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Browsing Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill
A Southern Season
Imagine almost 60,000 square feet of international and local delicacies, housewares and an entire gourmet chocolate bar department. A Southern Season started in 1975 as a tiny coffee roastery and has grown to a specialty market with a world-class cooking school known as CLASS (Culinary Lessons at A Southern Season). The culinary classes offered through CLASS feature both local and celebrity chefs and CLASSmates can enjoy wine tastings and exquisite cooking expertise from top chefs, making for an affordable opportunity to learn how to use some of the varied ingredients offered at A Southern Season. Known as Chapel Hill's Landmark Gourmet Market, A Southern Season is a local favorite.
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Ackland Art Museum
Dedicated in 1958 and renovated in the early 90s, this museum features everything from European paintings by the Old Masters to contemporary American works. Asian and African art that spans the ages is among the thousands of works on display. Paintings and sculpture by such well-known artists as Degas and Pisarro are part of its permanent collection. The museum hosts four to six temporary exhibits annually which in the past have included famous artists the likes of Andy Warhol and Edvard Munch. Admission is free.
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Allen and Son Barbecue
Serving some of North Carolina's best barbecue since men wore hats and women sported beehives. And, you still might see both at one of these traditional Lexington-style barbecue joints, where the waitresses are almost guaranteed to call you 'Hon.' Allen and Son's wood-smoked, slow-cooked pork brings out flavors that will convert even the staunchest Yankee.
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American Tobacco Historic District
One-stop entertainment shopping awaits visitors at Durham's newest old venue, attached to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The American Tobacco Historic District, known as American Tobacco, is the hot spot for dining and entertainment in Durham. This center is home to a slew of entertainment venues, including the new Durham Performing Arts Center, outdoor concerts with Music On the Lawn, art shows, and an eclectic mix of restaurants. Right next door, you'll find the Durham Bulls Triple-A Baseball Park, a great place to catch a baseball game. Besides the sporting and art events, American Tobacco also features green space and biking trails for those who prefer the outdoors. The setting dates back to the American Tobacco Company, founded by the legendary Washington Duke. Duke & Sons created one of the largest factories in the world where Lucky Strike and Pall Mall cigarettes, among other brands, were produced. Duke was also an integral part of bringing Trinity College to Durham, and this school later became Duke University.
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American Tobacco Trail
This 22-mile in-progress trail system traverses through the scenic Triangle Region of North Carolina. Connecting many popular sites in the area (such as the new American Tobacco Campus and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park), creeks, bridges, shopping centers, restaurants, neighborhoods, and parks, the trail is a must-see for travelers wanting to get a good idea of what the Triangle Region has to offer. Feel free to use the trail for hiking, biking, running, roller blading, or horseback riding (in designated sections only)--any form of transportation goes, except motorized vehicles. Getting tired of walking? At the New Hill Road junction on the trail, choose to hop aboard the New Hope Valley Railway and ride up to the town of Bonsal, where you can get a lesson in railroad history at the North Carolina Railroad Museum.
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Artspace
Located at City Market in downtown Raleigh, Artspace offers a unique experience in the visual arts. The large, non-descript building houses a three-story lobby with a contemporary style winding staircase, three exhibition galleries and more than 40 artists at work in open studios. A variety of mediums such as clay, metal, mixed media and paint are used. Lectures, classes for all ages, juried exhibitions and demonstrations offer plenty to fill an afternoon. General admission is free. Classes and exhibits may carry a fee.
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Bennett Place
Bennett Place was home to the Civil War's largest troop surrender in April 1865. The farmhouse that is home to Bennett Place was conveniently located between Confederate General Johnston's headquarters in Greensboro and Union General Sherman's headquarters in Raleigh. It was here that these historic Civil War Generals met and signed papers to surrender the armies in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. These days, the museum and historic grounds host school groups and Civil War buffs. The reconstructed historic farmhouse gives visitors a glimpse into the past, showcasing the way of life for farmers in the Civil War era in the South. The original house here tragically burned in a fire in 1921, but later reconstructed to preserve its historic past in the 1960s. Today, a modern visitors center recreates history and tells the story of the Bennett family and the farmhouse.
