Guidebook for Chapel Hill

Jane
Guidebook for Chapel Hill

Sightseeing

UNC campus is world famous for its beauty, and the university vies with UVA for the title of first public university in the United States. Make sure to stop by McCorkle Place, where the controversial monument to the Confederacy known as "Silent Sam" stood until 2018, when activists toppled the statue. Read what my colleague, historian James Leloudis, has written about events surrounding Silent Sam: https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article217267425.html
111 yerel halk öneriyor
Kuzey Carolina Üniversitesi Chapel Hill'de
111 yerel halk öneriyor
UNC campus is world famous for its beauty, and the university vies with UVA for the title of first public university in the United States. Make sure to stop by McCorkle Place, where the controversial monument to the Confederacy known as "Silent Sam" stood until 2018, when activists toppled the statue. Read what my colleague, historian James Leloudis, has written about events surrounding Silent Sam: https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article217267425.html
This entry goes under "Sightseeing" because it's worth checking out the centuries of tradition embodied in the photographs that line the walls of The Carolina Inn (open to the public). Also, its front porch music on Friday afternoons April-October is the stuff of legend.
13 yerel halk öneriyor
The Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro St
13 yerel halk öneriyor
This entry goes under "Sightseeing" because it's worth checking out the centuries of tradition embodied in the photographs that line the walls of The Carolina Inn (open to the public). Also, its front porch music on Friday afternoons April-October is the stuff of legend.
If you are in town on a Saturday morning, April through November, make sure to go to this Farmer's market. All produce must be grown within 50 miles of Chapel Hill, and it's also a great place see locals craftspeople and participate in the swirl of life in Carrboro (fondly called "the Paris of the Piedmont").
54 yerel halk öneriyor
Carrboro Farmers Market
301 W Main St
54 yerel halk öneriyor
If you are in town on a Saturday morning, April through November, make sure to go to this Farmer's market. All produce must be grown within 50 miles of Chapel Hill, and it's also a great place see locals craftspeople and participate in the swirl of life in Carrboro (fondly called "the Paris of the Piedmont").
This is a sobering look at the South's slave past. This particular plantation included 900 enslaved persons, and it's worth taking a guided tour to learn more. Be prepared to walk; it's a large property. It's a drive to get there, but I think worth the time and effort.
10 yerel halk öneriyor
Stagville State Tarihî Alanı
Highway
10 yerel halk öneriyor
This is a sobering look at the South's slave past. This particular plantation included 900 enslaved persons, and it's worth taking a guided tour to learn more. Be prepared to walk; it's a large property. It's a drive to get there, but I think worth the time and effort.

