Chapel Hill is far from a sleepy town. Home of the University of North Carolina, there’s plenty to do, whether you want to grab some cocktails with friends, learn about outer space, catch a basketball game, or take your date to the art museum. That’s why we’re so lucky that our apartments near UNC Chapel Hill are a part of the Chapel Hill community: there’s always something to do, something to learn, and somewhere to go. Luckily, Chapel Hill is just a short drive from The Reserve at Cary Park apartments.
Catch a Basketball Game
Here in Chapel Hill, we are proud of our Tar Heels! (What is a Tar Heel, you ask?) North Carolina was nicknamed the “Tar and turpentine state” after excelling in these industries, and ever since the Civil War days, students who attended the University of North Carolina were considered “Tar Heels”. North Carolina has enjoyed long-term success as one of the top basketball programs in the entire country. According to ESPN, the Tar Heels have won six NCAA National Championships and were retroactively awarded one for the 1923-24 season by the Helms Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll.
If you’re into basketball, you’re in the right place. For tickets, just go to the University of North Carolina athletics events page, and choose which game is going to make you sit on the edge of your seat.
The Ackland Art Museum
For a day of art and culture, be sure to take the family to the Ackland Art Museum, which is affiliated with the University of North Carolina and has been an important cultural center in the area since 1958. With a permanent collection of more than 18,000 works of art that feature Asian and European masterworks, the museum also features an extensive collection of North Carolina pottery. And there is always something new to see – as the museum presents “approximately 10-12 changing exhibitions a year”, according to their website.
Even more impressively, they report that “The collection of the Ackland Art Museum now includes approximately 17,000 works of art… chosen for their quality and their ability to convey the breadth of human achievement in the visual arts.” It’s where University students can learn more about art in the world, display their own art, and appreciate some of the finest art exhibitions in the entire Southeast with other local families.
The Ackland Art Museum is just a 10-minute drive from our Chapel Hill apartments and the best part? They offer free admissions! They are open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The North Carolina Botanical Garden
Operated by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, the primary goal of the botanical garden is to research, catalog, and promote the native plant species of North Carolina.
Founded in 1903, the garden now features 14 collections and display gardens, with the mission to “inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature”, according to their website.
Their conservation garden was developed to conserve plants through propagation, to save seeds, and to protect and restore natural areas. They also aim to eliminate invasive species and replace them with non-invasive alternatives.
They have something for the whole community. Their James & Delight Allen Education Center houses classrooms, an auditorium, and seminar rooms used for lectures, classes, meeting, and other public programs. They even have nature-related art exhibits, educational programs for adults, and summer camps for kids. The botanical garden is a fantastic place to take the family on a warm spring day.
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
If there’s a budding astronaut or scientist in your family, you’re going to want to check out the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Located on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus, it’s one of the oldest and largest planetariums in the United States.
You’ll love their planetarium shows, where you can learn about Black Holes in their mysterious new film. Their show “Carolina Skies” is one of the longest-running planetarium shows at Morehead, and “Cosmic Colors” is where you can “discover the many reasons for color – like why the sky is blue and why Mars is red,” according to their website.
Here you can also learn about how Galileo’s invention of the telescope changed the world, Dark Matter, and how the Wright Brothers succeeded in being first in flight.
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offers a host of teen and adult programs as well including free skywatching sessions, the “Starry Nights” program where you’ll learn how to identify planets, bright stars, and constellations, and the “Carolina Science Café” where locals gather to discuss the latest in science news.
Delicious Dining on West Franklin Street
When you’re in the mood to gather your friends and family and hit a day out on the town, West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill is certainly the place to be. This is your hub for craft brews, chef-inspired cuisine at local eats, and some eclectic shopping experiences.
If you’re ever out for a date night and you’re looking for some spicy fare, look no further than CholaNad Restaurant and Bar, serving up traditional and contemporary South Indian cuisine. You’ll enjoy their spacious, polished setting where you and your date can rest and relax, and you’ll return again and again for the banana leaf fish.
In the mood for some Italian? 411 West Italian Café serves up fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, and more Italian fare that’s sure to get your mouth watering. Be sure to order some fine red wine and take advantage of their happy hour specials.
We all love Burritos, but how many of us have actually step foot in a restaurant that was 100 percent devoted to burritos? You’re in for a treat. Carrburitos is festive, colorful, and serves up delicious burritos for every persuasion. You’ll also love their friendly and casual atmosphere.
When it comes to West Franklin Street, there are so many gems that you’re just going to have to explore for yourself! You’re bound to find your next favorite restaurant our brewery right here in downtown Chapel Hill.
The Best That Life Has to Offer at Our Apartments in Cary, NC
You’ll never be bored living at our luxury apartments in Cary. We have a full array of fascinating and educational things to do for the entire family – whether that be learning about the planets, local flora, art from around the world, or biting into a burrito on West Franklin Street.
Schedule your tour of our apartments today, so you can get a glimpse of what life is life at our spacious, luxury apartments in Chapel Hill. You’ll love our resort-style swimming pool, our beautiful floor plans, and our state-of-the-art workout center – so when you feel like staying home, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.