Soak up North Carolina history in Durham
Ask some people, and they’ll say Durham is an exciting college town with the kind of nightlife that’ll get anyone bopping. Ask others, and they’ll describe it as a major historic area whose centuries-old heritage can be felt on street corners, and in preserved homesteads. The truth is, Durham is all of this and more. Home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University, it has artistic attractions alongside buzzing brewpubs and tantalizing restaurants, and you can soak it all up like a local resident with Durham vacation rentals, which include historic homes with relaxing porches and hot tubs in their backyards.
Attractions for the whole family in Durham
Head over to the Durham Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art performance venue where you can enjoy Broadway musicals, acerbic stand-up comedy, and gigs from major names in rock and pop. Or, you can survey the exhibits at the Nasher Museum of Art, which boasts Mayan and Peruvian treasures, and particularly focuses on artworks by those who have been marginalized by history. Kids, meanwhile, will particularly adore the Museum of Life + Science. It lets visitors play with interactive science exhibits, walk amid colorful, fluttering butterflies, meet alligators and black bears, and walk amid life-sized dinosaur statues.
Living history in Durham
Take a trip to Bennett Place State Historic Site to pay homage to the site of the largest troop surrender during the Civil War. You can see reconstructed buildings, museum exhibits, and living history demonstrations of the events of April 1865. Just as poignant is Stagville, which was one of the largest slave plantations in the South. Guided tours will take you to the plantation owners’ houses, as well as the cabins where the enslaved community slept. Another historic area close to Durham vacation rentals is the American Tobacco Campus. A monument to Durham’s tobacco-making heritage, its industrial buildings have been transformed into a hip campus studded with restaurants and live music venues.
Seasonal escapes to Durham
The city itself has enough going on to keep you busy whatever the weather, but if you’re susceptible to the heat, then steer clear of summer and aim to visit in either spring or fall. It’ll be warm and fine, providing all the impetus you need to head out to explore the historic streets and outdoor attractions around Durham.
Exploring the natural features in Durham
Whether you're looking for fun outdoor activities or just want to take in the scenery, Durham is a great place to get outside. Here are some of the area’s most eye-catching natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens (1.8 mi / 2.9 km)
- North Carolina Botanical Garden (9.9 mi / 15.9 km)
- Falls Lake State Recreation Area (12.2 mi / 19.7 km)
- William B. Umstead State Park (13.1 mi / 21.1 km)
- Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (19 mi / 30.6 km)
- Pullen Park (20 mi / 32.1 km)
Transportation options to and around Durham
Fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), the closest airport, located 10.5 mi (16.8 km) from the city center.
If you prefer train travel, the main station serving the city is Durham Station.
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