One of the Coolest Cities You've Never Been To: Durham, North Carolina

Long before the film Bull Durham gave the city a national spotlight, Durham, North Carolina, was an industrial tobacco hub. As Durham’s tobacco production declined from the 1980s on, many buildings were left abandoned. But in 2001, the American Tobacco Company’s neglected headquarters was given a new life. It was renovated and rechristened the American Tobacco Campus, a modern, vibrant community center for the city and its residents. The tobacco industry’s legacy is still evident throughout Durham, through its entertainment venues, outdoor recreation trails and award-winning restaurants.

From the American Tobacco Company to Bull Durham Beer

Keep your smartphone within reach as you stroll through the American Tobacco Campus’ brick buildings, which were once the home of American Tobacco Company. You’ll pass dozens of Instagram-worthy Durham attractions, such as the Lucky Strike Tower, the man-made waterfalls that flow between century-old buildings, and even the cabin of Burt’s Bees founder Burt Shavitz, relocated from its original location in Maine.

If your exploring has worked up an appetite, head to Cuban Revolution for its Cuban sandwich (the restaurant boasts that it’s the world’s best) or hit up the Tobacco Road Sports Cafe for a bite before catching a Durham Bulls baseball game. Don’t skip a stop at Bull Durham Beer Co., a microbrewery that brews beer inside the stadium during ballgames.

If you’re in the mood to play, jump into a friendly game of pickup basketball at the campus’ covered outdoor court. Cooler months are perfect for bundling up and walking the short distance to the Durham Performing Arts Center. If you find yourself wanting to venture further outside the campus to find things to do in Durham, you’re in luck. The American Tobacco Campus makeover sparked growth all over downtown, and you’re likely to find culinary gems from James Beard Award-nominated chefs—such as Matthew Kelly, owner of the downtown tapas bar Mateo—and others along Main and Chapel Hill streets.

From powering business to powering creativity

More than 100 films are screened during April’s four-day Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. Photo Credit: Laney Leite

Flanked by mammoth coal-fired boilers that used to power the American Tobacco Company, the American Tobacco Campus’ renovated power plant showcases the city’s artistic ambitions. The 1,500-square-foot Power Plant Gallery features documentary and experimental artwork and is the home to the annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. The four-day festival, which takes place each April, screens more than 100 films from filmmakers from around the world, then replays the best of them throughout the year in the gallery’s Full Frame Theater. If you attend the festival, be sure to make time for conversations with the filmmakers; Full Frame is known for its slate of public panels, workshops and demonstrations.

Move along the American Tobacco Trail

Grab your bicycle or lace up your running shoes for an easy ride or jog through the Carolina pines. Spanning more than 22 miles from Durham to nearby Apex, the American Tobacco Trail is a rails-to-trails greenway that runs along the former Norfolk & Southern railroad corridor. Navigating the trail is a breeze thanks to quarter-mile markers along the pathway. The elevation gain is minimal, shade is plentiful and water fountains can be found along the route, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon. Rent a bike from Seven Star Cycles, located less than a mile from the American Tobacco Trail’s northern trailhead, and head south towards the American Tobacco Campus. Eventually you’ll pass through The Streets at Southpoint Mall, where you can refuel with a variety of cafes and restaurants.

Century-old buildings and international cuisine

With free parking and more than 100 years of history, Brightleaf Square invites locals and visitors to shop and dine at its independent retailers. Photo Credit: @streetsofdurham

Pair Southern hospitality with award-winning chefs, and you’re practically guaranteed a good meal. At the old warehouses in Brightleaf Square, built between 1900 and 1904 to store and ferment tobacco, you’ll find a medley of restaurants that serve everything from quick bites to decadent diners. There’s no better place for feel-good food than Satisfaction, a Durham institution since 1982 that claims to serve the best pizza in town. Other top options include the three-course fondue dinner from the Little Dipper, or a visit to Mount Fuji, which serves a wide variety of sushi and sake. After dinner, wander through the square’s many shops, which showcase local and regional arts and crafts, to pick up the perfect memento from your trip to this charming city.

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