<p>I'm visiting UNC for the first time in a few days (for Explore Carolina) and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what I MUST see/do/experience while in Chapel Hill. Any great restaurants on Franklin Street? Any campus landmarks? Anything you think would help me get the full Carolina experience. Thanks!</p>
<p>Pretty much every restaurant on Franklin is a must-eat-at, but I bolded my favorites:</p>
<p>Go for breakfast at Ye Olde or **Breadman's<a href="just%20off%20Franklin,%20on%20Rosemary">/b</a>. Both can be ridiculously packed until lunch time, so get there early or expect to wait a little. Breadman's has a little bit of everything, breakfast is served all day, and it's pretty cheap.</p>
<p>Lunch or dinner, try Spanky's, The Rat (Really a unique place if it's done with renovation, not sure that it is, though), Pepper's for good pizza, or **Top of the Hill<a href="call%20it%20%22Top-O%22%20if%20you%20want%20to%20sound%20like%20a%20UNC%20student">/b</a>. </p>
<p>Top of the Hill has great food, but it's the most expensive of those, and you might have to wait depending on when you eat. Spanky's also has good all-around food, reasonably priced.</p>
<p>As far as landmarks, definitely see, drink from, and take a picture at the Old Well. Old East dorm is right beside the well, and I think it's one of the oldest public school buildings in the country. Regardless, it's old, pretty cool to me. </p>
<p>You can get UNC merchandise on Franklin (Shrunken Head, Bookstore, Johnny T-Shirt) or at the Student Stores. Go to the Student Stores and have a look at "The Pit" just outside, might be something crazy going on if spring break is over.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>Personally I find the Top O food to be overrated, but that's just me. I'd personally recommend Carolina Coffee Shop for breakfast, Sutton's for lunch (check out all the pictures, you'll see the basketball players eat there a lot haha), and Spanky's for dinner. B'Skis if you're hungry late at night. Yogurt Pump, aka Yo-Po, for really cheap and delicious ice cream.</p>
<p>Those places are all on Franklin Street. Walk around campus, check out some of the academic buildings, the library, eat in Lenoir Dining Hall one day if you're there for a weekday and if you can, try to attend a class or two.</p>
<p>If your parents are with you 411 West (Franklin) is a very nice dinner spot, I agree with Spanky's for lunch or dinner,(we usually use it as a lunch spot) and Breadman's for breakfast if for nothing else than to see all the UNC sports posters etc all around the place. Elmo's in Carrboro is also a very good breakfast spot with HUGE pancakes.</p>
<p>Crooks' Corner (610 W. Franklin) is a very eclectic place with good food....southern food....they claim to be the originator of shrimp and grits...</p>
<p>Here's a link to a pretty good article about a number of Chapel Hill/Carrboro restaurants.</p>
<p>Matt</a> Barrett's Favorite Chapel Hill-Carrboro Restaurants</p>
<p>If you have never visited A Southern Season it should be a must see while in Chapel Hill...if your folks are wavering about you attending UNC, that alone will want them to come back.....there's a very good restaurant for lunch or brunch in there as well...The Weathervane</p>
<p>A</a> Southern Season, award-winning source for gourmet gift baskets and fancy foods.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.....you're gonna love Chapel Hill....</p>
<p>If you visit A Southern Season for lunch, have one of the empanadas. They are delicious. Hopefully, they still carry them it has been almost 1 year since my last visit there. If I remember correctly, they also have a pretty big selection of chocolates which would be helpful for mom's stress.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much! If your responses are any indication of the Southern hospitality I'll find in NC, I'm sure I'll fall in love with the school and the town! :)</p>
<p>I'll second Southern Season. I'm only a senior in high school (a guy, at that) and even I love that place. It's like Williams-Sonoma and a Fresh Market rolled into one, plus some more. Definitely take your parents, they'll love it.</p>
<p>I can't believe I forgot to mention Mama Dip's. Not on Franklin (on Rosemary again), but very close, and they have great Southern food. Would be a great "Southern experience" if you're from out of town. Very popular.</p>
<p>Mama</a> Dip's Country Cooking Restaurant</p>
<p>I don't think you can really go wrong with food on/around Franklin. But, I will caution that you stay away from Four Corners on your first visit. It's always been one of my favorites... they have an awesome western burger, and I like the atmosphere (sports bar), but you literally have to beg for service. Not a big deal for me or other people - it's usually packed - but if you're not comfortable with that kinda thing you will be waiting for a while!</p>
<p>Don't forget the Wilson Library, always some interesting exhibits and very helpful staff glad to answer questions about their unique collections. I have not visited it yet but the new Carolina Basketball musuem is open now. I would also recommend a visit to a dorm, at least the model room. If working out is your thing check out the rec facilities. Spend some time just hanging around the Student Uniuon and the Pit and most importantly try to talk to students. We found them to be helpful and friendly. During our first visit we could not unfold a map without 2 or 3 people asking to help with directions.</p>
<p>As for food, cheap, tasty and fast I am a fan of Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta.</p>
<p>I have enjoyed each visit to Chapel Hill and I can tell you that our S now finishing his first year has loved Carolina. While we wrestled with spending all the extra money as he is OOS looking back there is no doubt that UNC was the right choice for him</p>
<p>"Yo-Po"? Haven't heard that one yet... but I certainly do miss the place, whatever you call it. Oreo yogurt in a waffle cone (maybe a topping if I felt like it). mmmm.</p>
<p>My son will be going to NC this weekend for Monday's Explore Carolina. Thank you for the suggestions!</p>
<p>An important point that we have not discussed here is the fact the UNC has one of if the the best basketball team in the country. They are currently in the ACC Tournament, but next week they will most likely be a number 1 seed in the NCAA championships. What makes it more exciting is that the games that first weekend will be in Raleigh, just down I-40 from UNC. This will be a very exciting atmosphere to be part of. Also, the Women's team will be in action that weekend as well, also probably a #1 seed. Therefore, find yourself a good sports themed restaurant and enjoy. Of course, it probably does not even have to be a restaurant/sports bar as they will most likely be crowded, just find anyplace with a TV and people will be glued to the screen. I am c</p>
<p>I would also assume that somewhere on campus, probably at the Dean Smith Dome, they will show the games on the big screen where the students can watch at no charge. Check after Sunday for schedule.</p>
<p>Allen & Sons Bar-b-que.</p>
<p>All desserts are homemade and change daily.</p>
<p>southern season is great and my parents wanted to shop forever. we ate bread for days afterwards. and if you are old enough which my parents are, they have a german beer that my dad loved so much he went to the whole foods down the road and bought it. can't find it where we live, though. their idea of a wait was 10 mins so parents even loved it more. not too expensive either. and we all loved the Belk in Raleigh or anywhere in nc. it is not as nice in other states but the one in Raleigh is like a Bloomingdales, im a guy but my s and mom were there so long my dad got ticked.</p>