Durham · Chapel Hill · Raleigh
Just moved to Chapel Hill?
UNC's town, plus Carrboro next door — smaller, walkable, and college-town at its core.
Chapel Hill is built around the University of North Carolina, the country's first public university. Franklin Street is the main drag, and Carrboro — its own town, right next door — picks up where Chapel Hill's downtown leaves off, with its own mix of music venues, farmers market, and independent shops.
Worth knowing: UNC-Chapel Hill admitted its first student in February 1795 — the first public university in the country to open its doors to students. (source)
Happening in Chapel Hill
- Thursday, September 10Diaspora Festival of Black & Independent Film
- Friday, September 112nd Friday ArtWalk: Extended Museum Hours
- Friday, September 119/11 Memorial Stair Climb
- Friday, September 11Second Friday Art Walk
- Friday, September 11Tour: A Closer Look at "Care and Concern"
🧳 Utilities & everyday essentials
Start with your street address. A mailing address alone may not tell you which government or utility serves your home.
- Town of Chapel HillFind town services, trash collection information, parks, and public meetings.
- Town of CarrboroCarrboro has its own town services. Start here for garbage collection, parks, and town notices.
- OWASA water & sewerThe water and sewer utility for the Carrboro–Chapel Hill community. Check service coverage and new-account requirements.
- Orange County governmentCounty services, recycling, property records, and public notices.
- NCDMV new-resident checklistLicense, title, registration, and insurance requirements in one place. Check which office handles each step.
- NC voter registrationRegister, update your address, or check your registration through the State Board of Elections.
🚌 Buses, traffic & the airport
Plan the whole trip, including the ride home. Regional and local buses have separate routes, schedules, and fare policies.
- Chapel Hill TransitFare-free local buses serving Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Check the route map and active detours.
- GoTriangleRegional connections across Durham, Orange, and Wake counties, plus fares and airport-shuttle information.
- DriveNCNCDOT’s live map of crashes, road closures, work zones, and traffic conditions.
- RDU ground transportationCompare airport bus, shuttle, taxi, rental-car, and rideshare options from the airport’s own guide.
📚 Schools & libraries
Use the school district’s address lookup before making enrollment plans. For libraries, check the card policy for the system you want to use.
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools enrollmentUse the enrollment overview and school assignment map to check your address.
- Orange County SchoolsA separate district from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Find enrollment and school information here.
- Chapel Hill Public LibraryLibrary cards, books, digital resources, and the program calendar at Pritchard Park.
- Orange County Public LibraryCheck branches, borrowing options, card eligibility, and county library programs.
🌳 Parks, trails & gardens
Pick an entrance before you set out. Trail conditions, parking, accessibility, and pet rules vary by location.
- American Tobacco TrailPlan a walk or bike ride along the rail-trail. Check the map for parking and changes between paved and unpaved sections.
- North Carolina Botanical GardenNative-plant gardens and trails in Chapel Hill, with visitor information and seasonal programs.
- Jordan Lake State Recreation AreaFind swimming areas, boat access, campsites, fees, and closure notices around the lake.
🔬 Museums & family outings
A rainy afternoon needs a backup plan. Check admission, reservations, and any extra charges before promising the kids a train ride.
- Morehead Planetarium and Science CenterChapel Hill planetarium shows, exhibits, and science programs. Check the current show schedule.
🎭 Events, music & local culture
Use the Brief’s calendar for a curated starting point, then the organizer’s page for the final details.
- The Triangle Brief calendarUpcoming events across Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and the wider Triangle.
- Visit Chapel Hill eventsThe visitor bureau’s calendar for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Orange County.
- Cat’s CradleCarrboro concerts, tickets, age restrictions, and details for each room.
- Triangle on the CheapAn independent local guide to free and low-cost outings. Confirm offers with the organizer.
🥕 Farmers markets
Bring a bag and check the season’s hours. Market days and vendor lineups can change.
- Carrboro Farmers’ MarketSeasonal schedules and growers, makers, and food vendors at Carrboro Town Commons.
🤝 Community help & getting involved
Find help with a practical need, a place to volunteer, or the right source during severe weather.
- NC 211Call 211 or search online for local food, housing, utility, and other community support resources. Availability depends on the program.
- Food Bank: find foodSearch the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s partner network. Confirm hours and requirements before traveling.
- ReadyNCOfficial North Carolina information on emergency planning, weather readiness, and disaster resources.
- Activate GoodFind Triangle volunteer opportunities by cause, date, and organization.
Also moving to…
Durham
The Bull City — Duke, downtown, and a lot of old tobacco warehouses turned into something else.
Read the guide →🌳Raleigh
The City of Oaks — North Carolina's capital and by far the biggest of the three.
Read the guide →🗺️the Triangle
Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh are three different cities that share an airport, a job market, and a lot of the same weekend plans.
Read the guide →🏡Living Here
The practical stuff for getting settled, plus the places that make it feel like home.
Browse the guide →New to the area?
Get the local rundown — news, events, and things to do — every few days.