things to do in the greater Chapel Hill area

4 Kidzu Children’s Museum

The Kidzu Children’s Museum features hands-on activities and engaging exhibits for infants to tweens. Check out the tot plot, climbing wall, tree house, makery, graviton science area, outdoor learning garden, and more.

5 UNC Chapel Hill Tours

Explore UNC campus history, traditions, and more on your own or with a guide. The UNC Visitors Center Sense of Place Tour is an hour-long, guided walking tour. (Reservations required.) For a self-guided tour, scan the QR code. Be sure to include the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and free Ackland Art Museum.

7 Live Music

Chapel Hill’s indoor music venues include Local 506, The Cave, and The Kraken. Also look for concerts through the UNC Music School. Enjoy outdoor music at The Carolina Inn’s Fridays on the Front Porch (April-October), Franklin Street’s Downtown Live, and other spots around town.

8 Southern Village

Enjoy music and movies on the Southern Village lawn from spring through fall. Visit the twice-yearly Arts on Market, hear the North Carolina Symphony, or other community plays and events on the Green. Popular restaurants include Market & Moss, Al’s Burger Shack, Town Hall Grill, and Rasa Malaysia. Try a wine tasting at the new Rocks + Acid Wine Shop or an espresso, gelato, or wine at La Vita Dolce. The Southern Village Park hosts the Town of Chapel Hill July 4th Fireworks.

10 Shopping

There are several hubs for great shopping like the Shops at Eastgate, University Place, Elliott Road Galleria, Meadowmont Village, and downtown Franklin Street. You’ll find everything from unique jewelry, gift and clothing stores, to memorabilia shops, antiques and more.

11 Visit Neighbor Carrboro

Carrboro shares a border with Chapel Hill. Explore unique local shops and restaurants at Carr Mill Mall and on Main Street or relax on the expansive lawn at Weaver Street Market. Visit the popular Carrboro Farmers’ Market, the ArtsCenter, Cat’s Cradle, craft breweries and more.

6 Greenways, Walking Trails, & Nature Preserves

Get outside and hike the many miles of urban greenways and trails in our community. Along the way you can see public art and murals. There are natural surface and paved trails for hiking and biking. In Chapel Hill, walk the Bolin Creek or Morgan Creek Trails and hike the 673-acre George and Julia Brumley Family Nature Preserve with paths and forests that surround streams, ponds, fields, and several historic ruins.

9 Coffee, Tea, & Breweries

The must-try co ee and tea shops include Perennial, 1922 by Carolina Co ee Shop, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews, Tea Hill, Ca é Driade, The Poplar Cafe, and Coco Bistro & Bar. Like craft beers? Try a local brew at Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery and Carolina Brewery.

12 Explore Hillsborough

Hillsborough is steeped in history. Walk the Riverwalk or visit the renovated historic Colonial Inn. Explore the Orange County Historical Museum or the Burwell School Historic Site. The town is packed with great dining from Hillsborough BBQ to The Wooden Nickel to Nomad. Have a drink at Yonder or a sweet treat at Matthew’s Chocolate. Shop downtown vintage stores, art galleries, and gift shops. Need more ideas? Drop by the Alexander Dickson house, home to the Hillsborough Visitors Center.

visitchapelhill.org

Plan Your Visit

For travel and tourism assistance, contact the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau at (888) 968-2060, (919) 245-4320, or info@visitchapelhill.org.