Best 20 Things To Do In Durham North Carolina

1. Drop By American Tobacco Campus

The American Tobacco Campus is a mixed-use development in downtown Durham, North Carolina. It is located in the heart of Durham city and has become a vibrant hub for business, dining, entertainment, and cultural activities. 

The campus is famous for its beautifully restored industrial building and its rich history of tobacco manufacturing which can be seen in the city home. Here you can enjoy the ambiance of the past with diverse cuisines and entertainment.

Near the campus are the Durham Performing Arts Center and Durham Bulls Athletic Park where you can catch live performances and baseball games. 

2. Catch A Baseball Game At Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is located near the American Tobacco Campus and can be accessed from Durham Freeway. The DAP is also a filming location for the hit film "Bull Durham" and frequently hosts single baseball games, multi-game series, events, and more. 

Don't get lost in the rich history of the ATC and find your way to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and cheer on for a team. The fans are always welcoming and you will get a chance to see future MLB stars in action.

Moreover, it also hosts special events and firework festivals that you can enjoy along with the local cuisines and beverages of Durham city. 

3. Have A Stroll At Sarah P. Duke Gardens

The Sara P. Duke Garden is located on the campus of Duke University and is a renowned public garden attracting visitors from all over the world. The park opens every day of the year from 8 AM to dusk and offers you the experience of historic terraces designed in the 1930s and features a blend of formal and informal plantings.  

Moreover, the garden also hosts classes and workshops where you can participate in gardening, and horticulture and also join guided tours to learn more about the garden's history and collections. You can also attend annual festivals such as flower shows, garden festivals, and art exhibitions which add to the garden's vibrant atmosphere. 

4. Look From The Duke University Chapel

The Duke University Chapel is an iconic landmark on the Duke University Campus featuring the Gothic Revival architecture and the tallest tower of the campus. The Chapel's 210-foot tower offers breathtaking views of the university's skyline. 

The Chapel also features some of the stunning interior design like the marvel at the 77 stained windows depicting biblical scenes and stories. Moreover, you can also attend musical events including organ recitals and experience the chapel's spiritual and cultural offerings through special services like Christmas Eve services, and easter celebrations. 

5. Watch A Show At Carolina Theatre

Located in Downtown Durham, the Carolina Theatre has been home to live performances, concerts, comedy, cinemas, and shows since 1926. The theatre hosts original and innovative stories from locals and visitors alike. 

Since its establishment, the Theatre has been a central hub for cultural and artistic activities in Durham for nearly a century. The theater features multiple venues including Fletcher Hall, a grand auditorium, and cinemas. In this cultural hub, you will be hands-on with the diverse array of events including live performances, festivals, ceremonies, and numerous community events. 

The venue also hosts comedy shows and children's series that are both family-friendly and engaging. It also features independent cinema and regularly screens indie films not shown in mainstream cinemas. 

6. Catch A Show At Durham Performing Arts Center

The Durham Performing Arts Center is the largest performing arts center in the Carolinas and opened on November 30, 2008, for $48 million. The venue hosts over 200 performances annually including touring Broadway productions, concerts from renowned individuals, and comedy events.

Located near the American Tobacco Campus, the DPAC is a modern state-of-the-art venue designed with excellent acoustics and sightlines. Moreover, it hosts world-class performances such as "Hamilton", "The Lion King", and "Wicked", all performed with full sets, costumes, and top talent. 

The center also features current and past seasons of hit shows such as "Dear Evan Hansen". Aladdin", and "The Phantom of the Opera". So, visiting DPAC is one of the things to do in Durham NC.

7. Camp At Eno River State Park

The Eno River State Park is located in Durham and Orange Counties in North Carolina and offers a pristine natural environment ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The park features a scenic Eno River, which flows 33 miles through the region. 

The park is one of the popular attractions in Durham city because of its picturesque landscape, rolling hills, dense forest, and serene river views. It is also home to wildlife and plant species that can be seen growing in the river bed providing a diverse ecosystem. The park also offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, and camping.

8. Visit The Museum Of Life And Science

Located amid the Northgate Park neighborhood, bisected by Murray Avenue - the Museum of Life and Science is a renowned attraction in Durham known for its interactive exhibits and expansive outdoor spaces, making it a favorite destination for families and science enthusiasts. 

In this Museum, you can have hands-on experience with different interactive and diverse exhibits. The beautiful setting created the perfect environment for fun education where curious minds can indulge. Moreover, the Museum also hosts science workshops and camps along with seasonal events such as Pumpkin Patch Express and Santa Train. 

9. See The Remains Of War At Bennet Place

The Bennet Place State Historic is a significant landmark in American history. It is the site of the largest troop surrender of the American Civil War.

Today, the place features historic buildings like original farmhouses where negotiations took place. The building and setting have been furnished to reflect the time, offering visitors a glimpse into 19th-century life. The place also has a visitors' center that features exhibits on the Civil War, the Bennet Family, and the events leading up to the surrender. 

The site offers a unique opportunity to learn about crucial events in American history and is a must-do thing in Durham. It is also close to Eno State Park and Duke Homestead, allowing visitors to combine history with outdoor activities. 

10. Participate In Durham Harvest Festival

The Durham Harvest Festival is a lively community event celebrating the local harvest system. The festival features the vibrant culture, arts, and culinary scene of Durham city. This festival typically features local farmers, artisans, chefs, and musicians coming together to celebrate the bounty of the season.

