Durham

Durham, North Carolina has grown beyond its tobacco industry beginnings into a major center of medical research and technology. You'll find converted tobacco warehouses filled with tech startups alongside Duke University's Gothic spires and stone buildings. Visit the butterfly house at the Museum of Life and Science, catch a game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, or try Carolina barbecue at one of the local restaurants in the American Tobacco Campus.

Exploring Duke University Campus

The 210-foot Duke Chapel towers over Duke University's West Campus, with its gray stone facade and pointed arches defining the skyline. Walk through the Sarah P. Duke Gardens' 55 acres, where 5 miles of paths wind through Asian gardens, native plants, and rose collections. The Nasher Museum of Art displays Medieval art, Renaissance paintings, and rotating contemporary exhibitions. The Bryan Center plaza serves as a meeting point for students and visitors, with benches and outdoor seating areas.

Research and Innovation District

Research Triangle Park covers 11 square miles south of Durham, with over 50,000 employees working in science and technology. Major tech companies operate research facilities here, while Duke University Medical Center conducts healthcare research nearby. Downtown, former tobacco warehouses now house biotech startups and research labs.

Black Wall Street and Civil Rights

Parrish Street became known as "Black Wall Street" in the early 1900s when African-American entrepreneurs established successful businesses there. The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, founded in 1898, grew into the largest Black-owned insurance company in America. Today, the Hayti Cultural Center continues this story through art exhibitions and community programs. Walking through downtown, you'll find markers and sites documenting civil rights activism and economic progress.

Getting Around Durham

Drive on Durham Freeway (NC-147) to reach Research Triangle Park and Interstate 40. Take GoDurham buses throughout the city, with routes connecting at Durham Station. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 13 miles southeast of downtown. You can walk or bike easily in the downtown area and around Duke University campus.

Museums and Entertainment

At the Museum of Life and Science, you can watch butterflies emerge from chrysalises, experiment with sound waves, and walk nature trails. Durham Performing Arts Center brings Broadway shows downtown, while the 1926 Carolina Theatre shows independent films and hosts live performances. Watch minor league baseball at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, made famous by the movie "Bull Durham."

Food Scene

Find Carolina-style pulled pork and brisket alongside new American restaurants in converted industrial buildings. The American Tobacco Campus contains restaurants in former tobacco warehouses, while Durham Food Hall brings local food vendors together under one roof. Shop for fresh produce and local goods at the Durham Farmers' Market, open Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings downtown.