City Of Peace And Culture: 13 Best Things To Do In Durham, NC

1. Museum of Life and Science

Museum of Life and Science is one of the best places to visit in Durham, especially for kids and families. This unique museum features plenty of both indoor and outdoor learning spaces. The main museum displays artifacts on math, engineering, weather, wildlife, and a whole lot more.

Hideaway Woods is the perfect spot to let the kids (and your inner child!) discover nature in an exciting way such as a flowing stream bed, tree houses, and nature sculptures. Other attractions that will pique your curiosity are Catch the Wind, Earth Moves, and Magic Wings Butterfly House.

Museum of Life and Science

Address: 433 W Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704, United States

Website: Museum of Life and Science

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

2. Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Located on the Duke University campus, Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a great place to spend an afternoon in. This Durham attraction is about 55 acres (22 hectares) and features four major areas: William Louis Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, Doris Duke Center Gardens, HL Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, and Historic Core and Terraces. If you’re one to enjoy a leisurely walk, this garden welcomes you warmly. To make the most out of your visit, walking tours and trolley tours with an expert guide are offered here.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Address: 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708, United States

Website: Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Opening hours: 8am - 6:30pm (daily)

3. Durham Central Park

Live like a local and come to where the magic happens: Durham Central Park. This artsy municipal park often hosts community events and is home to the Pavilion where the Farmers’ Market is hosted. For the little ones’ entertainment, let them run around and have fun on the interactive playground, Mount Merrill, which has slides, a boulder climb, a climbing net, and an amphitheater seating. Other areas of this park are the skate park, Berkshire Hathaway Garden, The Bridge, and the Pixel Wall.

Durham Central Park

Address: 501 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701, United States

Website: Durham Central Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Bennett Place

One of the most important events in American history was the end of the Civil War. Today, you can go back in time, to April 1865, when Major General Sherman and General Johnston negotiated the terms of peace that effectively ended years of conflict. In this official North Carolina State Historic Site, visitors have access to restored historic structures, a museum and visitor center, special living history events, including a commemoration of the anniversary, and tours – all available without any admission fees. Nature trails and a picnic area are also open to the public.

Bennett Place

Address: 4409 Bennett Memorial Rd Durham, NC 27705

Website: Bennett Place

5. Duke University

Don’t know what to do in Durham? Explore its most recognizable attraction! As one of the most prestigious colleges in the United States, a visit to Duke University is an opportunity to marvel at the gorgeous buildings and the amazing legacy. Originally named Trinity College, it was renamed in 1924, after a 40 million USD endowment by James Buchanan Duke. Visitors can walk through the main campus to appreciate the Georgian style, and then directly to the west to enjoy neo-Gothic architecture.

The main attractions here include the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the 7,060-acre (2,857 hectare) Duke Forest and the Duke University Medical Center. You can visit the campus with a self-guided tour or take the student-led campus tours that are conducted through the admissions office.

Duke University

Address: 2138 Campus Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Website: Duke University

6. Duke University Chapel

With a striking 210-foot (64-meter) tower and 77 colorful glass windows, Duke University Chapel is the most visible point of the university. It is located in the west part of the campus and is worth a visit, not only for its stunning Neo-Gothic style but also because of the music that is played, during services, on its 5,200 pipe Flentrop organ and 50-bell carillon. The chapel works as a venue for concerts and other events, making it a centerpiece of the religious community of Duke, and of Durham as a whole.

Duke University Chapel

Address: 401 Chapel Dr, Duke University West Campus, Durham, NC 27708-9974

Website: Duke University Chapel

7. Nasher Museum of Art

Also within the orbit of the Duke University system, is the Nasher Museum of Art, which has one of the best university collections in the United States. The contemporary museum features a growing list of artists, especially those of African descent. It has also a magnificent selection of European medieval art, European and American paintings, outsider art, classical antiquities and African and Pre-Columbian art. For a 7 USD adult fee, you can join the 1 million people that have visited the museum, since it opened in 2005 and also appreciate the stunning building: a 65,000-square-foot (6,039-square-meter) futuristic cube, designed by architect Rafael Viñoly.

Nasher Museum of Art

Address: 2001 Campus Drive, Durham, NC 27705

Website: Nasher Museum of Art

8. Eno River State Park

Located only 10 miles (16.1 km) from downtown Durham, Eno River State Park is a favorite spot to enjoy nature. It has nearly 30 miles (48.3 km) of trails, camping and picnic areas and serves as a space for water activities, too, like fishing, paddling, canoeing and kayaking (with a bit of difficulty, due to shallow water). West Point, on the Eno River, features an amphitheater and West Point Mill has been rebuilt and is working, so you can buy local products at the shop.

Eno River State Park

Address: 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC 27705

Website: Eno River State Park

9. American Tobacco Historic District

What once was the Lucky Strike cigarette factory is now Durham’s entertainment district, with restaurants, shops, an amphitheater and on-site parking garages. It is used as a venue for events, like art shows, pop-up shops and free concerts in the summer. It offers the chance to have nice evening while you stroll in a place with deep roots, since much of Durham’s growth is attributed to the thriving tobacco industry, after the Civil War.

American Tobacco Historic District

Address: 300 Blackwell St, American Tobacco, Durham, NC 27701

Website: American Tobacco Historic District

10. Duke Lemur Center

With 250 individual animals from 21 different species, the Duke Lemur Center has the largest collection of lemurs anywhere in the world outside of Madagascar, their original home. It is a very popular place to visit in Durham, NC, for families and general visitors who wish to get a deeper appreciation of biodiversity and an understanding of the power of scientific discovery. Visits are with previous reservation only, and the center offers three different tour options that accommodate different ages, interest levels and budgets.

Duke Lemur Center

Address: 3705 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705

Website: Duke Lemur Center

11. Brightleaf District

Another of Durham’s historic places, that is a great example of urban revitalization, is Brightleaf District. It is anchored by two warehouses that were built in the early 20th century, as part of an aggressive building campaign by the American Tobacco Company and were used for storing, aging, and fermenting tobacco, during cigarette manufacturing. Nowadays, visitors can find some of the region’s most noted and acclaimed restaurants and retailers there.

Brightleaf District

Address: 905 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701

Website: Brightleaf District

12. DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center

DPAC is a state-of-the-art entertainment theater, part of the American Tobacco Historic District. It has a 2,800 seat capacity, which allows the public to attend shows and events of incredible magnitude, like touring Broadway productions, high-profile concert and comedy events, family shows and the heralded American Dance Festival.

It is advised to book tickets in advance if you wish to attend a performance. If you want access to the backstage magic, you can do so on the second Monday of each month, at the behind-the-scenes tour of DPAC, hosted by the staff. Reservations in advance are required for this activity, as well.

DPAC

Address: 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC 27701

Website: DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center

13. Fullsteam Brewery

If after a day of activities in Durham, you’re sure to get thirsty and you have the chance to get some authentic Southern beer at Fullsteam Brewery. They take pride in brewing traditional and experimental beers, with a “Southern sensibility”, by using local and seasonal ingredients.

While you try the different flavors and varieties of beer, make sure to pay attention to the excellent food-trucks, stationed outside. Fullsteam Brewery offers a few snacks to have with your drinks but welcomes customers to bring their own food from outside, as well.

Fullsteam Brewery

Address: 726 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC 27701

Website: Fullsteam Brewery

All you need in one location

Ready to go? Durham has an outstanding variety of attractions, which allows everyone to get immersed in the city’s personality and history. Plan your itinerary, book your accommodation and prepare to be delighted by Durham. Have a great trip!