By Becket Brantley | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Movies, Fitness Classes and Farmers Markets in Orange County, NC
Settle into the plush seats at Silverspot Cinema for your pick of a new movie, an anime classic or a Silverspot Selects throwback flick. Enjoy theater classics like popcorn and candy before the show, or sip on one of the theater’s signature cocktails at the bar. Craving a snack mid-movie but don’t want to get up? No problem –
order menu items like Carolina barbecue nachos, chicken Caesar wraps and Margherita flatbreads directly to your seat.
Get your fitness on at Solidcore with a 50-minute strength-training class focused on low-impact, controlled movements and muscle building. Drop in for a single class or challenge yourself on one of the studio’s custom-built reformer machines, where signature blue lighting creates an energizing setting for a full-body workout.
Take a stroll through the Chapel Hill Farmers Market to peruse a wide selection of produce, meat, baked goods, plants, beverages, crafts and more, all from within 60 miles of Chapel Hill. The market is held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., April through October (only Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the winter), and makes a great outing for the whole family. Grab a Mexican treat from Sweet Drop Beverages & Desserts or a craft beer from Haw River Farmhouse Ales, and don’t miss live music every Saturday.
Where to Eat at University Place
Enjoy a New York-style bagel without leaving town at H&H Bagels, which opened in January 2026 when owners Amanda Klein and Michael Klein (pictured) saw an opportunity to bring their favorite Manhattan bagel spot to Chapel Hill. The top-selling bacon, egg and cheese and the Nova salmon with tomato, onion and capers each provide an authentic bite of the Big Apple. And if you’re craving something sweet, the blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese is another fan favorite.
A local favorite got an upgrade in 2025 when Alfredo’s Pizza Villa moved from its longtime home at University Place to a nearby space on the first floor of the 900 Willow apartment building, expanding its seating in the process. With the move came a new name – now Alfredo’s Pizza & Brew – and craft beer on tap. Order a bestselling white pizza made with an olive oil base and topped with mozzarella, spinach, Roma tomatoes and feta, or tap into a local rivalry with Za Tarheel or the Blue Devil. And there is no shortage of rich, velvety treats – try the New York cheesecake or Italian cream cake for dessert.
Grab a cone, a bowl or – if you’re really looking to indulge – a sundae at Jeni’s Ice Creams and enjoy it on the grassy outdoor patio or one of the swinging benches. Choose from a variety of more traditional flavors like honey vanilla bean and double dough, or enjoy the limited seasonal offerings in a buttercrisp waffle bowl. Curated specials make it easy to try something new when you can’t decide what to order. Best of all, you can take your fave flavors home in a to-go pint.
Find a seat at the bar or, during patio season, on one of the comfy outdoor couches at Bartaco for a family brunch, a dinner date or a pals’ night out. Pick and choose from 15 signature tacos or opt for the tuna poke, street corn or Korean barbecue rib-eye rice bowl. Pair your main course with a watermelon mint margarita, red sangria or a cold Tecate, or choose an agua fresca or toasted coconut sparking water for a nonalcoholic refreshment.
Want to explore the Triangle’s other top entertainment districts? Check out our roundup of must-visit destinations in Pittsboro’s Mosaic at Chatham Park!
