Chapel Hill, and the greater Triangle area, is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work. Our town is bike-friendly, walkable, eclectic, safe, affordable, diverse and green. Our students love the temperate weather and the easy access to activities in the Triangle, on the coast and in the mountains.
Learn more about On Campus Student Life/Housing and Off Campus Student Life on the campus websites dedicated to assisting students in becoming responsible tenants of Chapel Hill, NC.
It's a breeze to get around.
Get on your bike and go anywhere. Fourteen miles of greenways take you to campus, libraries, coffee shops, Franklin Street, the Dean Dome, grocery stores and 350 acres of parks.
The University’s Tar Heel Bike program is an option for students who wish to reserve a bicycle. Daily and Lifestyle (yearly) memberships are available and bikes can be returned to any hub on campus.
Ride the bus anywhere — it’s free! One will deliver you near your Chapel Hill or Carrboro home or even to other locations around town and campus.
It's a land of opportunity.
The famed Research Triangle Park (RTP) is 10 miles away with more than 170 research and development organizations, research institutes and companies. Gillings School faculty members and alumni can connect you to a world of work and research opportunities across the Triangle.
Chapel Hill offers a variety of food.
Renowned restaurants, bistros, cafes and food trucks are right around the corner from campus. Looking for traditional Southern food, ethnic food, eclectic cuisines or down-home cooking? It’s all here.
Entertainment and Culture
Spend a casual evening sipping a latte on an outdoor patio, listening to live music, wandering through eclectic shopping districts or screaming and bouncing in a crowd of people as you cheer on your favorite team. Get involved in intramural sports or join a service group. If you are inspired by history, science or art, visit one of the area's museums. Study local flora and botanicals at the North Carolina Botanical Garden or treat yourself to a concert at Memorial Hall. Whatever your preference, UNC and the Triangle area offer plenty of social, entertainment and cultural opportunities to keep you busy, happy, and constantly making new discoveries.
Across North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Mountains, which is about a three hour drive, offers dozens of outdoor activities.
The Piedmont region offers a thriving live music scene, award-winning restaurants, film festivals, art galleries, museums and a rich history of college basketball.
Beaches around Wilmington, N.C., are an easy drive away. Worth a little longer drive are North Carolina's Outer Banks — secluded, beautiful and rich in history.
Home to several colleges and universities, the Triangle region is full of award-winning hotels and spas, delicious restaurants, art and history museums and two professional sports teams.
Culture of Health Map
Our interactive map features local and regional recreation locations to help you live a healthy lifestyle. Select the icon in the top left corner of the map to open the map legend or view in Google Maps.
Ready for a visit?
Our Visit Us page provides information about campus tours, parking and accommodations. Fill out a Prospective Student Inquiry Form if you are interested in hearing more from your degree program(s) of interest.
