How Locals Spend Free Time in Durham
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Durham? If wandering through Duke Gardens, sketching in Brightleaf Square, or paddling on the Eno River pique your interest, Durham is calling you home! From repurposed tobacco warehouses to stunning mountain switchbacks, this list will give you a bold sampling of Durham's everyday activities.
Rachael, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Some people collect stamps. Vanessa collects zip codes. After 13 moves (including one four-day, five-kid, one-puppy odyssey from Washington to North Carolina), she’s learned that relocation is equal parts logistics and comedy. Now settled in Winston-Salem, she’s fallen for the BBQ, the breeze, and how everyone waves like they’ve known you since kindergarten. Her claim to fame? She once sat on Shamu. Her real skill? Turning past moving trauma into local wisdom and relocation knowledge. As a Snappy Scout editor, she mixes mom-level multitasking with cross-country survival instincts to help newcomers settle into the Tar Heel life without losing their minds.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Durham?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Picnic at Sarah P Duke Gardens, dodging aggressive ducklings
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Unscripted rooftop daybeds, Conniption gin tasting, then Pinhook dance cardio
rainy dreary day
Carolina Theatre matinee, Cocoa Cinnamon sipping, 21c art wandering
intellectually stimulating
Rubenstein Library exhibits followed by Nasher talk
artsy
Hunt murals at Golden Belt, railroad colors punch your eyeballs
something inside and free
Wander 21c Museum Hotel galleries, hunting for art disguised in stairwells
outdoorsy
Cox Mountain Trail at Eno, suspension bridge and shoals
fitness oriented
Bike the American Tobacco Trail (forever flat and gloriously tree lined)
with your dog
Splash the Eno then patio treats at Fullsteam Brewing
family oriented
Museum of Life and Science dinosaurs and butterfly house
in need of a selfie
Bear hug Major the Bull, then Lucky Strike backgrounds
you have to see this
Duke Lemur Center tour (lemurs that stare into your soul)
My Favorite Local Spot in Durham
Dame's Chicken & Waffles just feels like the essence of Durham to me. The perfect crisp, the dusting of powdered sugar, and the welcoming Southern vibe are the most comforting combo. Based on the name of the restaurant, I think you can figure out what you should order there...
— Rachael Riner
North Carolina Local Expert
Ready to See If Durham Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Durham guide for the bigger picture.