11 Fun Things To Do in Chapel Hill, NC
November 16th, 2022
Things To Do in Chapel Hill, NC
Are you looking for some fun things to do in Chapel Hill, NC? Check out these unique things to do in Chapel Hill!
If you're considering moving to Chapel Hill, you may ask yourself, what is Chapel Hill, NC, known for? Home to the Univerity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this city offers its residents an abundance of excellent restaurants, safe neighborhoods, diverse culture, a safe community, family-friendly museums, and parks.
Chapel Hill spans three separate counties in North Carolina; Orange, Chatham, and Durham. Although the history of Chapel Hill dates back to the 1700s, this Southern town has been a popular destination for residents to settle down in and call home.
Being part of the Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill's proximity to neighboring cities such as Raleigh and Durham make this a comfortable spot to commute to for many people working in the Research Triangle area. With a thriving tech community, this area will continue bringing many more people to this city for years to come.
In this article, we have composed a list of 11 fun things to do while you're in Chapel Hill to get you started! We hope you sit back and enjoy as we travel through some of Chapel Hill's local favorites and hotspots!
These are the top 11 Things to do in Chapel Hill, NC!
Chapters
The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Best for: Sports Enthusiasts and Book Worms
Hours: Open Year Round
Location: 134 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Age: All Ages
UNC-Chapel Hill is undoubtedly Chapel Hill's most iconic landmark. Initially founded in 1789, UNC-Chapel Hill currently has an undergraduate enrollment of 19,897 students set on 729 sprawling acres.
Most well-known for its basketball team, The Tar Heels have a strong following of college sports fans across the nation, making this University one of the country's most desirable universities.
With top-notch academics, a robust athletic program, and an unmatched campus, UNC has a 19% acceptance rate, with 74% of the student body ranking in the top 10% of their graduating class.
If you're in this college town, you will want to visit this historic vestige and understand why this college has become one of the top Universities in the South.
Carolina Basketball Museum
Best for: Sports Enthusiasts
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 am- 4 pm, Saturday 9 am- 1 pm, Closed Sundays
Location: 450 Skipper Bowles Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Age: All Ages
Due to popular demand, the Carolina Basketball Museum opened its doors in 2008, showcasing the nationally-ranked basketball program at UNC Chapel Hill. Go back in time as the museum revisits the history of the Tar Heels.
Visitors of the museum will enjoy a 7-minute video showcasing the UNC basketball program. In addition to the video, visitors can view interactive displays with artifacts commemorating the accomplishments of the Tar Heels.
If you're visiting Chapel Hill because you have a potential UNC-Chapel Hill student, you will want to check out the Carolina Basketball Museum!
North Carolina Botanical Gardens
Best for: Avid Gardeners
Hours: Tuesday- Saturday, 9 am- 5 pm; Sunday, 1 pm- 5 pm
Location: 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517
Age: All Ages
The North Carolina Botanical Gardens is a conservation garden sprawling over 1,000 acres. An 88-acre forest contains over 3 miles of walking trails, a forest amphitheater, and, of course, botanical gardens!
The display gardens typically feature plants that occur naturally in the region, making this ecosystem a place where people can come and enjoy all of the natural world's benefits in all its beauty.
If you want something to re-energize your mind, body, and soul, this little slice of heaven is worth checking out!
Morehead Planetarium and Science Museum
Best for: Science lovers!
Hours: Friday 1 pm- 4:30 pm, Saturday 10 am- 6 pm, Sunday 1 pm- 6 pm
Location: 250 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Age: All ages
As part of UNC-Chapel Hill's campus, this impressive monument is the first planetarium on a college campus in the United States. Going back into its history, you will find that this planetarium was the spot on the map where NASA trained many astronauts.
Today Morehead is a place for local students, visitors, and friends to marvel at the Science Center and explore its state-of-the-art exhibits. It's hard not to be impressed by the innovations and research that have gone into this institution, bringing this to the top of our list of places to see.
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Museum offers programs and presentations for the entire family to enjoy, so be sure to check out this piece of history while spending time in Chapel Hill; it will be a visit you will not forget.
Kidzhu Children's Museum
Best for: Children and Families
Hours: Tuesday- Saturday, 10 am- 5 pm, Sunday 12:30 pm- 5 pm
Location: 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Ages: All ages
Experience the exhibits through the eyes of a child when you visit Kidzhu. When you're looking for something to do with the littles, this spot has thought of everything!
Kidzhu features nine self-paced interactive and hands-on exhibits, allowing the kids to take the lead as they explore the exhibits.
With a focus on the Arts and STEM, children will be enamored with creativity. They will quickly immerse themselves in learning about the world around them through carefully crafted exhibits.
If you have kids looking for something unique to do, this local favorite would be a spot they would want to keep coming back to. This should be at the top of your list of things to do in Chapel Hill!
Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery
Best for: Foodies and Beer Enthusiasts
Hours: Sunday 11 am- 10 pm, Monday 12 pm- 10 pm, Closed Tuesday, Wednesday 12 pm- 12 am, Thursday- Friday 12 pm- 2 am, Saturday 11 am - 2 am
Location: 100 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Age: 21+ for consumption of alcoholic beverages
Top of the Hill is one of Chapel Hill's local favorites among residents and college students. Nestled in downtown Chapel Hill, this "brewpub" overlooks Franklin Street and allows for this the be the best meet-up spot for any occasion!