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Brightleaf Square
Once the center of Durham's famously successful tobacco industry, Brightleaf Square is housed in two large turn-of-the-century brick warehouses. Stroll the original cobblestone walks and enjoy the flower-filled courtyard that separates the two buildings. Inside you'll find high-end specialty shops catering to young Durham professionals. Check out the latest men's fashions at B. Hyman and Company, browse the wares at Horizon Gallery and hunt for that perfect accent piece at Bynum Front Porch
Operating as the town's main (and only) commercial center since 1936, the Bynum General Store closed its doors in 2006 but opened instead as a social gathering place with its Friday night concert series. Neighbors and visitors gather out back for traditional North Carolinian music in a family-friendly atmosphere.
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Cameron Indoor Stadium
Named for one of Duke University's most beloved figures--men's basketball coach, football coach, and athletic director, Eddie Cameron--Cameron Indoor Stadium is a favorite locale on campus. The legend goes that the plans for the stadium were drawn up on the back of a book of matches by Coach Cameron in 1935, leading to a completed arena in 1940. The original stadium accommodated a crowd of 8,800, and renovations in 1987-1988 brought capacity up to 9,314--which includes seating right alongside the court that is reserved for student fans (lovingly referred to as "Cameron Crazies"). The stadium is considered a top sporting venue and daunting place for visiting teams to play, as it has been consistently ranked as one of the toughest arenas to play, and as "the toughest road game in the nation" by media outlets such as EA Sports, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today.
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Cameron Village Shopping Center
One of the most unique shopping centers in North Carolina, Cameron Village is all about boutique clothiers, local art, and unusual stores. Designed to feel more like a village, than your average shopping mall or shopping center, Cameron Village features a wide variety of retail stores ranging from clothing to home accessories to beauty stores. Workers and shoppers alike gather to the center at lunchtime as there are quite a few popular restaurants within the Village as well. Art lovers will appreciate the "Cameron Canvas," which is a large art work prominently displayed above the Jolie Day Spa. The Canvas, as it's called, is a collaboration between the North Carolina Museum of Art and Cameron Village in which different artists' work is displayed on a large scale canvas for the community to enjoy. Check the Village's website for more information on the current artist and work featured.
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Carnivore Preservation Trust
Servals, tigers, and kinkajous--oh, my. Started in 1981 as a University of North Carolina (UNC) breeding facility for vanishing species of carnivores, the Carnivore Preservation Trust soon became a wildlife sanctuary for big cats, many rescued from the entertainment industry or overwhelmed exotic pet owners. Now, the Sanctuary gives visitors a rare opportunity to get within five feet of animals such as snow leopards, ocelots, jaguars, and tigers on a guided tour from experts.
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Carolina Theatre
The 1,016-seat main venue at the Carolina Theatre holds an impressive lineup of acts and performances year-round. The 1926 Beaux Arts building missed being steamrolled by Urban Renewal funds in the 1960s and 1970s and is now a cultural icon in downtown Durham. Nationally known performers and international acts come through at a steady pace throughout the year and the arthouse movie theatre upstairs shows the best of the best.
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Carr Mill Mall
A cotton mill built in the nineteenth century, the Carr Mill Mall is now the epicenter of Carrboro's community scene. Known by its anchor, the Weaver Street Market Co-op grocery store, the building also houses several eclectic shops and eateries. The Carr Mill Mall is actually listed in the National Registry of Historic Places as "The Alberta Complex," which was this building's original name. Built at the turn of the 20th Century, this complex was originally a cotton mill and eventually opened as the Carr Mill Mall in 1977 after being restored. Today, the mall is home to many different businesses, shops, and services ranging from an accounting company to a natural foods store to a yoga studio.
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Cat's Cradle
If you want to leave the cosy confines of familiar music, look no further. Listen to relatively unknown upcoming bands which create their own genre. One of the places for music biggies to find talent is right here. Those with new bands can send a demo in to book a show. Check the website for tours, tickets and bookings.
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Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
In addition to classes and a documentary certificate program, the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University has a constant stream of photographic exhibits, film showings, special events, and community happenings throughout the year. Located in an old house with a wrap-around porch (complete with rocking chairs), CDS is at the center of the Southern documentary film community, and where Durham's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival got its start.
