Whether you’re a born-and-bred Chapel Hillian or found your way here, consider this your must-do bucket list
Photography by John Michael Simpson
1 Relax on the lawn of Weaver Street Market in Carrboro
2 Kiss your sweetheart below the Davie Poplar tree on UNC’s campus
3 Enjoy a relaxing turn down Poet’s Walk at Ayr Mount in Hillsborough
4 Nibble on a nutty fruitcake at Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More
5 Enjoy a cone at Whit’s Frozen Custard and head to Gold Park with a blanket
6 Order a hot dog during the UNC baseball season opener at Boshamer Stadium
7 Join a guided tour at the Historic Chatham County Courthouse and Chatham Historical Museum
8 Learn about the historic Alexander Dickson House, which also serves as the Hillsborough Visitors Center
9 Choose among different tasty salsas at Carrburritos
10 Start the day off right with a big breakfast at Breadman’s or Virlie’s Grill
11 Look sharp in a Carolina blue tie from Julian’s
12 Catch a show performed by the Bouncing Bulldogs, a youth jump rope team of international acclaim
13 Order a single, double, or, if you dare, a triple BLT at Merritt’s Grill
14 Down a pint, buy some art and enjoy a local band at ODDCO
15 Dig into a North Carolina-inspired plate of poutine or a sky-high sandwich at Breakaway Cafe
16 Enjoy a pickup game of mahjong or pingpong at the Seymour Center
17 Rush Franklin Street after a UNC victory over Duke
18 Explore the great presents at This & That Gift Gallery or Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts
19 Satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of cake at Nantucket Grill or a creative confection at Glasshalfull
20 Get your work clothes and see where Charlie Daniels played his first paying gig at JR Moore & Son in Gulf
21 See the Belted Galloway cows and stroll the walkable Fearrington Village
22 Try a Bell Tower Blueberry Wheat beer at Top of the Hill
23 Have a picnic in the Coker Arboretum
24 Visit the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery on UNC’s campus
25 Beat your friends in a round of pool at Zog’s Art Bar & Pool Hall or play your favorite old-school arcade game at The Baxter
26 Go on a burger tour with stops at Johnson’s Drive-In in Siler City and Buns and Al’s Burger Shack in Chapel Hill
27 Check out all the funky sculptures and international goods at French Connections
28 Finish a blue cup at He’s Not Here
29 Take a step back in Chapel Hill town history at the Horace Williams House, home to Preservation Chapel Hill
30 Walk or bike along the banks of the Eno River on the Riverwalk
31 Dance through an evening of music outside at Fridays on the Front Porch at The Carolina Inn (April-October)
32 Learn about Tar Heel hoops history at the Carolina Basketball Museum
33 Better yet, cheer on UNC during a game at the Dean E. Smith Center or watch it at Four Corners
34 Pick up a six-pack at Beer Study or The Casual Pint
35 Take a nature walk at the North Carolina Botanical Garden
36 Feel like family as you’re greeted by Vincenzo Marrone and Angelo Marrone at Italian Pizzeria III
37 Catch an afternoon show at Morehead Planetarium & Science Center or go stargazing at Jordan Lake
38 Try every vendor at the Blue Dogwood Public Market food hall
39 Catch an independent film at the newly renovated Chelsea Theater
40 Walk the sidewalks and gallery hop during Last Fridays in Hillsborough or 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Carrboro and Chapel Hill
41 Sip a cocktail at The Crunkleton
42 Go antiquing at Countryside Collectibles Antique Mall
43 Hike the trails in the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
44 Gobble down late-night cheese fries or loaded sweet potato tots at Linda’s Bar & Grill
45 Shop for trendy pieces at Uniquities, Monkee’s, Whilden or Dovecote
46 Sip different flavors of honey wine at Starrlight Mead
47 Explore the hottest food and drink spots with a guided Taste Carolina tour
48 Drink from the Old Well
49 Paddle in a kayak or canoe out on the waters of Jordan Lake and the Haw River
