With a population of 56,000, Chapel Hill is the largest municipality in Orange County. It was named after the New Hope Chapel, which stood upon a hill at the crossing of two dirt roads where the Carolina Inn now sits. Legend holds that the location of Chapel Hill and the university were decided in 1792 when a group looking for a suitable suite for the state's university took a break under the shade of a large tree near the chapel. In 1793, town lots were auctioned and work began on the campus.

If you're looking for a good time, the downtown strip of Franklin Street holds the key. A favorite place to party after an anthletic event, it is home to numerous restaurants and boutiques as well as the Morehead Planetarium, which was once used to train NASA astronauts.

UNC Hospitals, known for its cutting-edge research, burn center and children's emergency-room unit, boasts 665 beds with 472 residents and 750 attending physicians. The NC Botanical Gardens consists of 600 acres of preserved land, nature trails, and aquatic gardens.

Living in Chapel Hill is not cheap. Real estate is in high demand and limited supply. It is not unusual for a house to sell at or above its listed price. The average home costs $265,000 and the average monthly rent is $925 for a two-bedroom, unfurnished apartment.

Unlike Raleigh and Durham which have consolidated county-wide public school systems, Chapel Hill/Carrboro has its own school district which is separate from the Orange County system.

For more information about attractions, cultural events and history, visit the Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau.