This North Carolina Getaway Has Everything You Want In A City—Except The Crowds
One of the best things about the South is our sheer number of amazing mid-sized cities. Sure, we also have bustling metropolises like Charlotte, Atlanta, and Houston, but smaller destinations—like Durham, North Carolina—showcase the best of both worlds.
Durham has all the charm of a small town, paired with the cultural and culinary highlights you may expect in a more populous area. Part of the Research Triangle, the 301,000-person city is most famously home to Duke University and Duke University Hospital. The latter, along with over 300 medical practices and medical and health-related companies, is why Durham’s list of nicknames includes the “City of Medicine.”
Outside of the medical industry, Durham has an interesting story and an ever-growing list of reasons to visit. Along with a revived downtown area, locally owned boutiques, and delightful green spaces to explore, there’s contemporary art, historical sites, and some of the best restaurants in the Piedmont region (a select few of which have received nods from the James Beard Foundation over the years).
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_ghokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_10hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeInterested in planning a trip? Here are the best things to do in Durham, North Carolina—including where to eat and where to stay.
Best Things to Do
Explore the Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Open 365 days a year, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are located on Duke’s campus and admission is completely free. Visitors are welcome to walk the five miles of pathways around 55 acres of magnolias, roses, camellias, peonies, and lily-filled ponds.
gardens.duke.edu, 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708
Shop Second-Hand at Durham Vintage Collective
Opened in 2023, Durham Vintage Collective bills itself as a place where you can find “unique home furnishings and size-inclusive clothing for all.” Carve out at least an hour of your day to search through the jewelry, retro memorabilia, clothes, and furniture—and follow the shop’s Instagram account to learn more about the different vendors and latest store arrivals.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_hhokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_11hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframedurhamvintagecollective.com,109 W Parrish St, Durham, NC 27701
Spend an Afternoon at the Nasher Museum of Art
Travelers who want to check out Duke’s campus should make it a point to stop by the Nasher Museum of Art. Admission is free, and the museum has a variety of rotating exhibits showcasing ceramics, textiles, beadwork, and paintings, among other mediums.
nasher.duke.edu, 2001 Campus Dr, Durham, NC 27705
Cheer on the Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls season runs from mid-April through mid-September every year, with two to three full weeks of home games each month. If you time your trip correctly, you may be able to swing by the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to watch the team take on their in-state rivals, the Charlotte Knights.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_idokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_12dokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe409 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701
See a Show at the Durham Performing Arts Center
Hosting more than 200 different shows every year—from Broadway productions and comedy shows to concerts and kid-friendly performances—the Durham Performing Arts Center is a hub for live entertainment. The holiday season is especially magical, with Elf the Musical, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, and A Drag Queen Christmas all coming to town at the end of 2025.
dpacnc.com, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC 27701
Browse the Shelves at Letters Community Bookshop
In August 2024, it was announced that Letters Bookshop was entering a new era. Now a worker- and community-owned cooperative, Letters Community Bookshop runs off a different model, one where anyone can become an owner with a $116 share. Even if you haven’t invested, you can still come by the shop and add some of their new or gently used books to your TBR pile.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_j9okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_139okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframelettersbookshop.com, 116 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Go For a Walk at Eno River State Park
Just 10 miles from downtown Durham, Eno River State Park is the perfect pocket of nature where visitors can hike, paddle, fish, and have picnics. There are a few different access spots along the river, but it’s a good idea to get your footing at Fews Ford Access and Visitor Center (which opened in 2023).
6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705
Peruse the Durham Farmers’ Market
Like many cities in North Carolina, Durham champions its small farmers and local producers. One place to see that passion in action is the Durham Farmers’ Market. Operating year-round—albeit with seasonal hours—the market exclusively features items that have been grown, raised, or made within 70 miles. Expect to see vendors like Bluebird Meadows, Boxcarr Handmade Cheese, Harland’s Creek Farm, and Sarah’s House of Clay.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_k5okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_145okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframedurhamfarmersmarket.com, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
Discover the Art at Ella West Gallery
Linda Shropshire opened Ella West Gallery in the historic Black Wall Street neighborhood in August 2023, focusing on artists who identify as women, those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color. Past exhibitions include works by Maya Freelon, Sachi Rome, and Stephen Hayes.
ellawestgallery.com, 104 W. Parrish Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701
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Where to Eat and Drink
Dine on Fresh Fish at Saltbox Seafood Joint
In 2025, Saltbox Seafood Joint's Ricky Moore was selected as a Semifinalist for Outstanding Chef in the James Beard Foundation Awards—so it’s no surprise that this should be one of your stops while in Durham. As the restaurant’s name implies, this is a spot where fresh seafood is the star of the show; as such, the menu changes daily. In the winter, he’s serving up flounder and bluefish while spring brings grouper and blue crab.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_l9okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_159okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframesaltboxseafoodjoint.com, 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707
Grab a Pick-Me-Up at The Can Opener
Durham’s first food truck park, The Can Opener, opened in the summer of 2024 and brings a fresh new experience to the city. It currently has a handful of trucks—includingBulkogi, Chick-N-Que, Gussy's, and Queen Eggxpress—as well as a coffee and beer bar. Stop by in the morning for pastries, breakfast burritos, and lattes, and again in the afternoon for barbecue and craft brews.
