My favorite things to do in Chapel Hill

Susan Hedglin (MBA ’17) and her classmates at Kenan Stadium.

Welcome to town! Whether you’re a new arrival or a potential student making a visit this fall, there are lots of things to do in Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill is a true university town, combining the close-knit feel of a small college town with the convenience of the larger Raleigh-Durham metro area.

Here are a few things to do in and around Chapel Hill.

Grab some good eats
Chapel Hill and Carrboro have many well-loved restaurants, from the classic diner fare of Elmo’s Diner to the award-winning Southern cooking at Crook’s Corner.

Franklin Street is home to several local mainstays, including Top of the Hill (TOPO) restaurant and brewery, Sutton’s Drug Store, The Yogurt Pump (YoPo) frozen yogurt, Al’s Burger Shack and Mediterranean Deli.

No one can resist a piping hot donut or biscuit from Rise in Carrboro—there’s always a line out the door, but it’s worth it!

A personal favorite of mine is Merritt’s Grill, which is famous for its hearty BLT sandwiches.

Check out some Tar Heel history on main campus
UNC Kenan-Flagler has beautiful facilities, but be sure to check out the rest of historic Main Campus after you’ve taken a tour of the Business School.

The Dean E. Smith Center – where the Tar Heel men’s basketball team plays – and the Carolina Basketball Museum are both located near the McColl building.

The museum features over 40 cases of memorabilia from Carolina’s championship-winning basketball teams, including Michael Jordan’s jerseys and rings from all five of UNC’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship victories.

Don’t forget to head to the heart of campus and visit the Old Well, the official symbol of the University. Tradition says that a sip from the Old Well on the first day of class will lead to academic success at Carolina, so drink up!

Susan Hedglin (MBA ’17) and classmates exploring Franklin Street.

You can also indulge your inner astronaut at Morehead Planetarium or play a round of frisbee golf at the UNC Disc Golf course.

Visit the other legs of “The Triangle”
The Research Triangle (aka “The Triangle”) includes the metro areas of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. There’s truly something for everyone here.

Outdoor lovers can hike along the Eno River, run in Umstead State Park or bike along 100+ miles of public greenways in Raleigh.

Founders and techies can head to Research Triangle Park’s monthly RTP 180° speaker series, where local startups, researchers and speakers talk about hot topics in technology, research and innovation.

Arts lovers can catch a rock show at renowned venue Cat’s Cradle or take in a Broadway musical at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC).

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in or around Chapel Hill.

By Susan Hedglin (MBA ’17)