Parks & Nature

Chapel Hill's population makes it a small city, but there are still beautiful green spaces dotted throughout
Delightful urban walking trail through the woods, great for kids, biking, strolling, roller-blading. Just steps from our home and linking you to Carrboro to the west and a playground recreation center (with climbing wall and pool) to the east.
8 yerel halk öneriyor
Bolin Creek Trail
Bolin Creek Trail
8 yerel halk öneriyor
Delightful urban walking trail through the woods, great for kids, biking, strolling, roller-blading. Just steps from our home and linking you to Carrboro to the west and a playground recreation center (with climbing wall and pool) to the east.
Stroll peaceful trails and enjoy indigenous plant life; there are stunning works of art near the architecturally striking educational center.
54 yerel halk öneriyor
North Carolina Botanical Garden
100 Old Mason Farm Rd
54 yerel halk öneriyor
Stroll peaceful trails and enjoy indigenous plant life; there are stunning works of art near the architecturally striking educational center.
Barely a mile up MLK from our place, the Pumpkin Loop is a trail on the site of Chapel Hill's tiny airport. It's a great place to run, walk your dog, or just stroll through the woods.
Pumpkin Loop
Pumpkin Loop
Barely a mile up MLK from our place, the Pumpkin Loop is a trail on the site of Chapel Hill's tiny airport. It's a great place to run, walk your dog, or just stroll through the woods.
Definitely stop by this tiny gem! One square block in the middle of UNC campus, the Coker Arboretum is lush with indigenous plants and a great favorite with undergrads on sunny days. You can walk its winding trails or sit on a bench to enjoy a feel for NC plants, flowers, and trees.
23 yerel halk öneriyor
Coker Arboretum
399 E Cameron Ave
23 yerel halk öneriyor
Definitely stop by this tiny gem! One square block in the middle of UNC campus, the Coker Arboretum is lush with indigenous plants and a great favorite with undergrads on sunny days. You can walk its winding trails or sit on a bench to enjoy a feel for NC plants, flowers, and trees.
This is a secret destination, that many in Chapel Hill don't know about! Recently created by the Triangle Land Conservancy, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve has a few miles of trails and is worth the drive (about 15 minutes away by car). Good for walking, biking, or picnicing!
10 yerel halk öneriyor
Brumley Forest Nature Preserve
3055 New Hope Church Rd
10 yerel halk öneriyor
This is a secret destination, that many in Chapel Hill don't know about! Recently created by the Triangle Land Conservancy, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve has a few miles of trails and is worth the drive (about 15 minutes away by car). Good for walking, biking, or picnicing!
About a 20 minute drive from Chapel Hill, these gardens are spectacular. Plan to devote at least an hour to walking around, more if you'd like to take a look at Duke University's central campus too. A really great place to picnic!
378 yerel halk öneriyor
Sarah P. Duke Bahçeleri
420 Anderson St
378 yerel halk öneriyor
About a 20 minute drive from Chapel Hill, these gardens are spectacular. Plan to devote at least an hour to walking around, more if you'd like to take a look at Duke University's central campus too. A really great place to picnic!

Arts & Culture

World-class dance, music, performances right on UNC campus at astonishingly low prices. Take a stroll to see Alvin Ailey, listen to Audra McDonald, hear the San Francisco orchestra, or watch a cutting edge performer like Toshi Reagan.
6 yerel halk öneriyor
Carolina Performing Arts
114 E Cameron Ave
6 yerel halk öneriyor
World-class dance, music, performances right on UNC campus at astonishingly low prices. Take a stroll to see Alvin Ailey, listen to Audra McDonald, hear the San Francisco orchestra, or watch a cutting edge performer like Toshi Reagan.
This is the innovative arts & performance space recently opened by Emil Kang, the visionary director of Carolina Performing Arts (at UNC). Intimate, stylish space and genre-busting performances make this a lively and always interesting place to go. Tickets are less expensive that CPA's main venue on campus at Memorial Hall.
CURRENT ArtSpace + Studio
123 W Franklin St
This is the innovative arts & performance space recently opened by Emil Kang, the visionary director of Carolina Performing Arts (at UNC). Intimate, stylish space and genre-busting performances make this a lively and always interesting place to go. Tickets are less expensive that CPA's main venue on campus at Memorial Hall.
The Ackland is a good university museum, with interesting temporary exhibits and a nice permanent collection. Check out the Lauren Frances Adams mural in the front left gallery -- a challenging quilted image capturing UNC's complex history with an emphasis on race and gender. A great image to stimulate conversation!
59 yerel halk öneriyor
Ackland Art Museum
101 S Columbia St
59 yerel halk öneriyor
The Ackland is a good university museum, with interesting temporary exhibits and a nice permanent collection. Check out the Lauren Frances Adams mural in the front left gallery -- a challenging quilted image capturing UNC's complex history with an emphasis on race and gender. A great image to stimulate conversation!
Check out the website to find more extraordinary music, dance, and performance over on Duke's campus. Parking is tricky so leave extra time! https://dukeperformances.duke.edu/calendar/
Duke Performances
2010 Campus Drive
Check out the website to find more extraordinary music, dance, and performance over on Duke's campus. Parking is tricky so leave extra time! https://dukeperformances.duke.edu/calendar/
When DPAC opened in 2008, this part of Durham was pretty run down. Now it's a cultural mecca, due in large part to the draw of the amazing acts DPAC is able to bring to the small city of Durham. Check out the calendar to see what's playing! https://www.dpacnc.com/events
244 yerel halk öneriyor
DPAC - Durham Gösteri Sanatları Merkezi
123 Vivian Street
244 yerel halk öneriyor
When DPAC opened in 2008, this part of Durham was pretty run down. Now it's a cultural mecca, due in large part to the draw of the amazing acts DPAC is able to bring to the small city of Durham. Check out the calendar to see what's playing! https://www.dpacnc.com/events

