University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a pretty campus with historic buildings, flowers and old trees, and a sunny quad, Polk Place, where students hang out. There are no geological features, such as a river or view, for which this spot was chosen, but just that it is central in the state. The main place where students gather is Polk Place, on the sunny lawns, and the Student Union, where there are outdoor eateries with sun umbrellas (such as Stone and Leaf Cafe- the food is pretty bad) and plenty of open spaces where people relax, plus the excellent student bookstore. It's beautiful to walk around the historical student residence halls just north of Davis Library. Wilson Library has the Sir Walter Raleigh rooms, where you can learn some of the history of the state (such as the lost colony of Roanoke) and admire the genuine Elizabethan decor. Check out the bell tower south of Wilson Library- cross the street and walk a circle around its high hedges- it feels like you're in England!
Kids will enjoy a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, only worth visiting when a show is scheduled. Shows for little kids are the first show of the day.
For a peaceful stroll in nature, take some time to walk through Coker Arboretum, on the east side of campus, and also check out Chapel of the Cross, a beautiful church with castle-like towers bordering the north end of the arboretum.
Student Union is the center of the action. A great way to spend time is to browse the campus bookstore which not only has UNC souvenirs and apparel but an entire bookstore just like a Barnes and Noble upstairs, even with a kids section! A great place to sit is upstairs by the huge windows, checking out the action in the square below. Even if it's hot or cold outside, you won't feel couped up here, with the great people watching and bright views.
The Old Well is a small neoclassical rotunda, featured on most marketing photos for the university. This was the location of the campus well back in the day. In spring, check out the tulips here. The Old Well is located in McCorkle Place, the northernmost quad, not really a hangout spot, but a pretty area with large trees (including Davie Poplar, which is over three hundred years old) and historical buildings on both sides (the Old East building was built in 1793). There's a legend that if Davie Poplar falls, the UNC campus will fall, so the tree has been propped up and cement poured around it! The Playmakers Theatre is a Greek Revival structure built in 1850, across Cameron Ave from the Old Well, and has the most beautiful columns. Come and marvel at it while enjoying the fountain nearby.
UNC Chapel Hill is one of the top universities in the nation.
The north end of campus borders Franklin Street, the main street in downtown Chapel Hill, where you can eat a great meal or kill time in a groovy coffee or boba tea shop.
On Fridays from 5-8pm during the warm season (May to mid-October), dozens of people gather on the lawn in front of the grand historic Carolina Inn, on the western edge of campus, for Fridays on the Front Porch, with live music and beer. There are white folding chairs, and there's room for little kids to run around. It's a fun scene! Southern life at its best!
You can walk shady, paved, wide Bolin Creek Greenway from downtown Chapel Hill (end of Cotton Street- called Tanyard Branch extension) near campus to Umstead Park, where they play sand volleyball, and even further to Community Center Park. It's a lovely walk with thick vegetation and the beautiful creek alongside.
Spring blossoms and Pettigrew Hall.
Blossoming tree in spring.
Tulips near the Old Well!
The Old Well, and tulips galore!
Blossoming trees on campus, and lovely shade.
Bikes and Hanes Hall.
Students sitting on the quad.
Cruising on campus.
Sir Walter Raleigh, in Wilson Library's Early Carolina Rooms.
One of the Early Carolina Rooms, in the Wilson Library.
Hanes Hall and blossoming trees in spring.
Phillips Hall is grand.
A student walks past Smith Building.
Building and lawn on campus.
Cute building on campus.
Carol Building.
Morehead Planetarium, on campus.
Red roses and sundial, in front of Morehead Planetarium.
Grand building near Morehead Planetarium.
Place to sit in and warm up in the sun.
Side door of Morehead Planetarium.
Pretty flowers and arched windows.
Adorable building.
Students walk in front of the library.
A shady spot to sit under striped umbrellas.
Lenoir Hall and sun umbrellas.
Shade from a large tree in front of the book store.
Stone and Leaf Cafe seating.
