Chapel Hill is definitely one of many prettiest faculty cities within the nation. House to the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it’s crammed to the brim with cultural experiences all ages can take pleasure in.
The downtown is pedestrian-friendly (with free parking on Sundays), so you possibly can simply stroll to lots of the spots on this checklist. However you’ll additionally wish to enterprise past downtown to see the character escapes that make this metropolis distinctive.
From a zen session with child goats to a woodland wonderland that serves espresso and pastries, right here’s what to do once you go to Chapel Hill with household.
Paperhand Puppet Challenge
Photograph by Todd McPhail
Kicking issues off is among the most uncommon, must-do experiences on the town: seeing a present by the Paperhand Puppet Challenge. A summer season custom in Chapel Hill for the previous 24 years, the puppetry theater troupe performs within the aptly named Forest Theatre, bringing to life a fantastical but acquainted world beneath a cathedral of timber.
Depart behind all the things you thought you may learn about puppetry. Their present present, “Earth and Sky, A Nice Gathering for All Beings,” blends dance, music, and puppetry at its grandest, from elaborate masks to massive puppets on stilts to shadow play. The staff creates every puppet themselves, a course of that takes months, and their ingenuity will astound you.
Photograph by Todd McPhail
With a lilting, nearly poetic script however a storyline straightforward sufficient for youths to understand, that is an all-ages present. There’s even a splash of viewers participation — certainly, we had been all howling, wolf-like, at one level — and I can inform you (with out spoiling the top) that this gathering of all beings has some sudden friends.
12 months after yr, Paperhand intrigues and enlightens. Should you’re curious, go!
When to see it: The present runs by Sept. 29, in Chapel Hill, however they’re additionally taking it on the highway to Asheville in November. To see all their upcoming performances, take a look at their calendar of occasions.
Spring Haven Farm
There’s common cute, after which there’s baby-goat cute. These are usually not on the identical airplane. You’ll know this in case you go to Spring Haven Farm for his or her 50-minute Child Goat Zen session.
It’s open to all ages and contains unique time with itty bitty goats. Our new pals, Augie and Gus, had been solely 2 weeks previous. They offer the gentlest head butts, although Augie was extra the cuddler whereas Gus was reasonably inclined to skip. No actual motive for stated skipping, most likely simply the enjoyment of being a child goat. There’s snug seating and picture alternatives galore as you maintain, feed, and watch the children cavort. Skip the spa. That is the wellness expertise you want.
Elsewhere on the farm, you possibly can hobnob with horses, highland cows, pigs, chickens, and bunnies. And extra goats.
There are additionally a great deal of enjoyable actions, starting from gem mining and ax throwing to farm-themed crafts and video games. Verify their calendar to see what’s on: film nights, goat yoga, and extra. Should you’re on the town mid-September by Halloween, join pumpkin carving — with goats, after all.
Guide Your Keep in Chapel Hill
Carolina Espresso Store
Chapel Hill is famously house to the oldest constantly working restaurant in North Carolina. Positioned within the coronary heart of downtown, the Carolina Espresso Store opened in 1922, its brick and wooden inside hung with historic pictures and nonetheless drawing crowds of locals day by day.
The day by day brunch, notably the cornflake-encrusted, strawberry-topped French toast, is well-liked, however we had been feeling extra lunch-ish and selected the BLTCA at a suggestion from our server — toasted bread sandwiching some glorious bacon, sharp cheddar, and avocado that was greater than satisfying, notably with the addictive pub fries on the facet.
Their salad lineup is spectacular too. I had hassle selecting, however I’m glad I picked the Parisian, with accents like pumpkin seeds, parmesan, and lemon tamari dressing that elevated this dish far above diner fare.
Lunch entrees begin at $9, making this an inexpensive meal out for the entire household. There’s additionally a full bar serving artistic and sometimes coffee-infused cocktails.
On their hundredth anniversary in 2022, they opened a espresso store subsequent door, known as 1922, that serves distinctive espresso together with pastries from an area bakery. I attempted the Tar Heel Latte (when in Rome…) with butterfly pea flower that will get it fairly near the best shade of Carolina blue. It’s a clean cup of joe, and the blueberry muffin was calmly candy, making a pleasant afternoon pick-me-up.
Tar Heel Escapes
Need to check your wits whereas having a fully exhilarating expertise? That’s Tar Heel Escapes’ specialty. They lock you in a room the place you’ll must uncover clues, clear up puzzles, and crack codes to flee in 60 minutes or much less. Not like most different escape video games, each reserving is a non-public reserving, that means it’s simply your group.
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The rooms are cleverly designed with layers of particulars and enjoyable theming, a little bit like stepping inside a film. In a single, you’re a staff of NSA brokers diverting a hacker. In one other, you’re making an attempt to say a kingdom whereas avoiding a dragon’s curse. In one more, you’re diving to an enchanted shipwreck.
We did “Raiders of the Misplaced Temple,” looking for the fabled temple of Kukulcan. We bought contained in the temple! However we didn’t fairly escape in time. This room is a problem, however the number of puzzles will preserve you guessing and assure everybody has one thing to contribute, whether or not you’re higher with ciphers or kinetic clues or simply noticing issues that appear a little bit misplaced.
Open to ages 12 and up, the video games are perfect for household team-building, particularly if you wish to get your teenagers concerned in one thing they’ll discover cool. And also you’ll be speaking concerning the sport lengthy after you allow, whether or not you escape or not.
