Living in Chapel Hill
At UNC Radiology, we offer a dynamic and supportive program with professional and educational opportunities coupled with the charm of residing in a thriving, quaint college community.
North Carolina is a beautiful state with three geographically different regions: the mountains to the west, the rolling hills in the central area where UNC Chapel Hill is located, and the beach to the east. It’s an easy trip to Asheville and the Appalachians when you’re in the mood for a hike among ruggedly beautiful scenery, or down to the beautiful Outer Banks area or Wilmington. Chapel Hill is located in Orange County in the center of the state, and features great music, arts, food, and culture. It is part of the Triangle area that includes Durham and Raleigh, and is a hub of scientific research and entertainment opportunities. The Triangle also contains the RDU International Airport, a hub for many national airlines.
What is the Research Triangle? The Research Triangle, aka The Triangle, is a section of North Carolina with a population of a little over two million and anchored by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill with a vast science and medicine industry. In these cities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill along with NC State and Duke Universities help to create the area’s dynamic, passionate, and constantly evolving culture and society. Really, The Triangle, considered one of the best places to live, is like one big city with multiple different communities that possesses a delicious food scene, a vibrant arts culture, and a strong young professionals community.
Chapel Hill, NC
What To Do In Chapel Hill
The New York Times –
Collegiate Chapel Hill and free-spirited Carrboro offer a perfect combination of fine dining, fun bars and local music.
Durham, NC
What To Do In Durham
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
Two successful Sanford School of Public Policy MPP alums offer perspectives of life in the thriving town of Durham, North Carolina.
Raleigh, NC
What To Do In Raleigh
ViewCation
In this video, we’re going to be highlighting some of the best attractions in Raleigh, the state capital of North Carolina. Raleigh, much like other cities of its size, is a booming metropolis that offers that big city vibe while staying true to its southern roots.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
While Chapel Hill and the Triangle area have many attractions, we are also fortunate to have the top-notch Raleigh Durham (RDU) international airport less than 20 miles away from the medical campus.
With direct flights to over 50 continental US destinations, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle on the west coast, as well as multiple international destinations (London, Paris, Toronto, Caribbean), it’s incredibly easy to travel the world from Chapel Hill.
Attractions in the Area
A sample of the vast local art culture
- North Carolina Museum of Art – Multiple collections, parks, and exhibits. It’s really good.
- Ackland Art Museum – UNC’s very own gallery.
- The Nasher Museum of Art – Duke’s museum open year around.
- The Gregg Museum – NC State’s gallery and museum.
- Orange County Open Studio Tour – Artists in the county open their studio for your perusal!
- Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh – No permanent collections but pushing the envelope.
- Raleigh Art Walk – 1st Friday of each month!
- Chapel Hill/Carrboro Art Walk – 2nd Friday of each month!
- Durham Art Walk – 3rd Friday of each month!
- Hillsborough Art Walk – Last Friday of each month!
- Durham Art Walk and Holiday Market – About twice a year through Do
There’s something for everyone, all the time
- North Carolina State Fair – Almost a million people a year. Sights, games, rides, and fried foods.
- Durham Food Truck Rodeo – 40+ gourmet food trucks. 4 times a year. Gluttony at its finest.
- India Fest – Over a thousand performers and of course food and activities.
- Cary Diwali – Attracting a crowd of over 10,000 a year, it’s the largest Diwali fest in the South.
- Hayti Heritage Film Festival – A festival of films by and about African-Americans.
- Full Frame Documentary Film Festival – An acclaimed four-day international film fest.
- NCCU Jazz/Art of Cool Festival – A multi-night event promoting, presenting and preserving jazz.
- African American Cultural Festival – Celebrating African-American history, art, and traditions.
- OutRaleigh – A festival celebrating the Triangle’s diverse LGBTQ community.
- Ritmo Latino Festival – Showcases Latino dance, music, and arts.
- American Dance Festival – Called “The World’s Greatest Dance Festival” by the New York Post.
- Festival for the Eno – On the banks of the Eno. Crafts, entertainment, and preservation.
- Wide Open Bluegrass – One of the largest bluegrass events in the world.
- Carrboro Music Festival – A free live event with a ton of local bands and activities.
- Hopscotch Music Festival – Presented by The Indy, it brings big name performers from all over.
- Festifall – A yearly Chapel Hill event with an artist market, hands-on activities, and local food.
- World Beer Festival – Happens in both Raleigh AND Durham at separate times.
- International Festival of Raleigh – A celebration of international music, food, and culture.
- Moogfest – An annual music, art, and technology festival with focus on electronic and experimental sounds.
- Art of Cool – A growing and remarkable jazz festival every year in Durham.
For kids and kids at heart
- Morehead Planetarium and Science Center – One of America’s oldest and largest planetariums.
- Marbles Kids Museum – A children’s museum.
- Museum of Life and Sciences – A museum for all ages, but a hit for those with kids!!!
- North Carolina Museum of History – A history of NC with the NC Sports Hall of Fame.
- Carolina Tiger Rescue – Not really a museum or zoo but a rescue for wild cats. This is awesome.
- Duke Homestead Historic Site – The beginning of the American Tobacco Company.
- Bennett Place Historic Site – The site of the largest surrender of Confederate soldiers.
- NCCU Art Museum – One of NC’s leading collections of works by African American artists.
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – The Southeast’s largest natural sciences museum.
College and professional
- UNC Basketball Game – An obvious favorite in the Dean Smith Center. Tickets can be found, we promise. And yes, there are other ACC schools right here in the Triangle as well but you must choose your allegiance wisely.
