Trip Advisor released a travel guide featuring the “Top Things to Do in Chapel Hill” based on web reviews and ratings. The guide cited the UNC campus, Carolina Basketball Museum, Morehead Planetarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden and the Dean E. Smith Center as Chapel Hill staples. To put the guide to the test, City Reporter Lara Carson asked people on Franklin Street about their favorite things to do in Chapel Hill.
NAME: Hallie Orr
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: Dean E. Smith Center
Growing up in Chapel Hill, Orr finds Carolina sports to be the most exciting attraction Chapel Hill has to offer.
“We have season tickets,” said Orr, whose father works as an academic counselor for student athletes.
Orr especially enjoys attending basketball games at the Dean E. Smith Center. Opened in 1986, the “Dean Dome” seats over 21,000 fans and is home to the five time NCAA national champions, the UNC men’s basketball team.
“Carolina basketball games are definitely a highlight for me," she said.
NAME: Matt Verner
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: Lucha Tigre
Verner, a UNC senior, cites Lucha Tigre on Martin Luther Jr. Boulevard as one of his top choices in Chapel Hill.
“That’s a good one,” Verner said when explaining his favorite Latin-Asian fusion restaurant.
Lucha Tigre identifies with a variety of cuisines including Chinese, Cuban, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese among others. Dishes ranging from empanadas to pho are featured on their diverse menu.
Verner explained that people immediately know what they want after just glancing over the menu.
“It’s hard to describe,” Verner said. “But it’s great.”
NAME: Yike Xu
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: The Streets at Southpoint
Xu, a sophomore at UNC from Beijing, said Southpoint reminds her of city life back in China.
“Chapel Hill is very different from my hometown,” Xu said. She thinks the excitement and liveliness of Southpoint is a nice getaway from the routine of living on campus.
Just a short drive from campus down Interstate 40 sits the Streets at Southpoint, a complex containing a shopping mall, restaurants and a movie theater.
“I think it’s really the only place we can go to hang out with friends and go shopping," Xu said.
NAME: Josh Reyes
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: BSkis
“I used to work at BSkis,” Reyes said. The UNC senior knows the dining establishment well and ranks it highly as a Chapel Hill staple.
BSkis opened on Franklin Street in 2005. The restaurant also offers a delivery service.
“The food is so different,” Reyes said
BSkis features grilled wraps known as “skis.” Their menu also includes salads, soups and a variety of sides.
“It’s really good.”
NAME: Taylor Pittman
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: Local 506
“I really like going to shows at Local 506,” said Pittman, a first-year UNC student.
Local 506 is a private club on Franklin Street that hosts concerts weekly. The club is open to all ages.
In order to serve liquor and beer legally, Local 506 operates on a membership system. Memberships can be purchased at the door for a small fee and allow admittance to the club for future shows and events.
“They usually have the best concerts around here,” Pittman said.
NAME: Zack Cook
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: Playmakers Repertory Company
“I’m a drama major,” prefaced UNC senior Cook as he revealed his preferred past time in Chapel Hill.
Cook said he enjoys attending Playmakers’ productions as they are considered one of the country’s leading theater companies.
Playmakers is UNC’s resident professional theater company. The company performs multiple productions every season at various venues around campus such as the Paul Green Theatre and the Kenan Theatre.
“The Playmakers are fantastic,” Cook said. “It’s a great resource for students.”
NAME: Suad Jabr
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe
“Vimala’s is so yummy,” said Jabr, a first-year student at UNC, who especially loves the restaurant’s samosas.
Located on West Franklin Street, Vimala’s has been serving Indian food to the town of Chapel Hill since 2010. The executive chef, Vimala Rajendran, recreates family recipes in addition to experimenting with new dishes.
Jabr appreciates Vimala’s accommodating menu, rating the food a “10 out of 10.”
“They have really good vegetarian and vegan options as well," Jabr said.
NAME: Kyle Venrick
FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CHAPEL HILL: He’s Not Here
Verner, a UNC senior, places He’s Not at the top of his list of favorite things to do in Chapel Hill.
“He’s Not is fun,” said Verner, who frequents the bar on karaoke night and days when bands are playing.
Opening in 1972, He’s Not Here has operated in Chapel Hill for over forty years and is famous for serving a vast selection of beers in a 32 oz. “blue cup.”
“I like its uniqueness to Chapel Hill," Venrick said.
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