Chapel Hill vacation rentals

Travel to lively Chapel Hill

Take a vacation to Chapel Hill and enjoy the area's cathedral, live music and art galleries. This city's university setting, sporting events and shopping draw many visitors. If you're looking for accommodations with space to entertain friends and family, HomeAway has plenty of options to choose from. Many rental homes offer full kitchens and laundry facilities, perfect for big groups.

Science and art in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill vacation rentals will put you close to an attraction that’s out-of-this-world. This is the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, where immersive shows, often narrated by big name stars, will whisk you into the heavens and plunge you into black holes. Look for the giant sundial close by, which is an icon of the city. Then there’s the Ackland Art Museum, which has over 18,000 works, including a superlative collection of Asian art, not to mention European masterpieces. From Persian pottery to Cubist paintings, it’s all here to be relished. And if you fancy some fresh air afterwards, why not take a turn around the North Carolina Botanical Garden?

Historical homes and hip bars in Chapel Hill

If you really want to soak up the energy and personality of Chapel Hill, you’ll want to head straight for Franklin Street. It’s known as the social hub for students and other locals, and is studded with eateries and eclectic stores. You’ll be browsing hip t-shirts one minute, and delicate artworks the next. There’s also plenty of live music to be enjoyed in the bars. You can also take a trip back in time at Ayr Mount, an old plantation house built in 1815, where guided tours will take you through ornate architecture and landscaped grounds. Culinary buffs can also take an organized food tour of town, with tastings offered by trendy restaurants.

Make the most of the sun in Chapel Hill

There’s no wrong time to settle into a Chapel Hill vacation rental. There are so many places to see, and even during the colder months you can duck into places like the planetarium, or get cozy in the corner of a buzzing bar. That said, if you want to see the landscape at its prettiest, it’s worth coming in the late spring or summer, when the sun makes everything glow, and the fine temperatures provide great motivation to explore the outdoors.

Back to nature near Chapel Hill

There are swathes of nature to explore on either side of Chapel Hill. You can head up to Carolina North Forest, where hundreds of acres of woodland provide a lush and tranquil oasis to wander and relax in. Or, go south to get to Jordan Lake and its recreation area, which boasts several swim beaches and miles of hiking trails by the waters. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and other examples of rich wildlife.

Traveling to and around Chapel Hill

The nearest airport is in Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), located 15.2 mi (24.4 km) from the city center.