The Legendary Chapel Hill

Regardless if you’re a UNC student or not, you’ve probably heard of the town called Chapel Hill, and that’s because it’s one of the greatest college towns ever for many reasons!

A Brief Background of UNC

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is probably one of the most famous universities in America, and it’s not just because of basketball! Founded in 1789, this public university has loads of rich history. With a student population of a little less than 20,000 students, UNC offers unique student life opportunities, from the school newspaper, Greek life, the student-run radio station, and more. In fact, about half of the student body lives on campus in one of their resident halls! UNC even ranked #29 in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities!The UNC Tar Heels are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (the ACC) and are most known for their men’s basketball team. Their biggest rivalry which has been going on for decades is with Duke University, home of one of the most successful programs in college basketball. But, UNC was home to famous basketball alumni, like Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. Ever heard of them? You better have!Let’s be clear, UNC does more than just basketball! In women’s soccer, UNC takes the cake! Fun fact: there have been 33 NCAA national title games in D1 women’s soccer. Of those 33, UNC has won 21 of them. Not only women’s soccer, but UNC is home to national champions in men’s soccer, men and women’s tennis, field hockey, and more. Pretty awesome, right?!  Lastly, UNC’s academics are pretty outstanding. They have SO MANY different schools and colleges, the biggest undergraduate department being the College of Arts and Sciences. Their graduate programs are also highly ranked, from business, law, medicine, government and more! Another fun fact: actor and former professional basketball player Rick Fox, President James K. Polk, and former U.S. Senator John Edwards all earned degrees from UNC.Now, while UNC is home to amazing student life, academics, and sports, they are also known for their own town, Chapel Hill! I mean, it’s literally in their name, so Chapel Hill has gotta be one epic college town right? You’re correct!

All About Chapel Hill

Alright, listen up! There’s a reason why Chapel Hill is nicknamed the southern part of heaven! Chapel Hill, the college town of UNC located in North Carolina, is famous across the U.S. for so many reasons. From its rich history to amazing food, to being the home of UNC students, Chapel Hill has it all!Chapel Hill is famous for its quaint, southern town feel, but with a modern living twist. Maybe you’re wondering where Chapel Hill got its name, but it shouldn’t be a shock to you that it was literally named after New Hope Chapel, back in 1795 when the North Carolina residents first arrived. Unfortunately, the historical church is no longer standing, but a legendary inn took its place, called the Carolina Inn. Okay, let’s talk about Chapel Hill’s history some more. During its founding, Chapel Hill was only about 72 acres, which is a really small town! But today, Chapel Hills is over 21 miles long and has over 60,000 residents (including UNC students who live in the town)!Chapel Hill is known for its amazing seasons. I mean, in the spring, the town is flooding with beautiful wildflowers and gardens. There are trees budding with flowers all along the sidewalks, and azaleas growing out of the pavements! Fun fact: in 1889, cutting down a tree in Chapel Hill was punishable with a misdemeanor and a $20 fine. Back then, $20 was A LOT of money! That’s how serious they take their town’s natural beauty! In fact, the town has continued to maintain its love for nature and maintaining its history by embracing eco-friendly conservation and sustainability practices!Living in Chapel Hill is also pretty great! In comparison to other similarly sized towns in the country, Chapel Hill ranks in the top one percent for public transportation use. Furthermore, in North Carolina, Chapel Hill ranks in the top five percent for having well-paid, single women and for median family incomes.In terms of education, almost 50 percent of Chapel Hill residents possess a graduate or professional degree (according to 2019 studies). With housing, Chapel Hill’s real estate is diversified. Some neighborhoods in Chapel Hill are really historic near Franklin Street and UNC’s campus, while other neighborhoods are more new and modern, with loads of shops and restaurants nearby.

Reasons Why Chapel Hill Is The Best College Town

So, we’ve established some of Chapel Hill’s history and beauty. I mean, even the housing and living standards at Chapel Hill seem pretty sweet, but Chapel Hill might be one of the best college towns out there. But why, you might ask? Well, let’s talk about it!One of the biggest reasons Chapel Hill might be the best college town ever is the actual UNC pride that is ALWAYS roaming the town. First of all, UNC basketball is a standout on its own. From past UNC students who made it big, like the man himself, Michael Jordan, Dean Smith, Vince Carter, and more, Chapel Hill was home to MANY big names in basketball. Also, UNC’s campus looks like it came from straight out of a movie! With classic Georgian architecture, hundred-year-old trees, Kenan Stadium, amazing gardens, and more, a walk around campus is truly one of the most beautiful college campuses in the U.S.Two words: Franklin Street. I know I mentioned it earlier but Franklin Street is one of the most iconic parts of Chapel Hill! This 200-year-old avenue has endless amounts of bars, restaurants, street performers, music stores, head shops, and more! Weirdly enough, one of the best parts about Franklin Street is that it has its own planetarium! Franklin Street is the perfect, most fun place to be for a college student. Let’s discover more about Franklin Street and why it’s so popular amongst UNC students and the Hill residents!

A Freshman’s Guide Around Franklin Street

Whether you’re a Freshman or not, Franklin Street is home to some of the best food joints in all of North Carolina (and probably the south), and everyone, including you, should know the best stops on Franklin Street!Literally every weekend, almost half of the student population at UNC goes to Franklin Street for the shops, bars, and restaurants. And honestly, restaurants come and go on Franklin Street, so the restaurants have to be REALLY good to become a staple food joint.We’re about to talk about some of the BEST restaurants around Franklin Street that every Freshman should know about! First up, let’s talk burgers. We have Al’s Burger Shack, a classic favorite among UNC students. The line is almost ALWAYS out the door, but it’s WORTH the wait. The fries are just too good. And the burgers, they are top-tier quality! I mean, the meat comes from North Carolina pasture-raised cattle, and they only use the freshest ingredients out there. Another staple burger joint is Sutton’s Drug Store, a classic stop that’s been on Franklin Street since 1923. From burgers to milkshakes, to breakfast food, this place has it all. Now, if you’re trying to eat healthier and cleaner, Franklin Street has you covered! The Mediterranean Deli (Med Deli) serves AMAZING Mediterranean food. They serve countless different vegetarian dishes that are made fresh every single day in the store, but you can also get some dishes in their small location on UNC’s campus’ dining hall. Another favorite stop for healthy food is a Greek restaurant called Kipos! They serve fresh Greek food all day long, from vegetarian dishes, fresh fish and tasty spreads, and more, they also have live music every night! You’ll get some delicious dinner AND some great entertainment!If your family’s in town and you want to go somewhere special, I have JUST the right places for you! The Top of the Hill (or TOPO for short) is another staple on Franklin Street. The dining seating is actually on the ROOFTOP of a building just on the corner of Franklin Street and Columbia so you have the perfect view of Franklin Street! While the view is incredible, the food is also INSANELY delicious. Crook’s Corner is another great place to bring the family if you’re in the mood for real southern food! If you’re craving gourmet southern food, Crooks has you covered! From classic shrimp and grits, barbeque, and hush puppies, this really quaint, small restaurant holds a huge spot in our hearts!Alright, so now let’s talk about some late-night dive options! As a college student, you basically never sleep. And when those late-night cravings hit, you need a great dive joint to call home. Well, lucky for you, Franklin Street is home to Time-Out, the legendary spot of chicken cheddar biscuits! It’s open 24/7 and UNC students are here ALL THE TIME. The other iconic dive spot on Franklin Street is Sup Dogs. Named after their famous hot dogs, you can also order their amazing tater tots, burgers, chicken strips, and all the other junk foods you crave at 2 AM! You will not be disappointed.