Food and Drink

While the conference will provide most meals on April 13 and 14, there are ample options for food and drink in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area and even more if you want to venture to Durham or Raleigh.

Coffee shops

Open Eye Cafe - A favorite amongst UNC students, this spacious Carrboro coffee shop serves high-quality coffee and some pastries.

Lanza’s Cafe - Also located in Carrboro, this coffee shop has an undeniably cozy feel and offers an extensive menu of coffee, pastries, and hot food

Gray Squirrel - Right off of Franklin Street at the border of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Gray Squirrel has delicious coffee and tea

Perennial - This Chapel Hill coffee spot is on Franklin Street, a 20-minute walk from Roper Hall. Filled with plants, it has a light, spacious, and happy vibe to go along with its coffee, tea, and pastries

Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews - Just a 15-minute walk from Roper Hall, Epilogue is a full-on bookstore with a great coffee shop to boot

Restaurants

Merritt’s Grill - A beloved breakfast and lunch spot, Merritt’s is a 23-minute walk from Roper Hall. Merritt’s is particularly known for its BLTs, but the rest of its sandwich offerings are equally excellent

Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery - As its name suggests, this UNC staple is located at the top of Franklin Street’s hill, a 12-minute walk from Roper Hall. It offers American food with some twists and an abundant beer and wine selection

Napoli Pizzeria - This Carrboro hotspot boasts an excellent array of Neapolitan-style pizza, appetizers, and house-made gelato alongside beer and wine. It does get busy at dinner times, so consider looking for a reservation or ordering to-go from the website

Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe - A 22-minute walk from Roper Hall, Vimala’s is tucked off Franklin Street in a scenic courtyard. It offers traditional small and large Indian dishes and ample indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy them

Durham Food Hall - A 25-minute drive from campus in Durham, Durham Food Hall is an excellent stop if you are already in the area. It’s a classic food hall with diverse restaurant offerings, from pan-Asian cuisine made with locally sourced NC ingredients to another outpost of Napoli Pizzeria to locally sourced crab cakes and oysters

Activities

There is lots to do in the Triangle Area! Wandering Franklin St is an activity in and of itself, but if you’re looking for a more structured activity, consider some of these options or check out these New York Times pieces: 36 hours in Chapel Hill/Carrboro (2015), 36 hours in Durham (2023), and 36 hours in Raleigh (2014)

Outdoors

North Carolina Botanical Garden - The Botanical Garden will be in full and beautiful bloom in April. A conservation garden focused on the native flora of the Carolinas, entry is free

Carolina North Forest - This 750-acre woodland is owned and maintained by UNC. It has an abundant trail system with both wide-established and single-track trails. With numerous entry points, North Forest is an excellent spot for walking, running, or biking

American Tobacco Trail - The American Tobacco Trail, or ATT, is an impressive 23-mile rail trail starting in Downtown Durham and stretching to the edge of nearby Apex. It is one of the best running, walking, and biking spots the Triangle Area offers!

Museums

Ackland Art Museum - UNC’s art museum, the Ackland Art Museum, is right off campus and offers free admission. The Ackland features its permanent collection, spanning many eras, styles, and cultures, as well as special exhibitions. At the time of the conference, both the Past Forward: Native American Art from Gilcrease Museum and the Focus on the Peck Collection: Windmills in Dutch Art special exhibitions will be on display

North Carolina Museum of Art - If you are interested in seeing Raleigh during your time in the Triangle, this museum is a great stop, especially in good weather. A 33-minute drive from campus, the museum’s more than 40 indoor galleries span numerous ages and cultures of art, while its outdoor museum park - the country’s largest - has more than 2 miles of trails and numerous sculptural installations

Music

Fridays on the Front Porch - Every Friday from April through late October, the front lawn of Chapel Hill’s storied Carolina Inn transforms into a concert site. Just an 8-minute walk from Roper Hall, this free music event runs from 5-8 pm and features cocktail and food truck offerings as well

Cat’s Cradle - Located in Carrboro, this music venue has hosted some storied performers in its over 40-year history. Offering many live performances per week, Cat's Cradle has eight musical acts slated to perform the weekend of the conference, with tickets starting at $12