Things To Do

Families will find fun activities throughout our city. The Museum of Life + Science provides engaging experiences – both indoors and outdoors – through hands-on exhibits and interactive exhibits. Five neighborhood parks host Spraygrounds where kids can run, play and get cooled off on a hot day. The Eno River State Park and West Point on the Eno, along with many sections of the Duke Forest, offer a chance to explore the North Carolina outdoors. Go for a hike, picnic in a meadow, or paddle a kayak down a river – it’s all available here in Durham.

Durham is filled with acclaimed performing and visual arts venues that draw top artists and thousands of visitors every year. In addition to the acclaimed Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and the Carolina Theatre, Durham is home to both the annual American Dance and Fullframe Documentary Film Festivals. The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University boasts exhibits that travel the world, and a thriving collective of galleries and studio spaces regularly host events, including those at Golden Belt, a renovated factory turned artist collective. The Art Museum at North Carolina Central University explores African-American art and culture, and the 21c Museum features contemporary art with permanent, commissioned installations by emerging and established artists.

From upscale clothing boutiques to specialty shops, Durham boasts a wealth of shopping opportunities. With galleries, antique shops and jewelers located downtown and tucked into neighborhoods, and at major retail centers like the Streets of Southpoint, you can find just about anything for you, your pet or that special someone.

A wide array of dining options in Durham will satisfy everyone’s palate. Touted as the Tastiest Town in the South, Durham’s multi-cultural food scene has been praised by Gourmet and Bon Appétit magazines as well at The New York Times. From trendy bistros and brew pubs to food trucks and fine dining, you will find a wealth of award-winning selections. Some of Durham’s notable stops include: Dame’s Chicken and Waffles and the Salt Box for down-home Southern cooking in a casual setting; for barbeque, try Bullock’s, the Pit, or the Q-Shack; the trendy Dashi, the Counting House or Revolution; the upscale Nana’s, Piedmont, or Four Square; for burgers, try Bull City Burger, Dane’s, or Only Burger; and for the sweet stuff, try The Parlour ice cream, Loco-Pops, Scratch Bakery, or Rise.

For more spirited fun, Durham boasts independent breweries, distilleries, and bars with hand-crafted cocktails. Check out Full Steam Brewery, Ponysaurus Brewing, the Durham Distillery, Bull City Ciderworks, and the drinks at Alley 26, Bar Virgile and the roof-top cocktail lounge at The Durham Hotel.

The cities of Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, known as the Triangle, are a nucleus for start ups and a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Groups like InnovateCarolina, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) and events like Triangle Entrepreneurship Week and the Duke Start-Up Challenge provide resources and opportunities business ideas.