Downtown Durham Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

View of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina with blue sky background.
For a downright jaw-dropping sunset cocktail in downtown Durham, NC - hit up the rooftop bar at The Durham Hotel. #roofttopbar #sunset #dreamydrinks #skyonfire
The Sarah Duke Gardens is part of Duke University - one of the best public gardens in the country and a peaceful place to spend the afternoon. This photo was taken at the Japanese Pavilion.
The American Tobacco Trail is a 22 mile hiking / biking trail which runs through Durham and Cary, NC. A great place to ride in the city without traffic.
View of the lake at the Sarah Duke Gardens.

Popular places to visit

Brightleaf is part of downtown Durham, NC's renaissance. Old tobacco warehouses have found new life as shops and restaurants.

Brightleaf Square

You can do some window-shopping at Brightleaf Square during your visit to Durham. Discover the lively festivals and stunning cathedral in this family-friendly area.

Brightleaf Square
Sunset over American Tobacco

American Tobacco Campus

You can learn about the history of Durham with a trip to American Tobacco Campus. Experience the lively festivals or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

American Tobacco Campus
durham north carolina

Duke University

Take a campus tour or just explore the area around Duke University, a top university in Durham. Attend a sporting event or simply visit the area's stunning cathedral.

Duke University
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North Carolina State University

Walk around the campus at North Carolina State University as part of your travels around Raleigh. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

North Carolina State University
Raleigh Convention Center

Raleigh Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Raleigh Convention Center during your trip to Raleigh. Experience the great live music or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Raleigh Convention Center
The Old Well at UNC Chapel Hill during the spring with azaleas blooming

University of North Carolina

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of University of North Carolina during your travels in Chapel Hill. Experience the area's entertainment choices or attend a sporting event.

University of North Carolina

Activities

Raleigh African American History Tour

Raleigh African American History Tour

AU$27
per adult
Raleigh African American History Tour
Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours

Raleigh Downtown Historian-Guided Walking Tour

AU$27
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Raleigh Downtown Historian-Guided Walking Tour
Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour

Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour

AU$28
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour
See all activities in Raleigh

Our pick of the best Downtown Durham Hotel Deals

21c Museum Hotel Durham

21c Museum Hotel Durham

4 out of 5
111 North Corcoran Street Durham NC
The price is AU$281 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
AU$281
19 Apr - 20 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Durham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Exceptional staff, very responsive. And very pet-friendly!

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

21c Museum Hotel Durham
Unscripted Durham, Part of JDV by Hyatt

Unscripted Durham, Part of JDV by Hyatt

3.5 out of 5
202 N Corcoran St Durham NC
The price is AU$196 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$196
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Durham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
We stayed one night Had kids with us and the place was great

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2026

Unscripted Durham, Part of JDV by Hyatt
The Durham Hotel

The Durham Hotel

4 out of 5
315 East Chapel Hill Street Durham NC
The price is AU$301 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$301
30 Mar - 31 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this boutique hotel in Durham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (665 reviews)
Funky and fun. Lots of thoughtful touches like getting to choose the time and type of coffee you’d like delivered to your room in the morning. I’d stay again for sure.

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

The Durham Hotel
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Raleigh-Durham Airport, NC

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Raleigh-Durham Airport, NC

3 out of 5
201 Airgate Dr Morrisville NC
The price is AU$156 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
AU$156
19 Apr - 20 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Morrisville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,931 reviews)
Clean rooms

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2026

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Raleigh-Durham Airport, NC
Sonesta Select Raleigh Durham Airport Morrisville

Sonesta Select Raleigh Durham Airport Morrisville

3 out of 5
2001 Hospitality Ct Morrisville NC
The price is AU$184 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$184
31 Mar - 1 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Morrisville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,835 reviews)
I had a great stay. I was in town for my 97 year old grandma funeral. This hotel for was very accommodating. The customer service was A1. I will stay here again. Thank you

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2026

Sonesta Select Raleigh Durham Airport Morrisville
The Umstead Hotel and Spa

The Umstead Hotel and Spa

5 out of 5
100 Woodland Pond Dr Cary NC
The price is AU$642 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$642
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Cary. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (743 reviews)
Wonderful for a luxury spa getaway

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026

The Umstead Hotel and Spa
See all 1,786 properties in Downtown Durham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Durham

Artistic bridge in green lush garden setting. Sarah P. Duke gardens in Durham, NC.

Trinity Park

Trinity Park might not have many top sights, but Brightleaf Square and Carolina Theatre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Trinity Park
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East Durham

While East Durham isn't home to many top sights, Durham Performing Arts Center and Carolina Theatre are some notable places to visit nearby.

East Durham
Garden on Good Friday

Northwest Raleigh

If you're spending some time in Northwest Raleigh, Crabtree Valley Mall and William B. Umstead State Park are top sights worth seeing.

Northwest Raleigh
Cary Arts Center, cary downtown, north carolina

Downtown Cary

If you're spending some time in Downtown Cary, Cary Arts Center and Bond Brothers Beer Company are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Cary
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Crabtree Valley

You'll love the popular shops in Crabtree Valley, and you might want to stick around to check out Crabtree Valley Mall, a top place to visit.

Crabtree Valley
We got ice over the weekend making these puffy robins stand out against the frozen branches.

North Raleigh

While visiting North Raleigh, you might make a stop by sights like Durant Nature Preserve and Lafayette Village.

North Raleigh

Downtown Durham Travel Guide

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