Animal Park at the Conservator’s Center

Come reconnect with wildlife and visit over 20 species of animals wildly up close.

A tour of of the Conservator’s Center covers a three-quarter-mile path with an experienced tour guide to learn about each of the animals—and each species’ ecological importance.

The Animal Park at the Conservators Center is open Saturday and Sunday each week for Public Tours, Private Tours, and seasonal events!  Group Tours for social groups, college clubs, and scout troops are also available during the week, as well as weekday Wild Field Trips for school programs.

Haand Pottery

Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area

Grab your hiking boots and a friend, here’s a trail you’re going to want to explore in any season.

Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is nature park that provides public access to Alamance County’s largest state-significant natural heritage area. Hikers will enjoy rolling piedmont hills, abundant creeks and streams, and some of the best views in the County.

This natural area is located in the Cane Creek Mountains Range, a range that covers much of the southwest quadrant of Alamance County. The mountain range is also home to the highest peak in North Carolina east of Greensboro at 987 feet.

Dentzel Menagerie Carousel

Come for a visit and get front row seat ride in a piece of Burlington’s history!

The Burlington City Park Carousel is a 3-Row Dentzel Menagerie Carousel built around 1906-1910 at the Dentzel Carousel Company on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The Carousel was purchased by the City of Burlington in the summer of 1948 from Mr. Carl Utoff.

In 2019, this piece of art in motion was due for complete refurbishment and restoration of both its artistic and mechanical elements; including, restoration and repainting of the menagerie of carousel animals, repairing and fabricating new mechanisms, upgrading the drive unit, and adding an ADA-accessible chariot and ramp. In addition to the carousel restoration, a new house for the Carousel was constructed.  The new Carousel House is open-air in the warmer months and enclosed by glass during cold weather allowing the Carousel to operate year-round.

Studio 1

Studio 1 is a performing arts center with an intimate 100-seat black box theatre located in Holly Hill Mall in Burlington, North Carolina. This production group is a dynamic community theatre group that focuses on providing unique programming in a positive atmosphere with professional results. They provide opportunities to performers of all ages, interests, experience levels and we offer training through classes and outreach.

Some of their recent productions include Walk Two Moons, Pathway to Freedom, Anne of Green Gables, Shrek the Musical, and Hamlet.

Burlington Beer Works

Did you know that North Carolina’s first cooperative brewery was located in downtown Burlington? This brewery and restaurant was started with a passion for securing a shared network of local and regional partnerships made up of farmers, producers, and service professionals.

The goal was to brew great beer, but more importantly, empower the community to collaborate. By sourcing at least half of their products within Alamance (their home county) and neighboring communities, they guarantee patrons a level of transparent quality and freshness. Their partnerships include:  Wilkeshire Beef, T5, Redbud, Smith, Dinnerbell, Your Local Greens, Hillsborough Cheese, Firsthand Foods, Brasstown Beef, Joyce, Haw River Mushrooms and San Giuseppe Salami Co. These farmers provide a local selection of fresh ingredients throughout the seasons; this helps create a recognizable identity for our area by way of the foods being cultivated and produced within it. Come enjoy a pint and taste all the goodness that Alamance County offers!

Forgotten Road Ales

If you haven’t heard of Forgotten Road Ales founders, Ben + Janée, and their brewpup Mac, it might be time to take a visit to one of their two locations.

On their first date, they bonded over their love of craft beer. A year later, Ben was stationed in Afghanistan while serving in the Marine Corps. He told Janée that he wanted to open a brewery once he returned home. Specializing in brewing barrel aged beers, wild and sour beers, & hazy IPAs, their award winning brews are truly something unique.

The name Forgotten Road Ales is a tribute to veterans and everyone who is currently serving in the military. The branding and logo design are based on Ben’s final rank of Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps.

FRA operates two tap houses, their flagship brewery in Graham, NC and a taphouse in Greensboro, NC. Come for a visit, drink some great beer and participate in any of the possible nightly events going on (monthly veteran nights, dog socials, Dino Day Fest, food truck nights, and more!)

Bright Penny Brewing

In the “Positively Charming” city of Mebane, there’s a brewery specializing in homemade pizzas, great beer, deviled eggs, and Mason Jar cheesecakes. This brewery, with its uniquely curated food is a must-visit. Mebane’s first brewery, Bright Penny, is located in the historic Rice Flour and Feed Mill building.

The brewery has an indoor/outdoor space to enjoy the weather, and is family friendly filled with board games, and fun activities. Live music is often playing at Bright Penny Brewing so be sure to check out their taproom schedule. An intimate setting; the staff at Bright Penny Brewing are knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Relax and enjoy a beer, then be sure to check out the great local shops in downtown Mebane.

Lake Mackintosh

Just outside of the Burlington City limits, the scenic Lake Mackintosh Park and Marina is open for the public to enjoy.

Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina was developed in 1993 and is the primary water reservoir for the citizens of Burlington. It covers over 1150 acres and has a shoreline of 61 miles. The lake is fed by two tributaries, the Greater Alamance and Little Alamance Creeks. These creeks have been the primary source of stocking fish for the lake.

The lake not only caters to the fisherman, but was developed as an overall recreational site for all to enjoy. Features of the lake include: picnic sites, sailing, paddle boat rentals, 6 boat ramps, pier/bank fishing,  open picnic shelter, playground, kayak rentals, row boat rentals, and 2 fish feeders. An enclosed rental building overlooking the lake is available for private rentals which accommodates 125.

Haw River Trail

The Haw River Trail is part of the state-wide Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) which allows hikers to travel across the state from Clingman’s Dome to Jockey’s Ridge. With approximately 40 miles of paddle trails and 20 miles of land trails available, the Haw River Trail provides public access to Alamance County’s most important natural feature.

Built on the idea of conservation through recreation, the land and paddle trails allow the community to explore and appreciate its river while helping to conserve and protect this important resource.