Check the calendar for the harvest festival and plan your trip to Durham to witness the local culture and traditions of Durham while enjoying the live performances by local artists and musicians. There are free and paid festivals, where you will be able to explore artistic booths and farmers' markets and attend cooking demonstrations by the locals.

11. Explore The Nasher Museum Of Art

The Nasher Museum of Arts is known for its impressive collection and engaging exhibitions. The museum's collection includes over 13,000 works of art, spanning classical to contemporary periods. The major highlights are European Medieval art, American Paintings, and modern sculptures.

Furthermore, the museum is particularly noted for its focus on contemporary arts, featuring works by renowned artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Barkley L. Hendricks, and Micheal Thomas. The building itself is also a work of art and is characterized by its modernist design and expansive use of glass and steel. 

The Nasher Museum of Arts hosts various permanent and special exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs where you can take part in and learn about the essence of art amidst the stunning creations of the artists.

12. Watch A Basketball Game At Cameron Indoor Stadium

The Cameron Indoor Stadium is an indoor arena located on the campus of Duke University. The 9314-seat facility is the primary indoor facility athletic venue for the Duke Blue Devils and serves as home for Duke men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams. 

The venue is ranked fourth in the Sports Illustrated ranking of the top 20 sporting venues of the 20th century and is also referred to as "the toughest road game in the ACC" by USA Today. 

The atmosphere in the stadium is jawdropping, and you can hear the loud cheering of the "Cameron Crazies" that camp in tents outside of Cameron for months in advance just to watch the games against the University of North Carolina. If you can, don't miss this chance to enjoy the event that students and locals are always fighting to have a glimpse of. 

13. Go To The Duke Lemur Center

The Duke Lemur Center is the world's largest and most diverse collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar. The center is renowned for its research on lemurs, primarily focusing on their behavior, biology, ecology, and conservation. 

Here, visitors can have a close encounter with the lemurs in their naturalistic habitat, providing a unique educational experience. Moreover, the center organizes fundraising events throughout the year, to support its research and conservation efforts.

You can become a part of the Duke Lemur Center by participating in fundraising events or simply learning about the unique primates and their behavior. 

14. Skate At Durham Skatepark

Are you one of those skateboarders who love parkouring and enjoying the skate ride? The Durham Skatepark is just for you. It is a premier skateboarding facility designed to cater to skateboarders of all skill levels. So, whether you are a beginner or a pro, the place has something for everyone. 

The park offers a variety of features such as ramps, bowls, rails, and ledges while providing a safe and engaging environment for skaters to practice and showcase their skills. It is located near the heart of Durham and is a public hub that welcomes skateboarders of all backgrounds and abilities.

15. Take Your Time At Bethesda Park

Bethesda Park in Durham NC is a sprawling park that is a hotbed for activity and good times. With more than 20 acres of land areas, the park features covered basketball and tennis courts, allowing for playing in all types of weather. You can also take a short walk on the trail and find yourself on the disc of the golf course. 

Moreover, the park features fenced playgrounds for kids, a grill, high ropes courses, picnic tables, and water fountains where you can chill from a long day of adventure and let your kid run around.

16. Visit Hyati Heritage Center

The Hyati Heritage Center is a cultural enrichment and arts education facility that promotes cultural understanding and organizes diverse events and programs for the cause. You can also enjoy different poetry and events in the center such as Jambalaya Soul Poetry Slam, African dance, and many more. 

Visitors are also immersed in the performing and visual arts through classes and workshops designed to provide training and development. Participating allows you to explore creative lives embraced by cultural arts professionals and gain discipline and training in the field.

17. Find Your Way Through Durham Escape Rooms

Durham offers several options for escape room experiences where participants are immersed in themed scenarios and challenged to solve puzzles and uncover clues to escape within a set time limit. 

One of the popular escape rooms in downtown Durham is the Enigma Escape Room featuring a variety of themed rooms, such as "The Secret Society" and "The Hideaway".

Another popular escape room is Cipher Escape situated near Research Triangle Park which offers intricately designed rooms like "The Attic" and "The Studio" focusing on teamwork and problem-solving skills. 

18. Go To Concert At The Motorco Music Hall

The Motorco Music Hall is a music venue at Durham featuring Indie brands, stand-up comedy & other events staged in an edgy space with a street-food eatery and bar providing a unique experience to locals and visitors alike.

In the music hall, you can expect to hear performances by local bands, regional acts, and more. Many artists choose Motorco as a venue to celebrate the release of their new album offering you a chance to meet your favorite artists and catch their performance.

19. Shop At The Streets At Southpoint

The Streets at Southpoint is a popular shopping mall located in Durham, North Carolina. The mall features a wide range of stores from major retail chains to boutique shops, covering fashions, electronics, home goods, and more. 

Moreover, there are numerous dining options alongside entertainment facilities like movie theatres and leisure spots, providing a great vacation retreat. The mall also hosts special events, promotions, and activities ranging from festivities to community events and sales.

So, whether you are looking to shop, dine, catch a movie, or simply enjoy a day out, the Streets at Southpoint is one of the things to do in Durham NC. 

20. Go To Duke Teaching Observatory

The Duke Teaching Observatory, also known as the Duke University Observatory serves as an education and research facility rather than a venue for public events. However, there are occasional events and programs like public open houses and monthly observatory open where the public can go and have a view of the sky from the observatory.

From its foundation in 2002, the facility has been designed with two missions: to enhance astronomy instruction at Duke and to serve as a platform for outreach activities and space experience.