A College Kid’s Guide to Chapel Hill

Thanks to my parents, I’ve been a Tar Heel since birth–now that I’ve had the time to make it my own, my love for Chapel Hill has only grown. It’s the perfect combination of the quintessential North Carolina charm sprinkled with perspectives, experiences, and opportunities from all around the world. Although I’d been a fearless sleepaway-camper for years, I’ll admit that I was nervous about finally going to college–an experience I’d been dying for since graduating high school in the pandemic. After a few semesters of exploration, I’ve created a list of my favorite places to go for food, fitness, and fun in Tar Heel Town.

Iconic Eats: Franklin Street is the place to be because it’s bursting with restaurants, bars, and shops, stretching 3 miles to connect Chapel Hill and Carrborro. My all-time favorite spot for classic diner-style breakfast or lunch is Sutton’s, and you’re likely to see some basketball players or coaches as well. For a healthier option, Med Deli offers an insane amount of deliciously fresh Mediterranean food, and the portions are large enough to split into a couple of meals. Before heading to frats on game day, brunch at La Res and Carolina Brewery, or bar food at Sup Dogs are the go-to’s. When my parents come to visit, we grab a bite at The Carolina Inn, 411 West, or Tandem.

Pregame & Late-Night Eats: You don’t go to UNC if your first night-out experience doesn’t include pitchers of margs at Bandidos. For the same vibe but a slightly better ambiance, we like to hit up Que Chula. To cure the drunchies, I<3NY Pizza, Cosmic Cantina, Buns, and TimeOut have your back.

Bar Scene: Although we’re more of a frat school than a bar school, we have some killer bars to frequent if you’re over 21. He’s Not Here is the most iconic, famous for their 32oz blue cups. Pantana Bob’s, Goodfellows, Linda’s, and La Res are favorites, and Four Corners is named after legendary basketball coach Dean Smith’s offensive strategy that led to the implementation of a shot clock.

Fitness and Activities: I’ve always loved working out and wanted to make sure I kept it up in college. On Franklin, Purvelo is a kickass spin class, and Franklin St. Yoga is great to perfect your inner yogi. I also love Corepower, FlowCORPS, Barre3, and SPENGA, which are just a short drive. Bolin Creek Trail and Umstead Park have great paths for running or nature walks, and the Arboretum on campus is stunning. On Saturdays, take a short stroll to Carrboro for the Farmers Market for fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and yummy treats.

I could list a million other “can’t miss” places, but my best advice is to take the time to explore wherever you end up and learn to make it your own. Being virtual all last year forced my roommates and me to get out and see every inch of Chapel Hill that we could, rather than waiting for it to find us. With our daily walks (sometimes 3 times a day) we opened our eyes to our beautiful campus and learned to appreciate everything around us.