The City where “Bull” is in and Boredom is Out
(The next installment in the series, “The ABCs of Future Travel”, designed to inspire you to start planning your next trip.)
Durham is a friendly mid-sized city in central North Carolina. It is known as the Bull City, in honor of its highly successful and wildly popular Triple-A baseball team. It is also often referred to as the second half of Raleigh-Durham, but this is incorrect. If you tell me you’re going to Raleigh-Durham, I’ll tell you to have a nice flight, because you’re going to an airport.
The Durham Bull (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
As for us, we have had the good fortune to live a mere two-and-a-half hours drive from our home in New Bern. This has given us the opportunity to savor Durham slowly over several visits. We recommend you get to know this walkable, family-friendly, dynamic city on your own schedule. To help you get started, here are 9 Durham delights to get your trip planning juices flowing.
Note on Covid19: North Carolina is reopening in three phases. Be sure to check the website belonging to venues, restaurants, events, or accommodations you plan to visit before finalizing your plans.
1. Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP).
A good place to start is by taking in a game at the home of the Bulls. They played their first season in this modern, almost cozy stadium, which now seats 10,000 fans, in 1995. Apparently, there isn’t a bad seat in the house for watching the games, seating is extra-comfortable and, most importantly, the seats have cup holders.
DBAP is affectionately called the Blue Monster,, and has much in common with Fenway Park, known as the Green Monster. But the Bulls are a “farm team” for the Tampa Bay Rays of the National Baseball League.
The Ball Field for the Durham Bulls (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
Perhaps the feature that stands out most is the 20 x 30-foot “Snorting Bull”, a sheet metal and wood sculpture that watches over the goings-on in the park. This is not the original bull. The first was a leftover prop from the 1988 Kevin Costner film, Bull Durham. Alas, that bull hit the dump before DBAP opened. When a Bulls batter hits a home run, or when the Bulls win a game, the sculpture’s eyes glow red, smoke comes out of his nostrils, and his tail moves up and down.
Check the schedule for special events such as Affordable Eats nights, Bark in the Park night (when you can bring your pooch), and Food Truck and Fireworks Fridays. Tickets are affordable with specials on those as well.
409 Blackwell St
Durham, NC 27701
919-687-6500
2. The American Tobacco Historic District
Originally the Lucky Strike cigarette factory, once an abandoned and derelict part of town, has been thoughtfully and tastefully transformed. The district is now an entertainment hub featuring an amphitheater, restaurants, shops, apartments, and on-site parking garages.
Art exhibitions and free outdoor concerts in the green space beneath the Lucky Strike Tower are held in Summer. The quarter-mile man-made river is an ideal venue for a leisurely stroll, listening to the sounds of water and appreciating the colorful landscaping. And taking a walk among the district’s 17 historic structures., which are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, is a joy any time of year.
https://www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com
3. Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
A 2,800 seat architectural wonder of a theater with magnificent glass walls. DPAC is located in the American Tobacco Historic District. Acclaimed productions such as Hamilton and other popular Broadway extravaganzas, concerts of any imaginable genre, comedy, and the American Dance Festival are a small sampling of what you might find playing on any given night.
Backstage magic is a behind-the-scenes DPAC tour held on the second Monday of every month. You will need to make reservations in advance if you wish to attend.
Also, performances tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to reserve your tickets as soon as possible when making your Durham plans.
123 Vivian Street
Durham, North Carolina
919-680-2787
4. The Museum of Life and Science
Take your time exploring this natural science museum located on West Murray Avenue north of downtown Durham. The museum features enough hands-on exhibits to keep youngsters of all ages and their parents busy for hours. Several buildings featuring a wide variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits occupy the 80-acre property.
Get up close and personal with native North Carolina animals like the screech and barred owls. Watch the antics of rescued lemurs and black bears in a spacious outdoor facility. The Magic Wings Butterfly House is a three-story glass structure containing approximately 30 species of colorful butterflies. The climate-controlled exhibit also is home to partridges who earn their keep by controlling pests such as roaches and keep the frogs from becoming too numerous.