Looking out from the bookstore entrance.
I love these buildings!
Flowers at the base of a tree.
Purple flowers.
Magnolia blossom in late May.
The Old Well and bright flowers in late May.
Peachy colored azalea blossoms.
Side view of Playmakers Theater.
I love the colors of these azalea flowers!
Fountain in front of The Graduate School.
Playmakers Theater.
Banners up for graduation!
Wilson Library columns.
The bell tower!
Glossy plant on campus.
The bell tower, like out of a princess story.
You know you're in the South when magnolia blossoms hang over your path.
Evening stroll on campus.
Evening glow, on campus.
Lovely May flowers!
Sundial with inscription: Today is Yesterday's Tomorrow.
Bell and building in the distance.
Stormy night at the bell tower.
The Old Well in June.
Flowers in June!
Spinning chairs outside the YMCA building.
The YMCA building is so cute.
Classic building and lampposts.
Daisies!
Old Well and twisty branch.
Dudley Dewitt Carroll Hall.
Buildings at night.
UNC Clef Hangers fall concert- an a cappella group!
Memorial Hall at night, a concert hall.
The Old Well at night.
Inside the Playmakers Theater.
The Loreleis, female a cappella group on campus.
Red trees on campus in autumn.
Sitting outside Mangum Hall.
Flowers in November!
Sunny day outside Frank Porter Graham Student Union, in November.
Enjoying a warm November day.
Carolina Hall is pretty.
Walking along on an autumn day.
Carolina blue banners.
The Old Well in autumn.
Autumn colors on campus.
Sitting under a yellow autumn tree.
Bright yellow tree near the end of November.
Ornate doorway, lantern, and balcony.
Yellow daffodils on campus, in February.
Morehead Planetarium on a rare sunny day in February.
Purple blossoms reaching to the sky, in February.
Purple blossoms on a tree.
Daffodils on campus.
Daffodils near Coker Arboretum.
Hanging winter blossoms.
White winter blossoms.
White tree in March.
House along Franklin Street near the university.
Yellow flowers by a stone wall.
Purple, white, and yellow blossoms, in early April.
White and yellow blossoms catching the light.
White dogwood flowers- such a cute shape!
Pink blossoms in the trees, early April.
White blossoming tree and buildings.
Purple blossoms and sky.
Yellow tulips at the Old Well, first week of April.
Beautiful building and spring blossoms.
Purple blossoms and grand building.
Purple blossoms and yellow tulips.
Yellow tulips and purple flowers below.
Purple tree and YMCA building.
Lamppost and purple tree.
Lamppost and winding walkway.
Upstairs in the Student Bookstore is an awesome place to sit by huge windows and people watch in the busy square below.
Lamppost and lush forest outside Jackson Hall.
Jackson Hall.
Beautiful November day on campus.
Paths leading in all directions, in golden fall light.
Plum tree, in April.
Students enjoying the first warm day, April 3.
Students sit on the lawn on the first warm day, April 3.
Spring blossoms and blue sky.
Blossoming willow tree and morehead planetarium.
Puffy blossoms in early April.
Purple blossoms and gothic lamps at doorway.
Gate to a sculpture garden.
Sculpture of student carrying a book bag.
Sculpture of couple, and student carrying books.
Amazing purple!
Sculpture of student couple, and purple tree in background, early April.
The first warm day and students take to the lawn! April 3.
Purple blossoms and Carolina Hall.
Purple tree and white tree.
Inside beautiful Memorial Hall.
There are paid parking lots on Rosemary Street, one street north of Franklin Street. Metered parking is on Franklin Street, all along it, and in front of Morehead Planetarium. There is also metered parking on Raleigh St. Cost is $1.75 an hour and you can pay by credit card.
The Nash parking lot is a good one for the Carolina Inn Fridays on the Front Porch events and in most stalls it's free after 5pm.
Battle Park has a parking lot that is free after 5pm and on weekends.
Last Updated: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 18:27:52 GMT
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