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THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Visitors Guide

We invite you to explore the heart of campus and feel the history, vibrancy and charm of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

We can't wait to connect with you and your family. We're always excited to talk about our students and our campus.

Evento en Español

Schedule your visit, self-guided tour, campus departments, around town.

Accessibility

• Departments
• ConnectCarolina

Guided Tours

We offer public tours, private guided tours, hikes, and excursions in our gardens and natural areas and around the state.

View all upcoming tours

Private Tours for Adult Groups

Private tours are scheduled on a case-by-case basis based on docent availability.

Beyond the Garden

In addition to tours of our display gardens, we offer hikes, tours, and excursions in our other natural areas and around the state.

Garden Etiquette

• Leashed pets are allowed on the Piedmont Nature Trails. With the exception of service animals, no pets are allowed within the Display Gardens.
• No smoking, e-cigarettes, or weapons allowed.
• Please park your bicycle in the provided bike racks.
• Pack out what you pack in. Picnics are permitted in the designated Picnic Area in the wooded area near our parking lot. Please use designated recycling and trash bins.
• Please do not leave valuables within sight in your vehicle.
• We share this garden with many wild animals. Please be respectful of their space during your visit.
• Please respect our native plants. Do not pull, pick, or prod plants or stamp, stomp, or tromp in the garden displays.

The Allen Education Center and many of the Garden displays are wheelchair accessible. If you need special accommodations to enable your visit to the Garden, please let us know by calling 919-962-0522.

Marked accessible parking spaces can be found in the parking lot—several near the drop-off for the Education Center, and others closer to the Totten Center and original display gardens. If you require assistance in moving from a parking space to the building entrance, please call 919-962-0522 and tell us when to expect you; a member of the staff will be available to assist you.

Visitor Safety

The safety and well-being of our visitors, staff, and volunteers is the highest priority of the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Read our visitor safety information .

Graduate Student Tours

Get a glimpse of what your graduate school experience could look like during this 75-minute tour for enrolled and prospective graduate school students. The UNC Visitors Center graduate student walking tour is hosted by a current graduate student who introduces Carolina history, traditions and hallmarks as well as some of the University’s current endeavors in research, innovation and public service. Included is information related to graduate student life at UNC as well as the many ways The Graduate School supports graduate and professional students from admission to graduation. Because this tour does not visit graduate departments, you may contact the graduate and professional schools you are interested in with questions or requests to meet with professors or advisors. Check the department’s website for the appropriate program contact.

Prospective and enrolled graduate school students can schedule a graduate student tour  or take a self-guided tour of Carolina using our Visitors Guide . Note this tour is not for prospective undergraduate students.

All graduate student tours leave from the UNC Visitors Center, 134 E. Franklin Street.

Frequently asked questions

How do I learn more about The Graduate School?

Visit The Graduate School online or call 919-962-7772. The Graduate School’s Twitter account , Facebook account  and Instagram account  highlight information from and for Carolina’s graduate education community. The Graduate School’s administrative building is located at 200 Bynum Hall, 222 E. Cameron Avenue; appointments are encouraged before visiting.

Visit The Graduate School for information like resources and support for graduate and professional students, funding opportunities, where to live and more.

What is the Graduate Student Center?

The Graduate Student Center (GSC) is a space for graduate and professional students from all disciplines and departments together. The GSC, part of The Graduate School, hosts interdisciplinary seminars, professional development activities and more. The GSC is located at 211A W. Cameron Avenue.

How can I get involved on campus?

Carolina has more than 900 student organizations. Visit Heel Life and filter by the Graduate/Professional category to find a selection of professional and recreational groups.

The Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) is the governing and advocating body for graduate and professional students at Carolina. The GPSG connects graduate and professional students by providing funds for travel grants and departmental events; hosting campus-wide academic, social and volunteer events; and building community across programs and departments.

The Carolina Union Activities Board (CUAB) enhances life at Carolina through programming and events for the entire University community. CUAB is committed to expanding activities that address graduate needs and interests, and to recruiting graduate students who are interested in contributing their thoughts and ideas to make programming and events relevant and inclusive for graduate students.

How do I contact a certain school or department?

See Graduate Degree Programs for a list of departments and programs.

What campus offices/partners are valuable to graduate students?

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers support groups, groups focused on communication and relating to others, and workshop-style groups that teach specific skills. CAPS also conducts dissertation, parenting and global graduate support groups. Visit caps.unc.edu/services/group-therapy/current-therapy-groups for more information.

The Writing Center offers English Language Support ( writingcenter.unc.edu/esl) for international students and scholars as well as dissertation boot camps ( writingcenter.unc.edu/dissertation-boot-camp ) for doctoral students to connect with others working on dissertations.

University Career Services (UCS) provides support from early career planning to job search skills. UCS offers career-specific networking nights and career panels, as well as a listserv featuring articles and positions of specific interest to graduate and professional students. Visit careers.unc.edu/students/graduate-students for more information.

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Get outside on island time with a trip to the coast.

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Check out these real tips from real travelers and our partners that help preserve North Carolina’s natural beauty.

Travel Through Fall With Flying Colors

As you follow the wave of peak foliage that starts in the mountains and finishes at the coast, fill up on all things fall flavors, festivals, farms and fun.

Show Us How You #VisitNC

Share your vacation shots using our hashtag for your chance to be featured.

This Fuji X-T3 camera in RAW format is powerful 😍 it truly is amazing how many details it captures. Do you shoot in RAW or JPG?

