A revitalised city complete with two colleges and a vibrant downtown area, Durham is one of the three towns that make up North Carolina’s Piedmont Triangle region. This city is known for its trendy arts culture, four-star restaurants and college basketball.

Things to do

Spend a day out in nature at Sarah P. Duke Gardens to discover dozens of separate viewing areas, amphitheatres and picturesque streams and fountains. Stroll through the Memorial Garden, look for butterflies in the Sundial and Butterfly Garden and admire the wealth of Southeast Asian florals in the Asiatic Arboretum.

Visit the Museum of Life and Science if you’re travelling with children. This combined indoor and outdoor science and discovery attraction boasts outdoor exhibits housing endangered species, a Dinosaur Trail with life-size dinosaurs and a Farmyard home to alpacas and donkeys.

Walk around the American Tobacco Historic District to explore some of Durham’s entertainment venues. Catch a Durham Bulls baseball game, tour the Power Plant Gallery and its visual arts exhibits, then dine on West-Coast style sushi at Basan.

Animal lovers can spend an afternoon at the Duke Lemur Centre, home to the world’s most diverse collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar. Choose from a variety of interactive tours, such as Walking with Lemurs, Painting with Lemurs or Lemur Keeper for A Day.

Getting around

Durham is served by Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located less than a 20-minute drive outside of the city. The easiest way to get around is by car, but you can also take advantage of extensive bike paths, taxis and multiple bus services.