Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Durham?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Durham?

Many visitors spend one to three days in Durham during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, the nightlife, and the quaint shops.

Durham, NC is where you'll find Duke University, a top ranking college that is home to the Cameron Crazies and the impressive Duke Chapel. There's also the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and several museums. The town also has the Durham Bulls, which is a minor league baseball team, as well as many great restaurants and bars.

Do you have one or two days to visit Durham? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Durham?

One day is generally not enough time here to browse the museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, enjoy an evening out, and browse the shops. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to take in everything. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the student-filled city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for one to three days to immerse themselves fully in the charming sights. After all, Durham is a small city with a some good sights and activities, but still hosts a fairly small number of tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Durham

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Durham, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Durham?

Many visitors choose to spend around a weekend in Durham. This would give you the chance to explore the university and the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife. Since many visitors prefer to spend around one to three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the student-filled city.

Durham, NC

How to spend 2 days in Durham

With a weekend (two to three days) in Durham, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous spot in Durham is the Duke University Chapel, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Durham, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

• Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Durham?
• Is Durham Worth Visiting?
• Durham Travel Costs
• Hotel Prices for Durham