Chapel Hill, and the greater Triangle area, is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work. Our town is bikable, 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.

What to Do in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Watch The New York Times 36 hours in Chapel Hill-Carrboro Travel Video. It doesn't show everything this city has to offer, but it's a good start!

Watch the video

It's a breeze to get around.

A bus makes a stop on the UNC campus.

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.

For a closer look at Chapel Hill and all it has to offer, visit VisitChapelHill.org or TownOfChapelHill.org.

Downtown Durham has great walking areas.

Chapel Hill offers a variety of food.

Students eat locally-sourced 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.

Want to plant your own garden? Volunteer at the Carolina Campus Community Garden.


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


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.