1. Visit the UNC Campus.
The UNC campus is by far the best campus around the triangle (the word we use to refer to Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill).  Don't bother visiting Dook or State!  (Well, you can, just don't tell us!).  Some of the things you can do here are go to the libraries (Wilson is a very old and interesting one), hang out on the quads, read all the historic markers, harass students, go to the arboretum and visit our old dorm, Ehringhaus.  To get here from the Sheraton, take 15-501 towards Chapel Hill.  At the fork in the road, veer to the right to Franklin Street.  The campus will be on your left after Boundary Street.  I would drive through campus first to see where stuff is, then park and walk around.  Visit the UNC website (link on the picture and the word UNC above) to find out more.

2. Visit Franklin Street                                         
Although Franklin Street usually looks like the pictures to the left, it sometimes looks like the picture to the right...  especially after we beat Dook in a basketball game.  Don't worry, though, as school is out now!  Franklin Street is the street on the north side of campus.  It has lots of interesting shops, and goes from campus down into Carrborro.  Michael Jordan's 23 restaurant is on this road, as well as the Spotted Dog (caters to vegetarians), India Palace, El Patio Loco, and many others.  I suggest visiting both campus and Franklin Street at the same time.  Be prepared to do some walking, though!

3. Visit Dook Gardens (in Durham and the rest of the world, it's spelled Duke!) or the UNC gardens
So, since I'm a UNC student, it's almost against my religion to go to Duke for any reason.  However, I've heard the Duke Gardens are absolutely beautiful.  I'm looking foward to experiencing them for the first time with my cousin Genelle and her family before the wedding!  While you're there, you might as well visit the campus.  Some people (obviously not UNC fans!) think it's very beautiful.  The North Carolina Botanical Garden is located in Chapel Hill and is run by the university.  I have been here, and I enjoy it every time I go.  It is on 15-501 and is easy to find from the Sheraton.

4. Visit some museums
There are many museums here in the area.  Unfortunately, I haven't been to them all.  There is the new Museum of Natural Science, which I hear is very nice.  They are having an exhibit on the Genomic Revolution right now.  I have been to the Art Musuem and enjoyed it very much.  Another art museum is the Ackland, which is just off Franklin Street.  It is smaller than the Raleigh one, but it does have some interesting pieces.  Also on Franklin street is the Morehead Planetarium.  It is actually on the UNC campus and has some really great shows.  Then there is the Museum of Life and Science, which has a new exhibit called Mostly Music opening on May 25th.  Finally, there is the History Museum, which I've never heard of before.

5. Visit some farmer's markets
Lots of fresh produce is grown locally, and this is a great way to find it.  There is the State Farmer's market in Raleigh, which I've heard is very big.  There are also markets in Carrboro (West of Chapel Hill), Hillsboro (North of Chapel Hill) and Durham (East of Chapel Hill).  Click here to see a list of all the markets in the state.

6. Go to a park
There are many parks in the area.  The one I've heard of the most is called the Eno River Park.  I've never been to any, as I've only had a car in town for less than a year.  A park that's closer to Chapel Hill is Jordan lake.  I know names of other parks, but none have been reccomended as much as these two.

7. Go to the new mall (or an old one!)
A brand new mall just opened up in Durham.  It is called Southpoint, and has an outdoor as well as indoor shopping experience.  The stores are the same as in any other mall (except it has a Nordstroms), but it has lots of fountains and statues.  The outdoor section has some nice inexpensive restaruants like Firebird Grill, Champs, Maggiano's and California Pizza Kitchen.  Crabtree is in Raleigh and has a Crate and Barel.  It is bigger than Southpoint, but has fewer department stores and much more traffic.  The other malls in the area aren't as big and nice as those, but I can tell you about them if you want.

8. Pick some strawberries
There are many strawberry farms in the area, and they are all listed on this site.  Chapel Hill is in Orange County, and Durham in in Durham county.  I've never been before, but I hope to sometime!

9. Go to the dairy
The Maple View Farm Dairy is a favorite ours.  Although it is currently closed to tours because of foot and mouth disease, they do have a store that sells the best ice cream ever!  If you want a close second, there is a Ben and Jerry's on Franklin street.  I must warn you that the dairy is about 20 to 30 min from downtown Chapel Hill, and so maybe about 45 minutes from the Sheraton.

Well, that's all I can think of right now.  Email me if you have any questions or suggestions!