Looking for something fun to do in Chapel Hill? Maybe you’re an out-of-town visitor, or maybe you’re a long-time resident looking for some fresh ideas.
Whatever the case, Chapel Hill has plenty of cool activities and attractions to keep you busy. The can’t-miss destinations listed below are sure to help locals discover a few new favorites and may even inspire visitors to seek out Chapel Hill apartments so they never have to leave!
Catch a Game at the Dean E. Smith Center
Named for University of North Carolina Tar Heels team coach Dean E. Smith—dubbed a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame—the Dean E. Smith Center is one of the most popular and advanced multipurpose arenas in the state.
The Tar Heels have played 33 seasons at the affectionately nicknamed “Dean Dome” over the years, with over 400 wins and less than 100 hundred losses. In addition to sports, the arena also hosts musical concerts, graduations, and even presidential speeches.
Go Hunting for Ghosts at Gimghoul Castle
It’s hard to imagine a more appropriately monikered place to go ghost-hunting than “Gimghoul Castle,” but that’s really what it’s called and, yes, it really is believed to be haunted. Some people even claim that the towering edifice has connections to a shadowy secret society called the Order of the Gimghoul.
Whether or not you believe the rumors, the medieval-style castle is certainly a sight worth seeing, just make sure to keep a safe distance, as the building itself remains private property.
Learn Hands-On at Kidzu Children’s Museum
If you have little ones that haven’t been to the Kidzu Children’s Museum yet, what are you waiting for? As awesome as it is educational, the Kidzu offers 8,200 square feet jam-packed with multi-sensory, play-centered, interactive learning experiences.
Children of all ages can discover the power of STEM while racing balls propelled by the centrifugal force of the Gravitron. Or they can learn the principles of engineering by constructing their own forts and vehicles in the Build Guild. The possibilities are endless.
Visit Racing Royalty at Occoneechee Speedway
Do you have the need for speed? If so, you can’t pass up a chance to visit Occoneechee Speedway. Located just minutes outside Chapel Hill, this 1-mile oval-shaped dirt road isn’t just one of the first two NASCAR tracks ever opened, it’s the only dirt track from the 1949 inaugural season that still exists.
Though it stopped hosting races in 1968, race fans can still visit the speedway and even hike a series of scenic trails that crisscross this one-of-a-kind historic site.