50 Savor vegetarian-friendly dishes at Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe, Sage Vegetarian Cafe and The Spotted Dog
51 Use your Italian dinnerware purchased at the VIETRI outlet store in Hillsborough
52 Wait in line on a weekend morning at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen or have a late-night chicken biscuit at Time-Out
53 Play a round of golf at UNC Finley Golf Course
54 Pose in front of a Michael Brown mural
55 Learn and explore with your kids at Kidzu Children’s Museum
56 Learn about Eastern Carolina-style barbecue at Allen & Son Bar-B-Que or Hillsborough BBQ Company
57 Don’t miss the Southern fixins at Mama Dip’s Kitchen
58 Jam with live, local bands at Nash Street Tavern or Hot Tin Roof in Hillsborough or The City Tap in Pittsboro
59 Root for your local high school team at Cedar Ridge High School, Orange High School, Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School, Carrboro High School or, in Chatham County, Northwood High School, Jordan-Matthews High School, Chatham Central High School or Seaforth High School
60 Go see and learn about the wild cats at Carolina Tiger Rescue
61 Choose a unique piece for your home from Whitehall Antiques or SOUTH
62 Buy a cut of meat from Cliff’s Meat Market
63 Tour Top of the Hill Distillery and sample locally made spirits
64 Pile a cone high with Carolina Crunch from Maple View Farm
65 Bike the 198-mile system of trails in Chatham or take it easy on the Elizabeth ‘Libba’ Cotten Bikeway in Carrboro
66 Learn pottery or drawing at The ArtsCenter
67 Memorize the lyrics of James Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind”
68 Enjoy one of the rotating exhibits featuring local and regional artists at the NC Arts Incubator in Siler City
69 Tour the Civil War-era Burwell School Historic Site, and learn about the bravery of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, who escaped life as a slave to become a close confidant of first lady Mary Todd Lincoln
70 Belly up to the Lantern bar – or sit outside – for creative dishes from Andrea Reusing, who previously won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast
71 Get a book signed by an author at Purple Crow Books, Flyleaf Books, McIntyre’s Books or Circle City Books & Music
72 Head to Chatham Park’s Penguin Place for a beer from House of Hops, a sandwich at The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering and some freshly made guacamole at Mi Cancun
73 Sip a pint at Carrboro’s Steel String Brewery, Vecino Brewing Co. and Dingo Dog Brewing Company or Pittsboro’s Carolina Brewery, bmc brewing and Red Moose Brewing Company
74 Get local produce from the Carrboro Farmers Market, the Chapel Hill Farmers Market, the Eno River Farmers Market, the Fearrington Farmers Market, the Pittsboro Farmers Market or the Chatham Mills Farmers Market
75 Greet the UNC football team and cheerleaders as they make their way to Kenan Stadium during the pregame Victory Walk
76 Visit Chapel Hill’s most perfect sunset spot – Merritt’s Pasture
77 Explore a historic residential neighborhood like the Franklin-Rosemary Historic District or Gimghoul and admire the distinct architecture
78 See a Carolina Performing Arts show at CURRENT ArtSpace + Studio or Memorial Hall
79 Slurp a milkshake at Sutton’s Drug Store
80 Have brunch under the sun in the Rosé Garden at Oakleaf
81 Order a coffee and a treat at The Chatham Rabbit in Siler City or at Aromatic Roasters in Pittsboro
82 Watch a movie at the 70-year-old Varsity Theatre
83 Try the fried chicken at Bestfood Cafeteria
84 Stroll on one of our many beautiful greenways, like the Tanyard Branch Trail, where metalwork art is on display by local artist Leo Gaev
85 Dine al fresco in the outdoor garden at Kipos
86 Sip award-winning chambourcin at FireClay Cellars, the only commercial vineyard in Chatham County
87 Enjoy the latest exhibition at the Ackland Art Museum or stroll through the artist-owned FRANK Gallery in University Place
88 Groove to a favorite band at Cat’s Cradle or catch an up-and-coming hiphop artist at Local 506
89 Try some classic Calabash-style popcorn shrimp and fish at Dry Dock Seafood