Durham

 

 

Part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region, known for its technology companies and scholarly institutions, Durham is a cool, edgy city full of repurposed industrial buildings and other urban reuses.

 

Serving as headquarters for Burt’s Bees and other large employers like IQVIA, Cree, IBM, and Biomerieux, the city was named one of the most educated metro areas by Wallethub and one of the best cities for women in tech by SmartAsset.

 

A haven for arts and culture, Durham also contains the Nasher Museum of Art, featuring work by contemporary artists like Christian Marclay and Ai Weiwei, and The Museum of Life + Science, which offers hands-on exhibits, a butterfly house, and wildlife habitats for bears and lemurs.

 

Featuring a gritty and vibrant downtown close to historic sections like Trinity Park, Watts-Hillandale and Old West Durham, and the affluent Hope Valley Country Club, Durham is also home to Duke University and the world-renowned Duke Health System and Duke University Medical Center.

 

A shopping mecca, Durham is punctuated by several retail destinations, including The Streets at Southpoint, widely known for its award-winning design and wide selection of stores.

 

• Technology companies and scholarly institutions
• Repurposed industrial buildings and other urban reuses 
• Cultural and culinary hotspots

Durham is home to many doctors, medical researchers, and those who work in technology. There is also a large student population here because of all of the colleges and universities contained within and just outside the city’s borders.

 

Known to many as foodie central, with many James Beard restaurants located throughout, Durham serves as one of North Carolina’s number one gastronomic destination. Restaurants of note include Nana’s, offering upscale New American fare from chef Scott Howell, and Mateo, serving Southern-style tapas from chef Matt Kelly. Counting House, a chic locale in the 21c Museum Hotel, offers creative spins on regional American fare, and Littler is an intimate New American eatery offering seasonal plates paired with wine and cocktails. There’s also a vibrant food truck scene in Durham, plus several local standards like Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, Foster’s Market, Elmo’s Diner, and Guglhupf, a vibrant cafe serving seasonal German fare and baked goods.

 

Durham Performing Arts Center hosts over 200 performances a year, including touring Broadway productions, high-profile concert and comedy events, family shows, and the American Dance Festival.

 

Durham Bulls Athletic Park, a 10,000-seat ballpark home to the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball, also plays host to the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Central Eagles.

 

Several posh hotels dot the Durham landscape, including 21c Museum Hotel, a boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, and restaurant combo; Unscripted Durham, a vibrant, community-focused hospitality destination; and the legendary Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club.

 

At Sarah Duke Biddle Gardens, you’ll find 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas on the Duke University campus, including five miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens.

 

Duke University Chapel, which houses three large pipe organs, is also a popular local attraction and one of Durham’s most-photographed destinations and wedding venues.