Links and Things To Do
Halloween Inspiration
Visit this Pinterest board for costume ideas!
North Carolina Botanical Garden
This is the location of our Halloween party on Friday! We will have drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres in the Reeves auditorium. Come earlier in the evening to enjoy the garden's sculpture show, sunset is around 6:15 and there isn't lighting on most of the garden grounds. This garden is a gem of Chapel Hill, showcasing native plants and promoting conservation gardening, and it's where Meg's father Alan worked for over 30 years. The garden also has great hiking trails, if you're looking for more activities around town.
Weaver Street Market
Good spot to grab a snack, a drink, or breakfast/lunch/dinner from their hot bar. They have a location in Southern Village .5 mile from the hotel block, and one in downtown Carrboro. The Carrboro location has an excellent patio, and you can buy a reasonably priced beer to drink on the patio.
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Truly amazing southern biscuits in a drive-thru, open 6 am until 2:30 pm. Meg's regular order is egg and cheese biscuit with half sweet, half unsweetened tea.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
We took our engagement photos here, it's a beautiful formal botanical garden near Duke Campus. This weekend they will be hosting their Festival of Fabulous Mums!
Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
Worth the drive! Then you can go for a short walk to the Haw River across the highway.
Merritt's Grill
Famous BLT!
FestiFall Arts Market
Art Market and Día de los Muertos celebration in downtown Chapel Hill. Free! Saturday 12-5pm
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
Great hiking here! Brown Elfin Knob or Overlook Trail are favorites. Go to Eno River Brewing after your hike.
McKee's Corn Maze
12 acres of corn! Wholesome Fall fun, on Halloween 3 pm-7 pm, and Nov 1 open 10 am-7 pm. Closed Sunday. Admission $16, kids under 2 are free, 35 min drive from Chapel Hill.
Pluck Farm
Steel String Brewery's main campus. Laid back brewery on a farm; 22 hole disc golf course, food trucks nightly, gardens and walking trails.
Orange County Artists Open Studio Tour
On Nov. 1 (10am-5pm) and Nov. 2 (12pm-5pm) you can tour artist's studios around Chapel Hill. Free, very cool art tour.
Ideal's Sandwich and Grocery
Northeast style deli and sandwich spot in Durham. It's really good, usually has a line out the door. Only open for lunch, 12 pm-3 pm Thursday-Sunday.
The Pig
Our favorite local BBQ restaurant
The Baxter Arcade
Carolina North Forest Parking
Parking area for hiking and biking trails in the Carolina North Forest. The pumpkin loop is a family favorite, wooded gravel road loop.
More Hiking Options around Chapel Hill
Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar
One of our top date night choices!
Chapel Hill events calendar
Check it out for more events!
Gray Squirrel Coffee Company
Brightleaf Square
Good spot to start from to do some Durham exploring. Shop at Indio for cute curated goods.
Durham Central Park
Farmers Market here Saturday 8-12 pm. Nice place to walk around town.
Carrboro Farmers Market
Saturday morning farmer's market, 9am-12pm.
Small Cafe B and B
French Connections
Interesting place to shop!
Havoc Brewing Company
The Plant
Eno River Brewing
Hillsborough BBQ Company
Riverwalk Trail - park at Gold Park
Hiking area featuring art
Haw River Ballroom
Great music venue
Haw River Tap & Table
Thai Station Restaurant
Tesoro
Fancy date night, excellent pasta.
Steel String Brewery - Carrboro
Open Eye Cafe
Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant
Even Dough Bakery
This is where our wedding cake is from!
Pizzeria Mercato
Venable Rotisserie Bistro
Very good food.
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Classic Chapel Hill institution
Carolina Brewery
Good beer, good place to start exploring downtown Chapel Hill on Franklin Street.
Que Chula Craft Tacos & Tequila Bar
Great Mexican food
CholaNad Restaurant & Bar
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
Our wedding caterer! Also a great lunch spot, and has a grocery attached.
The Cave
Chapel Hill's oldest bar, live music many nights.
Brandwein's Bagels
Pretty good bagels for North Carolina
Al's Burger Shack
Al's Burger Shack
Weaver Street Market
Rumors Chapel Hill
Vintage Thrift Store