Resources in Chapel Hill, NC

Welcome to Chapel Hill, North Carolina!

Dubbed ‘The Southern Part of Heaven,’ Chapel Hill is known for its quaint, small town feel with a touch of modernism. Home to UNC (Go Tar Heels!), the area is considered one of the best college towns in the United States. It offers residents and visitors a number of resources and activities, including music, shopping, and dining. As a holistic dental practice in Chapel Hill, we are proud to serve our local community and want our patients to enjoy its many amenities as much as we do.

Read on to discover more about the services and resources in Chapel Hill and all that this heavenly southern town has to offer its students, couples, and families.

Life in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a large town in Orange County, North Carolina with a population of 62, 906. It has been rated one of the best places to live in the state. It offers residents a mix of urban and suburban life with plenty of restaurants, shops, parks, and highly rated public schools. Chapel Hill is a great community for families, young professionals, and older couples as well.

Location and Climate

Like most of North Carolina, Chapel Hill experiences hot, muggy summers and short, cold winters. Residents get to experience all four seasons with temperatures varying from 32℉ to 88℉ over the course of the year. For tourists, the best times to visit are typically late spring or early fall when it isn’t as hot and humid.

Chapel Hill History

Founded in 1792, Chapel Hill was named for the New Hope Chapel that once stood at the crossroads on the hill at the town’s center. Christopher Barbee, the son of one of the town’s original settlers, invested in the land and supported the construction of a university. The University of North Carolina opened in 1795 and continues to significantly contribute to the town’s economy. 

The town is inextricably tied to the university, its research facilities and buildings, and nearby Research Triangle Park; all of which have impacted Chapel Hill’s history and development.

Resources and Services in Chapel Hill, NC

From educational and family resources to shopping and dining, Chapel Hill has your needs covered through various services for residents and visitors.

Educational Resources

Chapel Hill is well known as the home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. However, its public school system is also highly rated. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System is one of the best in the United States. The district regularly ranks highly for student test scores and the lowest dropout rate in the state. There are 9 public elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools. 

UNC is a public research university. As the flagship for the North Carolina educational system, it is often considered a public Ivy League School thanks to the high-quality academic experience. In addition to the quality education, students, locals, and visitors have access to various educational facilities at UNC. These include the Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, North Carolina Botanical Garden, and libraries.

Family Resources and Services

Looking for a good gym or trying to schedule a pick-up game? Chapel Hill offers resources and services to get in shape and stay physically active.

The Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation offers engaging activities for youth and adults. Athletics, drop-in sports, and fitness classes are available for all ages. These sports and classes allow participants to join other members of the community in staying healthy in a positive environment. 

The Parks and Rec service also provides access to several public gyms and sports fields. Residents are able to use these amenities anytime they aren’t reserved or scheduled for department programs.

Parks, Nature, and Recreational Services

There is no shortage of opportunities to get outside, explore nature, and get fresh air. Chapel Hill is home to over 730 acres of public space, including 18 community or neighborhood parks and plazas. With beautiful parks, athletic fields, green spaces, and outdoor plazas, there is plenty of space to get outside and play!

If you’re looking for even more solitude or an escape into nature, check out the greenway trails and nature preserves in the area. Whether you are looking for a brisk, mile-long trek in green space, a walk through the gardens, or a trip into the mountains, there is something for everyone.

Shopping and Dining

Ready to check out a new restaurant? Chapel Hill offers a wide range of dining opportunities to appeal to your taste buds. Want a night out with friends, your significant other, or the whole family? The restaurant selection won’t disappoint. 

Whether you want handcrafted Italian specialties, American fare, international cuisine, burgers, or more, there’s something for everyone in Chapel Hill. Check out Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery, 411 West Italian Cafe, Al’s Burger Shack, or Cha House to get started. 

Looking to shop til you drop? Check out University Place, the premier shopping destination in the Triangle region. This is the only enclosed shopping mall in the area. It offers 29 stores, dining options, a cinema, and even a grocery store. 

Chapel Hill and Orange County are also home to boutiques, shops, and artisans selling one-of-a-kind products, Tar Heel memorabilia, antiques, and gifts. Franklin Street and Downtown Chapel Hill offer plenty of parking, making it easy to stop and browse your favorite stores.  

Events and Attractions

No matter what type of outing you are on, there are plenty of things to do in Chapel Hill. Although it is considered a college town, young professionals, families, and seniors are proud to call the area home. Chapel Hill plans events with children, adults, and families in mind. From musical performances and outdoor movies to gardening, author events to UNC sporting events, there are numerous options to enjoy and explore the local community.

Need something to do this weekend in Chapel Hill? Check out the events calendar and try something new!

Quality Dental Services in Chapel Hill

During your time in Chapel Hill, we invite you to contact our office for all of your oral health needs. We offer comprehensive dental services in Chapel Hill and are happy to be your home for holistic dental care. 