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City Market
City Market is a trendy shopping and dining locale, centrally located in Raleigh's historic downtown district. The area offers something for everyone, with gourmet chocolate shops and art galleries, a lively nightlife scene with great bars and local brews, and a comedy club. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, City Market boasts notable architecture and impressive rehabilitation plans for restoring many of the buildings. Stroll around the pathways paved with original cobblestone and lit with old-fashioned lanterns, or stop for a rest on one of the many benches scattered throughout the area. Even the kids will enjoy the City Market, as they can dance to the toe-tapping tunes of the live music played on weekends.
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Dean E. Smith Center
The Smith Center is home to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. The 300,000 square-foot arena is located on the University's south campus. Along with memorable college basketball moments, the Smith Center has hosted a range of other athletic events including the U.S. Olympic Festival, NCAA Basketball Regionals, and NCAA Wrestling Championships. The Smith Center has also been used for big-name concerts like the Grateful Dead, Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen.
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Downtown Chapel Hill
The mile-long strip of Franklin Street along the UNC campus's northern edge can compete with any of the best college town entertainment districts. Over 100 bars, restaurants, shops, and coffeehouses line the street, which is filled with students, locals and visitors throughout the year. Here, you can see an up-and-coming band in a cave, dine on Southern-Asian fusion at what Gourmet magazine hails as one of the 50 best restaurants in the United States, or spend Halloween with 20,000 of your closest friends.
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Downtown Hillsborough
Historic Hillsborough has been beckoning visitors for over 250 years. Less than 20 minutes from both Durham and Chapel Hill at the northwestern corner of the Triangle, Hillsborough is easily reached from I-40 or I-85 for a day trip or quick visit. Colonial brick buildings now house art galleries, antique shops and cafes. An important town since the 1750s, it's now a haven for writers, artists, tourists, and barbecue enthusiasts.
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Duke Homestead and Tobacco Museum
The homestead is the idyllic 19th century estate of the Duke family, one of the original tobacco farming groups that made North Carolina an important nerve center for the booming tobacco industry of the 1850s. Be sure to check out the original architecture and antique details of the buildings on the estate, and also enjoy more modern features, such as interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. Interpreters are on site to give free tours and field any comments or questions. The Duke Homestead is an important historical landmark of the Triangle region, as it showcases the humble beginnings of a small plant that ended up becoming one of the most vital economic assets of North Carolina. Even today, tobacco is still the number one export crop of the state.
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Duke Lemur Center
Fifty million years of primate biology is on display at this most unusual of university departments. The Duke Lemur Center has the largest collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar, as well as lorises and bushbabies. The Center is located on 85 acres in beautiful Duke Forest. Daily guided tours are informative and fun.
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Duke University
Duke University has been educating an elite student body--including President Richard Nixon and North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole--since 1838. In 1892, what was then known as Trinity College moved to Durham, where a large grant from the Duke tobacco family built the sprawling 8,600-acre Gothic campus famous today for its academics, medical center and athletics. Visitors to the Duke campus will be astounded at the amount of places to visit--the peaceful Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a new nationally recognized art museum known as The Nasher, the largest collection of prosimian primates outside Madagascar at the Lemur Center, the stunning Duke Chapel, and the endless beauty of Duke Forest.
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Duke University Chapel
Built in the early 30s, the tower of Duke Chapel soars 210 feet into the sky. James B. Duke, founder of the chapel, felt that its presence would influence the spiritual lives of Duke students. Fine ornamentation, stained glass and four beautifully crafted organs, including a Flentrop or "Bach's organ," draw thousands of admirers each year. The superior acoustics showcase the moving a cappella hymns of the choir beautifully. Hear the 50 bells of the chapel's carillon play every day at 5pm. Admission is free.
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Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Durham's favorite minor league baseball sons were beloved across the Triangle even before the 1988 film Bull Durham hit the screens. The stadium opened in 1995 but has the architectural feel of a ballpark of days gone by. The 10,000-person capacity stadium borders the newly revitalized American Tobacco Historic District, so if you're still not sated after hot dogs, barbecue, frozen custard, and peanuts at the game, head over to American Tobacco afterwards for dinner or a drink.
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Eno River State Park
Want a relaxing respite from city life? The Eno is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. The park encompasses over 3,900 acres of lush forest, and features more than 24 miles of hiking trails, a babbling river running through the center, and 11 great campsites to choose from, making it one of the Triangle Region's best-loved parks. The namesake of the park, the Eno river, flows from northwest Orange County, runs for 33 miles through Durham county, and empties into Falls Lake, near the town of Wake Forest. It's a great river for fishing, as bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, bullhead, and other types of fish abound in the sparkling waters. Go explore the area for yourself, or enjoy one of the educational programs and workshops provided by the state park system.
