West Durham Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Within easy walking distance, the 9th Street Corridor includes fun casual restaurants, boutique shopping and good coffee!
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9th Street
9th StreetWithin easy walking distance, the 9th Street Corridor includes fun casual restaurants, boutique shopping and good coffee!
Just a tad beyond 9th Street, on foot, you'll find Broad Street. It's length will take you from W. Club Blvd. to Main Street, and along the way you can have coffee and pastries, as you eventually find yourself at Duke's East Campus - with its own lovely walks - as well as Whole Foods.
Broad Street
Broad StreetJust a tad beyond 9th Street, on foot, you'll find Broad Street. It's length will take you from W. Club Blvd. to Main Street, and along the way you can have coffee and pastries, as you eventually find yourself at Duke's East Campus - with its own lovely walks - as well as Whole Foods.
With a history too rich for this short note (cue up the "search" prompt), this area of Durham is a must-see-must-experience. Now a thriving arts district with businesses, a local brewery, pizza, divine ice cream, disc golf, ping pong and trivia, Golden Belt is a great place to settle down to some Durham fun.
Golden Belt
With a history too rich for this short note (cue up the "search" prompt), this area of Durham is a must-see-must-experience. Now a thriving arts district with businesses, a local brewery, pizza, divine ice cream, disc golf, ping pong and trivia, Golden Belt is a great place to settle down to some Durham fun.
Sightseeing
If you want easy access to a taste of nature, or a way to explore Durham by bike, head east down W. Club Blvd. toward Northgate Park. If you're on a bike, Ellerbe Creek Trail can take you south into the city to historic Trinity Park, as well as to endless old Durham neighborhoods, great restaurants and shopping. If you're traveling by car, you'll find plenty of parking at Northgate Park and can follow the Ellerbe Creek Trail north to the Museum of Life and Science, or south to the walking trail into town.
Ellerbe Creek
If you want easy access to a taste of nature, or a way to explore Durham by bike, head east down W. Club Blvd. toward Northgate Park. If you're on a bike, Ellerbe Creek Trail can take you south into the city to historic Trinity Park, as well as to endless old Durham neighborhoods, great restaurants and shopping. If you're traveling by car, you'll find plenty of parking at Northgate Park and can follow the Ellerbe Creek Trail north to the Museum of Life and Science, or south to the walking trail into town.
If you have the time to explore the area outside of Durham city, a 15 minute drive will bring you to the heart of the State Park. If you're adventurous and have the right apps, you can access the Eno River, and endless hiking trails, from many points north of the city.
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Parque Estatal del Río Eno
6101 Cole Mill RdIf you have the time to explore the area outside of Durham city, a 15 minute drive will bring you to the heart of the State Park. If you're adventurous and have the right apps, you can access the Eno River, and endless hiking trails, from many points north of the city.
A Speedway?! What?! Well, there's a lot of NC history here - and - gorgeous - surprising - hiking trails. Just a 15 minutes drive and a world away from the busy city, this historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Check it out if you're in town for a few days. Also - any of the hikes on the Eno River provide a real escape in the midst of summer heat.
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Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trailhead
320 Elizabeth Brady RdA Speedway?! What?! Well, there's a lot of NC history here - and - gorgeous - surprising - hiking trails. Just a 15 minutes drive and a world away from the busy city, this historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Check it out if you're in town for a few days. Also - any of the hikes on the Eno River provide a real escape in the midst of summer heat.
A 25 minute drive and lots of fun: Swimming, SUP or Kayak, Pontoon Boat rentals, hiking and sunning.
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Falls Lake State Recreation Area
13304 Creedmoor RdA 25 minute drive and lots of fun: Swimming, SUP or Kayak, Pontoon Boat rentals, hiking and sunning.
Only a 30 minute drive from Durham, you can picnic, hike, paddle or swim, and maybe you'll even spot a bald eagle or osprey nest.
