Museums & Planetarium

Ackland Art Museum

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South Columbia St (off East Franklin St)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3400

phone (919) 966-5736

Open Wed.-Sat., 10am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm. Also open 2nd Fri., till 9pm.

The permanent collection of over 15,000 objects includes the art of Asia, Africa, Europe and America, with works ranging from ancient times to the 21st century. The Museum holds the most significant collection of Asian art in the state and one of the largest collections of works on paper in the Southeast. Long known for its strength in European painting and sculpture, the Ackland has recently added additional emphasis to the building of its collection of 20th-century and contemporary art. Admission is free.

American Indian Center

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Abernethy Hall, UNC campus
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3457

phone (919) 843-4189

Open Min-Fri, 8am-5pm; closed Sat-Sun.

North Carolina is home to one of the largest Native-American populations in the eastern United States. The campus-wide center serves as the University’s ‘front door’ to American Indian communities across the state and the nation. It advances the University’s mission of research, teaching and public service by providing an environment in which quality research, scholarship and engagement nurtured relative to American Indians.

Carolina Basketball Museum

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450 Skipper Bowles Dr (off Manning Dr)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

phone (919) 962-6000

Open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, plus other times on home game days.

This new 8,000-sq.ft. state-of-the-art museum honors the rich tradition of Carolina Basketball.  Located on the first floor of the Ernie Williamson Athletics Center, the museum features a “Game Day” theme where visitors enter a theater for pre-game build-up, then into the main museum space where they can visit interactive displays and view memorabilia from Carolina’s storied program on the UNC court. A 32-ft. tower accents one corner and will allow fans to make their own call on great Carolina plays. The “Month of March” rooms highlight the ACC and Carolina’s NCAA Tournament successes.

Chapel Hill Museum (The)

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523 East Franklin St (Downtown)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 967-1400

Open Wed.-Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., 1-4pm; closed major holidays.

Preserves, exhibits and interprets the history and culture of our town, our state and our region. Permanent exhibits include the history of Franklin Street, local singer-songwriter James Taylor, playwright Paul Green, fashion designer Alexander Julian and the Chapel Hill Fire Department, plus a collection of North Carolina pottery. Free admission, but donations are welcomed. Gift shop and bookstore. Free parking.

Charles Kuralt Learning Center

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In Carroll Hall, off South Columbia St below East Cameron Ave
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365

phone (919) 962-1204

Open Tue. & Thu., 2-4pm; other times by appointment.

Contents of Kuralt’s three-room penthouse office suite in Manhattan were donated to the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication by his widow Suzanna after her death in 1999. The center includes his office complete with Oriental rugs, desk, floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookshelves, library, paneled walls, brick fireplace, his program tapes and many awards.

Kenan Football Center and Charlie Justice Hall of Honor

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Bell Tower Dr (off South Rd)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8500

phone (919) 966-2575

Open Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm. Open on home-game days for three hours up to 30 minutes before kickoff.

Features the Heavner Theater for football archives, display cases of historical artifacts, memorabilia, interactive kiosks, multi-media presentations and vintage photographs.

Kidzu Children’s Museum

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105 East Franklin St (Downtown)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 933-1455

Open Tue.-Sat., 10am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm.

Offers engaging, hands-on exhibits and programs to inspire young children (up to 8) and the adults in their lives to learn through play. Laughing Turtle Gift Shop. Adults and children 24 months and over, $4; under 2, free.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

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250 East Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3480

phone (919) 962-1236

Open Tueday to Sunday (check Website for showtimes).

The historic Morehead Planetarium, the first planetarium on a college campus in the U.S., trained astronauts for NASA. Today, it offers behind-the-scenes views of current science research through shows, lectures, exhibits and more. A great trip for the whole family. Limited parking ($). Adults, $6; seniors, students & children, $5.

North Carolina Collection Gallery

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

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.

Orange County Historical Museum

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201 North Churton St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 732-2201

Open Tues-Sat., 11am-4 pm, Sun., 1-4pm.

Located on the site of North Carolina’s 1788 Constitutional convention, museum interprets the history of Orange County from pre-settlement period through the 1950s. Collection includes the only complete set of Colonial weights and measures in the U.S. and the desk of Governor Thomas Burke. A second-floor gallery features special exhibits on local history. Suggested donation, $2.

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Did You Know?

'The Nurture of Jupiter' by Nicolas Chaperon (1612-1656), can be seen at the Ackland Art Museum, along with a diverse collection of more than 15,000 great works of art.