One Week: Exploring Our 'Hometowns'

Exploring our ‘hometowns’ is an activity that has been continually present in my life thus far. As a 16-year-old, I have accumulated a sense of the culture of our hometown communities as well as what they have to offer; to enumerate: where to grab a bite to eat, fun activities, places to shop and must-see attractions. In the upcoming summer of 2018, my family and I will be hosting a high school exchange student from Kostroma, Russia. I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to develop a relationship with someone who lives 5,707 miles away from me!

However, culture shock is a feeling of disorientation that one often experiences when suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar place with different lifestyles and traditions than that of their own. I am so fortunate to have grown up in a community that fosters open-mindedness as well as an embracement of a variety of cultures and lifestyles. That being said, I am certain my exchange student will feel welcomed by the communities of Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough.

Hence, I have created an itinerary for my exchange student— as well as yourself — consisting of what I believe to be an ideal week in our ‘hometowns’.

Monday: Chapel Hill

For lunch, stop by Sutton’s Drug Store, an old-school diner that has been celebrated for it’s welcoming, family-style atmosphere for 86 years! Often, as one sit’s down in Sutton’s, an immediate captivation is drawn to photo’s of the diner’s valued customers thoughtfully plastered on the wall — how cute! In terms of ordering, my personal favorite is a classic, chocolate milkshake and a ⅓ lb single burger with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles!

Rumors Boutique — a must for anyone looking for a bargain. The boutique offers a selection of handpicked vintage and modern clothing. Follow their Instagram @rumorsnc to get a sneak peak of their affordable and trendy fashion!

Just a short walk down Franklin Street to the UNC campus is The Old Well, an established neoclassical rotunda. The prominent architecture acts as a perfect place to take prom, graduation or special occasion photos!

For dinner, head over to the award-winning burger joint: Al’s Burger Shack. The line piling out the door is a testament to the legendary burgers served at this small diner.

During the fall, a night in Chapel Hill may consist of good ol’ football game at the UNC Kenan Memorial Stadium. If you’re looking for a good time, any UNC football game will deliver.

Tuesday: Durham

Sarah P. Duke Gardens is the pride of Duke University, one that seeks to foster public appreciation for the natural world, all while sparking inspiration and an acknowledgment of horticulture. The garden reaches both local and worldwide audiences, ultimately promoting environmental awareness and sustainable agriculture practices — bring a friend and enjoy a sunny picnic in Duke Gardens!

Speaking of Picnic… the sensational barbecue joint, PICNIC is located on Cole Mill Road and a recommended stop if one is looking for a quick lunch in Durham. Their fried chicken is rumored to be “the best around.” The question, “but what makes it so special?” is often posed. The answer is simple: their chicken is twice-fried in buttermilk batter — delish! Stop by and try it yourself!

If offered the opportunity to attend a concert or event at the Durham Performing Arts Center, it would be absurd to decline. Built in 2008, the opulent amphitheater is one to host distinguished artists from around the world. The DPAC has held performances for the comedic figures: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Rob Lowe and Adam Sandler. Furthermore, successful Broadway productions of Wicked, The King and I, and The Little Mermaid have taken place at the DPAC, as well as concerts from legendary artist such as Steve Miller and The Beach Boys. Buy your tickets now at dpacnc.com

Wednesday: Carrboro

Carrboro is a town with a vibrant and diverse community of 20,000 as well as the host to local events and festivals, ranging from music to comedy and onto film. Weaver Street Market is a community-owned Co-op that focuses on offering locally grown products, sustainability, and movement towards ecological awareness. When in Carrboro, stop into Weaver Street, buy your groceries and grab a bite to eat from the food bar!

If one is looking for a calming space to recharge, visit Carr Mill Mall and sit down in Oasis: a tea house that is dedicated to providing a calming space to rebalance as well as a platform for holistic teachers to offer their wisdom onto the community. The Atmosphere of Oasis is welcoming and comfortable, a space that guides relaxation and provides specialty teas designed for sharpening focus, destressants, and body mindfulness.

The ArtsCenter strives to spark artistic creation and enrich the community by providing tools, opportunities, and inspiration through art. With exhibits composed of creations from local artist, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse oneself in art—sign up and join a class today!

One Fish Two Fish has introduced Hawaiian cuisine into Carrboro, featuring the “poke bowl.” Customers may customize their bowls, often consisting of a base, scoop, sauce, and toppings. For a base, one may choose from rice, quinoa, wonton chips, rice noodles, greens, zucchini noodles or coconut sticky rice. Scoop options: ahi tuna, salmon, Huli Huli chicken, shrimp, gochujang pork and sweet & sour eggplant—10 varied sauces and 22 different toppings! The vibrant colors of a poke bowl capture the essence of Hawaiian flavor. Dine in or take out from One Fish Two Fish any day of the week from 11am-9pm!

The Cat’s Cradle is an established music venue, one that has hosted eminent artist such as Macklemore and Nirvana, as well as a continuous promotion of local musicians. The music venue offers two separate concert spaces: the “main stage” and the “back room.” Accommodating to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, The Cat’s Cradle can be considered “a happening place for music in Carrboro”. Visit catscradel.com for a list of upcoming events!

