Hiking
This is a great way to enjoy a walk and a hike. Free and open to the public, enjoy the various views of plant life on Duke's gorgeous campus!
378 locals recommend
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson StThis is a great way to enjoy a walk and a hike. Free and open to the public, enjoy the various views of plant life on Duke's gorgeous campus!
Horton Grove hosts some of the most stunning (not to mention less traveled) hikes in the area. The grounds it sits on was once part of the largest plantation in NC. As you enter, you will see some of the last standing sites of enslaved persons quarters remaining from the original plantation. The trees are less than 150 years old, and all the hiking paths are named after an enslaved person who lived on the site.
Horton Grove Nature Preserve
Jock RoadHorton Grove hosts some of the most stunning (not to mention less traveled) hikes in the area. The grounds it sits on was once part of the largest plantation in NC. As you enter, you will see some of the last standing sites of enslaved persons quarters remaining from the original plantation. The trees are less than 150 years old, and all the hiking paths are named after an enslaved person who lived on the site.
Coffee Shops & Famous Bakeries
Local coffee and favorite people watching spot. Great for reading, surfing the internet (if that is still a thing), and is also DOG FRIENDLY. Try a Dr. Durham, its signature coffee drink named for a key flavor ingredient that is also shared with Dr. Pepper. (JUST. TRY. IT.)
157 locals recommend
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer StLocal coffee and favorite people watching spot. Great for reading, surfing the internet (if that is still a thing), and is also DOG FRIENDLY. Try a Dr. Durham, its signature coffee drink named for a key flavor ingredient that is also shared with Dr. Pepper. (JUST. TRY. IT.)
Loaf is locally famous for its award-winning baker. One of those guys that learned with the best in Paris, NYC, and San Fran. They make AMAZING Gifts for those family members who you wish they could have joined you. :)
26 locals recommend
Loaf
111 W Parrish StLoaf is locally famous for its award-winning baker. One of those guys that learned with the best in Paris, NYC, and San Fran. They make AMAZING Gifts for those family members who you wish they could have joined you. :)
Restaurants
The architecture of this building is enough to impress - you'll especially love the gardens and fountains... But if German flavors or a good brunch place is what you're after, this is the place!
128 locals recommend
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdThe architecture of this building is enough to impress - you'll especially love the gardens and fountains... But if German flavors or a good brunch place is what you're after, this is the place!
Well worth the trip to HIstoric Hillsborough, this place has the best Buffalo Chicken Wings I have ever had. Wooden Nickle is a small place with outdoor seating, great for dogs and local brews
40 locals recommend
Wooden Nickel Pub
113 N Churton StWell worth the trip to HIstoric Hillsborough, this place has the best Buffalo Chicken Wings I have ever had. Wooden Nickle is a small place with outdoor seating, great for dogs and local brews
- Great BBQ Ribs
- Live music 6 days a week
- BAKED PIMENTO CHEESE DIP
- Outdoor seating / Dog Friendly
- People watching
27 locals recommend
The Blue Note Grill
709 Washington St- Great BBQ Ribs
- Live music 6 days a week
- BAKED PIMENTO CHEESE DIP
- Outdoor seating / Dog Friendly
- People watching
- Nationally acclaimed BBQ chain
- Great for dinner
- Perfect to enjoy family time and southern traditions
47 locals recommend
The Pit Durham
321 W Geer St- Nationally acclaimed BBQ chain
- Great for dinner
- Perfect to enjoy family time and southern traditions
- All ages allowed, only drinking age allowed to drink
- Located in downtown in Brightleaf Square (and old Tobacco warehouses converted to a brewery)
- Really great barfood and outdoor seating
- Industrial building that's worth the hype
20 locals recommend
Clouds Brewing
905 W Main St- All ages allowed, only drinking age allowed to drink
- Located in downtown in Brightleaf Square (and old Tobacco warehouses converted to a brewery)
- Really great barfood and outdoor seating
- Industrial building that's worth the hype
- Live music
- Low-key tapas style food
- Outdoor seating / Dog Friendly
- Located in the Central Park District, just across the street from so many restaurants, shops, breweries, and sight seeing
106 locals recommend
Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee Ave- Live music
- Low-key tapas style food
- Outdoor seating / Dog Friendly
- Located in the Central Park District, just across the street from so many restaurants, shops, breweries, and sight seeing
Durham Food Hall
530 Foster StreetConsortium of food vendors all under one roof!
Cocktails & Breweries
Stunning views, and excellent mini plates. This place is great for sunset cocktails, or a late-night place for some great music and conversations - always with a view!
100 locals recommend
The Durham Hotel
315 E Chapel Hill StStunning views, and excellent mini plates. This place is great for sunset cocktails, or a late-night place for some great music and conversations - always with a view!
