A First-timer’s Guide to Durham, NC

Note: This list was last updated on February 27, 2010.

Here are my suggestions for things to see/eat/do in Durham. It doesn’t include Raleigh or Chapel Hill/Carrboro.  If you’re going to venture to either, I suggest the latter (and be sure you go to Weaver St. and Carrburritos).  Whatever you do, stay away from Cary. [Google the places] (http://maps.google.com/) to get directions.

In alphabetical order…

Al Buehler Trail
Duke Forest, on Academy/751 near the Washington Duke Inn. 5k trail through the woods, nice walk… there are lots of trails in Duke Forest that I recommend. My favorite is on Mt. Sinai right across from Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

The American Tobacco Trail/ATT
6.5 mile long biking/walking trail from downtown to South Durham. If you have/rent bikes, have a ride. It’s slated to be extended to go all the way to Raleigh.

Cosmic Cantina
Burrito joint, super cheap and tasty, right off ninth st.

Durham Bulls
Take in a game if there’s one while you’re here.

Durham Farmers Market
Have a visit if you’re here on a Saturday morning (open 8-12 in the summer; 10-12 in the winter) or Wednesday afternoon (open 3:30-6:30 in the summer).

The Federal
My favorite burger in Durham, if you like burgers. On the way downtown, in Brightleaf, on Main. Also for the vegetarians they have great veggie sliders.

Francesca’s
My most frequented afternoon coffee shop, on Ninth

The Green Room
Pool hall on Broad St. Another great place to get a real feel for the variety of folks we have in Durham. Beer, but no food or liquor. Also home to a slightly dilapidated foosball machine. Make sure you play the shuffle board, it’s free.

Guglhupf
Germany bakery and restaurant.  On Saturday mornings they have berliners, get there early. If you like Duck confit salads, they’ve got a great one.

Joe Van Gogh
My most frequented morning coffee shop, on Broad

Locopops (Warning: website auto-plays music)
A local chain of popsicle stores, there are several.  The original location is on Markham, which turns into Hillsborough. The creamy flavors are my favorite.

Museum of Life and Science
Go on a nice day and keep outdoors. See the dinosaurs, the wetlands, the bears/wolves/lemurs and play in Catch the Wind. On your way back to the main museum, stop by the Butterfly House and Insectarium. If you have any energy left, go inside to Soundspace, Keva (build something!) and Contraptions. North-ish Durham, off Duke Street.

Parker & Otis
Candy and tasty sandwich/foodie things. My favorite thing to do here is buy a bottle of wine in the store and drink it with friends out on the deck.  Cheap, scenic-ish and perfect if the weather’s not too hot.

The Pinhook
Great place to have a beer and get a flavor of the folks in Durham, no food, cash only. Downtown on Main St.

The Regulator
My favorite Durham book store, locally owned. On Ninth St.  Good magazine selection and they sell McSweeney’s. Also see Nice Price Books for a sampling of the used variety. It’s just a couple blocks away on Broad.

Revolution
My fav foodie spot Durham -pricey. Expect $100-$150 with wine and dessert, both of which I recommend. Also nice for a fancy drink.

Rue Cler
If you eat meat, you must go here and have a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast.  You won’t regret it. If you don’t eat meat, have an omelet. You won’t regret it. Make sure to order some beignets. Service can leave a little to be desired, but the food is worth it.  Also downtown.

The Scrap Exchange
A store that collects donated scraps from all over and resells them as art supplies. A Durham establishment. Central Park area, on Foster St.

Stone Brothers & Byrd
Where you’ll go to get your gardening supplies and garden seeds.

Tacos
We’re known for our tacos, so you should go to at least one taquaria.  I recommend either Taquaria La Vaquita on Chapel Hill Rd. (big cow on the roof) or Super Taquaria on N. Roxboro for authentic and Chubby’s Tacos on Ninth St. for Cali style.

Toast
A great Italian Sandwich shop downtown. Try whatever soup they’ve made, you can’t go wrong. The three cheese is my favorite, but if you’re with a friend, go halfsies with either the kale or local farm egg.

Wine Authorities
Local wine shop, owners Seth and Craig are awesome. Stop in to get a feel for where you would get your juice if you lived here.