Food Scene

Chapel Hill has a real foodie scene, with plenty of locally sourced ingredients. It's easy to keep away from chain restaurants here!
Our own tiny French bistro two blocks away, with delicious food, warm ambiance, and reasonable prices: https://kitchenchapelhill.com/
12 yerel halk öneriyor
Kitchen
764 M.L.K. Jr Blvd
12 yerel halk öneriyor
Our own tiny French bistro two blocks away, with delicious food, warm ambiance, and reasonable prices: https://kitchenchapelhill.com/
Delicious mediterranean food and sumptuous atmosphere, decorated with Turkish rugs and warm lighting. Make sure to order their whole fish, usually bronzino. Sometimes they have live sitar music!
9 yerel halk öneriyor
Talullas
456 W Franklin St
9 yerel halk öneriyor
Delicious mediterranean food and sumptuous atmosphere, decorated with Turkish rugs and warm lighting. Make sure to order their whole fish, usually bronzino. Sometimes they have live sitar music!
Another amazing local gem two blocks from our Airbnb! Originally founded by Sara Foster (Martha Graham's right-hand woman), this cafe serves scrumptious breakfast & lunch fare, including baked goods, soups, and homemade pizza. Grab a bottle of wine for a good price, or take out a thick slice of lasagna. Also good for hanging out and people watching.
33 yerel halk öneriyor
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering
750 M.L.K. Jr Blvd
33 yerel halk öneriyor
Another amazing local gem two blocks from our Airbnb! Originally founded by Sara Foster (Martha Graham's right-hand woman), this cafe serves scrumptious breakfast & lunch fare, including baked goods, soups, and homemade pizza. Grab a bottle of wine for a good price, or take out a thick slice of lasagna. Also good for hanging out and people watching.
Lantern is owned and run by Chapel Hill's nationally recognized chef Andrea Reusing. It's Asian fusion, locally sourced, delicious clean food, cleverly prepared and beautifully served. Ordering the Salt & Pepper shrimp as an appetizer is a MUST. Their bar, at the back of the restaurant, has a funky late-night vibe all the time; they serve the best martinis in town.
63 yerel halk öneriyor
Lantern Restaurant
423 W Franklin St
63 yerel halk öneriyor
Lantern is owned and run by Chapel Hill's nationally recognized chef Andrea Reusing. It's Asian fusion, locally sourced, delicious clean food, cleverly prepared and beautifully served. Ordering the Salt & Pepper shrimp as an appetizer is a MUST. Their bar, at the back of the restaurant, has a funky late-night vibe all the time; they serve the best martinis in town.
Fabulous farmer's market with local produce, specialty items (like pickles and jams), cheeses, plants, and crafts of all sorts. You can buy a delicious pastry or a crunchy loaf of bread at Chickenbridge Bakery and stroll through a lively, festive gathering of NC people and items.
54 yerel halk öneriyor
Carrboro Farmers Market
301 W Main St
54 yerel halk öneriyor
Fabulous farmer's market with local produce, specialty items (like pickles and jams), cheeses, plants, and crafts of all sorts. You can buy a delicious pastry or a crunchy loaf of bread at Chickenbridge Bakery and stroll through a lively, festive gathering of NC people and items.
Their home-made pastrami is scrumptious, as are their biscuits, pickles, and sandwiches. Mentioned in the NYTimes! https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/travel/what-to-do-in-36-hours-in-chapel-hill-carrboro.html
29 yerel halk öneriyor
Neal's Deli
100 E Main St
29 yerel halk öneriyor
Their home-made pastrami is scrumptious, as are their biscuits, pickles, and sandwiches. Mentioned in the NYTimes! https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/travel/what-to-do-in-36-hours-in-chapel-hill-carrboro.html
Who knew you could find great atmosphere and delicious middle-eastern food in a strip mall? Don't let the context turn you off, or the vegetarian label. We make a mean steak and yet we LOVE this restaurant. Try the fes-un-joon (delicious pomegranate stew) or the tropical salad -- other great choices are the lasagna or the crunchy sprout salad. We have loved Sage ever since we arrived in Chapel Hill in 2000 -- and the wait staff are lovely. Located about two miles due north of our Airbnb, in Timberlyne Shopping Center off MLK Blvd.
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Sage Vegetarian Cafe
1129 Weaver Dairy Rd
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Who knew you could find great atmosphere and delicious middle-eastern food in a strip mall? Don't let the context turn you off, or the vegetarian label. We make a mean steak and yet we LOVE this restaurant. Try the fes-un-joon (delicious pomegranate stew) or the tropical salad -- other great choices are the lasagna or the crunchy sprout salad. We have loved Sage ever since we arrived in Chapel Hill in 2000 -- and the wait staff are lovely. Located about two miles due north of our Airbnb, in Timberlyne Shopping Center off MLK Blvd.
This is a terrific place to shop, eat, and just hang out. They have a large common space that is the heart of Carrboro, filled with all flavors of local people: kids, students, artists, academics, elders, everyday citizens, total characters. Fun for lunch; they serve individual beer if you want to kick back and stay awhile!
176 yerel halk öneriyor
Weaver Street Market
101 E Weaver St
176 yerel halk öneriyor
This is a terrific place to shop, eat, and just hang out. They have a large common space that is the heart of Carrboro, filled with all flavors of local people: kids, students, artists, academics, elders, everyday citizens, total characters. Fun for lunch; they serve individual beer if you want to kick back and stay awhile!
For wine aficionados, this is the place. You can browse their impressive wine racks or try their delicious cocktails. I'm partial to the "coca" appetizer, a flatbread with figs and arugula, and their trio of mini-burgers. Outside dining in good weather, too -- and right next to Steel String brewery, for those who enjoy beer over wine!
34 yerel halk öneriyor
Glasshalfull
106 S Greensboro St
34 yerel halk öneriyor
For wine aficionados, this is the place. You can browse their impressive wine racks or try their delicious cocktails. I'm partial to the "coca" appetizer, a flatbread with figs and arugula, and their trio of mini-burgers. Outside dining in good weather, too -- and right next to Steel String brewery, for those who enjoy beer over wine!

