From: chrisvh@med.unc.edu (Chris G. vanHasselt)
Subject: Chris' unofficial guide to Chapel Hill
Originator: chrisvh@nakina
Organization: UNC-CH School of Medicine
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 17:59:30 GMT


Since mail order for the Chapel Hill shows just started, thought
I would post this for everyone.   I will be glad to repost if needed.
Any questions or comments?  e-mail me at chrisvh@med.unc.edu.

For anyone coming from out of town for the March 24th and 25th Dead
Shows in Chapel Hill, here is my brief, yet adequate, Chapel Hill 
travel guide.  If you have questions, or would like to get together
on the 25th for a day time tour of the area, send e-mail to 
chrisvh@med.unc.edu.  

To orient yourself in Chapel Hill, the main hub of town is
at the corner of Franklin and Columbia.  All the eating places
I mention are within walking distance of this spot, although some 
(specifically Crook's Corner) is a fairly long walk.  Rosemary St.
is one street north of Franklin.  (Just remember Frankin's Tower, and
if you get confused...)

PLACES TO CAMP:

William B. Umstead State Park is the nearest place to camp, and is a
fairly nice park, except for one problem:  it is almost immediately next
door to RDU airport, so until about 1 am you will have jets flying over
about every 10 minutes.  There are good hiking trails in this park, and 
you can use your mountain bike on some roads in the park. ph#: (919) 787-3033.

Jordan Lake also has campsites, and is much quieter.  This is a large,
(13,900 acre) man made lake, with good fishing (reportedly - I don't fish!)
and boating.  It is also a good place to spot great blue herons, ospreys,
and an occasional bald eagle.  The phone number:  (919) 362-0586.


PLACES TO EAT:

The Skylight Exchange, 405.5 W. Rosemary St., 919-933-5550.  "A laid back and
slightly seedy place..." according to Tom Jenkins, manager of the Skylight
Exchange.  A good place to get a sandwich; some vegetarian sandwiches offered.
Great coffee and espresso, no alcohol, and a very pleasant staff and 
clientele.  Also, a used book store.

Dip's Country Kitchen, 405 W. Rosemary right next to the Skylight Exchange. 
Dip's serves Southern Cookin' and Soul Food - fried chicken, pit cooked
barbecue pork, grits, and, for you vegetarians, black eyed peas and collard
greens - plus plenty of "southern hospitality".  

Breadmen's, 337 W. Rosemary.  Breakfast all day long, burgers, typical 
American fare.

Columbia St. Bakery & Coffeehouse, 107 N. Columbia, (at Franklin and
Columbia).  The name says it all - coffee, pastries, some salads, hummus -
your typical college town bakery and coffeehouse.

Hardback Cafe, 110 N. Columbia, right across from Columbia St. bakery.  Good 
coffee, espresso, sandwiches, soups, a full bar, and it is a book store.  
Plenty of vegetarian entrees.

Tijuana Fats, 403 W. Rosemary, right next to Skylight Exchange and Dip's.  Good
Mexican style food, full bar, vegetarian entrees.  Not very authentic, but
good nonetheless.

The Rathskellar, 157-A E. Franklin St.  Somewhat of a Chapel Hill landmark, 
typical American meat and potatoes fare, but the restaurant itself has the
most interesting atmosphere and best service around.  A vegetarian has 
few selections here.

Breugger's Bagelry, 104 W. Franklin.  Bagels, bagels, bagels, and soup!

Ben & Jerry's, 102 W. Franklin, next to Breugger's.  Need I say more?  


PLACES TO BUY FOOD:

Weaver Street Market, Carr Mill Mall, Carrboro.  (A few words about Carrboro:
it really should be called Chapel Hill West.  It takes about a ten minute walk
to get from downtown Chapel Hill to downtown Carrboro - I don't know why they
are considered two different cities, but they are.)  Weaver St.  is your
basic health/gourmet food store - bulk food items, fresh vegies, top-notch 
meat dept. (a compromise to stay in business - there aren't many vegies in
the south!)  organic fruits and vegies, health products (natural vitamins), 
bottled water, etc.  

There is another place, Wellspring, but it is overly priced.  Put the word
organic on an apple and then raise the price a dollar or two!  It's a good
store, but over priced.

Everywhere else in town is just another supermarket - Food Lion (aka Food Dog),
etc.


THINGS TO DO WHEN NOT AT THE SHOW:


Umstead Park and Jordan Lake have already been mentioned above.  Also,...

Duke Forest.  This is a little drive from Chapel Hill, but it is a great
place to take a short day hike.  It is a privately owned forest (owner:
Duke University)  that is used for research purposes, but Duke allows
the public to take advantage of the extensive nature trails for hiking,
and you can take your mountain bike on a hilly ride along the gravel 
trails.  This is not a state park, but please treat it like one.  It is 
a local treasure, and gets more visitors than any public park.

NC Botanical Garden, on 15-501 bypass, open from 8 to 5 daily.

University Lake, off Jones Ferry Road.  Canoeing in a small lake, year round.

Ackland Art Museum, on the UNC Campus.

The UNC Campus, oldest PUBLIC university in the country. (founded 1793)

Morehead Planetarium, UNC Campus.

There are other things to do, in Durham and Raleigh, but I guess most people
will prefer to stay relatively close to Chapel Hill in anticipation of an
awsome show!


WORDS OF ADVICE:

The UNC Campus is an EXTREMELY busy place.  The parking lot nearest the
concert venue will not begin to clear out until 5:00 pm - I know because
I park in that lot!  This is not simply a stadium, where you can arrive five
hours early for the show and hang out; if you do, you will piss a lot of 
people off who work at the university and don't give a damn about the Dead.  
So, unless you want to close the Dead out of one more venue, please wait
until after 5:00 to show up at the concert.  Enough said?  

Please feel free to e-mail me at chrisvh@med.unc.edu or call me when you
are in town at (919) 933-6041.