Visit Downtown Durham: 2025 Downtown Durham, Raleigh Travel Guide

Popular places to visit

This is a wonderful downtown meeting spot. Lots of fountains and a Riverwalk that is not quite a river. Restaurants and shops surround the area.

American Tobacco Campus

You can learn about the history of Durham with a stop at American Tobacco Campus. Experience the entertainment choices or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Brightleaf is part of downtown Durham, NC's renaissance. Old tobacco warehouses have found new life as shops and restaurants.

Brightleaf Square

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Brightleaf Square during your visit to Durham. Discover the lively festivals and stunning cathedral in this family-friendly area.

Duke University

Walk around the campus of Duke University, a top college in Durham. Attend a sporting event or simply visit the area's stunning cathedral.

North Carolina State University

Explore the campus of North Carolina State University, a top college in Raleigh. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

This was an interesting trail I found today. I parked at PNC arena then followed a pathway that went under Edwards Mill rd. And route 40. The first mile is nothing special. It's a very wide Greenway with a ton of manholes. But it leads you to a smaller trail that borders the Schenck forest and turns into loblolly trail in Umstead! This area was very pretty and followed what I believe was Reedy Creek.

The best part is I walked 4 miles total and only saw 3 other people!

Lenovo Center

Catch an event at Lenovo Center during your trip to Raleigh. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

Enjoy an outing to North Carolina State Fairgrounds during your stay in Raleigh. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

Things to do

Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham

$19

per adult

Durham African-American Historic Walking Tour

$18

per adult

Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour

$19

per adult

Durham True Crime Tour

$19

per adult

Durham: True Crime Tour

$19

per adult

Durham African American History Tour

$19

per adult

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Other neighborhoods around Downtown Durham

Trinity Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Trinity Park and surrounding area, you can visit Brightleaf Square and Carolina Theatre.

East Durham

While there might not be top attractions in East Durham, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Durham Performing Arts Center and American Tobacco Campus.

9th Street District

The restaurants and shopping are a few reasons travelers visit 9th Street District. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighborhood, you can visit Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Northgate Mall, a few notable attractions nearby.

North Garrett Road

4/5(73 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in North Garrett Road, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Waller Family Farm and Cameron Indoor Stadium.

New World Coffee House was a nice surprise. Located in a strip mall in Raleigh, NC on Pleasant Valley Rd. Good seating and wifi I think. Muffins and sandwiches looked good. Really friendly baristas and that's where it got good for me. I always put a little sweetener in my espresso drinks but they had a "traditional European" style that used organic whole milk, that he promised me had some sweetness to it. It did and was excellent.

Northwest Raleigh

4/5(52 area reviews)

While visiting Northwest Raleigh, you might make a stop by sights like Crabtree Valley Mall and William B. Umstead State Park.

We got some unexpected snowfall on a 40 degree day. I guess the geese were a little flustered too.

North Raleigh

4/5(28 area reviews)

While visiting North Raleigh, you might make a stop by sights like Durant Nature Preserve and Lafayette Village.

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Downtown Durham, NC

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