Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Year Listed: 2011
Though most well known as the home of the University of North Carolina and its basketball legacy, Chapel Hill has a unique charm and distinctive character that sets it apart from other college towns. Travelers will appreciate the two centuries of architectural grandeur on display throughout the town, as well as the bustling nightlife, mouth-watering restaurants and unique shopping opportunities that exist along Franklin Street in the heart of town.
Visitors can experience Chapel Hill’s vivid history by strolling along tree-lined streets that shade an architectural heritage spanning four centuries. With three local historic districts and four National Register Historic Districts, Chapel Hill is a place that prioritizes the preservation of its heritage.
Travelers should make a point of checking out the music clubs along Franklin Street, where notable musicians from James Taylor to Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ben Folds got their start. After the bustle of the downtown area, spend some time exploring the quiet side streets, stone walls and idyllic historic residential areas that help give Chapel Hill its small-town atmosphere. Other key cultural attractions include the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center—the largest full-dome planetarium in the southeastern US—and the Ackland Art Museum, which since 1958 has been one of North Carolina's most important artistic resources.
And no trip to Chapel Hill would be complete without sampling what is perhaps the city’s finest hidden gem—its local cuisine. Try Crook’s Corner, one of the many local restaurants that specialize in traditional Southern food with modern twists.
Content provided by Chapel Hill/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau
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