrenaline-filled sport is approved by the ABA (American Bicycle Association) and can make your visit to Burlington quite enjoyable. The BMX racing season runs from February to early December, weather permitting. And you don’t have to worry about your skills. BMX racing has a level of competition for all abilities. Whether your skill level is beginner, intermediate or pro, BMX Burlington has something great for everyone. For some unique Burlington experiences, BMX has to be on your list. Asheville, North Carolina is also another great place to explore. Plan your route now and see what it has to offer. If you happen to be in Burlington in July, you can enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at City Park to celebrate Independence Day. In honor of Halloween, the park also has an impressive fireworks display on the Saturday before Halloween. These fireworks happen right after sunset. So if you go for an evening walk, you can complete your day with these incredible sights that everyone is missing in Burlington.