Chapel Hill offers the wealth of cultural and recreational opportunities associated with a large city without the typical urban hassles. Culture vultures will find many gems, including art museums (UNC's Ackland and Raleigh's NC Museum of Art) and international festivals such as the American Dance Festival held every summer on Duke University's campus as well as the Full Frame Documentary Festival, recognized as the premier documentary film festival in the United States.

Opportunities abound for the sports enthusiast. With a high concentration of colleges and universities in the Triangle, ACC fans can partake of UNC, Duke and NC State basketball and football — not to mention the UNC women's soccer team. Michael Jordan. Mia Hamm. Jerry Stackhouse. Some of the world's greatest athletes got their start at UNC-Chapel Hill. On the professional front, the Triangle is home to the Carolina Hurricanes, 2002 Stanley Cup Finalists, and the Carolina Courage, winners of the 2002 WUSA Founder's cup. And don't forget your peanuts and cracker jacks when you go to watch the Durham Bulls play ball!

Last, but not least, the naturist will find plenty of weekend excursions with the area's arboretums, lakes, and bike trails. And beautiful NC beaches and majestic mountains are all within 2 1/2 hours from Chapel Hill.

For more information on the area's cultural and recreational resources, download this handy guide.