Need a city escape filled with culture, cuisine, and college-town charm? Head to Durham! Located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Durham offers award-winning restaurants, world-class universities, historic neighborhoods, and thriving arts. Whether you're touring Duke, hiking trails, or catching a show, Durham blends Southern soul with smart-city energy.
Durham, NC Highlights:
- Tour Duke University and Sarah P. Duke Gardens: Explore Gothic architecture and stroll 55 acres of beautifully designed botanical gardens.
- Catch a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC): Top Broadway productions and concerts take the stage at this acclaimed downtown venue.
- Walk or bike the American Tobacco Trail: Scenic, paved rail-trail stretching through city and countryside.
- Visit the Nasher Museum of Art: Contemporary art exhibitions and global collections at Duke University’s cultural gem.
- Explore the revitalized American Tobacco Campus: Once a historic factory, now a bustling hub of shops, offices, and dining along brick-lined streets.
Best Time to Visit Durham, NC
The best time to visit Durham is in the spring and fall (April to June and September to October). You’ll enjoy comfortable temperatures, outdoor festivals, and beautiful scenery. Summers are warm and lively, while winters are mild and quieter with cozy downtown dining and indoor attractions.
How to Get to Durham, NC
- If you are traveling by car: Durham is located along I-85 and I-40, about 30 minutes northwest of Raleigh and 2.5 hours from Charlotte.
- By Air: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is just 20 minutes from downtown and offers direct flights from major cities.
- By Train: Amtrak provides service to Durham Station, just steps from downtown hotels and attractions.
Where to Stay in Durham, NC
- 21c Museum Hotel – Boutique hotel meets contemporary art gallery in a historic downtown building.
- Durham Hotel – Retro-modern boutique stay with rooftop bar and stylish rooms right in the heart of downtown.
- Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club – Elegant, traditional luxury on Duke’s campus with golf and fine dining.
Best Things to Do in Durham, NC
⮕ Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Stroll through beautiful gardens and admire seasonal blooms in a peaceful, romantic setting.
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Located on Anderson Street on the campus of Duke University, Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a 55-acre public garden that features both wooded and landscaped areas. The garden is a memorial to Sarah Pearson Duke who was the wife of Benjamin N. Duke, a benefactor of Duke University.
There are five miles of trails and walks that wind their way through the garden, which is divided into four main areas. The garden offers tours and programs such as Nature Adventures Camp, Japanese Tea Gatherings, Summer Internships, and many more.
Duke University, 420 Anderson Street, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-684-3698
⮕ Museum of Life and Science
Discover exciting exhibits and interactive activities for kids in this family-friendly museum.
© Museum of Life and Science
Located on West Murray Avenue north of downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is a natural science museum that features many hands-on exhibits. Formerly known as the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, the museum sits on 80 acres of land and consists of several buildings and attractions.
Some examples are the main building, a butterfly house, dinosaur trail, farmyard, and a train, and there are both indoor and outdoor exhibits. One of the best things to do in Durham, North Carolina, the museum is known for its Aerospace exhibit that displays many early NASA space program artifacts on loan from the National Air and Space Museum. The three-story glass Magic Wings Butterfly House is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits.
433 West Murray Avenue, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-220-5429
⮕ Duke Lemur Center
Visit the world’s largest lemur center and see these unique, endangered creatures up close.
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Sitting on 80 acres of land, the Duke Lemur Center is the world’s largest sanctuary for rare and endangered prosimian primates. It is located on Erwin Road close to Duke University, and it is open to the public. One-hour tours are offered but require advance reservations.
The Center had its beginnings in 1966 when 90 primates were relocated from Yale University to Duke University.
Since then, the Center has housed and taken care of almost 4,000 primates including lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers. Currently, there are approximately 250 primates representing 21 species. The Center hosts events such as Lemurpalooza, when visitors bring blankets and picnics and are introduced to some of the primates. If you are wondering what to see in Durham with kids, this is a fun place to visit with the whole family.
