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Chapel Hill grew up around the University of North Carolina, the first public university in the United States to open its doors, in 1795. The town takes its name from New Hope Chapel, which stood on the hill where the university's founders laid out the campus, and the two have been tied together ever since, with brick walkways, old oaks and the domed Old Well at the heart of town.
Franklin Street is the main street, lined with bookstores, cafes, bars and murals, and it fills with fans after big Tar Heel wins. The Morehead Planetarium, where Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts trained, sits beside a giant sundial, and the free Ackland Art Museum and the Wilson Library galleries add plenty to see on campus. College sports are a passion here, from basketball at the Dean Smith Center to football at Kenan Stadium.
Beyond campus, the North Carolina Botanical Garden protects native plants and woodland trails, greenways such as the Bolin Creek Trail wind through the town, and neighboring Carrboro adds a lively food and music scene within walking distance.
WiserMap travel guideChapel Hill North Carolina Old Well and Franklin StreetPlan a Chapel Hill trip with the UNC campus, the Old Well, Morehead Planetarium, the Ackland Art Museum, Franklin Street, Carrboro and the North Carolina Botani...Read the guide
The Old Well, a small domed rotunda modeled on a Greek temple, is the best-known symbol of UNC-Chapel Hill. It stands at the edge of McCorkle Place, the shaded original quad lined with the oldest campus buildings. Students sip from it on the first day of classes for luck; early morning is best for photos.
The 172-foot brick Bell Tower, finished in 1931, rings over the south side of campus near Kenan Stadium. Nearby, the domed Wilson Library holds the university's special collections, with free rotating exhibits on North Carolina history and rare books. The library is open to visitors on weekdays.
An Episcopal church on East Franklin Street beside the campus, with a small 1840s Gothic Revival chapel and a larger stone church from the 1920s. The older chapel is one of the town's oldest buildings. Visitors may step inside when the church is open, and organ recitals are held in the main church.
A historic hotel opened in 1924 on Cameron Avenue at the edge of campus, with a colonial-style facade, wide porch and gardens. Non-guests are welcome for a meal at its restaurant, afternoon tea, or a stroll through the lobby with photos of university history. Its Friday summer concerts on the lawn are free.
Opened in 1949, Morehead was for decades a training site for NASA astronauts learning celestial navigation. Today it offers planetarium shows under its domed theater, hands-on science exhibits and family programs. Shows run at set times and can sell out on weekends, so reserve seats in advance.
UNC's art museum on South Columbia Street holds about 20,000 works, from European old masters and Asian ceramics to African art, photography and contemporary pieces. Exhibitions change often and admission is free. It is a good indoor stop between campus walks; allow an hour or so to see the galleries.
Inside the Ernie Williamson Athletics Center next to the Smith Center, this free museum covers the long history of Tar Heel basketball, with national championship trophies, game-worn jerseys, videos and memorabilia of famous players and coaches. It is small, so plan about thirty to forty-five minutes.
The Dean E. Smith Center, opened in 1986, seats more than 21,000 fans for Tar Heel men's basketball, while Kenan Stadium, set in a wooded bowl, hosts college football. Game days fill the whole town. Tickets for rivalry games against Duke are hard to get, so look for other matchups if you want to attend.
Chapel Hill's main street runs along the north edge of campus, lined with cafes, bookshops, bars, college apparel stores and longtime local restaurants. It is the center of student life and celebrations after big basketball wins. Parking is tight; use the public decks or the free town buses.
Run by UNC, this garden focuses on plants native to the Southeast, with display gardens, carnivorous plant collections, a herb garden and wooded nature trails. The visitor center is a LEED-certified green building. Admission is free; spring and early fall are the most colorful times to visit.
A five-acre garden in the middle of UNC's campus, created in 1903, with Asian and native trees, shrubs and flowers along winding paths. Its long wisteria-covered arbor is a favorite spot in spring. It is free, open daily and makes a peaceful short detour on a walking tour of campus.
Battle Park is a 93-acre wooded preserve on the east side of campus with quiet trails, streams and rock outcrops. At its edge, the stone Forest Theatre, rebuilt in the 1940s, hosts outdoor plays and concerts in warm months. Trails can be muddy after rain, so wear sturdy shoes.
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North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
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