Things to Do in Durham, NC

01 Tour Duke Chapel

Julian Abele designed the Duke University Chapel in an architectural style inspired by English Gothic. The chapel laid its cornerstone on October 22, 1930, and formally dedicated it on June 2, 1935. At 10:00 a.m., the public can visit the chapel for meditation and prayers, as well as to view the stunning architecture. The chapel hosts university ceremonies, worship services, and concerts throughout the year. You can enjoy a docent-led tour every Sunday after the 11 a.m. worship services. Tours are free and open to the public, and you can attend open organ rehearsals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

02 Explore Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Dr. Frederick M. Hanes's idea of a public garden led to the founding of Sarah P. Duke Gardens in 1934. The gardens cover 55 acres at the center of Duke University and comprise numerous pathways leading through four sections of arboretums and beautifully landscaped terraces. They are divided into the Doris Duke Center Gardens, the H.L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, the Historic Gardens, and the William Louis Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. Guided tours are available to visitors from March to November. The gardens offer a summer concert series, gardening, and natural history classes.

03 Have an unforgettable experience at Nasher Museum of Art

The Nasher Museum of Art started its operation in 1969. Two hundred medieval works were acquired from the Ernest Brummer Collection. It was formerly hosted in a science building at Duke University's East Campus until architect Rafael Vinoly opened a new building on the central campus in 2005. The museum's collection includes African contemporary, ancient American, and European medieval art. Special events, social gatherings, and film series are held in the museum at various times during the week. The hours of operation vary, with the facility opening at 10 a.m. on most days.

04 Discover the Bennett Place Historic Site

This historic site, constructed in 1789, is known as the largest surrender location of a major Confederate army during the American Civil War. Union General Sherman and Confederate General Johnston met at the site to sign surrender papers for armies in Florida, Carolina, and Georgia. Visitors are offered guided tours down Hillsborough Road to learn about the Bennett family history and the meeting of the opposing generals. The visitor center has a museum gallery of three exhibit rooms showcasing family history, military weaponry, and Civil War artifacts. The Bennett Farm is fully constructed to resemble its original state when the two generals met.

05 A day visit to Duke Homestead State Historic Site

The Duke Homestead State Historical Site, established in 1842, is a significant landmark with a rich history. Mary Caroline Clinton's marriage to Washington Duke and their subsequent relocation to family land led to the establishment of the Duke Homestead State Historical Site in 1842. The site showcases their early farming lives and how they began their tobacco manufacturing business after the Civil War. You can attend one of the daily guided tours of the historic area.

Annual events hosted in the area include craft festivals in June, a summer children's festival in August, the Mock Tobacco Auction, and the Tobacco Harvest Festival in September.

06 Visit Stagville State Historic Site

Since 1979, the Stagville State Historic Site has been recognized as one of North Carolina's largest plantations. By covering some of the plantation holdings, Stagville serves as a significant component of African American history. The site conserves a massive timber-framed barn, a Bennehan family house, and four slave dwellings at Horton Grove. You can tour the site from Tuesday to Saturday with free admission and self-guided tours. Paid guided tours allow you to discover the powerful intergenerational slavery history, injustice, and emancipation the site represents.

07 Have a historical experience at Museum of Life and Science

If you like family adventures, you can visit the Museum of Life and Science, a top family destination since its establishment in 1946. It sits on 84 acres and hosts one of the East Coast's largest butterfly conservatories. Create lasting family memories by exploring beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits and touring the science center. Within the museum is a science park that hosts lemurs, rescued bears, and endangered red wolves.

Tour the Ellerbe Creek Railway, Hideaway Woods, and the Dinosaur Trail for a fulfilling family engagement. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to the public.

08 Learn more about the past at Durham History Hub

The Durham History Hub fosters curiosity by using stories about things, people, and places. The Museum of Durham History, located at 500 W. Main St., officially opened its doors on October 12, 2013, and since then, it has become a prominent destination. The exhibits can help you understand Durham Community's history and diverse perspectives.

It showcases the city's contribution to medicine, human relations, and commerce while mapping out how Durham developed from a railway stop to a revitalized tobacco and innovation hub. Visits to the museum are allowed from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

09 Explore the Hayti Heritage Center

The Hayti Heritage Center promotes the African American experience through cultural arts and education. Since it began its operations in 1975, youths and adults have enjoyed education programs that serve the site's mission to preserve and advance Hayti's historical heritage. Visit the center to experience African dance classes, candlelight concerts, and Hayti Lit.

You'll get to go on the Hayti Walking Tours during the fall or spring season. If you love art and poetry, don't miss the Jambalaya Soul Poetry Slam on every third Saturday of the month. It is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10 Walk through Eno River State Park

Before European colonization, the Eno people lived along the Eno River. This community is named the Eno River State Park, which was established in 1975. Eno River State Park is a serene destination that provides a peaceful escape for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Sitting along the banks of the meandering Eno River, the park boasts 31 miles of hiking trails. If you're visiting North Carolina, the park offers some of the region's best hikes, fishing, birdwatching, and lovely scenery.

You can engage in outdoor activities at the biking trails, boating avenues, and fishing spots. The park has 17 designated trails, including Cox Mountain and Buckquarter Creek. Camping opportunities are also available along the park's trails. The Holden's Mill Trail offers some of the best camping hike experiences you shouldn't miss. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11 Hike at American Tobacco Trail

The recreational American Tobacco Trail is located in Norfolk Southern Railroad's abandoned corridor. The original railroad, constructed in 1906, ran from Duncan to Durham. Competition from interstate trucking reduced the railroad traffic until the tracks were removed in 1987. Currently, you can visit the area for mountain biking and horseback riding, and it offers a 22.6-mile hiking trail.

