Chapel Hill is a leafy college town in central North Carolina and the home of the University of North Carolina, the oldest public university in the United States to hold classes. Its brick walkways, stone walls and tall oaks give it one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
March to May and September to November, for dogwoods, fall color and college sports.
How long
One to two days covers the campus, Franklin Street and the gardens.
Getting there
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 25 minutes east.
Why visit Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina was chartered in 1789 and opened in 1795, and the town grew up around it on a hill where a small chapel once stood. Today UNC has about 30,000 students and is known for its medical school, its research and the Tar Heels' famous basketball program.
Chapel Hill is part of the Research Triangle with Raleigh and Durham, and it is a relaxed place to spend a day or two, with museums, gardens, a lively main street and a strong food scene. Its neighbor Carrboro adds a farmers market, music venues and an independent spirit.
The UNC campus
The historic campus is the heart of Chapel Hill and is easy to explore on foot.
The Old Well and McCorkle Place
The Old Well, a small domed rotunda modeled on a Greek temple, stands in front of Old East, the oldest state university building in the country, built in 1793. Students drink from it for good luck on the first day of classes, and the surrounding McCorkle Place is shaded by old oaks.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Morehead Planetarium trained NASA astronauts for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Today it presents planetarium shows and science exhibits for families.
Ackland Art Museum
The free Ackland Art Museum holds a fine collection of European, Asian, African and American art, from old master paintings to contemporary work.
Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower and Wilson Library
The 1931 bell tower rings across campus, and Wilson Library, with its domed reading room, houses the university's rare books and the North Carolina Collection Gallery.
Dean E. Smith Center and Kenan Stadium
The Dean Dome is home to the Tar Heels' famous men's basketball team, and the Carolina Basketball Museum nearby celebrates its championships. Kenan Stadium, set in a wooded bowl, hosts football in the fall.
Franklin Street and Carrboro
Chapel Hill's main street runs along the north edge of campus.
Franklin Street
Franklin Street is lined with restaurants, bars, bookstores and shops, and it is where fans rush to celebrate big Tar Heel wins.
Carrboro
Chapel Hill's neighbor Carrboro has a lively downtown with music clubs, cafés and the Carrboro Farmers' Market, one of the best in the state.
Chapel of the Cross
This 1840s Gothic Revival Episcopal church on Franklin Street is one of the town's oldest buildings.
Gardens and the outdoors
Chapel Hill is surrounded by woods, gardens and trails.
North Carolina Botanical Garden
This free garden displays native plants of the Southeast in themed habitats, with carnivorous plants, wildflowers and woodland trails.
Coker Arboretum
On campus, the five-acre Coker Arboretum has a long wisteria arbor and seasonal blooms.
Battle Park
This wooded park next to campus has short trails and a quiet creek, a good escape from the busy streets.
Jordan Lake
About 20 minutes south, Jordan Lake is a large reservoir with beaches, boating and one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the eastern United States.
Food and local flavors
Chapel Hill has one of the best restaurant scenes in the South for a town its size, with Southern classics, modern farm-to-table cooking and casual spots for students. Look for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits and local barbecue.
The Carrboro Farmers' Market is a showcase of local produce, cheeses and baked goods, and nearby Durham and Raleigh add even more choices.
Popular dishes to try in Chapel Hill
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Local businesses in Chapel Hill
Vacuum Cleaner Hospital
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Green Grass and More
Green Grass and More is a landscaping business serving Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, and Durham, North Carolina. Green Grass and More provides landscaping, hardscapin...
Where to stay
Downtown and Franklin Street puts you within walking distance of campus, museums and restaurants.
Carrboro has a few inns and is close to the farmers market and music venues.
Southern Village and Meadowmont are planned neighborhoods with hotels and restaurants a short drive from campus.
Near the airport, hotels around Durham and Morrisville are convenient for flights.
Best time to visit
Spring is lovely, with dogwoods, azaleas and graduation in May.
Summer is hot and quieter, with fewer students in town.
Fall brings football, basketball season and colorful leaves.
Winter is mild, with occasional snow.
Getting there and getting around
By air: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is about 25 minutes east.
By car: Interstate 40 passes the town, linking it with Durham and Raleigh.
Getting around: Chapel Hill Transit buses are free for everyone, and downtown and campus are best explored on foot.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Walk the UNC campus from the Old Well to Wilson Library and the bell tower, visit the Ackland Art Museum, and see a show at Morehead Planetarium. In the evening, have dinner on Franklin Street.
Second day
Spend the morning at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and Coker Arboretum, then head to Carrboro for lunch and the farmers market on Saturday. In the afternoon, visit Jordan Lake or the Carolina Basketball Museum.
Practical tips
- Chapel Hill Transit buses are fare-free.
- Parking downtown is limited and metered; use the park-and-ride lots on game days.
- Hotels fill up for football weekends, graduation and big basketball games.
- Many museums and gardens on campus are free.
Find local businesses in Chapel Hill on WiserMap
Looking for a café on Franklin Street, a bookstore or a local restaurant?
