Welcome To Chapel Hill
Transcript of Welcome To Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill and Orange County
North Carolina
Chapel Hill: Over 200 Years of History
• Today, Chapel Hill and the communities of Orange County North Carolina offer the culture and vibrant businesslife of a city, while being surrounded by fields and farms that haven’t changed in a hundred years.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Ideally located in the north central section of North Carolina.
The area’s municipal boundaries extend slightly into Durham County to the east and almost to Chatham County to the south.
Chapel Hill’s Location
The Southern Part of Heaven
• Incorporated in 1851, Chapel Hill’s population is 52,400.
• Franklin Street, which was named after Benjamin Franklin, is the main street through downtown.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first state
university to open its doors in the eighteenth century. • UNCChapel Hill campus covers 729 acres and has 27,000
students from more than 100 countries.
Tar Heel Athletics The University of North Carolina athletics department is considered to be one of the best in the country.
Carrboro, North Carolina
• Located just onehalf mile from downtown Chapel Hill, the town of Carrboro is a thriving community that began in 1882, when a spur from the DurhamGreensboro Southern Railway Line was extended to link university students with the outside world.
• Today it is home to Carr Mill Mall, a historic textile mill built in 1899 and converted to a shopping mall.
Carrboro
• Carrboro has a population of 17,800 and is home to distinctive retail shops, arts activities and restaurants, as well as Weaver Street Market, a community owned food coop, which is the largest food coop in the southeast United States.
Hillsborough, North Carolina
• Hillsborough has a population of 6,160 and is home to numerous writers, including a Pulitzerprize winner.
• Historic Hillsborough, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, can boast of more than 100 late 18th and early 19th century structures still standing.
Historic Homes and Historic Sites • Horace Williams House – Only historic house in Chapel Hill opened to the public.
The original portion of the house was built in 1840. • Ayr Mount Plantation – One of NC’s finest Federal era plantation homes (c.
1815), built by William Kirkland of Ayr, Scotland. Carefully restored and furnished with period antiques. Guided tours available.
• The Burwell School Historic Site – Site of one of the earliest female academies in North Carolina operated by the Rev. Robert and Anna Burwell from 18371857. Guided and selfguided tours available of the house and the outbuildings.
Historic, Art and Sport Museums • Orange County Historical Museum – Collection includes the only complete set of
Colonial weights and measures in the U.S. and the desk of NC Governor Thomas Burke, who served from 178182.
• Ackland Art Museum – Museum's permanent collection of over 15,000 objects includes the art of Asia, Africa, Europe and America, with works ranging from ancient times to the 21st century.
• Chapel Hill Museum – Exhibits North Carolina history, art and decorative arts with an emphasis on Chapel Hill and Southern culture. Permanent exhibits highlight the lives of singersongwriter James Taylor and playwright Paul Green.
• Kidzu Children’s Museum downtown on Franklin Street has handson exhibits for kids up to age 8.
Historic, Art and Sport Museums • North Carolina Collection Gallery – Eclectic collection of artifacts and historic
displays related to people, places and events including historic rooms on the history of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina.
• Morehead Planetarium & Science Center – Features public star shows in the 68 ft. domed Star Theater (with its worldclass Zeiss Model VI projector), a digital theater, educational exhibits, Infinity gift shop and sundial rose garden outside.
• Kenan Football Center Hall of Honor • Dean Smith Center Memorabilia Room
Gardens and More • North Carolina Botanical Garden – The largest natural Botanical Garden in the
Southeast with nature trails, carnivorous plants, aquatics and herb gardens. • Montrose Gardens – A mid19th century collection of gardens including a rock
garden, screen garden, sunny gardens with varied color schemes, and extensive woodland gardens.
• Chatwood Gardens – Open for group tours by appointment only. Features woodlands, traditional southern plantings, perennials, herbs, vegetables and a walled Williamsburgstyle garden with a spectacular rose collection.
Sports & Recreation • Exciting college sports at the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Memorial Stadium and various other venues.
• Numerous parks, walking and hiking trails, horseback riding lessons, biking trails, skateboard parks, camping and rock climbing wall.
• Canoeing and fishing in University Lake, Cane Creek Reservoir and Lake Michael.
• Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area (highest point in Orange County – 867 feet) overlooks the Eno River. State Eno River Park straddles Orange and Durham counties.
