12 Ways to Enjoy Chapel Hill and Orange County

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    Chapel Hill Post Card Mural.jpg

    Experience Iconic Places

    There are many unique to this area, but we’ll just mention a few to get you started. Sutton's Drug Store established 1923 serving up shakes, burgers & more. The Carolina Coffee Shop – longest running restaurant in North Carolina. The Cat’s Cradle celebrating over 50 years of top name and upcoming bands. Carolina Brewery, the oldest brewery in the Triangle. Julian’s, established in 1942, brings Ivy League style to Chapel Hill. Open Eye Café, brings international coffees to Carrboro and the Chapel Hill Post Card mural is probably the most instagrammable spot next to UNC's iconic Old Well on campus

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    Free Chapel Hill Walking Tours

    Walking Tours

    Whether your interests lie in historical facts and places, African-American history, or botanicals, you are sure to find a tour that ‘speaks’ to your passion. If historical facts is your thing, join the ‘Free Walking Tour of Chapel Hill’ or 'Heart of the Hill' tours (seasonal) that cover UNC campus and Franklin Street history. For garden lovers, the North Carolina Botanical Garden offers general private guided tours for a minimal fee. For self-guided tours, you might consider “Histories of Home: A Walk with Northside Neighbors”, Historic Hillsborough Walking Tours which include historic buildings, cemeteries & gardens, and African American history, or a historic downtown walking tour of Carrboro. (Image courtesy Free Walking Tours)

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    Graham Sharp play banjo at Cat's Cradle

    Live Performances

    The sounds of live music can be heard just about any night of the week at many of our local bars and music venues. From our most well known venue, Cat's Cradle in Carrboro to the oldest bar and music venue in Chapel Hill, The Cave. Hillsborough puts out some great live music and local flavor at Nash Street Tavern and during Live & Local Saturdays at Hot Tin Roof, downtown.

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    Old Well UNC Campus, Summer

    University of North Carolina

    Walk the campus of the oldest public university in the country and look for historic landmarks like the Davie Poplar and the Old Well (Self-guided tours available). Visit the UNC Visitors Center for an hour long "Sense of Place" in-person walking tour hosted by student guides (registration required). Or catch a star show at the newly renovated, largest planetarium in the southeastern United States at the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center

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    Elizabeth Cotten Mural by Scott Gurkin

    Murals

    Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough are very proud of their building murals. They define us as a community. There are over 30 murals in all, mostly in the downtown areas. Some have faded, some refreshed, some painted over. Local artist Michael Brown created the first mural, titled The Blue Mural in 1989. There are a couple of outliers too, Children’s Faces can be viewed from Hwy 54 heading west, and a tribute to legendary coach Dean Smith can be seen at the intersection of Smith Level Rd. and Hwy 15-501 S. You'll also find our bus stops a colorful addition as well as bridge underpasses at some of our amazing parks and greenways.

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    Bicycling in Orange County

    Bicycling

    Did you know there are miles and miles of biking trails in Carrboro and Chapel Hill? Both Carrboro and Chapel Hill are designated Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Communities by The League of American Bicyclists and UNC is recognized nationally as Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly University.

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    Steps to Orange County Historical Museum

    Historic Places

    While Carrboro and Chapel Hill along with the University of North Carolina have a long standing history, Hillsborough’s downtown historic district in itself is listed on the National Register for Historic Places and features more than 100 homes, churches, school and other structures from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Among those buildings, open to the public is the Alexander Dickson House, which houses the Hillsborough Visitor Center. There you can join a group tour or venture out on your own to other notable buildings such as the Burwell School, the Old Courthouse and the Old Town Cemetery. Learn more of Orange County's history at the Orange County Historical Museum.

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    Entrance to Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro

    Shop Unique

    When visiting a new town it’s always fun to seek out unique shops. Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro is home to more than 10 local and family owned shops ranging from beads & jewelry, boutiques and natural skin care to fine-fabrics, children’s toys and a card shop. For the selective antique buyer, check out Whitehall Antiques in Chapel Hill. And you’ll find the cutest boutique shops on Churton Street in Historic downtown Hillsborough.

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    Craftboro Beer Flight - Square

    Craft Beers & Cider Trail

    Just within a two-mile stretch between Chapel Hill and Carrboro lie six distinct craft breweries. Begin your tasting tour at Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery, make your way down Franklin Street to Carolina Brewery, and then head into Carrboro to the neighborhood brewery, Haw River Tap & Table. Try the funky Wicklemania at Steel String, a Mukimono Belgian Wit at Craftboro Brewing Depot and save a furry life one beer at a time at Dingo Dog Brewing also in Carrboro. For a slight detour north head to our newest brewery in Hillsborough, Eno River Brewing on the banks of the Eno River. In Mebane, Pluck Farm (Steels Strings brewery operation campus) enjoy the views, disc golf, food trucks and seasonal events). An furthest north, is Botanist and Barrel Cidery & Winery. Visit their tasting room for dry fruit wines, ciders & sours every Thursday -Sunday afternoons. Be sure to check out our numerous bottle shops and taprooms too.

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    Ackland Art Museum Sculpture

    Art Galleries & Museums

    For an eclectic experience, the permanent collection of the Ackland Art Museum consists of more than 18,000 works of art, featuring North Carolina’s premier collections of Asian art and works of paper as well as significant collections of European masterworks. For modern and contemporary fine art galleries, check out the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts in downtown Hillsborough. You’ll not find better artisanship than at FRANK, the North Carolina Crafts Gallery and Womancraft Gifts in Carrboro, and Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop in Hillsborough

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    Pizzeria Mercato by Kate Medley

    Local Dining & Farmers' Markets

    Hailed as "America's Foodiest Small Town" by Bon Appetit magazine, Chapel Hill is a hot spot for local farm to table cuisine. From the seasonally focused Pizzeria Mercato featuring a constantly changing menu that sources ingredients from the nearby Carrboro Farmers' Market, and the casual fine dining at Hawthorne & Wood in Chapel Hill where you'll find delicious apps using local cheeses and chilled North Carolina Crab. Over in Hillsborough, The Wooden Nickel Public House serves up pasture raised beef straight from their farm. Check out Eno River Farm and Maple View Farm Ice Cream Country Store to continue the flavor tour.

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    Coker Arboretum Vine Way

    Outdoor Spaces

    With our average winter climate in the 50’s and summer in the 90’s, we can enjoy the outdoors most all year round. Here are some of our favorite spots. Located on the University of North Carolina campus, the Coker Arboretum is 5 acres of flowering trees and shrubs, grassy areas and benches to relax. Just off campus is the North Carolina Botanical Garden, 1100 acres of garden and conservation areas plus a nearby trail system. Hillsborough has RiverWalk that edges the Eno River and is part of the Mountains to the Sea Trail. Both Carrboro and Chapel Hill have an extensive park system, trails and greenways for walking and biking.

 


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