Plan your visit

Welcome to Chapel Hill. We're glad you're coming.

Most of our in-person trainings take place in Chapel Hill, in the heart of North Carolina's Triangle. Raleigh and Durham are close by, the Raleigh-Durham airport (RDU) is about twenty miles away, and people travel from around the world to learn together here.

A UNC Chapel Hill tumbler sitting in green grass

Where we meet

Two places, just a couple of miles apart

Our in-person trainings usually meet at one of these two spaces. Your training's page on our site tells you which one.

Our office classroom

Virginia M. Satir Center

109 Conner Drive, Bldg III, Suite 107
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Parking: our office has a parking lot with places to park.

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Our partner space

Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center

1609 E. Franklin St.
Chapel Hill, NC

Parking: the center has a parking lot with places to park.

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Getting here

Fly, drive, or take the train

Distances and times are approximate.

By air

The closest airport is Raleigh-Durham International (RDU), about twenty miles from Chapel Hill and usually 25 to 30 minutes by car. All the major rental companies are at RDU, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget.

By car

Most people get around the Triangle by car, so driving gives you the most freedom while you are here. Each location has a parking lot with places to park.

By train

A friendly heads-up: the train here is not like the train or metro in a big city like New York. There is no subway, and trains and buses run far less often, so most people arrive by plane or car. If you do come by Amtrak, it stops in Durham and Raleigh, and GoTriangle Route 400 runs from Durham Station to Chapel Hill.

Where to stay

Comfortable places, a short drive away

There are no hotels within easy walking distance of our office on Conner Drive, but there are many good options a short drive away. Drive times below are to our office. Please check each hotel for current rates and availability.

A few minutes by car

  • Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill. Modern and affordable, with breakfast included. About 2 minutes.
  • Residence Inn by Marriott Chapel Hill (Erwin Rd). Spacious suites with kitchens. About 5 minutes.
  • Aloft Chapel Hill. Stylish rooms near Meadowmont Village. About 8 minutes.

About 10 to 15 minutes

  • Hyatt Place Chapel Hill / Southern Village. A quiet neighborhood with walking paths and cafes.
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Close to Carrboro's restaurants and music venues.
  • Graduate Chapel Hill. A boutique hotel on Franklin Street, near shops and nightlife.
  • Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel. Full amenities, off Fordham Boulevard.
  • The Siena Hotel (Autograph Collection). Italian-inspired, on East Franklin Street, about 1.5 miles from our office. Plan on a short drive or rideshare.
Prefer a home-style stay? Search "Eastgate Chapel Hill" on Airbnb for private or shared lodging within 1 to 2 miles of our office.
A woman in a navy shirt speaks into a microphone in front of a flip chart, one hand open as she talks

Getting around

Easy ways to get from place to place

Car

A car is the most common way to get around this area, and it makes hotel, venue, and dinner plans simple.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft are widely available in Chapel Hill and nearby.

Free local buses

Chapel Hill Transit buses are free to ride.

Routes and schedules
Two women share a warm hug at a training, one smiling with her eyes closed and holding a microphone

You've registered. Now what?

Here's what to expect from us

Our programs are educational and experiential. They are not therapy or counseling. You decide how much to share and how far to go, and you can pass or step out at any time.

Two women sit on the floor of a training room, arranging colorful cards and markers together A woman with braided hair smiles as she listens, while a man in the foreground holds a microphone A woman with curly hair and a lanyard sits in a chair, looking ahead with a gentle smile

A typical day

Every training has its own schedule, and your welcome packet has the details. We don't usually start before 9 AM ET. We do start on time, so we encourage you to arrive a little early and get settled. A day brings together short talks, group conversation, small groups, time for personal reflection, and hands-on exercises.

Drinks and snacks

We provide coffee, tea, and water. Depending on the length of the training, we may also offer light snacks through the day. Meals are on your own unless your welcome packet says otherwise.

Let's work together on access

We want you to be able to take part fully and comfortably. If there is anything we can plan for, such as seating, movement, sound, light, food, or anything else, please reach out before you come. We will work with you to find what helps.

Tell us what would help
Read What to Expect

Each training page says whether NBCC-approved clock hours are available. Virginia M. Satir Center is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7683.

Before you come

Four small steps

Check your training page

Dates, venue, and details are on the trainings page.

Watch for our welcome

Before your training, we will send you a welcome packet with all the details. Please be sure to read it!

Book travel and a place to stay

Hotels near our office are a short drive away.

Tell us what would help

Access needs, questions, anything on your mind. Write to us any time.

Local tips

Make time to enjoy Chapel Hill

These come from our own travel guide. Hours and menus change, so it's worth a quick check before you go.

A shaded sidewalk lined with shops in Chapel Hill

Our favorite tip

Take a stroll down Franklin Street

Chapel Hill is a college town with lots of great culture. We are right by Franklin Street, one of the liveliest spots in town, with wonderful food and plenty of places to wander. It is a lovely place to walk or relax, and to grab a bite after the day's events.

Where to eat

A short walk from our office

Eastgate Crossing and the Whole Foods plaza, 2 to 5 minutes

Whole Foods Market, CAVA, Guglhupf Bake Shop, Twisted Noodles, Osteria Georgi, Clean Juice, Bruegger's Bagels, Starbucks, Red Lotus

A short drive

University Place and nearby, about 5 minutes

Bartaco, The Flying Biscuit Cafe, Hawkers Asian Street Food, Stoney River Steakhouse, Jeni's Ice Cream, Harris Teeter

Downtown and Carrboro

10 to 15 minutes by car

Merritt's Grill, Mediterranean Deli, Lantern, Top of the Hill, Brandwein's Bagels, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, Acme Food & Beverage Co., Spotted Dog, Carrburritos

Things to do in your free time

In Chapel Hill

  • Franklin Street and the UNC campus
  • Coker Arboretum and the North Carolina Botanical Garden
  • Maple View Farm Ice Cream
  • Chapel Hill Public Library, with walking trails

In Carrboro

  • Carrboro Farmers Market, Saturday 7 AM to 12 PM and Wednesday 3 to 6 PM
  • Cat's Cradle, a music venue
  • Glasshalfull and Lanza's Cafe

Questions? We're happy to help.

Whether it's a question about the room, an access need, or just wondering if a training is right for you, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact us

or write to admin@virginiasatircenter.com