If you're here for the food, you will quickly notice that the menu is an eclectic mix of Southern staple items with a New Orleans flair. Some menu items include a Low Country Pork Chop, French quarter Jambalaya, Topo Whiskey, and Coke Braised Beef, to name a few!
Top of the Hill Brewery has received over 25 awards for its Blue Ridge Blueberry Wheat beer and Ram's Head IPA, to name a few.
To visit Top of the Hill is to experience Chapel Hill, so if you're looking for a spot to get immersed in the Chapel Hill scene, look no further!
1870 Farm
Best for: Animal Lovers!
Hours: Reservations are Required based on availability
Location: 1224 Old Lystra Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517
Ages: All Ages
With over 150 years of history, this farm has become a place where families can come together and explore the animals and immerse themselves in nature. With a variety of goats, sheep, alpacas, chickens, and pigs to feed and love on, this visit will not disappoint!
Your visit will need to be scheduled ahead of time on their website, as they only allow 30 people on the farm at a time. After the safety orientation, visitors will be handed a bucket of feed, and off you will explore the 17 acres of farmland and petting zoo.
Want to go fishing in the duck pond? No problem! Bring your rods, bait, and tackle, and enjoy peace and tranquility on the floating dock.
In addition, the 1870 Farm also has ducks, rabbits, donkeys, a horse, a llama, and a miniature Highland cow. So, if you're looking for something for the whole family to enjoy, this would be a great spot to check out in Chapel Hill!
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Best for: Foodies
Hours: Monday- Saturday, 6 am- 2:30 pm; Sunday, 7 am - 2:30 pm
Location: 1305 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Ages: All Ages
With this drive-thru-only restaurant, convenience and culinary perfection come together. Families from Chapel Hill have been enjoying Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen since 1978.
Their large homemade biscuits can be topped with chicken, pork chops, sausage, bacon, or eggs. They even have a BLT biscuit! Over the years, their menu has adopted more items such as sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, and sides such as hash browns, potato salad, grits, and cole slaw.
With the convenience of this drive-thru restaurant, you have no excuse not to try this local favorite. Whether just visiting Chapel Hill or moving to the area, you will want to experience this Chapel Hill staple!
Time-Out Restaurant
Best for: Foodies
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Location: 201 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Ages: All Ages
Founded by UNC alumnus Eddie Williams, Time-Out opened its doors in May 1978. Since then, this has become an icon to all Univerity of North Carolina Chapel Hill students, staff, and alums.
The walls of Time-Out are covered in what has become the culture and history of UNC sports. Here not only can you count on a good meal at ANY time of day, but you also find that this local hotspot is a museum of all UNC athletes that came before them for families and future UNC students.
Southern favorites such as homestyle fried chicken, pulled BBQ meats, and home-cooked vegetables have been featured on the Travel Channel, Cooking Channel, Today, and many more!
Where else can you find a restaurant open 24 hours a day, seven days a week? This makes this local gem a home away from home and a popular spot for UNC students to grab a quick bite.
Come check out this Chapel Hill slice of history the next time you are in town! It is an absolute must!
Sutton's Drug Store
Best for: Foodies
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 am- 2:30 pm, Sunday, 9 am- 2:30 pm
Location: 159 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Ages: All Ages
There is good food and a friendly atmosphere right here at Sutton's! Handcrafted burgers, hot dogs, breakfast foods, and milkshakes have been served daily since 1923.
Are you looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further! Sutton's has a wide selection of candies, lovely gifts, and seasonal holiday treats.
This Tarheel tradition is another staple and local favorite for all who frequent the UNC-Chapel Hill campus and will quickly become a place you want to return to.
Talullas
Best for: Foodies
Hours: Tuesday- Sunday 4:30 pm- 10 pm
Location: 456 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516
Age: All ages
Many would describe this Turkish restaurant as the "full experience" after dining at Talulla's. Established in 2004, this Turkish eatery has become a local favorite to Foodies all over the Triangle.
Many recipes have been passed down for over 500 years and were brought to the plates of patrons of Talulla's in Chapel Hill, NC. The space will elevate your senses with plush seating areas draped with pillows and cushions; beautiful Turkish rugs cover the dark hardwood floors as your ears pick up the eclectic and traditional Turkish-style music.
Enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine in this Chapel Hill gem the next time you're in town. It will be an experience to remember!
Explore Chapel Hill, NC, With Raleigh Realty
Whether you are thinking of moving to Chapel Hill, NC, or are just visiting, we hope you have enjoyed the ride as we took you through some hotspots to try while you're in Chapel Hill, NC.
If you're searching for homes for sale in Chapel Hill, please refer to our other areas guide and resources on our website, including the best restaurants in Chapel Hill, the cost of living in Chapel Hill, NC, and Chapel Hill real estate trends.
Contact us today to start your home search! We are here to help serve you and are ready to answer any questions!
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!