Chapel Hill, North Carolina blends the best of the old and new South, the energy and charm of a University town and a wonderful natural setting.
The Carolina Inn is nestled in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill, on the University of North Carolina campus and just 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU).
Founded in 1789, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest public university in the U.S. The town of Chapel Hill was created to serve the University. The town's winding streets, wooded areas, stone walls and small shops hearken to that time. The name Chapel Hill came from New Hope Chapel, which was once located on the site of the present-day Carolina Inn.
Chapel Hill is one of the three legs of Research Triangle Park (RTP), which is home to more than 170 global companies. Bon Appétit Magazine named Chapel Hill one of "America's Foodiest Small Towns" and restaurants like Crossroads Chapel Hill at The Carolina Inn, work with local farmers for extraordinary farm-to-fork experiences. Chapel Hill also offers every cuisine from the AAA Four Diamond rated Crossroads Chapel Hill to multi-ethnic cuisine, legendary BBQ and down-home southern cooking.
In the 1800s, cutting a tree down in Chapel Hill was against the law. Today the town is tree-shaded, filled with wildflowers, azaleas and trails, and features beautiful gardens.
On Franklin Street just outside The Carolina Inn, you'll find designer clothing and jewelry, furniture, art galleries and artisanal foods. Many coffee shops, restaurants, museums, bookshops, music stores and bars are located very close to the university and the hotel, as well.
The Carolina Inn is central to local towns (Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough) that have experienced growth in the art. The Carolina Inn is a short distance from the Ackland Art Museum, which features a variety of events and collections depending on the time of year.
Over the years, Carrboro has become known for its arts and crafts – previously hosting art festivals, and now hosts a “2nd Friday Art Walk,” which takes place, you guessed it, the second Friday of every month from 6:00-9:00 pm. The ArtsCenter, located in downtown Carrboro, boasts a variety of classes such as sketching, pottery, writing that adults and children alike can enroll in.
Home to well-known local artist Elaine O’Neil, Hillsborough is similar to Carrboro when it comes to the arts. They host a variety of music festivals (bluegrass, concerts by the river) and have weekly art walks as well. Hillsborough is located 20 minutes away from Chapel Hill by car. It is recommended that you leave early in order to spend the whole day exploring the downtown area.
Are you looking to stay local and within walking distance from the Inn? Downtown Chapel Hill currently has up to 22 murals located either on or close by to the downtown area, Franklin Street. Visit the Chapel Hill website in order to obtain the walking map to visit each mural while also perusing local shops and boutiques.
At the heart of it all is The Carolina Inn.
Fridays on the Front Porch