- Carolina Hurricanes – North Carolina’s professional hockey team.
- Carolina Railhawks – North Carolina’s professional soccer team.
- Durham Bulls – A great minor league baseball stadium that also serves local NC beer.
Everything you could need
- Cameron’s – Quaint shop in Carrboro where you can get unique gift for special occasions.
- Southpoint Mall – The big and nice mall in the area with a movie theatre and Target nearby. There is also a Best Buy, World Market, Pier 1, and Nordstrom Rack across the street.
- Brightleaf Square – High end shopping for clothes/gifts with nice restaurants nearby
- 9th Street in Durham – Near Duke campus with lots of cute shops that make for good gifts.
- Carr Mill Mall – In Carrboro with some shops and good restaurants in side.
- Crabtree Valley Mall – Really the high-end mall in Raleigh
- Cameron Village Shopping Center – Outdoor mall in Raleigh that they are quite proud of
- Meadowmont – Essentially a little community in Chapel Hill with stores and restaurants
- University Mall – A funky mall in Chapel Hill with some high end and obscure stores. Also houses Southern Season which is one of the best gourmet food/cooking stores you’ll find.
- The Shops at Eastgate – You’ll find your Trader Joe’s, Performance Bike, Jos A Bank, etc.
- Lumina Clothing – Locally made men’s clothing in Raleigh
- Raleigh Denim – Locally made jeans/denim
- Vert and Vogue – Unique boutique clothing store in Brightleaf Square
- Flyleaf Books – Because sometimes you want a book store! Phenomenal Chapel Hill place.
- Brier Creek Commons – An large outdoor mall near RDU airport w/ lots of food options as well.
A few of the local venues and cultural experiences
- Cat’s Cradle – Chapel Hill’s local music venue. Nationally known and brings artists far and wide.
- The ArtsCenter – Presents a diverse collection of music, paintings, and theatre.
- Haw River Ballroom – A pretty ballroom in Saxapahaw that gets a small but impressive line up.
- Durham Performing Arts Center – Also Broadway, opera, and performance. Only in Durham.
- North Carolina Symphony – The first state supported symphony in the country.
- Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts – Broadway, opera, performance. A beautiful hall.
- Red Hat Amphitheater – An outdoor venue in downtown Raleigh bringing all sorts.
- Local 506 – A small venue in Chapel Hill bringing in some of the smaller but great acts.
- The Carolina Theatre – Located in Durham and bringing in eclectic and impressive performers.
- The Chelsea Theatre – Chapel Hill’s independent movie theatre.
- The Lumina – Located in Southern Village. Also a great theatre showing indie and big films.
- Lincoln Theatre – One of Raleigh’s small venues that has lots of bands come through.
- Duke Performances – Duke’s remarkable collection of performances.
- Carolina Performing Arts – UNC’s equally impressive collection of performances.
- Playmakers Repertory Company – Local theatre putting on plays and interpretations.
- Motorco – Venue in Durham across from Fullsteam.
- Triangle Art Works – If you just want to see a list of all the local theatre/performance groups.
- Manbites Dog Theater – Another good local theater
- Carolina Theatre – A great place to see an independent film and music in Durham
- Koka Booth Amphitheatre – Outdoor venue in Cary with concerts, festivals, and events
Resident recommended!
- NC Beaches – It’s really just a few hours away, and makes for a spectacular weekend.
- Asheville – A wonderfully quirky city in the mountains just a few hours away. A great weekend trip!
- Chapel Hill Trails – Great for running/biking, and there are plenty to be discovered.
- Coker Arboretum – UNC’s Botanical Gardens. Great for a run, walk, or stroll
- Research Triangle Park – The “park” of the tech industry. With sports leagues and activities.
- Duke Gardens – A beautiful garden that is free and open to the public. Worth the trip.
- North Carolina Botanical Gardens – Very close to the hospital with a great deal of serenity.
- JC Raulston Arborteum – #8 in the World’s Most Beautiful University Gardens. At NC State.
- Eno River State Park – Hike along a river and enjoy the woods.
- William Umstead State Park – One of the many parks around.
- Occaneechee Mountain Trail – One of the popular hikes in the area.
- American Tobacco Trail – There are multiple trails and hikes in the area. This is a fave.
- Farmer’s Markets in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. GO!
- Tom Robinson’s Seafood – Located in Carrboro, the freshest seafood you can find.
- Southern Season – Best cooking store, with wine tastings on Fridays, and cooking classes galore.
- Paperhand Puppet Intervention – Papier-mâché puppet show. You have to see it once.
- Wine Tours – With multiple vineyards in the area and state, it can make for a nice afternoon.
- AIA Triangle Tour – See some of the most architecturally creative homes in the area.
- Friday’s on the Front Porch – Located on UNC campus, a favorite after work event for residents.
- Weaver Street Market – A great place to for food, beer, and people watching
- UNC Finley Golf Course – One of the many golf courses in the area. This one is a challenge.
- Maple View Farms – A fresh dairy farm. One of our residents loves to bike to the farm.
- Jordan Lake and Lake Crabtree – Good for sailing, kayaking, beaching and relaxing.
- Outdoor movies at Southern Village – In the summer, come sit on the lawn and catch a flick.
- Umstead Spa – A very, very well regarded spa in Cary. With a spectacular restaurant and hotel attached.
- Taste Carolina – Go on multiple food tours to some great restaurants throughout The Triangle!
- Fearrington Village – With one of the best restaurants and small hotels in America, a great place to take the family.
For more information about specific city or towns in the Chapel Hill and surrounding area check out the links below.