Chapel Hill

See why people love living here!

Welcome to Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a university town that is home to the University of North Carolina (UNC) and a resident population of 59,000. Hailed as "America’s Foodiest Small Town" by Bon Appetit Magazine, Chapel Hill is rapidly becoming a hot spot for pop American cuisine. It’s a trend-setting playground full of sights, sounds and tastes that make it the kind of place that authors, musicians, and artists call home.

Franklin Street

Historic Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill is home to more than 200 restaurants, bars, retail shops and service businesses. Residents enjoy festivals, special events, nightlife and strolls along this quaint main street.

History

Chapel Hill was, in fact, created to serve the University. When the University Of North Carolina Board Of Trustees chose the area around New Hope Chapel as the site for the first State University in 1793, they also named a committee to lay out a town adjacent to the site. Present day reminders of Chapel Hill's history are cherished by its citizens and admired by its visitors; quiet winding streets, wooded home sites, stone walls, and small shops surrounding the University add to the charm, mystique, and "small-town" atmosphere.

Things To Do

In a place that's been awarded almost every "Best Places" award ever invented, you're not going to have trouble finding fun things to do. Whether you're into music, creative and performing arts, food, outdoor recreation, or college sports, Chapel Hill and the surrounding communities of Carrboro (right next door, West side) and Hillsborough (just about 13 miles to the North) have lots to offer.Visit the Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau for more info.