An Alert and Watchful Lemur Studying the Onlookers at the Museum of Life and Science (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
You can pass the time to develop an understanding of weather patterns. Observe experiments and presentations. Explore the dinosaur trail or the aerospace exhibit displaying artifacts from the early NASA space program.
A recent addition to the museum’s treasure trove of interactive exhibits is Earth Moves, which encompasses the hows and whys of the human and natural factors that shape our planet.
433 West Murray Avenue
Durham, North Carolina
Phone: 919-220-5429
https://www.lifeandscience.org
5. Duke University Campus
No visit to Durham is complete without taking in Duke. It is one of the country’s most prestigious universities. Formerly Trinity College, it was renamed for James Buchanan Duke in 1924 after his $40 million endowment.
The west end of the campus is home to the stunning Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the 7,060-acre Duke Forest, and the renowned Duke University Medical Center. You can wander the campus enjoying the fascinating architecture, or better yet, take a self-guided tour or one led by a Duke student.
2138 Campus Drive
Durham, NC 27708
6. Duke University Chapel
This religious icon is a destination in and of itself. Located on the west part of the Duke campus, the chapel stands out because of its Neo-Gothic style, 210-foot tower, and 77 gleaming colored glass windows.
If you plan well, you can enjoy music played, on a 5,200 pipe Flentrop organ during services. The chapel fills the air on campus with music through its 50-bell carillon. It is also a venue for concerts and other events,
401 Chapel Drive
Duke University West Campus
Durham, NC
7. Duke Homestead
An important piece of Durham history, the Duke homestead is the 1852 home, tobacco farm, and factory site of Washington Duke. He was the founder of what we could reasonably call Duke Dynasty.
Washington began churning out pipe tobacco following the American Civil War, when demand was at an all-time high. His sons went on to found The American Tobacco Company, the largest tobacco company in the world.
The Duke Homestead (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
The approximately 30-minute Duke Homestead tour will take you through the Duke family’s home, tobacco factories, a tobacco packhouse, and a curing barn. Guides are knowledgeable and are happy to answer questions. They also dispel some long-held misconceptions about the good, the bad, and the ugly of tobacco during the tour.
One of the Out Buildings on the Duke Homestead Property (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
Before you leave, be sure to drop into the Tobacco Museum, which is also on the property. There you will learn the story of tobacco from its place in early Native American culture to the present.
2828 Duke Homestead Rd
Durham, NC
919-477–5498
8. Central Carolina Bank (CCB) Plaza
Located in the heart of Durham, CCB Plaza proudly displays a life-size bronze statue of a bull, which you can’t miss. But there is much more to this area to grab your attention.
First, notice three boutique hotels, 21c, Unscripted, and the Durham. Each has a unique backstory, and each would be a convenient accommodation for a Durham stay. 21c is open to the public as a venue for art exhibits and cultural events.
21C is housed in the former Central Carolina Bank building. The “bankiness” – for lack of a better word – can be seen in areas such as the banquet hall. This was the area where the tellers used to work. You can still see the original wood and feel as if you’re walking through a bank. You can even enjoy a cocktail as you sit and socialize in the basement bank vault
What makes 21c unique are the rotating exhibits of modern art on the 1st and 2nd floors. The exhibits are free and open to the public 365 days a year. It definitely is worth going in and seeing what’s on display.
1 City Center is a 27 story mixed-use facility with retail stores on the lower level and apartments and condos above. The structure is the tallest building in Durham.
The now second tallest building houses the visitors center. Be sure to drop in and let the friendly folks help you find your way around Durham.
9. The Food Scene
For a small city, Durham has an impressive selection of food and beverage options. Here are a few we have personally enjoyed, and would recommend. We hope to discover more of the culinary treasures awaiting us in Durham in the near future.