Explore the Topsail Area

#VisitNC @VisitNC

Even in the cold windy months, it’s still beautiful on the Crystal Coast. #emeraldisle #emeraldislenc #drone #djimavic #djicreator #visitnc #northcarolina

Explore the Crystal Coast

Nice sunset tonight O’er the Tar River! #greenvillenc #gvlbikeco #getoutside #specializedsworks #cyclinglife #northcarolina #sunsetlovers

Explore the Inner Coastal Plain

Sunrise in Buxton NC on a clear morning. #visitnc #coast #outerbanks #obx #ncbeaches #northcarolinacoast #northcarolina #dji #aerialphotography #sunrise #hatteraslife #hatterasisland

Explore the Outer Banks & Currituck

This little red bridge😍🌳 #dukegardens #dukeuniversity

Explore Raleigh, Durham & the Triangle

Happy New Year!!!! . Here’s hoping that everyone has a great night and a great 2023! . My plan of getting a skyline picture tonight was kind of fogged out, but I hope this sunrise from a few months ago still works! . . . #clt #charlotte #charlottenc #cltnc #cltskyline #discoverclt #charlottesgotalot #cltguide #skyline #sunset #citylife #charlottephotographer #sonyalpha #cltartist #southendclt #uptowncharlotte #uptownclt #mavic3 #dji #aerialimages #mavic #drone #newyear

Explore the Charlotte Region

Took this on the weekend & it’s one of my favorite photos ever. Just gonna let it speak for itself 😍

Explore North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains

what a weekend so far 🤯

Explore Pinehurst & the Sandhills

"There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights" - Bram Stoker Capturing this long exposure light trail with the carolinatheatregso turned out the way I visioned it. #througheddieslens #greensboro #visitgso #northcarolina #visitnc #streetshared #aov #weekly_feature #createexploretakeover #shotzdelight #mkexplore #gearednomad #rsa_streetview #imaginatones #hsdailyfeature #longexposure #longexposure_shots #nightphotography #ic_longexpo #global_hotshotz #longexpohunter #magicpict #night_shooterz #dream_image #longexposurephotography #fujifeed #myfujifilm #fujixclub #fujiframez #fujifilmxseries

Explore Greensboro & Winston-Salem

Sometimes waking up at 4am to sit on a mountain is worth it! - - - #photography #photo #photooftheday #nikon #nikonphotography #nikonusa #nikonphotographer #nikonz6ii #sigma #sigmaphotography #sigmausa #nikkor #nikkor50mm #nikkorlens #nature #naturephotography #craggypinnacle #craggygardens #northcarolina #northcarolinaphotographer #sunrise #sunriseoftheday

Explore Asheville & the Foothills

Big things coming soon with a pretty awesome group of people here in Wilmington. 💞🧘🏻‍♀️ 📍 battleshipnc yogavillagers forever_conswalia jesbic photography, yoga, yoga instructors, beauty, zen #photographer #photooftheday #photography #beauty #yoga #battleshipnc

Explore the Wilmington Area

Soo excited for the Spring blooms to arrive this year! Lots of new and amazing places to visit and always so little time. It’s been a long Winter season this year and I do love it but I’m enjoying this Spring like weather and I never want to go back. Ready…for…some… warm…weather. Where are your travels taking you this Spring? #exploreboone #booneview #828isgreat #highcountry #blueridgemoments #visitnc #linvillegorge #springblooms #naturephotography #nature_brilliance #sunsetlovers #discovercarolinas #gameoftones #splendid_earth #earthpix

Explore the High Country

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Travel Guide

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Schedule Your School Group Visit!

We offer campus visits for groups of 10-80 high school students on select dates throughout the year, and these dates may accommodate several groups at a time. To register for an available information session and tour, please refer to the calendar. 

Other tour options: If you are unable to find an available date for your group, we offer the option to take a self-guided tour of campus. 

If you are interested in a self-guided tour or have any questions, please contact Isaac Bell at [email protected] .

• Law Library

Schedule a Visit

Fall ’24 Admissions Sessions, Class Observation, and Tour (limited number of spaces )

Click date to register:

September 16 , 18 , 19 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 30

October 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 28 , 30

November 4 , 6 , 7 , 13 , 14

Fall ’24 Admissions Sessions and Tour

Go to Charlotte.edu

Prospective Students

• About UNC Charlotte
• Campus Life
• Graduate Admissions

Faculty and Staff

• Human Resources
• Auxiliary Services
• Inside UNC Charlotte
• Academic Affairs

Current Students

• Financial Aid
• Student Health

Alumni and Friends

• Alumni Association
• Advancement
• Make a Gift

In-Person Campus Tours

First-year student tours, prospective first-year student info session + on-campus tour.

In-person availability and attendance is limited. Advance registration is required.

También se ofrecen presentaciones y recorridos en español en selectos días.  Se requiere registrarse antes de su visita usando el botón de abajo.

Transfer Student Tours

Transfer in-person info session + tour.

Weekly on Thursdays at 2 p.m.

In-person availability and attendance is limited. Advance registration required.

SELF-GUIDED TOURS

Self-guided walking tour.

You are invited to explore campus at your own convenience! Download the below map to guide your campus visit. Please Note: Some buildings on campus may be closed to the public due to campus regulations or schedule.

Discover Campus with our Interactive Map

Wondering what’s in a specific building? Want to find points of interest on campus? Click around this interactive map to learn more about our campus, gardens, and more.