Tar Heel Travels Chapel Hill The 'southern part of heaven' spreads out but retains its village quaintness By Bill F. Hensley

Among Chapel Hill's hidden treasures is the Ackland Art Museum

There’s an almost eerie mystique about Chapel Hill. Mention the name to anyone who attended the university or lived there — or even the casual visitor — and emotions are stirred up Duke coming to the Dean Dome. For many people, the village has a delightful, exciting habit of evoking pleasant memories of days gone by and anticipation of things to come.

But it’s really not a village anymore. In the past decade, Chapel Hill has leaped into the 21st century. It is now a busy, bustling city of more than 50,000; but that doesn’t mean, however, that there isn’t a small-town quaintness about the place that captures the soul.

To get caught up in the aura of this magical place, walk up and down tree-lined Franklin Street in the heart of the city and delight in its eclectic stores, boutiques and restaurants. Then, stroll the beautiful Carolina campus and spend an hour or two on the sacred grounds of the nation’s oldest public university, knowing that such celebrities as Charlie Justice, Michael Jordan and Charles Kuralt walked there, too. Don’t miss the spectacular 600-acre botanical garden. Later, drive through the quiet but impressive residential areas and marvel at the historic, stately homes and cottages of faculty members and long-time citizens. Finally, drop in at the Chapel Hill museum or the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for a leisurely look at the stars.

To those who have a love affair with Chapel Hill — and the numbers are large — it’s known as a heaven on earth and has been given such endearing names as “the southern part of heaven,” or “blue heaven.” Get the picture?

Sports fans who have followed the Tar Heels over a distinguished athletic existence that began in 1888 will want to see the memorabilia room in the Dean E. Smith Center basketball complex and the Frank Kenan Football Center. In each there are artifacts, trophies and vintage photographs of the university’s sports heroes and memorable victories and championships. Enjoy the hands-on computer kiosks and the digital surround-sound video theater for a look into the illustrious past.

Also on campus is the Ackland Art Museum that houses a collection of more than 15,000 art objects, including drawings and prints from around the world. In the Wilson Library, the public may view the North Carolina Collection Gallery, which has more than 650,000 rare books, maps, photographs, antiques and other artifacts that cover the history of the state.

The massive botanical garden, though scenic and serene, contains nature trails, habitat collections and a wide variety of rare plants along with an extensive herb and plant family garden.

In this lively university town, visitors and residents alike may take in a multitude of all-year performing arts opportunities that include theater, dance, opera and concerts as well as athletic contests for men and women in more than a dozen sports each. The recently redesigned Finley Golf Course, just off campus, is open to the public.

Spend a day or two at the famed Carolina Inn, the Siena, or one of the area’s fine bed and breakfast inns. Just a short drive away, near Pittsboro, is the Fearrington House, the state’s most highly rated inn. Good accommodations and fine dining are plentiful.

In the area are facilities for horseback riding, ice skating, swimming and rental boats for fishing. Fun-filled festivals are numerous all year, such as Hillsborough’s colorful Hog Day.

Avid shoppers will have a field day at the University Mall as well as on Franklin Street. New at the mall is a 59,000-square foot gourmet emporium, called “A Southern Season,” that features specialty foods, cookware, a restaurant and gift baskets.

Throughout the area are numerous parks with picnic shelters, athletic fields and playground equipment. At the Eno River State Park, on the Orange-Durham County line, there is camping, fishing, boating, nature study programs and more than 18 miles of hiking trails.

Adjacent to Chapel Hill is Carrboro, a picturesque community with a growing reputation in the arts. The town offers a number of unique shops, restaurants and entertainment venues along with its sought-after residential neighborhoods.

A 15-minute drive to the northwest is the historic town of Hillsborough that was founded in 1754 and is known as “a museum without walls.” This classic locale is a Mecca for Colonial buffs who want to browse where much of the state’s history originated. There are more than a hundred structures that date from the early 18th and 19th centuries, and shopping for antiques and crafts is a ritual. Guided or self-guided tours are available.

“I love going back to Chapel Hill,” said Karen Rockecharlie of Charlotte, a 1980 UNC graduate. “I loved every minute of my years there. I go back as often as I can for sports events and concerts, and to enjoy the beauty, excitement and many things it offers.”

Chapel Hill and its surroundings are, indeed, a special part of North Carolina that must be explored by anyone looking for entertainment, history and a lifestyle that typifies an elegant university town. Even if you are a Duke fan, I think you will love it. For further information, call 888-968-2060 or visit www.chocvb.org.