3705 Erwin Road, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-489-3364
Attractions for Couples
⮕ Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
Explore diverse art collections and admire contemporary pieces in this renowned museum.
© Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
Located on Campus Drive, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is an art museum that contains more than 13,000 works ranging from antiquity to contemporary art. The museum’s collection includes 3,300 Pre-Columbian art objects, works on paper, medieval art, and much more. Opened in 2005, the museum is housed in a building designed by architect Rafael Vinoly.
In addition to the museum’s permanent collection, the Nasher Museum of Art hosts temporary exhibits and events such as music concerts and Free Family Day. The Nasher Museum of Art is one of the must-see Durham attractions for art lovers. Public tours are held on Thursday and Sunday, and private group tours are also available. The museum can be rented for corporate events, parties, and weddings.
2001 Campus Drive, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-684-5135
⮕ DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
Enjoy world-class performances in this exciting venue, perfect for a weekend outing.
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With a capacity of 2,700, DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center is the largest performing arts center in North and South Carolina. The Center is located on Vivian Street and hosts over 200 performances per year. It is a highly praised establishment that serves as the venue for touring Broadway shows, comedy events, music concerts, the American Dance Festival, family shows, and many other kinds of performances.
The Center opened in 2008 with a sold out concert by B.B. King. If you are looking for date night ideas in Durham, watch a performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Owned by the City of Durham, the Center has proved to be a great success for the city, as evidenced by the new business it has generated; several new restaurants have opened in the vicinity of the Center. Public tours of the Center are held once a month.
123 Vivian Street, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-680-2787
⮕ Stagville State Historic Site, Durham, NC
Walk along historic grounds to learn about the past at this fascinating site.
© Stagville State Historic Site
Stagville State Historic Site is a historic house museum made up of buildings from the Stagville Plantation, one of the largest plantations in the American South. The Bennehan-Cameron family originally owned the plantation, and the buildings date from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century.
The Bennehan House, built in 1878, and Horton Grove, an area that holds slave houses built in 1850, are both listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Located on Old Oxford Highway, the historic site offers guided tours three times a day. There are summer programs for school children and special events like the Harvest Festival Pie Auction.
5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-620-0120
Unique Attractions
⮕ American Tobacco Historic District
Discover Durham’s history through unique architecture and vibrant shops in this revitalized district.
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Located on Blackwell Street, the American Tobacco Historic District is a tobacco factory area consisting of 17 historic structures. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2000, the structures were built between 1874 and the 1950s. Some of the most noteworthy buildings include the Italianate style W.T. Blackwell and Company Building, the Hill Warehouse built in the Romanesque Revival style, and several structures in the Art Moderne style including the Crowe, the Fowler, and the Strickland buildings.
The district was formerly the home of the American Tobacco Company, and the redevelopment of this historic area was a part of a large urban renewal plan to revitalize downtown Durham. Today, the district is known for its many restaurants and shops.
318 Blackwell Street, Durham, North Carolina, Phone: 919-433-1566
⮕ Metro 8 Steakhouse
Savor delicious steaks and enjoy a romantic, upscale dining experience in Durham.
© Metro 8 Steakhouse
How can you make a classic American steakhouse even better? You add an Argentinean touch to it. At Metro 8 Steakhouse, the Argentinean touch is the chef and owner Francisco Pirillo. He mixes elements like shrimp and simple filet mignon stuffed with crabs or turns your steak into a churrasco and serves it with chimichurri. For dessert, try the soufflé or the decadent crepes filled with dulce de leche.
With such amazing food, the menu does not have to be extensive and complicated. The restaurant is also as simple as it is perfect, and features soft colors, clean lines, rich hardwood floors, and a large inviting bar. There is also a nice outdoor patio if you want to enjoy the fresh air while you dine.
1116 Broad St, Durham, NC 27705, 919-416-1700
⮕ Durham Central Park
Visit this relaxing park for outdoor activities and community events throughout the year.