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Fearrington Village
Practically begging for an afternoon stroll, this quaint village is located on farmland that dates back to the 1700s. The famous 'belted' Fearrington cows and goats look rather like the farm animal version of an Oreo cookie with a white belt around their middles. At the heart of the community is several dozen restaurants and shops, most well-known of which is the Fearrington House Country Inn--a romantic five-diamond hotel--and the Fearrington House Restaurant--one of the country's top farm-to-table restaurants.
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Glenwood
Restaurants, clubs, shops, galleries and pubs--this is the spot to enjoy the night (and day) in downtown Raleigh. The revitalized warehouse district is made up of six walkable blocks of entertainment just north of the State Capitol area along--you guessed it--Glenwood Avenue, between the 100-600 block and the 400-500 blocks of Peace and Jones Streets. It's a laid-back strip where you can find anything from a cafe housed in a converted train station to Harry's music store that has been jazzing up the scene for over 20 years. The Historic Glenwood-Brooklyn Neighborhood Association keeps revitalization, development, and community building efforts up, giving this urban area a true local neighborhood feeling. Check out the association's website for listings of great events, meetings, and concerts.
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Historic Oakwood
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oakwood is an enchanting neighborhood of restored and carefully maintained Victorian and Antebellum homes. While strolling through, you might expect to see ladies in full dress shading their faces with parasols and horse-drawn carriages trotting up and down the streets. Oakwood is truly at its finest in the spring, when the gardens put on their best show and at the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour, but it is lovely any time of year. Bordered by Franklin, Watauga, Linden, Jones and Person Streets.
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Inn at Celebrity Dairy
In the rolling countryside about 20 minutes southwest of Chapel Hill is this agrarian oasis dedicated to sustainable farming, peaceful living, and really, really good food. Open to overnight guests year-round through its bed-and-breakfast inn (emphasis on the hearty breakfast), the dairy makes itself available to daytime visitors throughout the year in its thrice-yearly Open Barn weekends and monthly dinners--the third Sunday afternoon of every month.
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JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University
Pull up a bench and revel in nature's beauty in this 8-acre garden wonderland. This outdoor laboratory for the Department of Horticulture is a delight for visitors and locals alike. Sit in the shade of trees from over 50 different countries, wander down the 450-foot long mosaic of the Perennial Garden or bring a good book and relax in the Reading Garden. The Victorian gazebo in the Klein-Pringle White Garden is a popular choice for local brides and the Japanese and Paradise gardens are must-sees. Admission and parking are free.
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Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park
What makes this amphitheatre different is its location. Nestled in the Piedmont Forest of North Carolina, near the Symphony Lake, the setting is ethereal, especially at night. Add class acts from John Mayer, Itzak Perlman, Norah Jones et al and you cannot forget this part of town for a long time. Be seated among the 7000 other patrons and have a long lasting impression. Alternatively you can participate in festivals, watch movies and croon with your favorite band.
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Lee Hansley Gallery
Full of pieces from some of the best modern and contemporary artists around (many are local North Carolinians), the Lee Hansley Gallery showcases an impressive collection of pieces. Since its opening in 1993, the gallery has been professionally managed by Lee Hansley himself, a former curator at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in the Winston-Salem area of the state. Thirty five artists display their works on a rotating schedule and there are also occasional featured themes, ranging from exhibitions focused on a single artist's work to those that focus on a specific style of art. In addition to a fantastic array of paintings, sculpture, photography, and fine prints, the gallery also offers appraisals, curatorial services, and art consultation.
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Marbles Kids Museum
Traveling with the kids? The Marbles Kids Museum is a great way to entertain the whole family. Focused on hands-on learning, the museum offers different galleries that engage visitors in exploring the earth while developing creative learning and thinking skills. Each area offers its own theme to explore with various activities to enhance learning; check out the Around Town Gallery to experience what it's like to work in different jobs around a community, or go play with water in its different capacities in the Splash Gallery. A few steps away is an IMAX theater, which features everything from Hollywood blockbusters to awe-inspiring IMAX films. After a day of fun, visit the gift shop full of books, CDs, t-shirts, and other souvenirs available for purchase.
