Burlington is a city in Alamance County, in the Piedmont of North Carolina, between Greensboro and the Research Triangle. It began as a railroad shop town and became a major textile center, home of Burlington Industries, once the largest textile maker in the world.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
April to June and September to October, for mild weather and river trips.
How long
One day covers downtown, City Park and the battleground.
Getting there
Piedmont Triad International Airport is about 40 minutes west, and Amtrak stops downtown.
Why visit Burlington
The North Carolina Railroad built its repair shops here in the 1850s, and the town, first called Company Shops, was renamed Burlington in 1887. Textile mills followed, and Burlington Industries grew from a single mill founded in 1923.
Today Burlington is a relaxed stop on Interstate 40, with a historic carousel, a well-kept downtown, outlet shopping and easy access to Revolutionary-era sites and the Haw River.
Downtown and City Park
Burlington's best-known sights are close to the center.
Dentzel Carousel at City Park
City Park's hand-carved Dentzel carousel was built around 1910 and has been delighting riders here since 1948. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and rides cost very little.
City Park
Beyond the carousel, City Park has a miniature train, a pool, playgrounds and shaded picnic areas.
Historic downtown Burlington
Downtown has restored brick buildings, local restaurants and the 1858 Company Shops railroad depot, now used for events.
Paramount Theater
The restored Paramount Theater downtown hosts community theater, concerts and films.
History nearby
Alamance County has important colonial and Revolutionary history.
Alamance Battleground
This state historic site marks the 1771 Battle of Alamance, where colonial militia defeated the Regulators, backcountry farmers protesting corrupt officials. A visitor center, monuments and the restored Allen House tell the story.
Elon University
Next door in the town of Elon, the university's campus is known for its red-brick buildings, oak trees and gardens.
Graham
The neighboring town of Graham, the county seat, has a historic courthouse square with shops and restaurants.
Rivers, parks and shopping
The Haw River and several parks are close to town.
Haw River and the Haw River Trail
The Haw River winds past old mill villages, and the Haw River Trail offers walking paths and paddling access, with outfitters renting kayaks and canoes.
Cedarock Park
This county park has a historic farm, hiking and mountain bike trails, a waterfall and disc golf.
Lake Mackintosh
Lake Mackintosh has fishing, boating and a park with trails on the city's southern edge.
Tanger Outlets
Tanger Outlets in neighboring Mebane, a few minutes east on Interstate 40, has dozens of brand-name outlet stores.
Textile heritage and local life
Burlington's mill history is still visible across the city. Old mill buildings and worker villages line the rail corridor and the river, and several have been turned into apartments, offices and event spaces. Look for the brick smokestacks and long, many-windowed buildings that once ran day and night making hosiery, cotton and synthetic fabrics.
Burlington Sock Puppets
The city's summer baseball team takes its name from Burlington's hosiery past. The Sock Puppets play in the Appalachian League, a summer league for top college players, at Burlington Athletic Stadium. Games are inexpensive and family friendly, with promotions on many nights.
Saxapahaw
About 20 minutes south, the tiny village of Saxapahaw grew up around a cotton mill on the Haw River. The restored rivermill now holds a general store, a restaurant, a brewery and apartments, and summer evenings bring outdoor concerts on the lawn by the dam.
Day trips from Burlington
Burlington sits halfway between the Triad and the Triangle, so two very different regions are within an easy drive.
Greensboro
About 30 minutes west, Greensboro is home to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, in the former Woolworth's store where the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins began.
Durham and Chapel Hill
About 45 minutes east, Durham has Duke University and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, while Chapel Hill offers the historic University of North Carolina campus and a lively main street.
Food and local flavors
Burlington is in Piedmont barbecue country, where chopped pork with a tangy red slaw is the local standard. Southern diners serve biscuits, fried chicken and banana pudding.
Downtown Burlington and nearby Elon and Graham have a growing number of restaurants, breweries and coffee shops.
Popular dishes to try in Burlington
Where to stay
Interstate 40 corridor has most of the chain hotels and the outlet stores.
Downtown Burlington is close to City Park and the depot.
Elon has a few inns near the university campus.
Best time to visit
Spring is mild and green, good for river trips.
Summer is hot and humid, with the carousel and pool busy.
Fall is pleasant and colorful.
Winter is generally mild.
Getting there and getting around
By air: Piedmont Triad International Airport is about 40 minutes west, and Raleigh-Durham is about an hour east.
By train: Amtrak's Carolinian and Piedmont trains stop at the Burlington station.
By car: Interstates 40 and 85 run through the city.
Getting around: A car is the easiest way to get around.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Ride the Dentzel carousel at City Park, then explore downtown and the old depot. In the afternoon, visit Alamance Battleground and stroll the Elon University campus.
Second day
Paddle the Haw River or hike at Cedarock Park, then end the day on the courthouse square in Graham.
Practical tips
- The carousel has seasonal hours, so check before you go.
- Alamance Battleground is free.
- Rent kayaks from local outfitters for the Haw River.
- Burlington is a convenient stop between Greensboro and Raleigh.
Find local businesses in Burlington on WiserMap
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