Local Brewery that's packed with action.
- Surrounding areas include several bars and restaurants withing walking distance
- Dog Friendly
- locally sourced ingredients that celebrate farm traditions of the south
- Their motto is "From Plow to Pint"
137 locals recommend
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee AveLocal Brewery that's packed with action.
- Surrounding areas include several bars and restaurants withing walking distance
- Dog Friendly
- locally sourced ingredients that celebrate farm traditions of the south
- Their motto is "From Plow to Pint"
- GReat for dogs, groups, families and nice weather
- Food trucks are often parked here so you can maximize the full brewery experience
112 locals recommend
Ponysaurus Brewing Company
219 Hood St- GReat for dogs, groups, families and nice weather
- Food trucks are often parked here so you can maximize the full brewery experience
Dive bar cocktail style
Funky appearance, chilli dogs and frito nachos from the crock pot, its an ultimate hipster's paradise
- Great for cocktails and beer
15 locals recommend
Accordion Club
316 W Geer StDive bar cocktail style
Funky appearance, chilli dogs and frito nachos from the crock pot, its an ultimate hipster's paradise
- Great for cocktails and beer
Fancier Durham Dinners
Quite literally the freshest sushi I've ever had. If sushi is a must for you, this is the place. Check also into their sister restaurant off-shoots which have a personality of their own.
61 locals recommend
M Sushi
311 Holland StQuite literally the freshest sushi I've ever had. If sushi is a must for you, this is the place. Check also into their sister restaurant off-shoots which have a personality of their own.
Things to do
Great for a game day, but also fun even when they're not playing. Home to the 2018 AAA Champions, the Durham Bulls are the ones to watch. The. ballpark has been recently updated and has a number of restaurants and bars surrounding the park. Tickets run $5-30 / piece (covid availability dependent).
220 locals recommend
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
409 Blackwell StGreat for a game day, but also fun even when they're not playing. Home to the 2018 AAA Champions, the Durham Bulls are the ones to watch. The. ballpark has been recently updated and has a number of restaurants and bars surrounding the park. Tickets run $5-30 / piece (covid availability dependent).
Just around the corner, AND ITS NOT JUST FOR KIDS! (but they like it, too!)
- The Butterfly Exhibit - imagine walking through an enclosed garden and you're surrounded by butterflies
- Black Bears and Wolve exhibits
- Lemurs
- Great for walking and stroller accessible
203 locals recommend
Museum of Life + Science
433 W Murray AveJust around the corner, AND ITS NOT JUST FOR KIDS! (but they like it, too!)
- The Butterfly Exhibit - imagine walking through an enclosed garden and you're surrounded by butterflies
- Black Bears and Wolve exhibits
- Lemurs
- Great for walking and stroller accessible
Former site of one of the largest tobacco producers in the world, the entire campus has been repurposed into a beautiful community.
The architecture is stunning, but it's great for families too. Check out the infamous Durham Bull, the gigantic chessboard, railroad tracks turned to "river", and its right next to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and Durham Bulls AAA Baseball stadium.
116 locals recommend
American Tobacco Campus
300 Blackwell StFormer site of one of the largest tobacco producers in the world, the entire campus has been repurposed into a beautiful community.
The architecture is stunning, but it's great for families too. Check out the infamous Durham Bull, the gigantic chessboard, railroad tracks turned to "river", and its right next to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and Durham Bulls AAA Baseball stadium.
Brightleaf Square
905 W Main StThis place is a HIDDEN GEM. With 3 floors of art galleries (open 24x7), a bar, and restaurant, this place is fantastic for wondering. Take a look at their modern art exhibits and enjoy cocktail or two!
62 locals recommend
21c Museum Hotel Durham
111 North Corcoran StThis place is a HIDDEN GEM. With 3 floors of art galleries (open 24x7), a bar, and restaurant, this place is fantastic for wondering. Take a look at their modern art exhibits and enjoy cocktail or two!
Duke Park Playground
Acadia StreetSaxapahaw
Neighborhoods
- Hiking
- Historic town with a civil war and Native American history
- Homes dating back to the 1600s
- An eerie history with lots of local ghost stories. A creepie, weird, but fascinating piece of the antebellum south
43 locals recommend
Hillsborough
- Hiking
- Historic town with a civil war and Native American history
- Homes dating back to the 1600s
- An eerie history with lots of local ghost stories. A creepie, weird, but fascinating piece of the antebellum south
Quaint neighborhood within walking distance of several bars, restaurants, and shops
- Neighborhood is one of the oldest in Durham, with fantastic views of historic homes
7 locals recommend
Trinity Park
Quaint neighborhood within walking distance of several bars, restaurants, and shops
- Neighborhood is one of the oldest in Durham, with fantastic views of historic homes