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Moore Square
A breath of fresh air in the middle of downtown Raleigh, this lovely little park with a walkway and park benches allows city goers a chance to relax and commune with nature. Across from Mordecai Historic Park
A great site for history buffs, Mordecai is most famous for housing the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, who took office after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. In addition to President Johnson's birthplace, the grounds of the park feature the Mordecai Mansion, a historic two-story plantation house, complete with many of the original furnishings. It was built in the 1780s and became the site of one of the largest plantations in Wake County. Five generations of the Mordecai family lived in the house, successfully farming cotton, wheat, and corn. Also gracing the park's grounds are St. Mark's Chapel (popular for holding weddings), the Ellen Mordecai Garden, and the Badger-Iredell Law Office. The grounds are also rumored to be haunted, so if you see a woman wearing a white blouse and long black skirt during your tour, don't worry, it's just the on-site ghost greeting visitors.
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Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
This is one of the largest planetariums in the country. The 68-foot domed Star Theater houses a completely automated Zeiss Model VI Star Projector, one of very few in the world. Shows include "Solar System Adventure," for older students and adults, "Sol & Company" for the youngsters and "Larry, Cat in Space" for the preschool set. Tickets go on sale one half-hour before show time.
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Nasher Museum of Art
Opened in 2005 with a $24 million price tag, the new Duke University art museum spans millennia with exhibits in Greek and Roman antiquities, modern art, medieval and Renaissance pieces, and African art. Designed by famed architect Raphael Vinoly, the highlight of the space is an internal 45-foot glass and steel canopy above a central hall. In addition to an uncommonly good museum cafe and the permanent collection, the Nasher hosts traveling exhibits, lectures, and special events throughout the year.
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North Carolina Botanical Gardens
Whether you're a plant lover or just out for an afternoon stroll, these quiet gardens are the best place around to learn about the native plants of the southeastern United States. They've been conserving and studying flora and fauna for over 30 years and continually work to educate the public about how to cultivate and preserve a healthy relationship between people and the plants that surround them. Walk through the display gardens on site, or visit the information center or the arboretum; they're all very informative and have staff on site to answer any questions. Some of the most popular display gardens include: the water gardens, carnivorous plant collection, and the herb garden. The kids will enjoy the site too--point them in the direction of the "Herb House", a cottage in the center of the herb garden where they can participate in "Fun Things to Do" and use their imaginations to pen letters to the wood spirits of the Fairy Garden.
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North Carolina Museum of Art
Browse one of many permanent collections at this gallery, including African, ancient and oceanic art, and an extraordinary exhibit of Judaic ceremonial art. American paintings by Singleton, Copley, Homer and O'Keefe are on display and the Baroque and Renaissance painting collection is internationally recognized. You will easily spend several hours perusing the exhibits. Temporary exhibits rotate throughout the year. Enjoy outdoor sculpture over lunch or coffee and dessert at the museum café, Blue Ridge. General admission and parking are free. Special exhibits may carry a fee. Take I-40 to exit 289 and then take a left onto Blue Ridge Rd. The museum will be on the right. Check website (www.ncartmuseum.org) for more detailed directions.
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North Carolina Museum of History
Founded in 1902, this museum is committed to exploring and preserving North Carolina's rich heritage. Among the permanent exhibits is the Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina Folk life, and David Marshall "Carbine" Williams, a famous inventor of weapons innovations. There is a variety of changing exhibits available to explore as well. The museum houses a large collection of artifacts that represent agriculture, costumes, furnishings, sports and leisure and more.
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North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
Walk through a tornado, talk to a friend via video computer link, experiment with water pumps and surround yourself in a giant bubble. Watch in wonder as exotic butterflies float by in the Magic Wings Butterfly House and feel a chill go up your spine as you visit with un-caged giant orb spiders. Home to an actual Apollo command module and Neil Armstrong's space suit, this museum makes the history of space travel come to life.
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North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Explore the natural wonders of North Carolina, from the depths of the ocean across to the mountains, complete with a 20-foot waterfall. See North Carolina as it was, in a re-creation of six prehistoric habitats. This is home to the only Acorcanthosaurus discovered in the world, and Willo, the first dinosaur found with a fossilized heart. The Discovery Room is full of interactive exhibits. Looking for that perfect gift? The Nature Gallery has original nature-themed artwork available. There is a restaurant on site. The general admission is free of charge. There is a cover charge for special exhibits. Children under 13yrs must be accompanied by an adult. The Discovery Room, Naturalist Center, and Living Conservatory remain closed on Mondays.
