Last time, the destination was Nashville. This time around, check out my “Top Things to Do” when visiting downtown Durham!

1. Brunch at Rue Cler

Location: 401 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC
Website: Rue Cler
You can’t go wrong at this French bistro. Ever. Everything I’ve had at Rue Cler, from omelettes to steak frites. Rue Cler also offers a great way to start your brunch: with coffee and beignets. I decided to try the Farmer’s Plate with house-made sausage, eggs, breakfast potatoes and fruit. It was excellent! I did have to steal a few pomme frites from my friend’s plate… and you’d be remiss if you didn’t have them, too. Order a side, get them with your meal or steal them from a friend. Either way, you must have the pomme frites. They’re that good.

2. Shopping in Downtown

Location: City Center District
Spend the afternoon strolling around the City Center District and check out some of the cool shops that have popped up over the last few years.  Chet Miller, Zen Succulent, Everyday Magic, Runaway Clothing, Dolly’s Vintage, Exotique Fabric & Gifts, Letters Bookshop. (Make sure to check individual websites for hours… some are closed on certain days)

Swing by Runaway Clothing to pick up some Durham gear.
Enjoy some fun gifts and vintage finds at Dolly’s Vintage.
Tons of cool stones, crystals and gifts at Everyday Magic.

3. Walk the American Tobacco Campus

Location: 318 Blackwell St, Durham, NC
Website: American Tobacco
A River.  Restaurants.  Outdoor space.  All of this, and more, right across the street from The Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the Durham Performing Arts Center.  The most spectacular renovation of an abandoned tobacco factory I’ve ever seen! (Full disclosure: I used to work at Downtown Durham Inc and worked on Downtown’s revitalization… but still! It’s fantastic and beautiful!) Don’t miss an afternoon stroll around American Tobacco, whether you’re just visiting Durham or you call Bull City home.

4. Watch a Show… or Catch a Game

Location: DPAC, 123 Vivian St, Durham, NC
Website: Durham Performing Arts Center
Broadway.  Concerts.  Comedy Shows.  Top Hats.  The Red Carpet.  No better place to throw on a suit, grab your date and head out for a night on the town.  Every experience I have had at DPAC has been top-notch. The venue really shows how much cultural shine you can find in downtown Durham.

Location: Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St, Durham, NC
Website: Durham Bulls
Broadway not your thing?  Catch a Durham Bulls game!  Super fun and quite affordable for a night out ($8/ea for outfield seats, Thursday nights are $1 concession nights-popcorn, hot dogs, soda).

5. Eat Ice Cream at The Parlour

Location: 117 Market St, Durham, NC
Website: The Parlour
What can I say?  This is where you’ll find the best homemade ice cream. Period. Get the Cookies and Cream and Salted Caramel, and then sit down and enjoy.

Bonus: Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Location: 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC
Website: Duke Gardens
If you venture outside of downtown, your first stop should be Sarah P. Duke Gardens.  A calm and relaxing experience, enjoy the tulip garden, rose gardens and — my personal favorite — the Japanese gardens. Worth the trip out of downtown, I’d plan to spend a couple hours walking around and exploring the grounds.

Beauty is everywhere here.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
In Bloom at Sarah P. Duke Gardens