Museums & Gardens

Morehead Planetarium & Science Center

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250 East Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3480

Directions

phone (919) 962-1236

Check Website for showtimes.

The historic Morehead Planetarium, the first planetarium on a college campus in the U.S., trained astronauts for NASA. Today, Morehead offers behind-the-scenes views of current science research through activities and programs for the entire family. Its GlaxoSmithKline Fulldome Theater is the largest fulldome digital video planetarium on a college campus in the world. Limited parking ($). Adults, $7.25; seniors, students & children, $6.

Morehead-Patterson Memorial Bell Tower

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South Rd and Stadium Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3475

Directions

phone (919) 962-1630

The tower (with hedge, lawn and flowers created by botany professor William C. Coker) was designed by McKim, Mead & White and given to the University in 1930 by John Motley Morehead III and Rufus Lenoir Patterson. It is 172 ft. tall, and its 10-bell carillon calls students to classes, provides twilight music and serenades football crowds departing the adjacent Kenan Memorial Stadium.

Multiflora Greenhouses

1623 New Sharon Church Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-3630

Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm; Sat, in-season only (call first).

One of the largest commercial flower, plant and vegetable greenhouses in North Carolina. Its state-of-the-art, automated greenhouses with heated concrete floors and computerized climate-controlled systems take up five acres, comparable to more than eight football fields.

Niche Gardens

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1111 Dawson Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 967-0078

Open Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun. hours are seasonal (please call ahead).

A quiet, delightful nursery and garden where you can learn about wildflowers, perennials, shrubs, vines, grasses, gardening for butterflies and wildlife, and see unique garden art. Guided tours Sat., 10am (spring and fall). Picnics, garden club visits and bus tours welcomed. Parking. Picnic tables and benches.

North Carolina Botanical Garden

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100 Old Mason Farm Rd (off US Highway 15-501)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open year-round Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm; Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm; and Apr.-Oct., one hour later on weekends.

The largest natural botanical garden in the southeast, consisting of nearly 800 acres of preserved land with nature trails, carnivorous plant collections, aquatics and herb gardens. Also offers revolving exhibits of paintings, quilts and other media, plus sculpture in various sections of the botanical collection. Free guided tours of the display gardens every Sat (Mar-Nov), 10am. Parking. In October 2009, the garden opened the new 29,000 square foot “green” Education Center which includes an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop with outdoor patio space and native plant landscaping. Ask about guided tours of the Education Center.

North Carolina Collection Gallery

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In the Wilson Library, Polk Place at South Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3930

Directions

phone (919) 962-1172

Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; Sat., 9am-1pm; Sun., 1-5pm; closed major holidays. Guided tours every Wed. at 2pm and by appointment

Guided tours every Wed at 2pm and by appointment; self-guided at other times. Eclectic collection of artifacts and exhibits related to North Carolina and University history, including the library and furnishings from Hayes Plantation in Edenton and the Sir Walter Raleigh Rooms featuring English paneling and furnishing from the late 1500s and 1600s. Free.

Occaneechi Indian Village

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Foot of Cameron St (on the Eno River),
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 304-3723.

Open daily during daylight hours.

The Occaneechi Village, near present-day Hillsborough, sits along the banks of the Eno River. It was one of the last palisaded (walled) American Indian villages visited by European explorers in the latter part of the 1600s. The current site displays an information kiosk, a portion of the log palisade wall (stockade fence) and two historically accurate dwellings that were used by the Occaneechi ancestors. In partnership with Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation rebuilt this portion of the Village as an educational display.

Old Orange County Courthouse

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North Churton and East King Sts (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

toll-free (877) 732-7748; phone (919) 732-7741

Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; closed major holidays.

This outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture was designed and built by John Berry in 1844-1845 and features details of woodwork and stair brackets from Asher-Benjamin’s pattern book. The Courthouse is still in operation for county judicial business.

Old Playmakers Theater

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East Cameron Ave (next to South Building)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3230

Directions

phone (919) 962-1132

Built in 1851 as Smith Hall, this Greek-revival structure, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It was designed by renowned 19th century architect Alexander Jackson Davis. During the Civil War, the Union Army briefly stabled horses here. Originally built as a library and ballroom, it served briefly for classes and was converted to a theater in 1924, the first state university building dedicated to American folk dramatic art.

Old Well (The)

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East Cameron Ave (facing South Building)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3475

Directions

phone (919) 962-1630

Open daily, dawn to dusk.

In 1897, UNC President Edwin A. Alderman initiated the redesign of the original ramshackle shelter, which had been the primary source of campus water for more than a century. When it was finished, the new Greek Revival structure was so beautiful that it quickly became the unofficial symbol of the University. In 1954, it was given added beauty with brick walks, plantings and benches. Students traditionally earn good luck when they drink from The Old Well on the first day of classes.