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North Carolina State Capitol
The State Capitol looks much the same today as it did back in 1840. Originally built between 1792 and 1796, it burned in 1831 and the government set out to build a new, more majestic, Capitol. Today it stands proud on Union Square, one of the best-preserved examples of Greek-Revival style architecture in America. The centerpiece of the impressive rotunda is a statue of George Washington dressed in a Roman tunic. The building's history is a colorful one, with stories of ghosts roaming and secret spy rooms.
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North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Although fairgrounds generally conjure up an image of cotton candy and funnel cakes, there is much more to this site. The Fairgrounds hosts hundreds of events and activities each year, ranging from dog shows to auctions to coin/stamp shows. The Hunt Horse Complex hosts various horse events and the Exposition Center is a great place for banquets and trade shows. The Flea Market is open every Saturday and Sunday--a good event to attend to see some local artisans and craftspeople.
The main event (the State Fair) is held for about 10 days each October and is a thoroughly entertaining event for the whole family, complete with concerts, displays, rides, food, and much more. The fair attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year, making it a very popular activity for the whole state. More »
North Carolina State University
One of North Carolina's most well-known research universities, NC State is most famous for its educational disciplines in the sciences; popular ones include engineering, technology, agriculture, and mathematics. Centennial Campus, an on-site research science park, is an award-winning neighborhood of campus that houses government agencies, corporate offices, private companies, and NC State institutions. Students and faculty work alongside corporate employees and executives, making it a great place to gain valuable real world experience and collaborate with some of the leaders in specific fields of study. In the athletic arena, NC State (or the "Wolfpack") has historically performed well against competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have been most successful in men's basketball, wrestling, and football, but also have noteworthy baseball, cross country, swimming, and women's basketball programs.
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North Carolina Symphony
A mainstay of Triangle music culture, the symphony has entertained music lovers since 1932. Meymandi Concert Hall is its regular home, but many performances take place at other Triangle venues, in local schools and in communities far and wide. The Regency Park Amphitheatre was built expressly for Summerfest concerts. These outdoor events take place in June and July and are a wonderful way to introduce orchestral music to children. Many families spread blankets on the lawn and enjoy the music over a picnic dinner.
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Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
The Raleigh Memorial Auditorium presents an incredible array of performing and cultural arts. The best of the best in opera, ballet, orchestral music, theater, and comedy is what you'll get here. Popular music concerts are also performed at this venue. Lucky visitors saw Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, The Moody Blues, Amy Grant, Toto, and Prince in action. 'Les Miserables', 'Miss Saigon' and 'Cats' also stopped by. This celebrated venue is also home to the North Carolina Symphony and Theatre. Don't miss 'The Carolina Ballet' and 'Friends and Lovers', which are part of the upcoming lineup.
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Pullen Park
Pullen Park has been a Raleigh tradition for over 100 years. The amusement park features a carousel, paddle boats, and miniature train rides, among other rides and attractions making this a great place to play with the kids. This historic park was first established when the prominent philanthropist Richard Stanhope Pullen donated the 80 acres of land that is today Pullen Park. The carousel at Pullen Park is the shining star of the amusement park and dates back to about 1900. Built by the legendary Pennsylvania Carousel Company, this specific carousel is one of the earliest built by Gustav Dentzel, whose company was the leading carousel maker for the United States until the factory closed in 1928.
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RBC Center
The RBC Center is the Triangle Area's newest and largest sports and entertainment facility. It is home to the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, North Carolina State University men's basketball, and many other concerts, shows, performances, and private events. The center was built in 1997 at a cost of $158 million (financed considerably by a local hotel and restaurant tax) and has a footprint of 700,000 square feet. It can hold up to 18,176 fans for hockey, 19,722 for basketball, and 19,500 for events and performances on center stage. The arena has three concourses, 66 luxury suites, and boasts a 500-seat restaurant located on the Club Level. It was known as the ESA (or Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena) until 2002, when the center was named for one of its corporate sponsors, RBC Centura, a southeastern bank owned by the Royal Bank of Canada.
