Updated August 14, 2025 - Chapel Hill, one of North Carolina’s premier destinations, is located in the middle of the state on the Atlantic Coast, right between Washington D.C. and Atlanta. A quintessential college town, Chapel Hill offers dozens of fun things to do and see. Here are 12 to get you started on planning your 2026 trip. Don’t miss neighboring Carrboro and Hillsborough in Orange County, N.C.

1.  Walk the campus of the oldest public university in the country. Take a guided or self-guided tour of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which opened its doors in 1795. Spy some key landmarks from Davie Poplar to the Old Well. Participate in the downtown Free Walking Tour of Chapel Hill highlighting Franklin Street.

2.  Art is everywhere. See the world at the Ackland Art Museum. Wander past dozens of colorful art murals in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Look for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Welcome Center's new mural walking map For performing arts, catch an event at Memorial Hall, CURRENT or The ArtsCenter. Don’t forget the 2nd Friday Artwalk or the Last Friday Art Walk.

3.  Get the lay of the land in our Historic, unique downtowns. The area is home to three glorious downtowns: Franklin Street, named after Benjamin Franklin, is tree lined with sidewalk dining, bistros, award-winning coffee shops, cocktail bars and more. Carrboro’s Main Street is the home to the best lawn in the Southeast, Weaver Street Lawn, where you can spend the afternoon people-watching and dining – it’s also fun for the kids. Hillsborough’s charming Churton Street is on the National Historic Register, with small restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

4.  Need more history. Head to Hillsborough and take a tour from the Hillsborough Visitors Center (10:30am Sat, March – Oct). Drop by the Orange County Historical Museum and the Burwell School Historic Site.

5.  Get back to Nature. Walk the beautiful Riverwalk and sit by the river in Hillsborough. If you want a little elevation, climb to the highest point in Orange County, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Try the walking and biking trails at the Brumley Forest Nature Preserve. Don’t miss the North Carolina Botanical Garden with its display gardens and more.

6.  Sports on the UNC Campus. Choose between more than two dozen sports (men’s and women’s) during the academic year from late August through May. Many are free. For the ticketed events visit www.goheels.com/tickets.  Drop by the Carolina Basketball Museum for loads of memorabilia, exhibits and videos. 

7.  Eat.  From burgers at Al’s Burger Shack, BLTs at Merritt’s, Spanish Tapas at Proximo, Fried Chicken at Time-Out, contemporary Italian faves with local ingredients at Il Palio, you’ll find a dish to your liking. Check out Bombolo, Venable and Hillsborough BBQ to continue the flavor tour. Stop by the new Wedgewood Cheese Bar where you can get your cheese fill and small plate treats in one location. 

8.  Micro-Brews, Spirits and Ciders. Only a mile separates four breweries between Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Take a tasting tour from Steel String and Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro to the Carolina Brewery and the Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery in Chapel Hill. Visit Botanist and Barrel for their Dry Fruit Wines, Ciders and Sours at Ciders in Cedar Grove. Try custom cocktails at The Crunkleton and try something new at The Little Gem Cocktail Bar next to The Pig in northern Chapel Hill. For beers and vintage arcade games, hit the Baxter Arcade.

9.  Live Music. Clubs fill the air with music each week. Check out the long-time Cat’s Cradle, The Cave or Local 506.  Head to the Nash Street Tavern in Hillsborough. Find music on the lawns at Fridays on the Front Porch at The Carolina Inn, Last Fridays in Hillsborough and Southern Village.

10.  Shopping. Check out Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro will also meet all your needs when it comes to unique, local items. For local food, produce and crafts, shop at local farmers markets every weekend throughout the year. For unique boutiques and shops, head to downtown Hillsboough and Churton Street.

11.  Fun Festivals Galore.  When you visit, check the calendar and take in a festival. Some favorites feature Jazz, Farm, Larger than life puppets, bluegrass, poetry, film, food and more.

12. Visit the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The 75 year old attraction, the first planetarium in the south, is a into a modern science center after recent renovations. See a star show, exhibits and other programming. The building's rotunda includes exhibits about the history of Morehead and astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill. Between 1959 and 1975, nearly every astronaut who participated in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz programs trained at Morehead.  There is also an updated science stage, new interactive and rotating exhibits that highlights cutting edge research and science happening at UNC, as well as hands-on science activities where visitors can get their hands dirty with science. The exhibit space is 5,000 square feet. And there is  a new museum gift shop location near the exhibits. 

For more information, www.visitchapelhill.org