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Jordan Lake
Only a 30 minute drive from Durham, you can picnic, hike, paddle or swim, and maybe you'll even spot a bald eagle or osprey nest.
This is an exceptional museum experience for the entire family. Lots of outdoor time and experiencing the natural habitat-settings of local species - from butterflies to red wolves.
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Museo de la Vida y la Ciencia
433 W Murray AveThis is an exceptional museum experience for the entire family. Lots of outdoor time and experiencing the natural habitat-settings of local species - from butterflies to red wolves.
This little gem of a museum will introduce you to the heart and spirit of Durham. Current exhibits are listed on their website and their "Museum Without Walls" provides a treasure-hunt experience of finding historic sites throughout the city.
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Museum of Durham History
500 W Main StThis little gem of a museum will introduce you to the heart and spirit of Durham. Current exhibits are listed on their website and their "Museum Without Walls" provides a treasure-hunt experience of finding historic sites throughout the city.
Our words are insufficient to describe this Durham and National Treasure so we offer this from their website: "The Pauli Murray Center lifts up the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a twentieth-century human rights activist, legal scholar, feminist, author, poet, Episcopal priest, labor organizer, and multiracial Black, LGBTQ+ community member. Center programming in history, education, arts, and activism seeks to advance justice and equity." Please make the time to visit.
Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice
906 Carroll StreetOur words are insufficient to describe this Durham and National Treasure so we offer this from their website: "The Pauli Murray Center lifts up the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a twentieth-century human rights activist, legal scholar, feminist, author, poet, Episcopal priest, labor organizer, and multiracial Black, LGBTQ+ community member. Center programming in history, education, arts, and activism seeks to advance justice and equity." Please make the time to visit.
Part of the inviting hiking trails of Duke Forest, this trail-head offers easy parking and access into the forest. These trails are large enough for mountain-biking, running and hiking with friends.
Shepherd Nature Trail
North Carolina 751Part of the inviting hiking trails of Duke Forest, this trail-head offers easy parking and access into the forest. These trails are large enough for mountain-biking, running and hiking with friends.
Durham's Black Wall street prospered, in part, because the adjacent neighborhood of "Hayti," was a community of Black-owned small businesses, segregated schools, and Black churches, that supported one another. Hayti thrived, despite the indignities of Jim Crow, up until the construction of the Durham Freeway, NC 147, which displaced over 4000 families and 500 businesses in the 1960's. Seeing Hayti is an important throughway to understanding Durham today.
Hayti District
Durham's Black Wall street prospered, in part, because the adjacent neighborhood of "Hayti," was a community of Black-owned small businesses, segregated schools, and Black churches, that supported one another. Hayti thrived, despite the indignities of Jim Crow, up until the construction of the Durham Freeway, NC 147, which displaced over 4000 families and 500 businesses in the 1960's. Seeing Hayti is an important throughway to understanding Durham today.
The NCMA reflects some of the best values of North Carolinians. Art matters - history matters - and where "art" intersects contemporary issues matter. You might find tickets to an outdoor concert of world-known performers, an outdoor screening of a family favorite movie, or you may appreciate the Museum Park. From their website: "The Reedy Creek Greenway system is a paved multiuse pathway that runs through west Raleigh and connects the eastern portion of the Park to Meredith College and North Carolina State University via a pedestrian bridge. The greenway connects the western portion of the Museum Park to Umstead State Park and Schenck Forest." (For walking, running or biking.)
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Museo de Arte de Carolina del Norte
2110 Blue Ridge RdThe NCMA reflects some of the best values of North Carolinians. Art matters - history matters - and where "art" intersects contemporary issues matter. You might find tickets to an outdoor concert of world-known performers, an outdoor screening of a family favorite movie, or you may appreciate the Museum Park. From their website: "The Reedy Creek Greenway system is a paved multiuse pathway that runs through west Raleigh and connects the eastern portion of the Park to Meredith College and North Carolina State University via a pedestrian bridge. The greenway connects the western portion of the Museum Park to Umstead State Park and Schenck Forest." (For walking, running or biking.)
