Updated August 14, 2025 - Chapel Hill, NC - Fall is a terrific time to travel.  Chapel Hill, NC, a picturesque college town is a great place to start.  This central North Carolina town sits on a lofty hill, shaded by ancient oak and poplar trees, a postcard-perfect setting for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. 

Chapel Hill is home to the nation's first state university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with the cornerstone for the first building laid in 1793.  The tree-lined business district has a variety of cultural activities, bookstores, boutique shops and award winning dining.  Franklin Street fronts the campus and is a great place for people watching.  You can buy everything from pottery and art to custom jewelry to hip trendy fashions. Dozens of restaurants, music clubs, pubs are open for a great nightlife experience. 

Cultural attractions near the heart of downtown include the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center with dazzling multimedia star shows and exhibits and the Ackland Art Museum with an internationally respected collection of more than 21,000 objects, drawings, and prints representing Asia, Africa, Europe and America, with works ranging from ancient times to the 21st century. Fall also means the new season of UNC's PlayMakers Repertory Company kicks off or you'll find music, concerts and ballets at the historic Memorial Hall through the Carolina Performing Arts.

For the kid's, Kidzu Children's Museum has hands-on activities for tots up to five years at The Nest.  For the sports enthusiast visit the Kenan Stadium Football Hall of Honor or tour the 8,000 square foot Carolina Basketball Museum.  Check out college sports on the UNC campus including football soccer and basketball. Visit www.goheels.com for details.

If you love the outdoors, drop by the North Carolina Botanical Garden.  The largest natural botanical garden in the southeast each year hosts the "Sculpture in the Garden" with nearly 50 one-of-a kind North Carolina artists' sculptures placed amid the native wildflowers and shrubs delight garden visitors for more than two months, from late-September to mid-December.   The sculptures come in a variety of media—from stone to stainless steel, concrete to clay, chain-sawed wood to recycled aluminum.

Shop for antiques and keepsakes.  Make sure to the historic Carr Mill Mall, an 1899 textile mill which is now local shops and restaurants.

For a free visitors guide or map call the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau at 1-919-245-4321 or visit www.visitchapelhill.org .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Patty Griffin

Communications Director

Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
Phone (919) 245-4321;  Email pgriffin@visitchapelhill.org