Welcome to the quaint hometown of the University of North Carolina, where the rolling landscape is postcard pretty and the sky is always Carolina blue.
Chapel Hill, founded in 1819, still bears vestiges of its early days, with winding roads and stone walls that lend endearing character. The University of North Carolina was established several years earlier, when founder William Richardson Davie chose the site that included a sturdy poplar tree, later dubbed the Davie Poplar. The tree still grows on the northern quad, McCorkle Place, and legend has it that the school will thrive as long as the tree stands.
The town is one corner of the famed Research Triangle, along with the nearby cities of Durham and Raleigh. Franklin Street, the main thoroughfare that serves both the town and the school, is lined with an eclectic mix of stores, coffee shops, and the notable restaurants that have turned the town into a foodie haven. The perfect blend of sophistication and small-town South, make the city a wonderful place to visit and a magical place to call home.
Shop
Peruse Julian’s for classic, tailored clothing. The Virginia Gail Collection is a top-notch interior design firm filled with lovely finds.
Antiques expert and author David Lindquist owns Whitehall Antiques with daughter Elizabeth, combining years of expertise for an incredible inventory. In nearby Hillsborough, find all sorts of pretties for fluffing your home at Fetch Antiques and Interiors.
Eat
For a meal that sings with Southern soul, try Mama Dip’s—for nearly four decades, Mildred “Mama Dip” Cotton Council has been serving up delectable meat-and-three dishes, from sweet potato biscuits to fried chicken to pork-seasoned veggies.
Durham-based Locopops are available around town to the delight of customers who enjoy the yummy flavors of these icy treats, such as salted caramel and apple cinnamon. And speaking of yummy flavors, Sugarland on Franklin Street masters the art of sweetness with artisan gelato and delicious cupcakes.
Stay
The Carolina Inn, inspired by both George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Louisiana’s Richland Plantation, offers handsome antiques and historical-themed artwork to complement the luxurious bedding and first-class amenities.
The inn’s Carolina Crossroads restaurant wows diners with gourmet cuisine from Executive Chef Brandon Sharp, while its time-honored tradition of afternoon tea remains a favorite of guests and locals alike.
Sights
Chapel Hill abounds with friendly and helpful people ready to share its charms. Guests might attend productions at Historic Playmakers Theatre, peruse art galleries, cheer on Tarheels sports teams, or bike the lovely neighborhoods.The on-campus Carolina Basketball Museum celebrates UNC’s rich round-ball tradition with memorabilia, photos, and videos.
Another favorite is the 1815 Federal-style plantation house Ayr Mount in nearby Hillsborough, boasting a brick facade—uncommon for the period. Visitors can tour the Poet’s Walk, a 1-mile walking trail that affords scenic views of the Eno River.
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