For anyone not familiar with North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham are three of the larger cities in the state that make up the Triangle area. They are all within 30 min of each other, and always have something going on. I have only lived here a few months, so haven’t had too much time to explore. Here is a list of things I suggest you check out.
1. Explore University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill’s campus. (Free besides maybe parking)
Make sure you check out the Louis Round Wilson Library, it is set up more like a museum. There is an area with rare books you can read, exhibits, and a study area for the students.
After you are done there walk over the gymnasium and Basketball Hall of Fame at UNC
(I’m a Michael Jordan fan if you can’t tell)
2. North Carolina Botanical Garden. (Free)
There is a giant chess set you can play with.
You can also purchase plants there. Less of a selection, but much better than the ones we found at Walmart/Home Depot. 
If you go inside, they give out a brochure with the wildflower of the year. The brochure includes seeds and instructions on how to grow it.
3. Hiking along the Eno River (Free)
There are all different length trails, mostly shaded. However, if you are visiting and not familiar with how hot and humid it gets here I would highly suggest you go early if you are going between the months of June – September.
4. Check out a Food Truck Rodeo
Food truck rodeos and Food Tours are pretty common in the area. (Free besides any food or drink purchase) These are some pictures of the Food Truck Rodeo on Labor Day weekend in Durham Central Park. There were 50 food trucks and a bluegrass band
6. Go see a concert at the Walnut creek Amphitheater.
7. Explore the Tobacco District
This is probably my favorite area that I have been here. Lucky Strike tobacco plant has been remodeled into shops, restaurants, bars, a community green with a manmade river, and much much more. During the summer they have concerts on Thursday nights on the green. Bring a lawn chair, some brews(BYOB), and just relax and listen to the bluegrass. Don’t forget to check out a show at the DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) or a game at the Durham Bulls statium. The first Monday of each month there is a free tour of the DPAC at 11am, reservations are required.
8. Look up Events going on. There is ALWAYS some sort of movie in the park, festival, or meet ups on the weekends. Nearify and Offline are the best free apps I’ve found to show what’s going on. These work in other cities too, so highly recommend checking them out whenever traveling.
9.Friday’s on the front porch at the Carolina Inn
The Carolina Inn is a hotel built in 1924, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built on the site of the original chapel that gave Chapel Hill its name. The hotel was a gift to UNC with proceeds going toward the library’s collections. With rooms running at around $300 a night?, I would say they make a pretty good profit. The Carolina inn hosts a “Friday’s on the front porch” concert series through October 7th. It’s free to attend and if you would like you can buy food and drinks.
10. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Free)
11. Jordan Lake
We rented a Canoe from Frog Hollow Outfitters for the day. I used groupon, ebates, and a coupon code. Total was only $18, usually it’s $50! 🙂 They also have paddle boards, kayaks, and teach lessons. If you look carefully you can spot a few bald eagles.
12. Check out the Farmer’s Markets
There are plenty in the area. Here are just some of them:
Durham (Pictured above) – Wed 3-6, Sat 8am – 12pm
Raleigh – Wed 10-2
State Farmers Market ????
My favorite I’ve been too. Good price, on site ATM, and huge selection. Open Mon – Sat 5am- 6pm, Sunday 8am -6pm
Chapel Hill – Wed 3-6, Sat 8am – 12pm
Carrboro – Wed 3-6, Sat 7am – 12pm
The list will keep growing when we get more time to explore 🙂
