Things to do
Things to do in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Campus sights, museums and gardens, greenways and parks, live music and theatre, and the Saturday farmers' market. Costs and hours are as the source page lists them.
On the UNC campus 8
Walk the campus on your own: the self-guided tour, the Old Well and the museums are free.
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Ackland Art MuseumBetween Top of the Hill and the Carolina Inn. Closed Mon-Tue, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year period. Late hours second Friday of each month. Weeknight Porthole Alley lot needs a $1 permit; weekend evening parking free. Served by Chapel Hill Transit lines A, CL, CW, D, F, G, HS, N, NS, T. · Hours: Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.; 2nd Fri 10 a.m.-9 p.m. · Cost: Free · 101 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill
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Carolina Basketball MuseumFree museum; UNC visitors page says hours vary (check goheels.com, closes before home games). Women's Basketball Museum is at Carmichael Arena, 310 South Rd. · Cost: Free · 450 Skipper Bowles Dr (next to Smith Center), Chapel Hill
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Coker Arboretum5-acre campus arboretum run by the NC Botanical Garden. Free one-hour guided tour at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month, March-November. · Hours: Daily dawn to dusk · Cost: Free · 399 E Cameron Ave (next to Morehead Planetarium), Chapel Hill
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Morehead Planetarium and Science CenterScience center and planetarium shows. Closed to the public Mon-Thu. Members free for regular shows. · Hours: Fri 2:30-6 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m. · 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill
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North Carolina Botanical GardenOver 1,200 acres: display gardens, Piedmont Nature Trails (88 acres, 3 miles of paths), Battle Park (93 acres old growth), Mason Farm Biological Reserve (367 acres). Closed Mondays and university holidays. Garden notes July 2025 storm damage; most areas reopened, some access points still temporarily closed. Phone 919-962-0522. · Hours: Tue-Sun 9 a.m.-5 p.m. · Cost: Free (donations welcome) · 100 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill
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Old Well, Bell Tower & self-guided tourUNC's Visitors Guide lists 35 self-guided stops, including the Old Well, Old East, the Davie Poplar, South Building, the Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower, Wilson Library, The Pit, Coker Arboretum and the Botanical Garden. Outdoors, open access. · Hours: Outdoors, open access · Cost: Free · On the UNC campus, Chapel Hill
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UNC Visitors CenterStarting point for visitors; phone 919-962-1630. Free student-led Sense of Place walking tours run weekdays only, end at Kenan Stadium, and require advance registration (no walk-ins). No parking validation. · Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. fall/spring semesters (summer opens 9 a.m.) · Cost: Free · 134 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill
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Wilson LibraryUNC visitors page: free, visitors can see an exhibit or ride to the 8th floor for campus views. Building hours vary and are weekday-focused; check library.unc.edu/hours before going. · Cost: Free · 200 South Rd, Chapel Hill
Parks 13
Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro parks.
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140 West Franklin PlazaDowntown gathering space where the Town and partners host community events. · 140 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
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Burlington ParkPicnic areas, grassy play areas and playground equipment. · 1701 Ephesus Church Road, Chapel Hill
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Cedar Falls ParkMulti-purpose fields, baseball/softball fields, tennis courts; Cedar Falls Trail and Dry Creek Trail natural-surface trails here. · 501 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill
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Chapel Hill Community CenterIndoor and outdoor basketball courts, indoor pool, climbing wall, inclusive playground, trails (Battle Branch, Bolin Creek), picnic areas, rentals, paved parking lot. · Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Sat 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; park grounds dawn to 10:00 p.m. · 120 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
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Coker Hills West ParkOpen green space with seating near Booker Creek and Eastwood Lake. · 600 Kensington Drive, Chapel Hill