Centrally located near Duke University, you can enjoy the permanent collection, begun in 1969 with the acquisition of medieval art, and move on to appreciate the focused and intentional emphasis on work by artists of African descent and global, emerging artists of color. Just around the corner from Duke Gardens!
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Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
2001 Campus DrCentrally located near Duke University, you can enjoy the permanent collection, begun in 1969 with the acquisition of medieval art, and move on to appreciate the focused and intentional emphasis on work by artists of African descent and global, emerging artists of color. Just around the corner from Duke Gardens!
Gorgeous all year 'round, these gardens are a destination all their own, with features of Native Plantings, an Asiatic Arboretum, and five miles of allées and walkways. The gardens will bring you into Duke's main campus, within the shadow of the original Medical School building, the Duke Chapel, and walking distance from Cameron Indoor Stadium and the historic "K-Ville."
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Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson StGorgeous all year 'round, these gardens are a destination all their own, with features of Native Plantings, an Asiatic Arboretum, and five miles of allées and walkways. The gardens will bring you into Duke's main campus, within the shadow of the original Medical School building, the Duke Chapel, and walking distance from Cameron Indoor Stadium and the historic "K-Ville."
Historic Durham was all about the tobacco industry and this "campus" is centered around one of the most well-known. In Contemporary Durham it boasts the Durham Performing Arts Center (Off-Broadway and stellar shows), the Durham Bulls Stadium (Minor League Baseball at its best), and restaurants that will boggle your mind.
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American Tobacco Campus
300 Blackwell StHistoric Durham was all about the tobacco industry and this "campus" is centered around one of the most well-known. In Contemporary Durham it boasts the Durham Performing Arts Center (Off-Broadway and stellar shows), the Durham Bulls Stadium (Minor League Baseball at its best), and restaurants that will boggle your mind.
Food scene
Monuts
1002 9th StYou can walk to here! Great breakfast and lunch menu.
Joe Van Gogh Durham
1104 Broad StAnd you can walk to here too!
Juju Durham
737 9th StClose to home and always delish.
Offers a fusion of North and South Indian cuisine. Close to home.
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Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
811 9th StOffers a fusion of North and South Indian cuisine. Close to home.
Mateo is the first solo venture of chef Matt Kelly. Influences of Spain and The South.
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Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 W Chapel Hill StMateo is the first solo venture of chef Matt Kelly. Influences of Spain and The South.
Authentic Provencal French Cuisine - and a stones throw from home. Sunday brunch is exquisite and dinners are transporting.
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Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough RdAuthentic Provencal French Cuisine - and a stones throw from home. Sunday brunch is exquisite and dinners are transporting.
Handmade pasta - soul of Italian families - two great partners and chefs. Simply put.
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Mothers & Sons Trattoria
107 W Chapel Hill StHandmade pasta - soul of Italian families - two great partners and chefs. Simply put.
Gorgeous Indian Food through the lens of the British Empire. Cocktails worthy of IG posting!
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Viceroy
335 W Main StGorgeous Indian Food through the lens of the British Empire. Cocktails worthy of IG posting!
Three words: Wood. Fired. Pizza. Oh! and one more: Budino.
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Pizzeria Toro
105 E Chapel Hill StThree words: Wood. Fired. Pizza. Oh! and one more: Budino.
Extraordinary Cuban food and Cuban cocktails, beginning with the "mis en place" of soil - from the land to the table.
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COPA
107 W Main StExtraordinary Cuban food and Cuban cocktails, beginning with the "mis en place" of soil - from the land to the table.
Is this what we call full spectrum? fabulous cocktails and southern-inspired fresh dishes, ending - or possibly beginning - with the limited edition cake of the week...?
Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar
501 Washington StreetIs this what we call full spectrum? fabulous cocktails and southern-inspired fresh dishes, ending - or possibly beginning - with the limited edition cake of the week...?