Caffè Driade
Cozy, whimsical, and cultured, Caffè Driade is a spot to linger. The Italian title fits, with its European cafe vibes and pure setting — it’s straightforward to imagine a dryad may inhabit the woods surrounding Bolin Creek. Tables are scattered across the grounds, half-blending into the foliage. A path begins on the decrease terrace and disappears into the timber.
In winter, they’ve heaters and fleece blankets, however a summer season afternoon right here, saved cool within the shade, is just about bliss. It’s not simply the setting although, the cafe is severe about their espresso. The proprietor, a World Espresso Championships Licensed World, travels the globe to deliver the most effective coffees to Chapel Hill. They’ve even been featured on the Meals Community.
Indulge of their dreamy espresso-laden Driade Shake, or strive the glowing ginger beer chilly brew (pictured under) for a refreshing deal with. Each are glorious as are their lattes.
In addition they provide beer, wine, tea, and scrumptious pastries from an area bakery in addition to seasonal choices like blue matcha lemonade and a heat harvest spice latte. Verify their Instagram for highlights and offers.
Enjoyable truth: Caffè Driade has brewed over 5.5 million cups of espresso since opening in 1995.
Cat Tales Cat Cafe
This spacious two-story cafe on Franklin Avenue, the primary thoroughfare downtown, is the right (OK, I’ll say it — purrfect) place to chill and chill out in your go to to Chapel Hill.
The Cat Tales Cat Cafe serves up espresso, beer, wine, and cuteness from 12 resident cats who roam the lounge cage-free.
It’s a haven from the skin world, crammed with feathery string toys, cat-themed espresso desk books you possibly can browse, and cats which are eager to play or be petted, relying on their temper. Some simply sleep, wanting lovable, and that’s OK too. It’s the most effective cat cafe of the dozen-plus I’ve been to Stateside. Our hour elapsed earlier than we knew it.
Make sure to guide on-line earlier than you go. The place is well-liked, so that they do refill. Should you’re seeking to deliver youngsters beneath 7, guide a household session with all eight spots and also you’ll get the room to your self!
As a bonus, it’s all for a very good trigger. You’re serving to assist the mission of Cat Tales to seek out perpetually properties for all their adoptable kitties.
Tea Hill
Boba, aka bubble tea, has lengthy since change into a worldwide phenomenon, nevertheless it was invented in Taiwan, and you’ll take pleasure in this traditional drink at Chapel Hill’s very personal Taiwanese tea store, Tea Hill.
And once I say taste selection, I imply it. Winter melon. Lavender matcha. Brown sugar. Peach oolong. How can one select? We tried a fruit tea and milk tea of their suggestion. The velvety black milk tea boba had a creamy, nearly caramel end (my favourite). The eagerness fruit inexperienced tea with lychee jelly was vivid and spring-like (my husband’s favourite). We ordered each at half sugar, which let the tea flavors shine by, however you are able to do numerous customizations, adjusting sweetness, ice, milk substitutes, and toppings like pineapple jelly, pudding, cream cheese, and, after all, boba.
Whereas the drinks are the star right here, the meals is stable. We loved the fried Taiwanese popcorn rooster with its zesty, peppery taste, accompanied by plump rice, broccoli, and an exquisitely seasoned hard-boiled egg. To spherical issues out, we bought an order of Thai chili tofu, a candy and savory fried deal with that pairs nicely along with your tea.
Fried tofu snack at Tea Hill in Chapel Hill
Their calm, wood-accented tea store is open until not less than 9 p.m. day by day, making this the best dinner spot. In addition they provide Taiwanese snow ice, although we had been loads full from our meal and didn’t strive it.
Enjoyable truth: Proprietor Julia Chiu, who discovered find out how to expertly brew tea at a younger age, sources tea leaves from the Miao Li fields the place she grew up.
Parks and Gardens of Chapel Hill
As you could have seen, there are many greenspaces in Chapel Hill. It’s not simply the Forest Theatre inside Battle Park or the Bolin Creek Path outdoors Caffè Driade. There’s the Gene Strowd Rose Backyard Park, that includes seasonal blooms and a big playground. Downtown, you possibly can stroll to the Coker Arboretum. For one thing a little bit extra rugged, hit up the 296-acre Johnston Mill Nature Protect with its creekside path and mill ruins.
However personally, I appreciated the North Carolina Botanical Backyard greatest. Spanning over 1,000 acres, it options themed gardens of wildflowers, herbs, carnivorous crops, and extra, together with a Kids’s Surprise Backyard that has locations to dig, construct, and get fingers on. Fall could also be the most effective time to go for the sculptures on show and the annual NatureFest in October, designed particularly for youths 10 and beneath.
Bonus: All of the locations above are free!
Ackland Artwork Museum
Talking of free, you’ll want to go to the Ackland Artwork Museum. It has over 21,000 artistic endeavors, a portion of that are on show within the numerous galleries so that you’ll at all times see one thing new once you go. Displays vary from historic earthenware to up to date images, Edgar Degas to Andy Warhol. We noticed a South African bride’s ceremonial apron constructed from leather-based and beads and took selfies within the reflective pARC set up outdoors.
For severe artwork fanatics, additionally they provide numerous actions open to the general public, lots of that are free or have solely a nominal charge to attend. Developing, there’s stamp carving, print-making for ages 6-9, a guided tour of their new non permanent exhibition, an artist discuss, and extra. Verify their calendar of occasions to see what’s on provide.
In regards to the Creator
In regards to the Creator
Cheryl Rodewig is storyteller, marketer, and award-winning function author specializing in journey. Her Venn diagram contains minimalism, waterfalls, French, and the em sprint. Discover her at cherylrodewig.com or on Twitter at @cherylrodewig.
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