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Durham, NC

Tourism

Durham is one of the few places in the United States where you’re able to enjoy a good mix of traditional Southern hospitality alongside a cutting-edge, sophisticated culture fostered by the presence of global corporations and world-renowned universities. The mix brings endless recreational opportunities, great food and five-star accommodations, all without losing the hometown feel. Over 5.1 million people find Durham to be a great place to visit each year, and more than 4,000 conventions and meetings are held each year in the city.

The question in Durham is not whether there’s anything to do, but which of the many offerings to choose. There are so many recreational opportunities that people can participate in several things each day. The mild four-season climate of North Carolina makes outdoor activities a year-round pleasure for the nature enthusiast. There are one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities, exciting sporting events of all kinds, an active nightlife, beautiful and challenging golf courses, and much, much more.

Water Sports

Fishing, boating and swimming are available at any of
several parks scattered throughout the region. Most waterways in the area have picnic areas/shelters available as well as hiking trails, primitive camping, bird watching, boating/sailing, boat launches, boat rentals, fishing, marinas and rock hounding. Contact the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau for additional information on fees and schedules at 919-687-0288 and jump into nature.

College Sports

College sports fans have exciting action to enjoy all year in Durham. The Duke Blue Devils basketball team is a consistent top seed in the NCAA March Madness Tournament and continues to have a strong following. The Blue Devils also have strong football, baseball, lacrosse and soccer teams playing their best each game. For exciting Division II play, check out North Carolina Central University’s football and basketball teams. Collegiate sports offer a great show at a great price, affordable enough to take the whole family!

Professional Baseball

Fans of the celebrated Durham Bulls are a loyal bunch. They continue to set national attendance records for this Triple-A baseball team, which achieved international fame after being featured in the popular movie Bull Durham.
The team is affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and plays at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. For schedules
and ticket prices, call the ballpark at 919-687-6500.

Outdoor Recreation

Getting out and enjoying the beautiful weather by playing a friendly game of tennis is also easy to do in Durham. Tennis courts can be found throughout the community, and the weather is usually perfect for a game.

Perhaps you’re more of a biking enthusiast. Several biking trails wind through Durham and out into the countryside to fit either the beginner or the advanced cyclist. Bicycles can be rented at Durham Cycle Center.

The popularity of golf is growing by leaps and bounds, and golfers will find many options for teeing up in the area. There are private, public and semi-private courses throughout the greater Durham area. Driving ranges and pro shops can help outfit even the first-time golfer and give the instruction needed to make the day a success. But whether you have a lucky day on the links or not, you can still enjoy the stunning scenery, good company and wonderful weather.

Indoor Activities

There are many activities for those who prefer to stay inside too. From rolling a strike at one of the local bowling alleys to watching the latest blockbuster on the big screen at any of several area movie theaters, indoor activities are plentiful. There are museums to tour and exhibits to see throughout the year.

Historic sites are also plentiful and are all don’t-miss attractions for the area. Check out the Web site for the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau at
www.durham-nc.com for information on area attractions. You can even use the site to plan an itinerary, purchase tickets, make reservations or find online coupons.

Places to Stay

Durham has the ability to host a large convention or maintain the personalized attention to make your romantic getaway a memorable event. There are over 60 lodging properties and more than 7,000 rooms available. From bed and breakfasts to extended-stay hotels, there is a bed made for you in Durham.

The ability to easily host large groups while still giving personalized service is something Durham prides itself on. Major hotel chains have opened beautiful facilities in Durham, including Radisson, Sheraton Imperial, Wyndham, Hilton, Clarion, DoubleTree, Embassy, Marriott and Holiday Inn. These, along with local hotels, fit the budget and needs of both business and vacation travelers coming to experience Durham.

Bed and breakfasts are a great choice for honeymooners or anyone looking for a romantic weekend retreat. The Arrowhead Inn is one of several bed and breakfasts in the area. The Inn has spacious rooms with whirlpools, fireplaces and beautiful décor. Awake to a delicious feast of puffed pancakes, blueberry French toast, fresh herbed frittatas, yeasted breads and baked fruits. The Arrowhead Inn is a member of the Distinguished Inns of North America and is a AAA Four Diamond Property. Come relax in the stunning environment of The Arrowhead Inn on your next special day.