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Sarah P. Duke Gardens
In the early 1920's, planners were set to create a lake in the valley that is now Duke Gardens. Funds were short back then and they began planting instead. Now, this is one of the most beautiful scenes around. Comprised of three main sections, the original Terraces, the Blomquist Garden of Native plants and the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, the gardens are a treat all year round but make their best show in spring when the tulips are blooming. Bring a picnic and set out a blanket among the flora or just meditate under a shady tree.
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Scrap Exchange
Started in 1991, the Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit center that promotes creativity, waste reduction, and recycling awareness through the reuse of discarded materials. It's a great place for children and adults alike to see how materials can be reused for art, education, architecture, or recreation. Materials are brought in by the truckload from over 250 businesses around the Durham area, from solid waste facilities to office supply stores. All donations are tax deductible; donors receive a letter with each donation stating the fair market value of the items they've contributed, as well as the value of giving back to the community. The exchange offers various classes, workshops, and events, along with a store where you can purchase recycled materials and original pieces of art and crafts by local artisans.
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Shelley Lake Park
This park, centered on 50-acre Shelley Lake, offers greenway trails that are popular with cyclists and those who walk for fitness as well as families and pet owners who want to take the kids or dog out for a romp. Take a leisurely walk around the lake and enjoy the natural setting, have a picnic, go fishing, paddle a canoe or rowboat around the lake, sit and watch the sailboats go by or feed the many ducks that call the park home.
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Skin Sense--A Day Spa
This spa applies state-of-the-art techniques to help guests relax and rejuvenate. It has a six-week series called 'Stress Therapy', which involves hydrotherapy, Ayurvedic services and hot basalt stone massages. Its other amenities include delicious spa lunches, locker rooms and showers, steam rooms, and a lounge. Facials, hair removal treatments, manicures, pedicures and other body treatments are also available at the salon.
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The Know Bookstore and Restaurant
Serving as a Durham community institution since 1982 is this combination bookstore and old-school diner. With black history books, African art, special events and a hidden diner that serves up delicious Southern favorites as well as jazz on Friday nights, the Know is definitely a must-see cultural establishment. Try their famous BBQ (made with turkey), red beans and rice, or jerk chicken; everything on the menu is sure to please and is served up in a very casual and welcoming dining area that's just a few steps away from the adjoining bookstore. The bookstore side of the shop offers new and old books, intermingled with cultural pieces of art and knickknacks. It's a great place to spend an afternoon experiencing a part of the rich, regional lifestyle of North Carolina.
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Theatre in the Park at Pullen Park
This innovative theater is located in the northern section of North Carolina's first public park, Pullen Park. It is an award-winning theater arts center, focusing on the performance of various plays and musicals from around the world, from famous selections such as A Christmas Carol to original pieces like Dearly Departed. They have produced over 40 original plays in the past 20 years, including two that went on to be performed on off-Broadway after debuting at Theatre in the Park. The building includes a performing space, administrative offices, costume shop, dressing rooms, and a Season Member Lounge (for those with seasonal memberships to the theater). Add a few additional minutes to your visit to wander through the John S. Bento garden that graces the front entrance; it's a beautifully-manicured area that was named for one of the park's most beloved groundskeepers who has spent much of his free time cultivating and maintaining the garden.
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
As the oldest public university in the country, UNC is the cornerstone of Chapel Hill--a college town through and through. It opened to students in 1795 and was the only public university in the U.S. to present degrees in the 18th century. Built on 729 acres, the campus blends old and new architecture and is known as one of the most beautiful in the nation. UNC Chapel Hill has over 100 areas of study, and is particularly well-known for its school of medicine, public health, and law. The athletic program is also top-ranked in the nation, as the "Tar Heels" have won many national and conference championships. Their women's and men's soccer programs, men's basketball, and women's lacrosse programs have been traditional powerhouses for the school and continue to successfully represent the Tar Heels in competition.
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William B. Umstead State Park
Set amid the forests that surround Research Triangle Park, this lovely get away has hiking, biking and bridle trails that lead to beautiful mountain laurel and century-old trees. Picnic shelters with tables and grills are located throughout the grounds. Paddle across the lake in a rented rowboat or canoe, fish for bass and bluegill or take a guided nature tour. Campground facilities are open April 1-October 31 each year. Primitive camping is available year round. Park admission is free.
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