Guidebook for Chapel Hill
Food Scene
Local farm, creamery, and ice cream shop. Locals love the ice cream and the front porch of the shop with the farmland view.
43 locals recommend
Maple View Farm Ice Cream
6900 Rocky Ridge RdLocal farm, creamery, and ice cream shop. Locals love the ice cream and the front porch of the shop with the farmland view.
If you're looking for a romantic night to remember, Provence is your place. Authentic French dining in a welcoming atmosphere that rivals anything in Paris. Superb, friendly service, incredible wine selection. Hands down, our favorite restaurant.
Provence
203 W Weaver StIf you're looking for a romantic night to remember, Provence is your place. Authentic French dining in a welcoming atmosphere that rivals anything in Paris. Superb, friendly service, incredible wine selection. Hands down, our favorite restaurant.
Tucked in on a quaint street of a small downtown, you'll find the surprise that is The Mebane Downtown Table. Incredible food and a lovely evening out. Get to downtown Mebane early enough to check out the small shops around the restaurant. We love eating here and makes for a special evening out. Full bar.
7 locals recommend
The Mebane Downtown Table
119 W Clay StTucked in on a quaint street of a small downtown, you'll find the surprise that is The Mebane Downtown Table. Incredible food and a lovely evening out. Get to downtown Mebane early enough to check out the small shops around the restaurant. We love eating here and makes for a special evening out. Full bar.
A local legend, this is the best southern diner you can find. Great for all meals of the day and for families -- we highly recommend it. Don't miss the cobbler if they have it that day!
69 locals recommend
Elmo's Diner
776 9th StA local legend, this is the best southern diner you can find. Great for all meals of the day and for families -- we highly recommend it. Don't miss the cobbler if they have it that day!
Eat there, or order from the deli. If you like Mediterranean, you'll love it. If you've never had Mediterranean, it's the best introduction you could possibly have. And their desserts!
71 locals recommend
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
454 W Franklin StEat there, or order from the deli. If you like Mediterranean, you'll love it. If you've never had Mediterranean, it's the best introduction you could possibly have. And their desserts!
Make sure to eat at the General Store and buy high-end local and organic foods and groceries -- after spending time outdoors on the Haw River. Located in a renovated Mill, Saxapahaw is a tiny but lively jewel -- and a don't-miss day trip.
49 locals recommend
Saxapahaw General Store
1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church RdMake sure to eat at the General Store and buy high-end local and organic foods and groceries -- after spending time outdoors on the Haw River. Located in a renovated Mill, Saxapahaw is a tiny but lively jewel -- and a don't-miss day trip.
In a renovated old-school gas station, Merritt's is authentic Mayberry -- after it meets high-southern, healthy eats. Best sandwiches around...and eat outside on a pretty day!
28 locals recommend
Merritt's Grill
1009 S Columbia StIn a renovated old-school gas station, Merritt's is authentic Mayberry -- after it meets high-southern, healthy eats. Best sandwiches around...and eat outside on a pretty day!
Their po' boys and shrimp and grits are not to be missed. Their fresh food, relaxed and lovely atmosphere, and full bar are in the heart of downtown Hillsborough. Dine outdoors if you can!
6 locals recommend
Laplace Louisiana Cookery
111 N Churton StTheir po' boys and shrimp and grits are not to be missed. Their fresh food, relaxed and lovely atmosphere, and full bar are in the heart of downtown Hillsborough. Dine outdoors if you can!
The Eddy
1715 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church RdLocal foodies will take great delight! Fine dining in a restored mill.
One of two locations -- neither to be missed and both listed with us. Grocery shop here if you can. Local organic foods, and a large take-out buffet. Locals gather here to shop, eat, and run into each others. Try to dine outside under the trees at the Carrboro location and overhear conversations from professors, artists and locals who love great foods.
176 locals recommend
Weaver Street Market
101 E Weaver StOne of two locations -- neither to be missed and both listed with us. Grocery shop here if you can. Local organic foods, and a large take-out buffet. Locals gather here to shop, eat, and run into each others. Try to dine outside under the trees at the Carrboro location and overhear conversations from professors, artists and locals who love great foods.
One of two locations -- neither to be missed and both listed with us. This is the Hillsborough location -- in the heart of downtown. Grocery shop here if you can. Local organic foods, and a large take-out buffet that you can eat on-site.
176 locals recommend
Weaver Street Market
101 E Weaver StOne of two locations -- neither to be missed and both listed with us. This is the Hillsborough location -- in the heart of downtown. Grocery shop here if you can. Local organic foods, and a large take-out buffet that you can eat on-site.