Book an appointment today! Our team is happy to serve you!

The History of Chapel Hill, NC

While Chapel Hill may seem like a relatively quiet town, it still has its fair share of bustling areas and lively activities. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a variety of places to explore, rich with history and timeliness charm. From paranormal legends to fantastic scientific endeavors, Chapel Hill has remained one of the best places to visit in North Carolina in Orange County. 

As an established dental office in Chapel Hill that provides comprehensive dental services, we’re eager to give you a little insight into the town’s history. There’s a good reason why people love to travel and study in the Research Triangle.  

Humble Beginnings With New Hope Chapel

Chapel Hill wasn’t always called Chapel Hill in the very beginning. Back in 1753, the town started off as two different land grants under a settler named William Barbee. His child, Christopher Barbee, would later go on to invest more in the land and support the construction of a university. 

Before the university, however, came the well-known church called New Hope Chapel, which had already been built in 1752. New Hope Chapel remained the center of the growing town for a while. Construction followed the famous hill surrounding it and eventually continued from there.

Eventually, the structure of the church was later rebuilt for a new purpose. The building now stands as a historical relic near the university amongst many other buildings in the area. 

Building an Educational Foundation With the University of North Carolina

The university that Christopher Barbee funded attracted plenty of curious intellectuals to the town, which boosted the growth of Chapel Hill. While The University of North Carolina originally started off with a focus on leadership training, it soon expanded its programs and offered a variety of science programs. 

One of these programs, astronomy, took off and later became one of the biggest disciplines in the university. This led to the construction of the first astronomical observatory to ever be built in American state university in 1831. 

After the Civil War–despite the university closing its doors temporarily–more programs were added after the school reopened. This further solidified The University of North Carolina as a leading university in the country. From there, the town continued to develop around the university. 

How the New Hope Chapel Turned Into the Carolina Inn

Because Chapel Hill was chartered in 1851 on blessed land, the town also became known as “the southern part of heaven.” However, one of the biggest changes that happened as the town grew was the evolution of New Hope Chapel. 

While the original building had started out as a small cabin to house travelers before the town was founded, no one knows why it stopped operating as a church. Despite its somewhat mysterious history, however, its name inspired the name for the town that would be known as Chapel Hill. It wasn’t until 1923 that the old church building would be rebuilt and transformed into The Carolina Inn. 

In 1935, the inn was donated to The University of Carolina. The Carolina Inn is now both a historical marker and a meeting place for locals, especially students and alumni of the local university. 

The Start of Fare-Free Transportation With the Chapel Hill Transit System

As the population began to rise, Chapel Hill eventually needed a way to help residents and visitors navigate through the busiest parts of town. Thus, the Chapel Hill Transit System was born. 

It began as a study that lasted for 30 months. During this time, in 2013, city officials and contractors planned out the best way to travel along US 15-501 South and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, South Columbia Street. The transit system wasn’t completed until 2016. 

Not only did construction focus on improving the aesthetics and overall connectivity of the area, but it also focused on accessibility. The Chapel Hill Transit System now operates on a fare-free basis, meaning residents and visitors do not have to pay to catch the bus. 

Recognition of the West Chapel Hill Historic District

Chapel Hill is full of history, which is why many of its buildings and districts are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1971, city officials have worked diligently to maintain the historic grounds of many places, including the Gimghoul local historic district and the Alexander Hogan Plantation. 

The Gimghoul district is home to the famous Gimghoul castle, which is known as a haunted spot frequented by locals and tourists. Legend has it that a student named Peter Dromgool died in 1833 on the property while fighting another man for his lover’s affection. Supposedly, this is why a famous rock on the property has been stained with red blood ever since. 

Another legend states that the castle was home to a secret society called “The Order of Gimghoul.” Unfortunately, the grounds are closed to everyone, including those curious enough to discover the truth for themselves. 

Meanwhile, on the Alexander Plantation, artifacts found around the grounds have shown evidence of native tribes that existed for thousands of years. These findings have made this site a noteworthy area for archeologists. The grounds are memorialized for their part in the American Revolution, and the names of the slaves who helped build the house are also well documented.

How Chapel Hill, NC Is Today

Even with a new, thriving transit system and a dazzling nightlife that shines near the center of the city, Chapel Hill remains a special place for residents and visitors. 

Franklin Street in particular is rich with its own history since it used to be the center of the town. It boasts plenty of modernized restaurants and family-owned businesses that families and college students can enjoy. However, there are plenty of other things to do in Chapel Hill that are waiting to be discovered. 

If you’re moving to Chapel Hill, and you’re looking for a dentist that will take care of you and your family’s dental health, then feel free to contact us today to set up your first appointment. At Integrative Holistic Dentistry, we want you to feel like family, and we’re eager to be one of the first faces you see in town!