Chapel Hill Tourist Attractions
|
|
The venerable University of North Carolina, the oldest state university in America, has its seat in Chapel Hill.Chapel Hill is more than just a university town. It features a diverse set of entertainment options ranging from theatre to live music to sporting events. Take some time when you are in town to stroll down historic Franklin Street and check out the unique shops selling just about anything you can imagine. If science is more your style stop in at the Moorhead Planetarium and Science Center, or if you just want to chill out, stop in and smell the roses at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. Chapel Hill has something for every visitor.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a number of attractions on campus. Some of the highlights include the Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower which can be heard ringing on the hour throughout the day, the Greek Revival style Playmakers Theatre, the Forest Theatre, the Old East building, Davie Poplar which supposedly marks the spot where William R. Davie decided to found the University in 1792, and the original well for the Old East and Old West dormitories, known as The Old Well. The university also maintains the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Coker Arboretum and the Ackland Art Museum.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill is located on the University of North Carolina campus. The Star Theater and Zeiss Model VI Star Projector provide a unique skywatching experience. The center also features numerous exhibits, art galleries, a Visitor's Center, and well manicured grounds and gardens.The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is an educational experience that can be enjoyed by young and old.
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill provides a welcome escape from the pressures of everyday life. Here visitors can wander the trails and soak up the calming atmosphere. The gardeners at the North Carolina Botanical Garden make the most of each season with dazzling displays from spring to fall. The gardens are located on the property of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, sometimes abbreviated as UNC-CH.
Carolina Athletic Memorabilia Room of the Dean E Smith Center
For those with a special interest in local sports history, be sure to stop in at the Carolina Athletic Memorabilia Room of the Dean E Smith Center. Here visitors will find all manner of sports paraphernalia related to the Tar Heels athletics program. The Carolina Athletic Memorabilia Room of the Dean E Smith Center is located on the second floor of the building.
North Carolina Collection Gallery
The North Carolina Collection Gallery is housed in the Louis Round Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. The collection is unrivalled in its breadth and depth of visual, and written information. The North Carolina Collection Gallery consists of over 120,000 books and 78,000 pamphlets supplemented by maps, newspapers, journals and other materials.
Ackland Art Museum
The Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill is housed on the grounds of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, sometimes abbreviated to UNC-CH. The museum has a permanent collection of over 15,000 items dating from ancient times through until present day. The museum is especially noted for its collection of European paintings and sculpture. Like most art museums, the Ackland Art Museum hosts national and international traveling exhibits in its gallery spaces.
Patterson's Mill Country Store
Patterson's Mill Country Store in Chapel Hill is a recreation of the original store that was built in 1870. It stands on the Leigh farm and is open to visitors. The store displays typical items that could have been purchased in the late 19th Century. Also of interest is a recreated early 1900s doctor's office, along with and crafts.Patterson's Mill Country Store makes for an interesting stop while in Chapel Hill for anyone interested in antiques and visions of a bygone age.