- Zweli’s Kitchen and Catering: A perfect example of the diversity to be found in Durham’s food scene is this homey Zimbabwean restaurant. Chef Zweli Williams recreates the foods she ate growing up in Zimbabwe, adding her personal flair to her family’s authentic recipes. Husband and co-owner, Leonardo Williams, is always happy to explain the menu and make suggestions based on your individual tastes and tolerance for heat. Anything with Piri Piri Chicken in it is amazing. Sides like curried cabbage and Jollof Rice are also way up there on the “incredible” scale.
The Menu Board at Zweli’s (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Suite 26
Durham, NC 27707
984-219-7555
EMail: info@zwelis.com
- Pompieri Pizza: Located in what once served as a fire hall, is burning down the competition when it comes to Sicilian pizza. The atmosphere is warm and casual, the food is scrumptious, and owner Seth Gross’s commitment to quality food, family friendliness, and employee loyalty is impressive to say the least. On Sundays, you can enjoy a meal including a salad, side, all the pizza you can eat, a beverage, and gelato for approximately $20. But there are a couple of catches. First, you will be seated at a communal table with several other diners. Then you will be encouraged to put your cell phone in a basket in the middle of the table. And lastly, you will need to be adventurous when it comes to pizza topping combos. I can tell you from experience they are creative, substantial, and absolutely delicious.
The Cellphone Basket on the Communal Table at Pompieri Pizza (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
102 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701
919-973-1589
EMail: mypie@pompieripizza.com
https://www.pompieripizza.com/
- Jack Tar & The Colonel’s Daughter: An all-day diner-style restaurant that combines American classics, local ingredients, and more than a few surprises. The food counter’, Naugahyde booths, and windows welcoming in lots of daylight, will take you back to those special meals out with the family, despite a few tasteful modern tweaks. This also applies to the food. Instead of meatloaf or chicken pot pie, try the Hot Szechuan Chicken, with its crispy spicy coating, or the Oysters Banh Mi, with hot peppers, sweet and sour slaw, and onions. They won’t disappoint.
Hot Szechuan Chicken, with Crispy Spicy Coating (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
202 Corcoran Street
Durham, NC 27701
919-682-5225
- Ponysaurus Brewing Co.: The story of Ponysaurus began with a microbrewery in an attic loft space. The only way to access a cold one was via scissor lift. Today, it is a brewery and taproom that packs in a lively crowd with a thirst for the good stuff. Ponysaurus has a roomy interior and a double decker outdoor space. The brewery’s claim is that the brew it produces is, “The beer beer would drink if beer could drink beer.” I fell in love with a stout that was slightly smoky, with hints of chocolate and coffee.
The Beer Taps at Ponysaurus Brewery (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
219 Hood Street
Durham, NC 27701
919-584-4265
https://www.ponysaurusbrewing.com
Bedlam Vodka Bottle (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)
Graybeard Distillery: And speaking of the good stuff, Graybeard Distillery makes it out of rejected rice. In June 2017, Graybeard Distillery debuted Bedlam, a new and unusual vodka The key ingredient isn’t wheat or potato,. The secret ingredient is rice, and it makes Bedlam Vodka totally unique and truly delicious. Even if you’re not a vodka lover, you will enjoy the tour, the amazing back story, and the vodka tasting. I was completely won over by the smooth texture and subtly sweet flavor of the vodka. I believe you will be, too.
4625 Industry Lane
Durham, NC 27713
EMail: Info@Graybearddistillery.com
Final Thoughts
Durham has plenty of options for accommodations. With the exception of one three-day visit, all our trips have taken place during the course of a day. During that one trip, our experience during two nights at the King’s Daughters Inn was phenomenal. At this conveniently located bed and breakfast, you will find cozy elegance and a fabulous home-cooked meal to start your day.
When it comes to Durham, what you’ve seen is just the tip of the bull’s horn. There is much more in the way of history, culture, recreation, family activities, and culinary adventures to discover. One thing I can guaranty is that you won’t be bored. Durham is like a living buffet table enabling visitors to pick and choose from a wide assortment of options. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a multigenerational vacation or a solo jaunt, Durham has you covered.
Looks a great fun place to visit. Another city to add to our travel bucket list.
Knowing you two, Durham is a city you’ll really love!