© Durham Central Park
There’s a lot to see and do in Durham, and a great number of those things can be found at Durham Central Park. A hub for recreation, special events, and even great eats, Durham Central Park is a five-acre green space that is beloved for regularly hosting farmers' markets, movie screenings, food truck rodeos, and concerts at their 9,000-square-foot pavilion. The park is also home to an interactive play area for children called Mount Merrill, and a gorgeous grove of trees filled with species from other countries like a Japanese Higan Cherry Tree, and a Russian Red Maple. Recreational activities at the Great Lawn are absolutely enjoyable, while other features include the 10,000-square-foot skate park, the free-pick public garden, Garden of Eatin’, and several other manicured gardens to rest in.
501 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701, Phone: 919-794-8194
⮕ Eno River State Park
Go hiking along scenic trails and explore the beauty of this peaceful, natural park.
© Courtesy of Irina Silayeva - Fotolia.com
Eno River State Park
consists of 4,200 acres of land and, along with the West Point on the Eno City Park, preserves more than nine miles of the Eno River. Located northwest of downtown Durham, the park is a popular place for outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing, and fishing, and there are also 24 miles of hiking trails. If you are wondering what to do in Durham with kids, this is a great park to explore.
The area was home to several Native American tribes. Once the settlers arrived, they built over 30 gristmills on the river. The park was created in 1972 to protect the area from development. The park is known for its natural beauty including its springtime wildflowers and its animals such as beavers, birds, deer, fish, and turtles, among others.
More Places to Eat in Durham, NC
- Dame’s Chicken & Waffles – Southern comfort food meets soul flavor with famous waffle creations and schmears.
- Mateo Bar de Tapas – Spanish tapas with Southern twists served in a stylish downtown spot.
- Nana’s – Beloved fine-dining favorite offering seasonal New American fare with a regional twist.
If you are interested in local events:
- Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (April) – One of the nation’s top nonfiction film festivals, held in downtown theaters.
- Beats n Bars Festival (Fall) – Hip hop, art, and community collide in this downtown music and culture fest.
- Durham Art Walk (Spring/Fall) – Local artists, open studios, and live music light up downtown streets twice a year.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Durham, North Carolina:
- Chapel Hill (20–25 min) – Explore UNC, grab a bite on Franklin Street, or tour the Ackland Art Museum.
- Raleigh (30 min) – Visit top-tier museums, green parks, and lively neighborhoods in the state capital.
- Hillsborough (20 min) – Stroll this artsy small town filled with historic homes, galleries, and riverfront trails.
- Eno River State Park (15–20 min) – Hike wooded trails, wade in rocky streams, or picnic in a forested hideaway.
- Bennet Place Historic Site (10 min) – Site of the largest Civil War troop surrender with exhibits and living history programs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Why is Durham a great place to visit?
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Durham is a vibrant city that offers couples and families an array of things to see and do.
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What are the must-see attractions in Durham?
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Don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Nasher Museum of Art, and the Durham Performing Arts Center.
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What are the best things to do in Durham with kids?
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The best things to do in Durham with kids include visiting the Museum of Life + Science, the Duke Lemur Center, and Eno River State Park.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit |
Places to Stay |
Tips for Visiting |
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and beautiful blooming flowers. |
The Durham Hotel – A modern boutique hotel with a rooftop bar. |
Visit Sarah P. Duke Gardens – Walk through stunning botanical gardens in full bloom. |
Summer (June-August) – Warm and humid, great for exploring the city. |
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club – A luxurious stay with golf course views. |
Explore the American Tobacco Campus – Enjoy dining, entertainment, and historic architecture. |
Fall (September-November) – Comfortable temperatures and vibrant fall foliage. |
21c Museum Hotel – A unique hotel featuring contemporary art exhibits. |
Catch a Duke Basketball Game – Experience the electric atmosphere at Cameron Indoor Stadium. |
Winter (December-February) – Cool temperatures, but rarely extreme cold. |
Unscripted Durham – A retro-style hotel in the heart of downtown. |
Visit the Museum of Life and Science – A great indoor and outdoor attraction for all ages. |
Map:
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