Chapel Hill, NC Summary

photo by gusto

Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill make up what’s known as the Research Triangle area. These vibrant college towns are located in an area that is also home to one of the most widely respected and technologically advanced development and research facilities in the world, Research Triangle Park. The park is home to more than 100 organizations including IBM, General Electric and the Environmental Protection Agency. Based on an idea by Professor Howard Odum of UNC, Research Triangle Park remains America’s leading locale for entrepreneurs and high-tech businesses.

A visit to Chapel Hill is in order if you enjoy lush gardens and historical homes. Check out the carnivorous plant collection at the the North Carolina Botanical Garden, the largest in the region. At the Alexander Dickson house, you can see an office used by famous Confederate general Joe Johnston, as well as an authentic period garden. The University of North Carolina campus is a great spot for a pretty stroll, and downtown is filled with shops and restaurants.

Raleigh, the state capital, is home to North Carolina State University. In Downtown Raleigh, you can tour historic homes and gardens, visit an expansive museum complex that covers North Carolina tourism and film as well as the natural sciences, or take the little ones to Playspace, an educational museum that doubles as a playground. Raleigh’s celebrated Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is a must for delicious food and elegant ambiance. Located in downtown Raleigh in a centuries-old restored home, Second Empire is a city favorite.

Durham, the companion city to Raleigh, is the home of Duke University and its Blue Devils. Explore the American Tobacco Historic District, and get a glimpse of the industry that brought Durham fame, and whose founders made Duke University what it is today. Nearby Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina, and the constant influx of students keeps this historical town alive and flush with youth. For the best in nightlife, try Cat’s Cradle on East Main Street. This famed club is always host to extraordinary live music, great atmosphere and generous spirits.