Drinks & Nightlife

On a row of upscale bars on Franklin Street... also check out West End Wine Bar, the Franklin Hotel bar, and (if you're a student or under 25) He's Not Here :-).
32 yerel halk öneriyor
The Crunkleton
320 W Franklin St
32 yerel halk öneriyor
On a row of upscale bars on Franklin Street... also check out West End Wine Bar, the Franklin Hotel bar, and (if you're a student or under 25) He's Not Here :-).
Cats Cradle has great local acts and nationally known independent artists -- a local institution at the edge of Chapel Hill & Carrboro. There's a parking deck that makes arriving by car easy.
67 yerel halk öneriyor
Cat’s Cradle
300 E Main St
67 yerel halk öneriyor
Cats Cradle has great local acts and nationally known independent artists -- a local institution at the edge of Chapel Hill & Carrboro. There's a parking deck that makes arriving by car easy.
I'm including Lantern under night life, because their back bar is so cool. The atmosphere is romantic and dark, lit with red lanterns and staffed by expert bartenders. Head there for a perfectly mixed martini or big delicious glass of wine -- you can also order off the menu and have a complete meal. There's fun outdoor space if weather allows.
63 yerel halk öneriyor
Lantern Restaurant
423 W Franklin St
63 yerel halk öneriyor
I'm including Lantern under night life, because their back bar is so cool. The atmosphere is romantic and dark, lit with red lanterns and staffed by expert bartenders. Head there for a perfectly mixed martini or big delicious glass of wine -- you can also order off the menu and have a complete meal. There's fun outdoor space if weather allows.
A true dive and wildly popular with the grad student crowd, Zogs is a good place to play pool, drink beer, and hang out. Right next to UNC campus, Zogs is about a 5 minute drive from our Airbnb.
Zogs Pool
108 Henderson St
A true dive and wildly popular with the grad student crowd, Zogs is a good place to play pool, drink beer, and hang out. Right next to UNC campus, Zogs is about a 5 minute drive from our Airbnb.

