Erin & Evan's Guide to The Triangle
Food scene
Chapel Hill and Carrboro are only minutes away, but there are also several options (and abundant parking) for budget meals and foodies alike just a stone's throw from the cottage!
Speakeasy-style atmosphere right on Franklin St with the finest selection of rare spirits in the state, run by the nicest guy around. If you're lucky enough to spot Gary Crunkleton himself in-house that night, tell him Evan & Erin sent you for an extra warm welcome.
31 moradores locais recomendam
The Crunkleton
320 W Franklin StSpeakeasy-style atmosphere right on Franklin St with the finest selection of rare spirits in the state, run by the nicest guy around. If you're lucky enough to spot Gary Crunkleton himself in-house that night, tell him Evan & Erin sent you for an extra warm welcome.
Check out the back bar for the best food/drink/atmosphere in town.
63 moradores locais recomendam
Lantern Restaurant
423 W Franklin StCheck out the back bar for the best food/drink/atmosphere in town.
In Governor's Village shopping center, approximately 1 mile from cottage (turn right onto Mt. Carmel Church Rd.). Very good fine dining Italian on one side, delicious handmade thin-crust pizza takeout on the other. Can't go wrong!
Tarantini Italian Restaurant
50160 Governors DrIn Governor's Village shopping center, approximately 1 mile from cottage (turn right onto Mt. Carmel Church Rd.). Very good fine dining Italian on one side, delicious handmade thin-crust pizza takeout on the other. Can't go wrong!
Bring your own bags! This local grocer has it all, whole foods and products from local farms and producers, hot/salad bar and pre-made dinners, plus many popular pantry and packaged products and a great selection for health and wellness.
176 moradores locais recomendam
Weaver Street Market
101 E Weaver StBring your own bags! This local grocer has it all, whole foods and products from local farms and producers, hot/salad bar and pre-made dinners, plus many popular pantry and packaged products and a great selection for health and wellness.
Don't skip the roti or fully-loaded pad thai. Delivery available from Takeout Central.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
201 South Estes DriveDon't skip the roti or fully-loaded pad thai. Delivery available from Takeout Central.
***UPDATE SUMMER '23: Med Deli sadly suffered a devastating fire in July 2023. We as a community continue to offer our support to their business by hiring their ongoing catering services. They are an excellent option to cater your event, with very reasonably priced items and always WAY more (deliciously authentic) Mediterranean food than expected.
A Chapel Hill mainstay, and for good reason. Visit the deli counter for the full selection, or check out delivery from Takeout Central
71 moradores locais recomendam
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
454 W Franklin St***UPDATE SUMMER '23: Med Deli sadly suffered a devastating fire in July 2023. We as a community continue to offer our support to their business by hiring their ongoing catering services. They are an excellent option to cater your event, with very reasonably priced items and always WAY more (deliciously authentic) Mediterranean food than expected.
A Chapel Hill mainstay, and for good reason. Visit the deli counter for the full selection, or check out delivery from Takeout Central
Some good ol' friends of Evan & Erin's started this "barcade" a few years back and it's been a resounding success. Enjoy a brew while checking out their custom-built comic-book bartop and themed artwork throughout the space, or sip some craft cocktails while trying your hand at any number of the 2 dozen+ vintage arcade games. Don't forget quarters or cash for change! **Check online for current hours & family-friendly daytime operations
18 moradores locais recomendam
The Baxter Arcade
108 N Graham StSome good ol' friends of Evan & Erin's started this "barcade" a few years back and it's been a resounding success. Enjoy a brew while checking out their custom-built comic-book bartop and themed artwork throughout the space, or sip some craft cocktails while trying your hand at any number of the 2 dozen+ vintage arcade games. Don't forget quarters or cash for change! **Check online for current hours & family-friendly daytime operations
Higher-end wine shop and tapas restaurant, where Erin cut her teeth in hospitality from 2010-2018! Chef Martina's creations never disappoint, with a thoughtfully-curated and eclectic wine, beer and craft cocktail selection to complete the experience. With a gorgeous covered patio space and one of the neatest bars in town, their highly covid-conscious staff policies include masking for waitstaff as of early '23.
34 moradores locais recomendam
Glasshalfull
106 S Greensboro StHigher-end wine shop and tapas restaurant, where Erin cut her teeth in hospitality from 2010-2018! Chef Martina's creations never disappoint, with a thoughtfully-curated and eclectic wine, beer and craft cocktail selection to complete the experience. With a gorgeous covered patio space and one of the neatest bars in town, their highly covid-conscious staff policies include masking for waitstaff as of early '23.
Carrboro Farmers Market
301 W Main StSaturdays 9am-noon, at the Carrboro Town Hall
Chapel Hill Farmers' Market
201 S Estes DrSaturdays 9am-noon, at University Place
Super-fast, reliable in-house delivery (so your tips go to the restaurant workers, not a 3rd party) for a Chinese dinner that never disappoints. Erin especially recommends their crab rangoon!
8 moradores locais recomendam
Jade Palace Restaurant
103 E Main StSuper-fast, reliable in-house delivery (so your tips go to the restaurant workers, not a 3rd party) for a Chinese dinner that never disappoints. Erin especially recommends their crab rangoon!
