This North Carolina Town Is Home To The Nation's Oldest Public University—And It's A Foodie's Paradise

You don’t have to be a die-hard Carolina fan to appreciate the beauty of Chapel Hill, though Duke fans may have a tough time immersing themselves in a world of light blue. Home to the flagship campus of the University of North Carolina system and its famed athletics program, Chapel Hill is a 62,000-person college town that offers unwavering support to its sports teams and educational programs; at the same time, it also maintains a personality and reputation that transcends quintessential university life. There’s art, green spaces and gardens, must-try dishes, and more than a handful of reasons to travel to the area (including the neighboring towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough). 

Ready to plan your next trip? Here are the 12 best things to do in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Things to Do

Tour the UNC Campus

The very first thing to check off your Chapel Hill list is a tour of the college campus. While you can take a self-guided tour at any time, the UNC Visitors Center does offer 90- and 30-minute “Sense of Place” tours, where guides elaborate on campus history and traditions, the student experience, and the school’s current ventures into research and innovation. Tours can be booked online. If you do decide to explore on your own, be sure to stop by the Old Well, the Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower, the Unsung Founders Memorial, and the Davie Poplar.

unc.edu/visitors/, 134 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 

Walk Historic Franklin Street

To find the heart of any Southern town, you need to head to the main street. In Chapel Hill, that’s Franklin Street. A hub for both students and non-academics in town, the historic thoroughfare features coffee shops, restaurants, museums, bars, and a range of activities that keep locals and visitors entertained. If you’ve ever wanted to feel Carolina pride first-hand, join the masses who rush Franklin Street after a big win (either a championship victory or triumph over Duke). 

W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Wear Your Carolina Blue to a Basketball Game

To say basketball season is a big deal in Chapel Hill would be an understatement—and attending a men’s basketball game at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center (affectionately known as the “Dean Dome”) or a women’s basketball game at Carmichael Arena is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the UNC community. Feel free to go all out wearing Carolina blue and cheer on the home team as loud as you can. Single-game tickets for most home games can be purchased online when available, but snagging one for a men’s Duke game—or any other high-profile game, for that matter—is nearly impossible.  

Stroll Through the North Carolina Botanical Garden

There’s nothing more peaceful than spending a few hours perusing the North Carolina Botanical Garden, which offers free admission and parking. Outside, the Display Gardens are the main event, showcasing an impressive variety of wildflowers, trees (including the North Carolina state tree, the longleaf pine), and other plants. You can also stretch your legs on the Piedmont Nature Trails, located directly behind the gardens. Inside, check out the Garden Shop, the Peacock Discovery Room, and the current exhibition in the Arthur S. DeBerry Gallery for Botanical Art & Illustration.

ncbg.unc.edu, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Explore Local Exhibits

You’ll need to head back to the UNC campus to discover two of Chapel Hill’s best activities—and they’re just a short walk from one another. The Morehead Planetarium & Science Center has something fun for visitors of all ages, with award-winning planetarium shows about the Carolina skies, planets, cosmic colors, and more, plus interactive exhibits and live science demonstrations. At the Ackland Art Museum, the right side of your brain will light up as you explore the permanent collection of more than 21,000 works of art. The museum houses what it calls “North Carolina’s premier collections of Asian art and works of art on paper” as well as European works, 20th-century and contemporary art, and North Carolina pottery.

moreheadplanetarium.org, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill NC 27514

ackland.org,101 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Where to Eat and Drink 

Start Your Morning at Carolina Coffee Shop

The title of “the oldest continually running restaurant in North Carolina” goes to Carolina Coffee Shop. Don’t let its name fool you, though, this legendary UNC spot serves more than caffeinated drinks. The menu has a host of mouth-watering delights—from oatmeal banana pancakes and biscuits and gravy to fried green tomatoes and chili cheese fries. If you’re just looking for coffee or a quick bite, pop in the adjacent storefront, 1922.

carolinacoffeeshop.com, 138 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Swing by the Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen

For a Southern breakfast on the go, stop by the Chapel Hill location of Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen. The drive-through-only spot has been serving breakfast since 1984, and its menu is filled with classic favorites. Start with the legendary chicken biscuit or a country ham biscuit, and top it off with hashbrowns, grits, and a cinnamon roll. No matter what you order, one thing’s for sure: You won’t leave the Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen hungry. 

sunrisebiscuits.com, 1305 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Have Lunch at Sutton's Drug Store

Sutton's Drug Store is a Chapel Hill icon and a long-standing tradition for alumni and Carolina fans alike. The old-fashioned diner has roots dating back to 1923, and its appeal lies in its nostalgia and simplicity. Customers sip on milkshakes, dip their french fries, and down their hot dogs in an atmosphere defined by its retro booths, photographs, and UNC memorabilia. 

suttonsdrugstore.com, 159 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Fill Up at Time-Out Restaurant — at Any Time of the Day

Late-night study sessions at UNC sometimes call for midnight meals at Time-Out Restaurant, a culinary gem that’s been around since 1978. Open 24/7, the restaurant brings all kinds of comfort food to its patrons. Think barbecue, mac and cheese, fried chicken, and cornbread. The best part? You can order from the breakfast menu at any hour. 

timeout247.com, 201 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Grab Drinks at The Crunkleton

While He’s Not Here may be the famous college bar in town, you may not want to rub shoulders with a barrage of college students. For travelers interested in a slightly older crowd and a more elevated atmosphere, there’s The Crunkleton. Known for its incredible drink menu and library-style “liquor wall,” the cocktail bar whips up classic concoctions with finesse and expertise. Not a fan of liquor drinks? There’s also rotating draft beers and a curated selection of wine.

thecrunkleton.com, 320 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Where to Stay

Book a Room at The Carolina Inn

Convenience and Carolina pride reign supreme at The Carolina Inn, a 185-guest-room historic property that sits right on campus. Just two blocks from Franklin Street, the hotel is popular with school alumni and visitors and has a variety of amenities that will make your Chapel Hill trip even better. For starters, there’s a courtesy campus shuttle, a fitness center, and free Wifi. The on-site eatery, Crossroads Chapel Hill, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch; reservations are recommended, even for guests. Bonus: The hotel participates in the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, so you can earn points when you stay. 

destinationhotels.com/carolina-inn, 211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Lean Into Collegiate Nostalgia at Graduate Chapel Hill

Unsurprisingly, Graduate Hotels has an outpost in Chapel Hill, and it’s certainly made its mark as one of the best places to stay in town. The pet-friendly hotel is decked out in Carolina blue-themed decor — with the brand’s creative spin, of course — and the common spaces highlight local history, traditions, and UNC legends. The guest rooms, which range in size from the Graduate King to the Presidential Suite, are all bright and homey, and each bathroom features Malin + Goetz amenities. If you have some downtime, ask the front desk to point you to the hotel’s bikes and the custom Tar Heels basketball court (complete with stuffed basketballs to shoot). 

graduatehotels.com/chapel-hill, 311 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516