Pittsboro is such a charming small town with a lot of offer, making it the perfect day trip from anywhere in the Triangle. From antique shops to natural escapes to upscale dinners and laidback dives, you might just have to turn your adventure into an overnight stay! Here are 15 things to do in Pittsboro, NC.
15 Things to Do in Pittsboro, NC
What to Do in Pittsboro, NC
Circle City Books & Music
This store caught my attention because of the book mural on the side of the building. After checking out the titles painted on the side, I realized that all the books are written by North Carolina authors! Circle City is unique and has a great collection of tapes, records and books. You can spend hours in the shop browsing the collection and I definitely recommend stopping in. Right now, it’s by appointment only to browse in Circle City. Check their Facebook page for more details.
Located at 121 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
Deep River Mercantile
This store is such a delightful stop while strolling in historic Pittsboro. There are unique home items, delicious candles, funny stickers, a variety of gift ideas, and Southern snacks. I picked up Goo Goo Clusters, a couple of candles, and a few stickers. Enjoy spending some time exploring the diverse selection of items in an old time mercantile shop!
Located at 115 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
French Connections Shop
It’s hard to drive into Pittsboro and not make this your first stop. The eclectic decor out front is enough to make you turn your car right into the driveway. French Connections is full of gorgeous fabric, linens, home decor and jewelry, and all products are ethically traded and are sourced from Mexico, France and 20 African countries. It’s easy to get lost in all the beauty, and the owners are very kind and fascinating.
Located at 178 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
Vino!!
This wine shop has an incredible selection of beer and wine, plus other gifts like wine glasses and cigars. I was impressed with the wide variety of beer and wine, but also by how affordable the selection was! It’s definitely a gem to have in this downtown. Bonus, there are wine tastings on Fridays from 5-7p! You can also grab a glass while browsing as well.
Located in 89 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Where to Eat in Pittsboro, NC
Allen & Son BBQ
For my BBQ lovers, you have to go to Allen & Son for a sandwich and hushpuppies. My husband and I differ on our opinions of BBQ—he likes pulled pork and I will not eat anything other than chopped BBQ. Allen & Son offers the best of both worlds of North Carolina style BBQ if your house is divided like ours.
Located at 5650 US-15, Pittsboro
Aromatic Roasters
This is the perfect spot to stop and grab a cup of coffee and a light snack before exploring. I got a lavender honey latte and it was delicious! It’s right on the way to the Bynum Pedestrian Bridge and would be a great spot to stop for a little break as well!
Located at 697 Hillsboro St Unit 101, Pittsboro
The Belted Goat at Fearrington Village
If you’re heading to Fearrington for the afternoon, this is a great place to stop for any meal, however, their lunch is my favorite! The menu is delicious with a variety of salads, sandwiches, soups, and main courses. And the wine list and full bar offer a delicious complement to the food menu.
Located at 210 Market St, Fearrington
Carolina Brewery & Grill
Carolina Brewery has been brewing beer since 1995 and are committed to serving up local ingredients. The Pittsboro location has a lovely, heated patio with a large seating area and a stage for live music for when that can start back up.
Located at 120 Lowes Dr #100, Pittsboro
City Tap
City Tap is awesome for a little snack or beverage break while strolling through town. They serve hot and cold sandwiches plus great snack options! Their Mediterranean snack is a delicious take on hummus!
Located at 89 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
The environment in the Fearrington House Restaurant is upscale, yet comfortable. The bar offers a rich selection of wines and cocktails, and there are beautiful fireplaces in most of the dining rooms. This is a farm-to-fork restaurant that’s also Green Certified (the only one in the US recognized by AAA Five Diamond & Forbes Five Star restaurants to hold this honor). The ingredients are sourced from local farms, in addition to the gardens on the grounds. The experience is spectacular and worth a trip for dinner.
It’s also a lovely spot to visit for afternoon tea as well!
Located at 230 Market St, Pittsboro
TheMod
The Mod has the coolest outdoor patio and an awesome menu to go along with it! The artichoke wood-fired pizza is my go-to here, and the sandwiches are delicious as well. There’s a perfect view of the courthouse from the patio, making it a nice break stop in the downtown.
Located at 46 Sanford Rd, Pittsboro
S&T Soda Shoppe
I love an old-time soda shop and S&T came highly recommended by locals and friends alike. The fried green beans are a must-order! Plus, they have a huge ice cream counter which is a favorite staple. There is ample seating and the staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming!
Located at 85 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
What to See in and Around Pittsboro, NC
Bynum Pedestrian Bridge over the Haw River
This was perhaps my favorite part of my day trip. The Haw River is gorgeous and the pedestrian bridge in Pittsboro is great for checking out local graffiti art and breathtaking views of the river. This is an absolute must!
The Bynum Bridge is located at 413 Bynum Rd, Bynum. There are other Haw River access points as well.
Chatham County Courthouse
This awesome courthouse is a showstopper in the center of the town. You’ll find it in the center of a traffic circle (hence the town nickname “Circle City!”) and boasts Victorian era architecture. The first floor of the courthouse contains a history museum of Chatham County.
Located at 9 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
Fearrington Village
There is so much to do at Fearrington Village! You can relax with a spa visit, stroll through the shops, grab a cup of coffee at The Goat, say hi to the Beltie goats and cows or just relax at the Roast Beer Garden. The grounds also offer lots of trails to explore and gardens to take in. It is the perfect getaway retreat in the middle of the Triangle.
Located at 230 Market St, Pittsboro
Where to Stay in Pittsboro, NC
Fearrington House Inn
The Fearrington House Inn is a gorgeous space in the center of a former dairy farm. I am absolutely smitten with Fearrington for its gorgeous trails, shops, eateries and spa. If you decide extend your Pittsboro day trip to two day (which is easy to do!), I definitely recommend staying here. The experience is outstanding! Check out more here, here, and here.
You also might what to consider taking the short drive to Chapel Hill to stay at The Carolina Inn or at The Siena Hotel.
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This post was originally published in 2015 and has seen been updated and recirculated for 2021.
I want to go to all of these places! Especially the book store and the wine shop. Great overview!
I LOVE this. Pittsboro is home <3 I moved there when I was in 8th grade and my first job ever was actually at Fearrington in a plant/flower shop! It doesn't exist anymore but I love visiting Fearrington every time I go back home to visit the fam!
xo, Shelby
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