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Ephesus ParkMultiple tennis and pickleball courts, playground, quiet wooded paths. · 1501 Ephesus Church Road, Chapel Hill
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Hargraves Community ParkBaseball fields, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor basketball, outdoor pool (A.D. Clark Pool), playground, picnic areas, meeting rooms, rentals. · 216 N. Roberson St, Chapel Hill
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Henry Anderson III Community Park55 acres: lighted ball fields, multi-purpose field, basketball, tennis, sand volleyball, horseshoes, 18-hole disc golf, fenced leash-free dog park, 2.4-acre fishing pond, 0.50-mile walking trail, pavilion. · Hours: 7 a.m. until dark; lighted facilities close 11 p.m. · Cost: Pavilion $45-$71.50 for 4 hours or less · 302 Highway 54 West, Carrboro
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Homestead ParkLighted athletic fields, baseball/softball, outdoor basketball, dog park (0.2 acres), skate park, playground, picnic shelter, wooded trails, parking and restrooms; batting cages listed as currently closed; adjacent Homestead Aquatic Center at 300 Aquatic Drive. · Hours: Dawn to 10 p.m. · 100 Aquatic Drive, Chapel Hill
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Meadowmont ParkAthletic fields, indoor basketball courts, picnic shelters, a pond, walking trails. · 621 Meadowmont Lane, Chapel Hill
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North Forest Hills ParkOutdoor basketball court, picnic shelter, playground equipment. · 121 Collums Road, Chapel Hill
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Town Commons1.7 acres at Town Hall: 2 lighted pavilions, lighted band stand, play equipment, open space, restrooms; amphitheater and stage bookable. · Hours: 7 a.m. until dark; lighted facilities close 11 p.m. · Cost: Rental $75-$97.50 per hour (2-hour minimum) · 301 West Main Street, Carrboro
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Wilson Park8.5 acres: lighted youth baseball field, 4 lighted tennis courts, pavilion, grills, playground, picnic tables, restrooms, access to Bolin Creek Greenway and Adams Tract. · Hours: 7 a.m. until dark; lighted facilities close 11 p.m. · Cost: Pavilion rental $45-$71.50 for 4 hours or less (varies resident/non-resident) · 101 Williams Street, Carrboro
Greenways and trails 11
Paved greenways and forest trails.
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Battle Branch Trail1.5-mile natural surface trail through upland forest, moderate slopes, can be muddy after rain. · Glandon Dr, Chapel Hill
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Bolin Creek TrailPaved 10-ft-wide ADA-accessible greenway through meadow and wooded floodplain, about 1.5-2 miles from the Community Center to Umstead Park (2.5 miles with Tanyard Branch Trail). Walkers and bikes. Parking at Community Center Park, Umstead Park and along Bolinwood Dr. · Hours: Dawn to dusk · Cost: Free · Trailheads: Chapel Hill Community Center (S Estes Dr), Umstead Park, Bolinwood Dr
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Carolina North Forest Unofficial sourceUNC-owned forest with 25+ miles of gravel single and double track, popular with mountain bikers and runners. Pumpkin Loop is about 2.3 miles. Trails close after heavy rain. The only formal parking is the Locust lot off Municipal Dr; roadside parking on Seawell School Rd is limited. Reachable by Chapel Hill Transit routes NS and F. · Cost: Free
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Cedar Falls Trail1.5 miles of natural surface trails within Cedar Falls Park. · 501 Weaver Dairy Rd, Chapel Hill
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Dry Creek Trail1.2-mile natural surface trail through rocky wooded uplands and floodplain; rugged and steep. · 501 Weaver Dairy Rd, Chapel Hill
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Fan Branch Trail & Fitness Circuit1.62-mile paved 10-foot-wide woodland path, steep slopes, includes ExoFit fitness course. · Dogwood Acres Dr, Chapel Hill
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Lower Booker Creek Trail0.8-mile paved 10-foot-wide trail through open meadow and wooded floodplain. · Lower Booker Creek Trail, Chapel Hill
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Meadowmont Trail1-mile paved 10-foot-wide path with grassy hills and woodlands. · 1458 Raleigh Rd, Chapel Hill
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Merritt Pasture Trail32-acre open space, natural surface perimeter walk about one mile. · 751 US Hwy 15 501 N, Chapel Hill
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Morgan Creek Trail0.85-mile paved 10-foot-wide woodland path; one steep slope at boardwalk. · Morgan Creek Trail, Chapel Hill