Al's Burger Shack was voted Best Burger in America by Tripadvisor in 2018. We don't disagree! Check out locations in Southern Village and on Franklin St https://www.delish.com/food-news/a22575067/trip-advisor-als-burger-shack-best-burger-in-america/
65 moradores locais recomendam
Al's Burger Shack
516 W Franklin StAl's Burger Shack was voted Best Burger in America by Tripadvisor in 2018. We don't disagree! Check out locations in Southern Village and on Franklin St https://www.delish.com/food-news/a22575067/trip-advisor-als-burger-shack-best-burger-in-america/
Looking for a friendly space to grab a milkshake or a pint, with a bonus of the best (boneless) wings in town? Look no further than our own neighborhood favorite, Gov's Burger! We are formal "regulars" and still can't believe our luck that they've settled into the former Al's Burger Shack location at nearby Governor's Village. Indoor/outdoor seating available including outdoor heaters, adaptable sun protection + fans.
Gov's Fusion Cantina
Looking for a friendly space to grab a milkshake or a pint, with a bonus of the best (boneless) wings in town? Look no further than our own neighborhood favorite, Gov's Burger! We are formal "regulars" and still can't believe our luck that they've settled into the former Al's Burger Shack location at nearby Governor's Village. Indoor/outdoor seating available including outdoor heaters, adaptable sun protection + fans.
Sightseeing
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
250 E Franklin StEntry by reservation only during COVID, reservations open for the following week at 9am each Thursday, and spaces tend to fill up quickly (especially morning time slots).
203 moradores locais recomendam
Museum of Life + Science
433 W Murray AveEntry by reservation only during COVID, reservations open for the following week at 9am each Thursday, and spaces tend to fill up quickly (especially morning time slots).
North Carolina Botanical Garden
100 Old Mason Farm RdUniversidade da Carolina do Norte em Chapel Hill
Jardins Sarah P. Duke
420 Anderson StNeighborhoods
Southern Village
Food, Weaver Street Market, The Lumina--a locally-owned movie theater, and more!
Meadowmont Village Circle
Meadowmont Village CircleFood and shops
Saxapahaw
Pittsboro
Outdoor Recreation & Hiking
The Morgan Creek Trail wanders along the valley between Mount Carmel Church Rd area and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Includes open space areas and paved walkways perfect for visiting with dogs or small humans, including strollers. https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/parks-and-recreation/greenways/morgan-creek-trail
Morgan Creek Trail
Morgan Creek TrailThe Morgan Creek Trail wanders along the valley between Mount Carmel Church Rd area and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Includes open space areas and paved walkways perfect for visiting with dogs or small humans, including strollers. https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/parks-and-recreation/greenways/morgan-creek-trail
Excellent hiking, bouldering, historic sites, and views! A must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts when checking out the town of Hillsborough.
37 moradores locais recomendam
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
625 Virginia Cates RdExcellent hiking, bouldering, historic sites, and views! A must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts when checking out the town of Hillsborough.
Our favorite local hiking (outside of Dovefield), a well-kept secret that offers family and dog-friendly lakeside walking trails, breathtaking watershed views, and frequent bald eagle sightings for the quietest visitors. This state forest is primarily used for occasional elementary school field trips and rarely sees crowds, especially on weekends. (It is likely you'll find yourself the ONLY visitor at the park, a rare treat indeed in times of COVID and an increase in popularity of outdoor spaces!)
Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
2832 Big Woods RdOur favorite local hiking (outside of Dovefield), a well-kept secret that offers family and dog-friendly lakeside walking trails, breathtaking watershed views, and frequent bald eagle sightings for the quietest visitors. This state forest is primarily used for occasional elementary school field trips and rarely sees crowds, especially on weekends. (It is likely you'll find yourself the ONLY visitor at the park, a rare treat indeed in times of COVID and an increase in popularity of outdoor spaces!)
For information on hiking, canoeing and kayaking, visit https://www.thehaw.org/
Another local favorite spot (especially during high water events) is the old Bynum Bridge. Family friendly.
Haw River Trail
Haw River TrailFor information on hiking, canoeing and kayaking, visit https://www.thehaw.org/
Another local favorite spot (especially during high water events) is the old Bynum Bridge. Family friendly.
Conselho para os viajantes
Transporte
Ubering to UNC sporting events
Beware of using ride sharing platforms for attending large UNC sporting events. Due to highly concentrated demand during these times it’s often very difficult to get a pickup for departure unless you leave before the buzzer. Event parking passes and information on park-and-ride shuttles available here: https://move.unc.edu/events/
Costumes e cultura
DO NOT USE GRUBHUB OR UBEREATS
We have tried, and tried, for years now, to work with these two, as they are the preferred 3rd party delivery platforms for many of our favorite restaurants in town. They do NOT have the ability to communicate accurate step-by-step navigation to our location for their drivers, despite our pin appearing correctly on map. To avoid unnecessary frustration, delays, hanger and order cancellation, you will want to employ local delivery service Takeout Central, inquire about in-house delivery options (try Ciao Bella or Jade Palace!) or opt for pickup.