Welcome to Durham!
Food scene
I begin with places to which you can walk, and then move to those that are a 10-15 minute drive away. I don't make recommendations for downtown only because there are so many great places that I never go to:)
Y'all, once you have eaten at Monuts, you'll keep dreaming about when you can return. Now takeout only, you can either order online or walk up to the to-go window. Some of our family favs--Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Donuts, Bagel Banh Mi, and Chicken and Pickle Biscuit. Or you can always just build your own sandwich. Monuts has a very loyal local following. You will see why--and it is just a block away.
102 locals recommend
Monuts
1002 9th StY'all, once you have eaten at Monuts, you'll keep dreaming about when you can return. Now takeout only, you can either order online or walk up to the to-go window. Some of our family favs--Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Donuts, Bagel Banh Mi, and Chicken and Pickle Biscuit. Or you can always just build your own sandwich. Monuts has a very loyal local following. You will see why--and it is just a block away.
Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough RdJust up the hill, famous for their mussels and fries.
This family restaurant has maintained a loyal following for 30 years. Absolutely fresh ingredients prepared per order. They feature traditional Vietnamese specials Wednesdays and Saturdays.
10 locals recommend
Banh's Cuisine
750 9th StThis family restaurant has maintained a loyal following for 30 years. Absolutely fresh ingredients prepared per order. They feature traditional Vietnamese specials Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Always good for a quick, dependable meal. Check out their daily specials.
31 locals recommend
Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken
302 Davidson AveAlways good for a quick, dependable meal. Check out their daily specials.
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer StCoffee loved by coffee lovers!
Burger Bach - Durham
737 9th StPincho Loco Ice Cream
1918 Perry StExcellent ice cream made by a wonderful family. Highly recommended.
Very popular for popsicles and ice cream. Check out some of the flavors, including pup pops:)
https://ilovelocopops.com/dessert-cafe/
Locopops has a huge outdoor grassy space with tables.
29 locals recommend
LocoPops
2618 Hillsborough RdVery popular for popsicles and ice cream. Check out some of the flavors, including pup pops:)
https://ilovelocopops.com/dessert-cafe/
Locopops has a huge outdoor grassy space with tables.
The Original Q Shack
2510 University DrOur favorite BBQ place.
A former Duke student guest is who told me how great these salads are. Excellent quality ingredients(vegan and vegetarian, but also chicken and steak.)
11 locals recommend
Happy + Hale
703B 9th StA former Duke student guest is who told me how great these salads are. Excellent quality ingredients(vegan and vegetarian, but also chicken and steak.)
Sightseeing
The Central Park neighborhood of Durham has the Farmer's Market, Stone Brothers and Byrd, Motoco, Boxcar, King's, and Hutchins Garage. The Farmer's Market is open Saturday 10-12. Face masks are required for entry.
106 locals recommend
Durham Farmers' Market
501 Foster StThe Central Park neighborhood of Durham has the Farmer's Market, Stone Brothers and Byrd, Motoco, Boxcar, King's, and Hutchins Garage. The Farmer's Market is open Saturday 10-12. Face masks are required for entry.
Just two blocks away, this gallery has great shows by local artists and gifts.
Horse & Buggy Press and Friends
1116 Broad StreetJust two blocks away, this gallery has great shows by local artists and gifts.
Craven Allen Gallery & House of Frames
1106 1/2 Broad StAnother art gallery in the same block.
Natural World
Ellerbee Creek is a tributary of the Neuse River that flows for 20 miles through Durham. Runners and walkers will enjoy the Preserve's accessible trail along the Creek. Quite a gem in a city, and about a ten-minute walk from our house.
17 Acre Wood Preserve
West Ellerbee Creek TrailEllerbee Creek is a tributary of the Neuse River that flows for 20 miles through Durham. Runners and walkers will enjoy the Preserve's accessible trail along the Creek. Quite a gem in a city, and about a ten-minute walk from our house.
Durham possesses an extraordinary resource in the Eno River State Park, just an easy 15-minute drive from our house. I'll be happy to recommend specific trails and views to suit you, but you won't want to miss walking along the River itself. It is restorative.
215 locals recommend
Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill RdDurham possesses an extraordinary resource in the Eno River State Park, just an easy 15-minute drive from our house. I'll be happy to recommend specific trails and views to suit you, but you won't want to miss walking along the River itself. It is restorative.
Duke Gardens has finally reopened, and you won't want to miss spending time there. Do note that dogs are allowed only before 10:00 and after 5:00.
378 locals recommend
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson StDuke Gardens has finally reopened, and you won't want to miss spending time there. Do note that dogs are allowed only before 10:00 and after 5:00.
Over 1000 acres of display gardens and conservation areas. Highly recommended!
54 locals recommend
North Carolina Botanical Garden
100 Old Mason Farm RdOver 1000 acres of display gardens and conservation areas. Highly recommended!
Places to hang out, mainly outside
You'll find these close to our house or in the Central Park neighborhood. Again, there are lots of places to explore downtown as well.
Juju Durham
737 9th StThis place just opened, but folks love it. Their own mead isn't quite ready, but they have many brands of beer and dozens of board games to play.
Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop
1104 Broad StreetThis place just opened, but folks love it. Their own mead isn't quite ready, but they have many brands of beer and dozens of board games to play.
Motorco gets all sorts of great music, but we just like to go there on a sunny afternoon for good beer and small bites.
106 locals recommend
Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee AveMotorco gets all sorts of great music, but we just like to go there on a sunny afternoon for good beer and small bites.
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
621 Foster StThe Durham Hotel
315 E Chapel Hill StFabulous views of Durham.
The Blue Note Grill
709 Washington StBBQ, drinks, and roots music!!
Local shopping
Stone Brothers & Byrd has an old-time North Carolina vibe and is the place to shop for local jams, pickles, and other delicacies to take home. NEW ADDRESS: 937 Washington St
Stone Brothers & Byrd
937 Washington StStone Brothers & Byrd has an old-time North Carolina vibe and is the place to shop for local jams, pickles, and other delicacies to take home. NEW ADDRESS: 937 Washington St
One World Market
811 9th StA long-time Durham favorite for cards, jewelry, gifts, knick knacks, clothes, and shoes. Just up the hill on Ninth Street.
14 locals recommend
Vaguely Reminiscent
728 9th StA long-time Durham favorite for cards, jewelry, gifts, knick knacks, clothes, and shoes. Just up the hill on Ninth Street.
Besides their wildly popular ice cream and popsicles, LocoPops now has Sundry, their store that sells upscale, local products--bread, prepared meals, pantry items, and gifts. Well worth a trip!
29 locals recommend
LocoPops
2618 Hillsborough RdBesides their wildly popular ice cream and popsicles, LocoPops now has Sundry, their store that sells upscale, local products--bread, prepared meals, pantry items, and gifts. Well worth a trip!
City advice
Getting around
Need computer or cellphone repair?
Excellent computer store and phone store nearby
Computer Cellar on Ninth Street
TCR: Triangle Cellular Repair