Thursday: Hillsborough

The pit-cooked barbeque joint, Hillsborough BBQ Company was initially “founded by people passionate about good, honest, solid food…” The restaurant is one that consistently receives rave reviews for their famous, North Carolina-style barbecue. Located at 236 S Nash St, the Hillsborough BBQ Company invites you to come in and taste it for yourself.

The River Boardwalk is a beautifully constructed bridge which extends 1.8 miles throughout Hillsborough, with access available at various locations including Weaver Street Market. As one walks down the boardwalk they may witness the natural beauty of Hillsborough.

The delicacy dessert bar, Mathew’s Chocolate is one to take pride in their both eloquently constructed and mouth-watering chocolates. Some personal favorites: the lavender truffles, salted caramel bites and spiced Buddha chocolates! The shapes, designs and exotic flavors of the gourmet desserts ultimately make stopping into Mathew’s Chocolate a magical experience.

Friday: Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill offers a wide selection of interesting museums and exhibits: The Carolina Basketball Museum, located on the UNC campus is dedicated to highlighting the historical artifacts, photos, and panels that have been accumulated from 108 years of UNC basketball. The museum features presentations and video tributes to celebrated UNC basketball figures such as Dean Smith, Roy Williams, Tyler Hansbrough and Michael Jordan. Go Heels!

A unit under UNC sense 1958, The Ackland Art Museum can be considered one of North Carolina’s most important cultural resources; the museum offers local, state and international exhibits as well as a permanent collection consisting of 18,000 works of art.

The North Carolina Botanical Gardens offers seasonal flora, walking paths and a display of flowers, herbs, and plants from various regions. Visitors often appreciate the simplicity of The Garden’s, creating a sublime setting for a lovely day in nature.

The Morehead Planetarium is known for its iconic sundial, located in the front entrance. The planetarium is a well-managed facility, striving to educate the public by ultimately improving the appreciation of science, technology, and health in individuals. Consequently, the enumerated institutions will certainly provide you with an engaging and educational experience!

bartaco, located at University Place is a delicious, Latin-inspired tapas bar, offering a lively atmosphere with a lovely outdoor seating — a perfect setting for date night!

Silverspot Cinema, adjacent to Bar Taco, is arguably the ideal cinematic experience. Tickets are pricey, however, the overstuffed leather seating, autumns, food and drink trays and dine-in theater are features that are well worth a couple extra bucks! Silverspot offers online, kiosk, or counter purchase of tickets as well as selective seating in order to avoid the unnecessary panic of “getting a good seat”.

University Place offers a variety of restaurants and shops as well as the headquarters to the 97.9 The Hill WCHL/chapelboro.com family! We welcome you to stop by and visit us if you’re shopping at Southern Season or maybe grabbing some handmade ice cream from the Mapleview Kiosk — yummy!

Saturday: Durham

Located in the Pavilion of Central Park on Saturdays from 10-12, The Farmer’s Market acts as the foundation of Durham; with locally grown products and produce, the market continues to serve as a community held event, raising environmental awareness and support of locally grown agriculture. Across from the Farmer’s Market is The Durham Skatepark; built in 2009, the radical design of the park mirrors the funkiness of downtown Durham, ultimately making it a cool place hang out and do some skating.

The 21c Museum Hotel is located in the center of downtown Durham and is home to the iconic Fuchsia Penguin. The Hotel holds a multi-venue contemporary art museum as well as The Counting House restaurant, located on the first floor. Moreover, the of 21c encapsulates the antiquit-essence of Downtown Durham in the 1930’s. Serving as a historic hotel with lavish guest rooms, the hotel welcomes visitors passing through to explore the exhibits, with displays ranging from an old school vault, deceptive hallways, and if you need a trip to the restroom, you are in for a surprise!

For lunch, the newly relocated Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is perfect if you’re craving a unique balance of sweet and savory. With dishes incorporating fried chicken and Belgian waffles, Dame’s is a tasteful experience that works for every meal!

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is the heart of downtown Durham as well as a great setting to meet up with some friends for a triple-A baseball game. The park often displays fireworks subsequent to the conclusion of the game — wow!

The Parlour, an ice cream shop that takes pride in their handmade, seasonal-inspired ice cream is a nice way to settle the night after a riled baseball game. If you get the chance, take a picture with the nearby, emblematic Durham Bull sculpture!

Sunday: Durham/Jordan Lake

The most enchanting view of downtown Durham is arguably the rooftop of The Durham Hotel. Events are often hosted on the rooftop’s spacious patio. Sunday morning yoga at 9 am is recommended if one is seeking a peaceful activity for a restful Sunday.

Jordan Lake is excellent for a relaxing, sunny, day-trip to the lake! The grounds offer boating facilities, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, campsites, and a lovely beach with a volleyball net. If you can’t afford to make it to the beach, Jordan Lake will certainly be a lovely day-trip!

Nevertheless, an ideal week in Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough extends beyond the itinerary I have created. Ergo, below is a list of additional activities that are highly suggested by our community!

Here are some more favorites!

Food & Drinks!