201 S Gregson St, Durham, NC 27701
Have a Drink at The Bar Beej
James Beard Award semifinalist Preeti Waas heads up Cheeni, but it's her daughter, Amy Waas, who serves the drinks at The Bar Beej, a secret speakeasy of sorts. Adjoining the restaurant, the recently named 2025 James Beard Foundation Best New Bar semifinalist features a menu of small bites (kebabs, masala fries, and samosas) as well as a cocktail list that takes inspiration from the Indian subcontinent.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_m5okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_165okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframecheenidurham.com, 202 N Corcoran St (Suite 100), Durham, NC 27701
Try a Variety of Entrees at Durham Food Hall
You can get a little bit of everything at Durham Food Hall. Little Barb’s Bakery serves up all kinds of sweets, Patty Boy’s cheesy smash burgers hit the spot, and Napoli Pizzeria and Gelateria’s wood-fired pizza can’t be missed. Wash it all down with a drink at Riggs Lounge or The Auctioneer Bar.
durhamfoodhall.com, 530 Foster St Suite 1, Durham, NC 27701
Do a Bourbon Tasting at Mystic Farm & Distillery
Interested in trying North Carolina bourbon? Head to Mystic Farm & Distillery for their free tasting experience. Scheduling isn’t necessary, and each tasting typically runs for about 30 minutes. Guided tours—where you can learn more about the distillery’s story and process—are also offered at 2 pm and 4 pm on weekends for a fee.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_n1okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_171okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframewhatismystic.com, 1413 Stallings Rd, Durham, NC 27703
Enjoy Lunch From Ideal’s Sandwich & Grocery
Sandwiches at Ideal’s come in all forms—egg and cheese, Philly roast pork, and chicken cutlet, to name a few. Only open from “12-2/3ish” (or until they’re sold out) from Thursday to Monday, the deli is a must-try if you’re in East Durham. Pro tip: They frequently post their mouth-watering specials on Instagram.
idealsdeli.com, 2108 Angier Avenue, Durham, NC 27703
Ring in Happy Hour at Alley Twenty Six
Alley Twenty Six nails its goal of providing “upscale food and cocktail pairings in a relaxed setting.” The cocktail menu is a mix of both classics (Palomas and Aperol spritzes) and original concoctions in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. If you’re feeling peckish after the first round, put in an order of “caviar and tots” and tinned fish.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_ntokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_17tokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframealleytwentysix.com, 320 E Chapel Hill St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701
Go for Small Plates at Juju Durham
It’s all about small plates at Juju Durham, an Asian fusion and tapas bar in the Ninth Street neighborhood. The restaurant’s dynamic lunch and dinner menus include the likes of pulled beef short rib wontons, Hawaiian ahi poke, glazed pork belly buns, and garlic ramen noodles.
jujudurham.com, 737 9th St #210, Durham, NC 27705
Where to Stay
Book a Room at The Durham Hotel
Travelers hoping for a classic boutique hotel experience in Bull City should look no further than The Durham Hotel. The mid-century modern property excels in a few areas, but coffee is certainly one of the standout specialties. Freshly ground Counter Culture Coffee is delivered to your room each morning, or you can enjoy a fresh cup of joe and house-made pastries at the coffee bar downstairs.
thedurham.com, 315 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
Stay the Weekend at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club offers a completely different kind of atmosphere. Located on the university’s campus, the hotel leans into a traditional, almost English country house aesthetic. Recently, it unveiled renovations of its specialty suites and a reimagining of the Fairview Dining Room restaurant.
washingtondukeinn.com, 3001 Cameron Blvd, Durham, NC 27705
Spend the Night at 21c Museum Hotel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hill Building is home to 21c Museum Hotel—which features a contemporary art museum, 125 guest rooms, a spa, and the Counting House restaurant. During the day, you can explore the 10,500 square feet of exhibition space; at night, cozy up in your modern, spacious room, outfitted with Malin + Goetz amenities.
21cmuseumhotels.com/durham, 111 North Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701
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