Drinks & Nightlife
Remember Cheers? This is it! A great place for a drink and to spend time before (or after) going to any of the great Hillsborough main street restaurants. Of course, their wings aren't shabby...and if you like onion rings, you'll love theirs -- beer-battered and the best we've had anywhere in our travels.
40 locals recommend
Wooden Nickel Pub
113 N Churton StRemember Cheers? This is it! A great place for a drink and to spend time before (or after) going to any of the great Hillsborough main street restaurants. Of course, their wings aren't shabby...and if you like onion rings, you'll love theirs -- beer-battered and the best we've had anywhere in our travels.
If you want to hear live music, dance, and have a drink in a casual atmosphere -- Hot Tin Roof is it. Some call it a Honky Tonk -- but it caters to a wide age range and crowd.
9 locals recommend
Hot Tin Roof
115 W Margaret LnIf you want to hear live music, dance, and have a drink in a casual atmosphere -- Hot Tin Roof is it. Some call it a Honky Tonk -- but it caters to a wide age range and crowd.
Like good beer? Explore the great local brewery in Saxaphaw.
23 locals recommend
Haw River Farmhouse Ales
1713 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church RdLike good beer? Explore the great local brewery in Saxaphaw.
Parks & Nature
Hike along the Haw River, or paddle it. This is a one-of-a-kind microtown, bustling but hidden. Great place to enjoy nature and then get great eats at the shops around.
18 locals recommend
The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company
6079 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw RdHike along the Haw River, or paddle it. This is a one-of-a-kind microtown, bustling but hidden. Great place to enjoy nature and then get great eats at the shops around.
If you love to look at the stars, there is no better place to be entertained by and learn about them than the Planetarium. Great too for a rainy day since it is indoors!
47 locals recommend
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
250 E Franklin StIf you love to look at the stars, there is no better place to be entertained by and learn about them than the Planetarium. Great too for a rainy day since it is indoors!
Enjoy the beauty of nature in this amazing Botanical Garden.
54 locals recommend
North Carolina Botanical Garden
100 Old Mason Farm RdEnjoy the beauty of nature in this amazing Botanical Garden.
From their website: A 404-acre natural and historic park that is located along a 2-mile stretch of the scenic Eno River located on 5101 North Roxboro Road, 6 miles north of downtown Durham.
Enjoy a leisurely picnic and stroll around the grounds, or take a hike through the woods on one of the park trails. Feel free to bring your canoe or raft and experience the beauty of the Eno River.
Take a step back in time to Durham’s early beginnings by touring the working Grist Mill, the 1850's McCown-Mangum House and the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography.
30 locals recommend
West Point on the Eno
5101 N Roxboro StFrom their website: A 404-acre natural and historic park that is located along a 2-mile stretch of the scenic Eno River located on 5101 North Roxboro Road, 6 miles north of downtown Durham.
Enjoy a leisurely picnic and stroll around the grounds, or take a hike through the woods on one of the park trails. Feel free to bring your canoe or raft and experience the beauty of the Eno River.
Take a step back in time to Durham’s early beginnings by touring the working Grist Mill, the 1850's McCown-Mangum House and the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography.
Ayr Mount
376 Saint Marys RoadHistory and trails near downtown Hillsborough, NC.
Shopping
Great outlet center with lots of name brand stores for clothes, shoes, perfumes and housewares.
62 locals recommend
Tanger Outlets Mebane
4000 Arrowhead BlvdGreat outlet center with lots of name brand stores for clothes, shoes, perfumes and housewares.
Arts & Culture
A precursor to the Revolutionary War, this State Historic site is a must-see for history buffs.
Alamance Battleground
5803 NC-62A precursor to the Revolutionary War, this State Historic site is a must-see for history buffs.
Carolina Performing Arts
114 E Cameron AveCheck them out for great performances!
Featured in the New York Times, a lovely place to take in art of all kinds -- just off of East Franklin Street.
59 locals recommend
Ackland Art Museum
101 S Columbia StFeatured in the New York Times, a lovely place to take in art of all kinds -- just off of East Franklin Street.
Entertainment & Activities
Kidzu
201 S Estes DrIt's great for families!
Essentials
All your basic groceries. The store closest to us -- 15 or less minutes away.
16 locals recommend
Food Lion
602 Jones Ferry RdAll your basic groceries. The store closest to us -- 15 or less minutes away.