The trail's access points include the northern endpoint at Morehead Avenue, the southern endpoint at New Hill Olive Chapel Road, and the Scott King Road. Its rural southern end boasts plentiful wildlife and beautiful pines.

12 Hang out on West Point on the Eno

This is the perfect blend of a historical center and a city park. It covers 412 acres in Durham and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 9, 1985. The park is found along a 2-mile stretch of the Eno River and offers park trails for hiking and strolling. It is home to historical structures like the West Point Mill, the McCown-Mangum House, and the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography. If you have a canoe or raft, bring it with you to immerse deeper into the beauty of the Eno River.

13 Get entertained at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)

The DPAC was opened on November 30, 2008, to become Carolina's largest performing arts center. It hosts comedy events, Broadway productions, and high-profile concerts. You can prepare to attend the following upcoming performances during the year:

• Mamma Mia from July 30 to Aug. 4.
• On August 7, 2024, Ellen DeGeneres
• The Rocket Man Show on Aug. 10, 2024
• Trey Kennedy on Aug. 16, 2024
• One Vision of Queen, featuring Marc Martel on August 23, 2024
• The concert for Avatar: The Last Airbender is scheduled for August 25, 2024.
• The center hosts family shows and dance festivals, offering a good family experience.

14 Be entertained at Carolina Theatre

The Carolina Theatre has existed for nearly a century and has been a significant part of Durham's community. It was opened on February 2, 1926, as the Durham Auditorium. It was renamed the Carolina Theatre in 1929 after its remodel to accommodate film screenings. Here are some of the performances the theater plans to host and you should consider attending:

• Death of Cochise on Aug. 20, 2024
• Whitney Cummings: Big Baby on Oct. 5, 2024
• Todd Rundgren: ME/WE on Oct. 10, 2024
• Noel Miller: New Supply Tour on Oct. 19, 2024
• Celtic Thunder: Odyssey on Oct. 26, 2024

15 Spend a day at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Baseball enthusiasts can watch the city's major and minor games at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. It was designed by HOK Sport and opened on April 6, 1995. You can access it in downtown Durham from the Durham Freeway. The park is the home to the Durham Bulls, the International League's Minor League Baseball team. You can make preparations to watch the following upcoming games at the park:

• Durham Bulls vs. Charlotte Knights on June 17, 2024
• Nashville Sounds vs. Durham Bulls on June 19, 2024
• The Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls on July 2, 2024

16 Tour Duke Lemur Center

Visit the internationally acclaimed research center in Carolina, the Duke Lemur Center. Founded in 1966 to house various species of bush babies, the DLC now accommodates over 200 lemurs across 13 species. It is open to the public and offers the opportunity to learn more about biological conservation. Visitation requires a prepaid tour reservation with various in-person tours from May to September. The general tour takes you through the center's mission to advance science through community-based conservation and non-invasive research.

17 Stroll the American Tobacco Campus

Explore Durham's earliest industrial center, the American Tobacco campus. Established in 1890, it was known for shipping products globally. The end of the city's tobacco industry led to the reinvention of the Bull City. The campus has become a lively combination of an urban park and a thriving mall. While exploring the area, you can enjoy the delicacies offered by restaurants like NanaSteak, Mello Mushroom Durham, and Boricua Soul. Entertainment facilities like the State of Golf allow you to refresh your mind while enjoying dynamic sports simulations.

18 Treat yourself at Brightleaf Square

With its prime location just a stone's throw away from Downtown Durham, Brightleaf is at the center of the internationally acclaimed Research Triangle, encompassing Raleigh-Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. Brightleaf Square offers an immersive shopping experience by connecting the modern city with its industrial origins. The American Tobacco Company constructed it in 1904 as the Yuille and Watts warehouses. The square accommodates the community and supports commerce and business activities.

Complete your adventure in Brightleaf by visiting Clouds Brewing for the best craft beer, the AR workshop, and Emmy Squared Pizza. Head to Indio to select beautiful gifts and goods for your loved ones.

19 Get hip to Fullsteam Brewery

Enjoy craft beer made from southern seasonal ingredients and local malt at the Fullsteam brewery. It was launched on Aug. 13, 2010, with two taprooms at the Boxyard RTP and downtown Durham. Visitors are served elevated bar food, sandwiches, and burgers. The brewery aims to support local farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs through commerce. It offers tours, tastings, and special events throughout the year, including the Two Durhams Beer Festival, Skip the Small Talk, and Murphy Waldron Interiors for creative interior design concepts. The beer festival is a fun evening of music, bites, and brews.

20 Dine at the Durham Hotel Rooftop Bar

Wrapping it up

Experience breathtaking modern architecture at the Durham Hotel Rooftop Bar, also known as "The Roof." The building, constructed in 1968, housed the Home Savings and Loan Association headquarters. The Roof supports year-round gatherings and offers exhilarating panoramic downtown views. Visitors enjoy family-produced wines, craft beer, and signature cocktails. The hotel's menu highlights North Carolina's coastal seafood and pasture-raised meats. You can share plates filled with house-made desserts and farmers' market vegetables with friends. The bar operates from Monday to Saturday, and the tables are available based on your arrival. It hosts community-inspired events, including:

• Dinner Before the Show from Thursday to Monday
• Rooftop Yoga on Saturday and Sunday
• Jaz on the Roof by AI Strong on June 20, 2024
• Sweet Social: Ashleigh Bakes Daily on June 26, 2024

Durham offers a diverse range of memorable activities, and most visitors travel in the Autumn. The area is very historical to the local community and offers visitors valuable learning experiences. All the mentioned places provide memorable experiences and accommodate various enjoyable activities. Explore Durham and share your experiences with us. Contact us if you have any questions regarding our listed locations.