Sports & Recreation • Triangle SportsPlex offers year round ice skating, swimming and fitness.
• Three public golf courses including the awardwinning UNC Finley Golf Course pictured. Also Cedar Grove Golf Course and Occoneechee Golf Club.
• Stock car racing at the Orange County Speedway.
Performing and Visual Arts
• Now celebrating its 31st anniversary season, PlayMakers Repertory Company is the Carolinas’ premier nonprofit professional theatre company.
• Memorial Hall on the UNC campus with 1,434 seats, hosts worldrenowned performers, musical concerts, ballets, lectures and more. Concerts also in Hill Hall
• Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History is the first building on the UNC campus to be named for an AfricanAmerican and is one of the preeminent centers in the nation for the critical examination of African and AfricanAmerican Diaspora cultures.
Performing and Visual Arts
•The Carrboro ArtsCenter presents jazz, folktraditional and world music plus theater and children’s programs.
•DSI Comedy Theater in Carr Mill Mall.
•Orange County has more than three dozen public and private fine art galleries open to the public.
Dining & Nightlife
Over 270 restaurants and bars in Orange County offering cuisine of every type with numerous awardwinning chefs
Two AAA Four Diamond Restaurants (Carolina Crossroads and Il Palio Ristorante) and one Mobil Four Star winner The Carolina Crossroads.
Enjoy music at the famous Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro or The Cave in Chapel Hill. Unique hickory smoked barbecue at Allen & Son BarBQ.
Brew pubs & Tap Rooms – The Carolina Brewery, Top of the Hill and Tyler’s FamousMama Dips chicken and dumplings. Shrimp and grits at Crooks Corner. Martini bar, dancing, soothing jazz and more. Unique Cajun food at Tupelo's.
Shopping • Chapel Hill is home to one of the the country’s largest gourmet emporiums — A Southern Season at 60,000 square feet, features 2,500 types of wines, Italian pottery, a 30foot wall of chocolate candies, unique gifts and more.
• VIETRI in Hillsborough is the nation’s largest importer of handcrafted Italian dinnerware, glassware, kitchenware, flatware and home décor accessories. New outlet store open 7 days a week.
• Popular Farmers Markets in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough.
•Dozens of antique shops and numerous art galleries with glorious offerings.
• Shopping at University Mall, Carr Mill Mall, Franklin Street, Daniel Boone Village, Churton Street, Eastgate, Meadowmont, Southern Village and more.
Top Notch Accommodations
• Orange County has 1,483 full service, limited service, extended stay and B&B rooms.
• Two newest include The Franklin Hotel (67room luxury boutique hotel) in downtown Chapel Hill and 108room Residence Inn Marriott.
• Chapel Hill is home to two AAA Four Diamond hotels. The Carolina Inn (member of Historic Hotels of America) and The Siena Hotel. There are four AAA noted properties in the Triangle and 23 statewide.
Local and Regional Transportation • Free Chapel Hill Transit Bus Service (serves
Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University) • Local Taxi Cab Service • Some area hotels offer local shuttle service • Local Rental Car Services • Orange County Public Transportation Route
between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill www.co.orange.nc.us
• Triangle Transit Authority (service to triangle locations) www.ridetta.org
• Amtrak Train Station in Durham and Bus Terminals in Durham and Raleigh
• RaleighDurham International Airport
© 2005 age 23
Fun Special Events Year Round Spring • NCHSAA Basketball Championships • Spring Garden Tours • Piedmont Farm Tour • Pops Concert Cameron Park • Cool Jazz Music Festival • Greek Festival • Carrboro Day • Friday’s on the Front Porch • 2nd Friday’s Studio Tours • Film Fest Carrboro • Street Fairs • Farmers Markets
© 2005 age 24
Fun Special Events Year Round Fall • Sculpture in the Garden
• Carrboro Music Festival
• Efland Fall Classic Rodeo
• Halloween Carnival
• Orange County Open Art Studio Tour
• Annual Turkey Bowl
• Carrboro Film Festival
© 2005 age 25
Visitors Center & Contact Information
• Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau 501 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Phone (919) 9682060 Toll Free (888) 9682060 Fax (919) 9682062
• Visitors Center open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm and Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm.
• Visit our Website at www.chocvb.org
© 2005 Page 26