Shopping

Chapel Hill has fantastic locally owned businesses -- here are some of our favorites!
An authentic local bookstore just steps from our Airbnb! Their selection is outstanding: a book-lovers dream, with frequent author readings, irresistible bookie gifts, and fantastic staff picks. You can grab a glass of wine at Kitchen and browse the books while you sip -- what could be better? https://www.flyleafbooks.com/
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Flyleaf Books
752 M.L.K. Jr Blvd
13 yerel halk öneriyor
An authentic local bookstore just steps from our Airbnb! Their selection is outstanding: a book-lovers dream, with frequent author readings, irresistible bookie gifts, and fantastic staff picks. You can grab a glass of wine at Kitchen and browse the books while you sip -- what could be better? https://www.flyleafbooks.com/
Such a terrific little shop to find unique gifts by local artists: ceramics, jewelry, clothes, textiles. Conveniently located at the border of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, about a 6 minute drive from our Airbnb!
Womancraft Gifts
360 E Main St
Such a terrific little shop to find unique gifts by local artists: ceramics, jewelry, clothes, textiles. Conveniently located at the border of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, about a 6 minute drive from our Airbnb!
Truly a find, and just a short walk from our Airbnb! This shop is entirely the vision of a local woman with an eye for delightful, quirky gifts. I bought an inexpensive but beautiful purse here two years ago and it's still in great shape. You can purchase candles, lamps, ceramics, and fun things for the home. Sally herself is usually there to give advice of all sorts helpful to visitors,
SallyMack
762-a M.L.K. Jr Blvd
Truly a find, and just a short walk from our Airbnb! This shop is entirely the vision of a local woman with an eye for delightful, quirky gifts. I bought an inexpensive but beautiful purse here two years ago and it's still in great shape. You can purchase candles, lamps, ceramics, and fun things for the home. Sally herself is usually there to give advice of all sorts helpful to visitors,
Located inside the Art Museum, the shop has fabulous gifts, including fun lighting, toys, jewelry, t-shirts, and local craft items. I bought a hand-made wooden spoon for my sister one Christmas and she still talks about it as a wonderful kitchen tool five years later!
59 yerel halk öneriyor
Ackland Art Museum
101 S Columbia St
59 yerel halk öneriyor
Located inside the Art Museum, the shop has fabulous gifts, including fun lighting, toys, jewelry, t-shirts, and local craft items. I bought a hand-made wooden spoon for my sister one Christmas and she still talks about it as a wonderful kitchen tool five years later!
This shop offers a cornucopia of items in really good shape. There is truly something for everyone here: clothes, furniture, books, music, household items... you name it! All for a good cause: the local schools. In Carrboro, about two miles from our Airbnb.
CommunityWorx Thrift Shop
125 W Main St
This shop offers a cornucopia of items in really good shape. There is truly something for everyone here: clothes, furniture, books, music, household items... you name it! All for a good cause: the local schools. In Carrboro, about two miles from our Airbnb.