Durham, NC: The traveler’s guide to Bull City
Durham’s art, dining, outdoor, and sports scenes make it an all-weather city; it’s worthy of a visit any time of year.
Whether you’re planning a quick holiday trip this season or looking ahead to 2026, Durham, North Carolina, deserves your full attention. I lived in North Carolina for decades before visiting Durham, and I know now that I missed out.
The city’s downtown is bustling with activities, dining, and shopping options. Plus, many of the destinations are accessible for people with sensory needs or who use a wheelchair—check Discover Durham’s website for details.
Holiday events
The Downtown Durham Tree Lighting, a free event, starts at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the CCB Plaza. Enjoy a performance by country music artist Rissi Palmer, hot cocoa, games, and other seasonal activities at the ceremony. Be sure to capture a holiday photo with Major, a one-ton bronze bull. Legend says, rub Major’s horns for good luck.
Wander through the Patchwork Holiday Market in the Durham Armory on Dec. 6 and 7; admission is free. Shop for locally made holiday gifts from more than 60 makers.
On Dec. 10, The Durham Hotel hosts The Holiday Market at The Durham. Grab a drink and a snack, and shop at local vendors. Tickets are $10, and this year, the proceeds support the Y Learning program at the Durham YMCA.
Accommodations
Downtown Durham offers several choices for overnight accommodations, from boutique hotels to international hotel brands such as the Marriott City Center. Choose a hotel based on your budget, style, and needs.
The 21c Museum Hotel occupies a former 15-story bank designed with consultation from the architect behind New York City’s Empire State Building. Contemporary art exhibits in the lobby and public areas are free for visitors. Guest floors feature art by local artists. Stop by the hotel’s restaurant, Counting House, for dinner or drinks to view the art on display.
Also built within a bank, The Durham Hotel highlights the architecture and vivid colors and patterns from the 1960s. You may find people playing games and mahjong tiles in the lobby. The rooftop bar, open year-round, serves seasonal drinks and shareable plates.
Unscripted Durham, a Hyatt property, leans into the mid-century vibe. Throughout the winter, the “Warm & Toasty” overnight package includes access to the rooftop igloos, handcrafted cocktails, and a s’mores kit.
Art
Durham’s Third Friday Durham Art Walk & Gallery Crawl, a monthly event, includes more than 20 venues across Durham featuring artists’ work.
Plan an afternoon at Golden Belt Campus for its art and dining. In the Great Hall, “The Art of Healing Justice” is on display through December. The exhibit honors those harmed by wrongful convictions.
Visit the Durham Art Guild on the Golden Belt Campus during public hours to view the latest exhibit and see artists working in their studios.
When you need to refuel, stay on campus for pizza and gelato from Cugino Forno, ice cream from Two Roosters, and craft beer from High Wire Brewing. These dining establishments and Tipsy Bull Sports Bar offer access to an outdoor area with picnic tables, a fire pit, and a green space.
The Scrap Exchange, a local nonprofit, is a dream for thrifty artists and hobbyists. Meander through rooms of materials for making art and crafts, and find impossible items to finish a project. Get inspiration at the onsite gallery, or add to your collection with local artists’ creations. Don’t miss Scrap Thrift next door.
Nasher Museum of Art, on Duke University’s campus, unveiled a sculpture garden in honor of its 20th anniversary. The museum features contemporary art through its permanent and rotating exhibits. “Everything Now All At Once” is on display through July 26, 2026. Admission is free, but there may be a fee for parking on campus.
Dining
You won’t go hungry in Durham. Make your reservations early for these restaurants named in the new MICHELIN American South Guide: Nanas, Little Bull, Nikos, and Seraphine.
Cheeni, an Indian restaurant focused on locally sourced ingredients, and Nanny Goat, a bodega, in Downtown Durham are owned and operated by Preeti Waas, a two-time James Beard-nominated chef.
Other award-winning hot spots in Durham include: Alley Twenty Six; M Sushi; Pizzeria Toro; Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets; and Saltbox Seafood Joint.
In downtown, the Durham Food Hall provides a variety of options from coffee and sweet treats to pizza and oysters. Head to Ninth Street Bakery for cookies, muffins, and sandwiches. The Parlour serves homemade ice cream, baked goods, and espresso drinks.
Venture out of downtown for these recommended eateries: Cucciolo Osteria, Foster’s Market, Monuts, Picnic, and True Flavors.
History and science
The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice opened in 2024 in Durham’s West End, in the house where Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray lived from age 4 to 17 years old. The center highlights Murray’s achievements as an activist and author through permanent and rotating exhibits. Guided tours are available on a sliding scale fee or a $20 suggested donation.
Museum of Life + Science delivers hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits indoors and outdoors. General admission is $24, kids under age two get in free; Durham residents get in free on Durham Community Days throughout the year.
Whistle Stop Tours and Triangle Walking Tours coordinate guided tours of the city. Pick up Discover Durham’s self-guided historic walking tour in the Visitor Info Center.
Music
If you’re interested in live music, Durham’s the place to find musicians playing at intimate venues, large auditoriums, and everything in between.
On Dec. 11, Al Strong, a two-time Grammy-nominated trumpet player and composer, performs at The Roof at The Durham Hotel. Kingfisher invites local jazz artists to play on Tuesday evenings. Every Sunday, Lula & Sadies serves up a Jazz Brunch; be sure to save your spot on the website because seats fill up quickly.
Motorco Music Hall, which seats 400 to 500 people, and Pinhook, which seats 250 guests, schedule national and regional musicians, from country and funk to indie and rap. Attend Broadway musicals and internationally recognized performers at the Durham Performing Arts Center. DPAC (that’s what the locals say) seats more than 2,700 people.
Outdoors
Spend the afternoon exploring the American Tobacco Campus, a 16-acre redeveloped mixed-use space in Downtown Durham. Visitors can dine at several restaurants, listen to live music, attend pop-ups and special events throughout the year, and view art and memorabilia from Lucky Strike and other tobacco companies at the Reed Art Gallery.
Roll or walk on the 11-mile Durham section of the American Tobacco Trail, a 10-foot-wide paved path. Begin the trail at Morehead Avenue and Blackwell Street; turn around anytime or continue through Jordan Lake Game Lands and end in Apex—an additional 11 miles.
Sarah B. Duke Gardens, a 55-acre botanical garden with distinct areas, features green spaces for picnics, benches for enjoying the view, ponds, and winding paths. Admission is free. While the new Garden Gateway is being built, parking is limited during the weekdays. Check the website for updates.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park is home to the Durham Bulls, a Minor League Baseball team in the International League and a Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. Home games begin in April. Accessible seating and sensory bags with fidget tools and noise-canceling headphones are available.
The Duke Lemur Center shelters the largest collection of lemurs outside their native Madagascar. The nonprofit’s goal is to preserve the species and study lemurs. Tours may be made by appointment and are offered May through September.
Explore Eno River State Park’s easy-to-moderate hiking trails, bring a boat to paddle on the river, or a picnic to enjoy. Admission is free to the park.
Two Sisters Adventure Company offers guided canoe and kayaking trips and equipment rental for self-guided excursions. Beginner and intermediate-level expeditions are available, and owners welcome people who may need extra assistance for accessibility.
Look for Bronto, a 77-foot-long fiberglass dinosaur, along the Ellerbee Creek Trail. Park at the Museum of Life + Science to find Durham’s brontosaurus.
PRO TIP:
Download the Discover Durham Mobile App for maps, itineraries, and suggestions.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