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Pritchard Park Trail1-mile combined paved and natural-surface trail at Pritchard Park beside the Chapel Hill Public Library. · 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill
Music and theatre 2
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Cat's CradleLong-running rock/indie club with a main room (mostly standing) and a seated Back Room. October 2026 lineup includes Russian Circles with Pelican, Whitney, and Brian Fallon & The Painkillers. Phone 919-967-9053. · Cost: Ticketed; varies by show · 300 E Main St, Carrboro NC 27510
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PlayMakers Repertory CompanyProfessional theatre in residence at UNC. 2026-27 season: Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Oct 14-Nov 1, 2026); Our Town (Nov 18-Dec 6); The Piano Lesson (Jan 27-Feb 14, 2027); John Proctor is the Villain (Mar 3-21); The 39 Steps (Apr 7-25). Box office 919-962-7529. · Hours: Box office noon-5 p.m. Tue-Fri and 90 min before shows · Joan H. Gillings Center for Dramatic Art, 120 Country Club Rd NC 27599, Chapel Hill
Markets 1
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Carrboro Farmers' MarketYear-round Saturday market, plus seasonal Wednesday market. Farmer and artisan operated, products from within 50 miles, SNAP/EBT with Double Bucks match. Dogs not allowed in the market area. Parking is tight; free municipal lots within a short walk; free Chapel Hill Transit routes CW, J and F serve the area. · Hours: Sat Apr-Oct 7 a.m.-noon, Nov-Mar 9 a.m.-noon; Wed Apr-week before Thanksgiving 3-6 p.m. (3-5 p.m. in Nov) · Cost: Free entry · 301 W Main St, Carrboro
Pools 3
Town of Chapel Hill pools.
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A.D. Clark Pool (outdoor, seasonal)Outdoor pool at Hargraves Community Center. · Hours: Open Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day · Cost: Same drop-in fees as other pools · 216 North Roberson Street, Chapel Hill
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Community Center Pool (indoor)Indoor pool; hours vary by schedule. · Hours: Hours vary · Cost: Drop-in: under 8 $2 resident/$3 non-resident; youth (9-18) $3/$5; adult (18+) $5/$9 · 120 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
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Homestead Aquatic Center (indoor)Indoor pools. · Hours: Mon-Thu 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri 6 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 12 p.m.-5 p.m. · Cost: Drop-in: under 8 $2 resident/$3 non-resident; youth (9-18) $3/$5; adult (18+) $5/$9 · 300 Aquatic Drive, Chapel Hill
Library 2
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Chapel Hill Public Library63,000 sq ft library in Pritchard Park (opened 2013); meeting and study rooms, tech lab, kids and teen areas, coffee shop, library plaza. Free parking in library lots; served by Chapel Hill Transit routes CL and D; covered bike path. Orange County residents outside town limits pay $65 annual card fee starting July 1, 2027. · Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri-Sun 10am-6pm · Cost: Free to visit · 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill
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StoryWalk (three locations)Rotating nature-themed books monthly. Library walk starts on paved path across Library Drive from lower lot, wraps behind building to pollinator garden, with nature play area and bird blind. Homestead loop starts near accessible parking at far end of lot (woodland paths, two bridges, playground, near dog park). Umstead Park walk about half a mile each way along Tanyard Branch trail to McMasters Street. · Cost: Free · Library, 100 Library Drive; Homestead Park, 100 Aquatic Drive; Umstead Park, Chapel Hill
Day trips nearby 2
Short drives from Chapel Hill.
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Hillsborough Riverwalk Unofficial sourceNearly 2-mile paved, wheelchair-accessible greenway along the Eno River from Gold Park through downtown Hillsborough; part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail with restaurants and shops nearby. Chapel Hill Transit Route 420 connects Hillsborough and Chapel Hill on weekdays. · Hours: Dusk to dawn (per site) · Cost: Free
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Jordan Lake State Recreation AreaNC state recreation area west of Raleigh with swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, 15 miles of trails, 1,000+ campsites and a bald eagle observation platform. Day-use hours are seasonal, 8 a.m. to between 6 and 9 p.m. Entrance fees: check ncparks.gov. Visitor center: 919-372-6000. · Hours: Seasonal, 8 a.m. to 6-9 p.m.
Hours, costs and details from the pages linked on each item, checked Oct 2, 2026. Items tagged "Unofficial source" come from a local blog or visitor site rather than the owner's own page. Closures and hours change, so check before you go.