Explore these favorites. Sutton’s Drug Store (1923) for shakes and burgers. Enjoy Carolina Coffee Shop, the state’s oldest restaurant. Hear live music at Cat’s Cradle. Sip local craft beer at Carolina Brewery. Visit the Greetings from Chapel Hill postcard mural.
Explore walking tours for every interest. Learn local history, African American heritage, or native plants. Visit North Carolina Botanical Garden for guided tours. Try self-guided options like Histories of Home, Hillsborough walking tours, or a downtown Carrboro walk.
Enjoy live music most nights of the week. Visit Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro or The Cave, Chapel Hill’s oldest music venue. In Hillsborough, catch local acts at Nash Street Tavern or live music on Saturdays at The Rookery, downtown.
Explore the University of North Carolina campus. See landmarks like the Old Well and Davie Poplar. Take a guided “Sense of Place” tour from the Visitors Center. Or visit Morehead Planetarium for a star show in one of the Southeast’s largest planetariums.
Explore murals across Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. Find over 30 works, mostly downtown. See how murals change over time, from restored to newly painted. Look for the first mural, The Blue Mural (1989), and colorful art at bus stops, bridges, parks, and greenways.
Explore Chapel Hill and Carrboro by bike. Ride miles of trails across both towns. Each is a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community. The University of North Carolina (UNC) is also a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly University, making it easy to get around on two wheels.
Explore historic Hillsborough. The downtown district is on the National Register of Historic Places with buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. Start at the Alexander Dickson House. Then visit the Burwell School, Old Courthouse, Old Town Cemetery, and Orange County Historical…
Shop local in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. Visit Carr Mill Mall for family-owned shops with gifts, clothing, and more. Browse antiques at Whitehall Antiques. Find unique boutiques along Churton Street in historic downtown Hillsborough.
Follow the craft beer and cider trail across Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Cedar Grove and Mebane. Visit local breweries, taprooms, and a cidery along the way. Enjoy tastings, outdoor spaces, food trucks, and seasonal events.
Explore art and culture across Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. Visit Ackland Art Museum for a large collection of global works. Browse contemporary art at Hillsborough Gallery of Arts. Find handmade crafts at FRANK, Womancraft, and the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery.
Explore local flavors in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. Enjoy farm-to-table dining made with fresh, local ingredients. Visit farmers markets, try wood-fired pizza, and taste pasture-raised meats. Stop by local farms and ice cream shops to complete your food experience.
Enjoy the outdoors year-round in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. Visit Coker Arboretum on the UNC campus or explore North Carolina Botanical Garden. Walk RiverWalk along the Eno River, or use local parks, trails, and greenways for walking and biking.
Make your Daytrip a weekend getaway. We have accommodations to fit any budget.
