Arts, food, history and small-town charm await in Siler City
By Sharon Kinsella | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Drive 20 minutes due west of Pittsboro and arrive in Chatham County’s largest town. Siler City combines a welcoming rural community with a robust arts scene, layers of local history and a culturally diverse population. Spend a weekend – or weekday – exploring vibrant galleries, savoring standout flavors and getting to know what gives this town its signature charm.
The NC Arts Incubator is a nonprofit hub for new and emerging artists and innovators, offering affordable studio space alongside classes, exhibitions and performances right in the heart of downtown. Stop by the PAF Gallery to catch its rotating monthly exhibition, or swing through on the third Friday of each month for live music, fare provided by Bear Claw Catering and drinks from Thirsty Skull Brewing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The space isn’t just for artists – pop in during the day for a specialty latte from The Chatham Rabbit and get some work or reading done against the gallery’s colorful, inspiring backdrop.
Book a room at The Inn at Celebrity Dairy, a charming bed-and-breakfast perched on a gentle knoll beneath 250-year-old oaks and surrounded by a 300-acre goat farm. Hang out with the “hoofers” in the barn and milking parlor, then wander a network of rustic trails that wind through woodlands, around ponds and across streams. Be sure to sample the goat cheese made on site.
Consider Crossroads Grill your go-to spot for comfort food classics – from hotdogs, burgers and milkshakes to seafood and fried okra. Don’t sleep on the morning menu, either – start your day right with hearty breakfast sandwiches on biscuits our readers have voted among Chatham’s best.
For some retail therapy, the shops and boutiques along Chatham Avenue are well worth a browse. Hunt for pre-loved furniture and home decor at Fragments, score your next favorite outfit at Periwinkle on Chatham or explore an eclectic selection of craft supplies and handwoven artisan goods at Twin Birch & Teasel (the shop offers fiber arts classes, too!).
Did you know?
One of Siler City’s noteworthy claims to fame is its cameo on “The Andy Griffith Show,” where it was often mentioned as a neighboring community. But the town has another tie to one of North Carolina’s most enduring TV franchises: Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee on the show, lived the latter part of her life in town and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. When she passed away, she left a $100,000 trust fund to the town’s police department.
This town has some stellar barbecue and wing joints. Check out The Boneyard for wings (plus smoked meats on Saturdays!), or The Broken Spit for burgers and barbecue Tuesday through Sunday – each spot is just a short drive from downtown. Don’t forget the sweet tea.
6. Save room for dessert at Creative Creamery, where hand-dipped ice cream and homemade waffle cones are hard to resist. Or, browse the colorful display cases at Melanie Panadería Y Pastelería, filled with an array of Mexican breads, pastries and cakes baked fresh daily. You can also find their sweet treats at the Chatham Rabbit!
7. Thirsty Skull Brewing offers 16 craft brews on draft – from Pilsners to pale ales, lagers and more – plus a lineup of rotating and seasonal specials. We’re partial to the Pressure Drop, a hazy IPA. Keep an eye on social media for weekly deals and events, including $5 pours and Friday night karaoke.
