Durham, North Carolina has a truly unique and historical feel with its tobacco production buildings repurposed into restaurants and shops. It doesn’t take long to walk around the old brick buildings and beautiful fountains to feel the city is deeply rooted in history. Durham is also known as the “City of Medicine” as healthcare is a major industry for this thriving city. Durham is home to more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices.
Bike-friendly and dog-friendly, with its places of interest close together it can make for a great afternoon stroll as you take in all that Durham has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip from Raleigh or settling there, Durham is a must on places to see in North Carolina.
Restaurants in Durham
Mateo Bar de Tapas
Great for those looking for a fun stop for fantastic tapas! Mateo Bar de Tapas blends the flavors of Spain with a southern twist. Wine lovers will enjoy the extensive Spanish wine list. Make sure to try one of their pan-made paellas which are available for curbside pickup to enjoy at home.
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Vin Rouge
Vin Rouge is known for its nice atmosphere, extensive wine list, and French cuisine. They just opened a heated garden dining space and indoor dining rooms that allow a comfortable, safe eating experience.
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Juju Durham
Juju Durham is a local favorite for Asian fusion dishes and one of the many wide varieties of great restaurants Durham has to offer. They offer small plates with bold flavors and refreshing hand-made cocktails along with an extensive wine list, craft beer, and artisan wine selection.
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Want more restaurants? Check out our post on ZenFish Poké Bar, also located in Durham, NC.
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
Another local favorite, with artisanal bread and desserts that are both beautiful and delicious. Their craft cocktails and beer on tap are popular too. Enjoy food and drinks in their beautiful patio garden.
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Sports in Durham
Durham Bulls
Home to the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team, visiting the stadium for a game is one of the highlights when visiting Durham. The stadium is beautiful and every time the Bulls score the Bull on the sign will light up and blow smoke out of its nose, which is sure to be a highlight if you bring the kids. The food offered there is fun, with Italian Ice, Chick-fil-A, craft beer samples, and more than the usual simple food. A mile away from the stadium is the previous home to the team and where Bull Durham was filmed.
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American Tobacco Campus
Surrounded by trendy restaurants and the American Tobacco Campus, it’s fun to leave the game and take a walk through the artwork, water features, and entertainment and dining options. The campus used to house the Lucky Strike cigarette factory and is one million square feet. Now you can find tapas, a man-made stream, a documentary theater, the Burt’s Bees headquarters, and concerts under the iconic smokestack.
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Education in Durham
Duke University
Duke is the largest employer in the city and offers a lot to do. Tour the campus, the basketball court, Duke Chapel (the iconic tower), and the gardens. Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a must-see, with beautiful blooms that make for a relaxing walk and great picture. With 55 acres of gardens, 5 miles of walkways, and various species of plants and koi ponds, it is considered one of the best gardens in the country. It is free to visit and offers classes in the gardens on nature photography, gardening, and other topics.
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Museums and History of Durham
Take a picture with Major, the bronze sculpture of a bull, and then get a mural passport from the visitor center to see the beautiful array of 30 murals located around the city.
The Bennett Place Historic Site
A must-see for all history buffs. Confederate General Joseph Johnston and Union General William Sherman met at this very spot for the American Civil War’s biggest troop surrender. The Southern troops in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas were to surrender in 1865, signaling the end of the Civil War. Free to visit, tours start every hour and it has a charming little gift shop as well.
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Duke Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum
Check out the Duke family home, where Washington Duke started his tobacco business in the 1800s, and see the tobacco barns, the original factory, and the museum about the industry. Guided tours are offered as you learn about this family that is now the namesake for Duke Energy and Duke University.
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The Stagville State Historic Site
The Stagville State Historic Site offers tours for about an hour and allows visitors to see preserved slave quarters, a plantation, and various historic buildings. It holds history about slaves and families can research their slaveholding records.
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The Museum of Life and Science
A top attraction that draws visitors from across the state, The Museum of Life and Science is a must-visit! Part zoo, museum, and park, it houses black bears, wolves, lemurs, native North Carolina animals like owls and skunks, farm animals, and a butterfly conservatory. There is also a fantastic treehouse area and man-made stream to play in that can keep kids busy for hours.
With a train ride, an indoor museum featuring space, weather, and various science exhibits, as well as an outdoor sand and water play exhibit, plan to spend all day enjoying all this museum has to offer!
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Nasher Museum of Art
The Nasher Museum of Art is also a good stop while on Duke campus. With classical paintings and sculptures, African masks, Meso-American art, and photography there is a lot to see. Film series, classes, and lectures are offered as well.
Stop by the Nasher Cafe for lunch and enjoy various appetizers, salads, and sandwiches and take a relaxing break before returning back to the gallery to enjoy all the exhibits.
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Duke Lemur Center
The Duke Lemur Center offers tours and interactive experiences like watching lemurs paint or walking beneath their habitats while they swing above you. With the most lemurs in the world, outside of Madagascar, it is an impressive research facility.
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Things to Do Outdoors in Durham
Durham has almost 30 miles of trails at Eno River State Park and attracts kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts with its beautiful forests, historic mill, and river. Cox Mountain also offers hiking while you take in the sights.
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Events and Performances in Durham
Durham Center of Performing Arts
The Durham Center of Performing Arts has hosted shows like Hamilton and become a hot spot for great performances since opening in 2008. Its 2,700 seat theater offers over 200 performances a year and is ranked third in the nation for ticket sales at a performance center.
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Carolina Theatre
Want a more historic arts experience? Stop by the Carolina Theatre, a former 1920s movie house that housed the premiere of the movie Bull Durham. It now plays daily films, as well as hosts festivals and serves as the backdrop for concerts. The beautiful exterior architecture alone is worth a visit.
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With all there is to see and do in this historical city, Durham is a must on cities to visit in North Carolina and why many decide to call it home.
Sources
“Guglhupf – Artisan Bakery, Cafe, Biergarten Durham NC.” Guglhupf
“Vin Rouge.” Vin Rouge | French Bistro in Durham, NC, Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.