Places to Eat

Durham’s eclectic mix of cultures and ethnicity add a flavor unique to the area. There are restaurants for almost any type of food. Enjoy a traditional feast of a hot dog and Coke at the ballpark, or sit down to an elegant dinner at one of the upscale restaurants. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it in Durham.

There are both national chains and local favorites waiting to tempt your taste buds in Durham. Anotherthyme Restaurant and Bar is a unique stop that will leave you smiling. With a wine list recognized by the New York Times, Anotherthyme boasts multicultural cuisine made from all-natural ingredients and prepared by chef-owner Mary Bacon.

If you’re craving great seafood, don’t miss Fishmonger’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. It’s not a light-fare, low-calorie restaurant — the New York Times describes Fishmonger’s as “a gritty old bar and restaurant in downtown … fine for a quick, if caloric, lunch … you can’t go wrong with the cleanly fried fish and chips.” Stop in and try it out yourself. One visit and you’ll be coming back for more.

If fried fish and chips is not your style, try one of several other seafood restaurants scattered throughout Durham. George’s Garage has mouthwatering steak and seafood as well as the best sushi bar in the Triangle area. Open at
9 a.m. daily, the cuisine is both delicious and affordable.

Durham is also home to Nana’s Restaurant, named one of the best new restaurants in the nation by Esquire. Serving Southern regional cuisine with a strong Italian and French influence, chef-owner Scott Howell is known as a man of formidable talent. The restaurant has won the coveted Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine each year since 1994.

Local residents also have their favorite restaurants. Each year, the Durham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau surveys residents to discover the restaurants they love. They include stops as varied as Torero’s Mexican Restaurants, Neo-China, Kemp’s Seafood House and Papa’s Grille, among others. For a complete list, visit the Durham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Web site at
www.durham nc.com.

Shopping

Downtown Durham, filled with historic nuance, is thriving and is home to theaters, art, outdoor festivals, the Durham Bulls and, of course, great shopping choices.

Voted the “Best Thing in Downtown Durham” by locals, Brightleaf Square stands on the fringe of downtown Durham. This shopping center is located in a renovated tobacco warehouse with leftover cobblestone walks and polished hardwood floors. Inside you’ll find high-end specialty retailers, including shops with antiques, clothing, books, stationery, gifts and gourmet groceries. International cuisine is also on the menu, including Greek, Italian and Mexican.

Indeed, Durham is the ideal destination for charming downtown shopping at its best. Downtown Durham is home to over 50 retail businesses in all; selections include clothing, home furnishings and antiques, stationery and art supplies, groceries, jewelry, music, new and used books, hardware, and more. It’s also the location of the Durham Farmers Market, in season.

Durham is also home to two indoor/outdoor shopping malls. Northgate has been a shopping landmark in Durham for over 40 years. A blend of national stores and locally owned specialty shops give Northgate a warm and hospitable environment with hometown charm and ambience. Anchored by Hecht’s and Sears, Northgate’s other national stores include Talbots and Talbots Petites, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, The Children’s Place, Victoria’s Secret, and Aeropostale. In 2005, plans for an ambitious expansion were announced. Northgate will be converting 31,000 square feet of current indoor shopping space back to the great outdoors, as well as constructing 33,000 square feet of new outdoor shopping and dining. Completion and grand opening of the multi-million dollar project is currently slated for October 2005.

The Streets at Southpoint and Main Street offers a truly unique shopping experience. Brick walkways and light posts guide shoppers down Main Street to an eclectic mix of stores and restaurants, as well as the 16-screen Southpoint Cinemas. Just five minutes from Research Triangle Park, the Streets at Southpoint includes large department stores — Hecht’s, Hudson Belk, JCPenney, Nordstrom and Sears — as well as popular retailers like Barnes & Noble, Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple Computers, Bath & Body Works, Godiva Chocolatier, J. Crew, Yankee Candle, and many more.