Affectionately called the "M-pire" - the restaurants of chef Michael Lee - this was the first one to hit Durham. Look into his M Pocha, M Tempura and M Kokka, too. Nothing disappoints.
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M Sushi
311 Holland StAffectionately called the "M-pire" - the restaurants of chef Michael Lee - this was the first one to hit Durham. Look into his M Pocha, M Tempura and M Kokka, too. Nothing disappoints.
Head to The Rooftop! Stop and enjoy the full 360° of downtown Durham and beyond. Then order a cocktail and some locally sourced fare, and kick back. (oh and there's yoga up there on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.)
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The Durham Hotel
315 E Chapel Hill StHead to The Rooftop! Stop and enjoy the full 360° of downtown Durham and beyond. Then order a cocktail and some locally sourced fare, and kick back. (oh and there's yoga up there on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.)
Center City Durham - walking distance from DPAC - first come first served - crafted cocktails and simply delicious small plates and dinners. (*we hesitate to tell you about Bar Virgile because it is our local haunt. Just keep the secret, ok?)
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Bar Virgile
105 S Mangum StCenter City Durham - walking distance from DPAC - first come first served - crafted cocktails and simply delicious small plates and dinners. (*we hesitate to tell you about Bar Virgile because it is our local haunt. Just keep the secret, ok?)
Owner Shannon Healy is a 2022 James Beard finalist for Outstanding Bar Program. Does that say enough? Add outstanding New American fare, and mix well.
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Alley Twenty Six
320 E Chapel Hill StOwner Shannon Healy is a 2022 James Beard finalist for Outstanding Bar Program. Does that say enough? Add outstanding New American fare, and mix well.
New to the Durham Bar scene, Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge features Durham Distillery's Conniption gins, Cold Distilled vodka and Damn Fine liqueurs. Popped on the scene when NC Liquor laws changed mid-COVID to allow Distilleries to serve cocktails (and they were inspired to add delicious "light bites.") Shhhh. Please keep this secret too.
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Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge
715 Washington StreetNew to the Durham Bar scene, Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge features Durham Distillery's Conniption gins, Cold Distilled vodka and Damn Fine liqueurs. Popped on the scene when NC Liquor laws changed mid-COVID to allow Distilleries to serve cocktails (and they were inspired to add delicious "light bites.") Shhhh. Please keep this secret too.
Chef Ricky Moore is a Rock Star in our book (and in many books!) After decades in fine dining, he created Salt Box from his recollections of NC fish camps and waterside seafood shacks. Salt Box brings you local, fresh seafood, in a fun and casual setting.
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Saltbox Seafood Joint
608 N Mangum StChef Ricky Moore is a Rock Star in our book (and in many books!) After decades in fine dining, he created Salt Box from his recollections of NC fish camps and waterside seafood shacks. Salt Box brings you local, fresh seafood, in a fun and casual setting.
We love Beyu for so many things. Located in the heart of downtown Durham, it is all about community and really good coffee (with heart and soul, and a mission), welcoming atmosphere, good food and outstanding music.
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Beyú Caffè
341 W Main StWe love Beyu for so many things. Located in the heart of downtown Durham, it is all about community and really good coffee (with heart and soul, and a mission), welcoming atmosphere, good food and outstanding music.
We knew you'd ask about Barbecue. And try as we might, we just cannot take you "into town" for this singular version of the celebrated North Carolina delicacy. Here's how they put it "we cook eastern NC whole hog. Our sauce, Pig Whistle, is a nice blend of east and west, vinegar based with a little red." Our favorite pork barbecue (and fried chicken and all the sides) is simply "Picnic."
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Picnic
1647 Cole Mill RdWe knew you'd ask about Barbecue. And try as we might, we just cannot take you "into town" for this singular version of the celebrated North Carolina delicacy. Here's how they put it "we cook eastern NC whole hog. Our sauce, Pig Whistle, is a nice blend of east and west, vinegar based with a little red." Our favorite pork barbecue (and fried chicken and all the sides) is simply "Picnic."