A College Student's Guide to Durham

In addition to being an epicenter of collegiate brilliance, Durham is a thriving city in its own right with nationally recognized restaurants, a buzzing downtown, art galleries, live music and tons of local pride. Make it your mission to get to know Durham – here's a guide to get you started.

Get to know campus and the surrounding neighborhoods.

It's time to familiarize yourself with your new home. Durham's neighborhoods are full of personality, history, natural beauty and things to do. Get to know them all by reading our eight district guides outlining what you don't want to miss in each area.

Don't just take it from us! Check out our guides to on- and off-campus hotspots at NCCU and Duke written by a recent alumnus of each university. For more history on the area, read through our African American Heritage Guide.

College Students' Top Picks

Don't just take our word for it, listen to the students themselves. We had two NCCU students take us around town for a day to show us their favorite spots. Watch the video below for the inside scoop.

Where to shop for your next favorite outfit

From comfy college duds for studying to special event-worthy designer pieces, Durham's shops, boutiques and consignment stores have everything you need.

• Show off your team colors with pride. For Duke Blue Devils apparel and accessories, head to the Duke University Store on Duke’s campus. NCCU Eagles gear can be purchased at Eagleland or at the NCCU bookstore on campus.
• To rep Durham, shop Hometown Apparel on Ninth Street or Bull City Apparel on Fayetteville Street.
• For unique finds on a budget Mode Consignment Boutique is a charming shop in the Brightleaf District, where you can sell used clothes and purchase gently used items. You can find brands like Michael Kors, Lilly Pulitzer and Tory Burch.
• Stay on top of the latest trends. The Streets at Southpoint, a super-regional mall with retailers like Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom and Madewell.
• Durham is home to several local boutiques. Located on Hillsborough Road, Smitten Boutique is a women’s boutique specializing in clothing, accessories and gifts for women with a passion for fashion. Vert & Vogue is an upscale downtown shop that carries clothing and accessories by independent designers.

See more local boutiques.

Where to go for affordable furniture and decor

Used furniture, supplies for a craft project, or just a special find, these shops are your go-tos:

• The Scrap Exchange is unlike any place you’ve ever been before. Part creative maker space, part thrift and part craft supply store, you can spend an entire afternoon exploring its 23,000-square-foot location. It's like an IKEA for crafters. And don't miss Scrap Thrift next door and its fantastic used book section.
• Shop and donate to Habitat for Humanity Restore, which offers a wide supply of gently used furniture items.
• Trosa Thrift offers everything from furniture to collectibles and clothing items. Proceeds benefit Trosa’s substance abuse recovery programs.

If you're looking to update both your wardrobe and your apartment, peruse through this comprehensive list of Durham's vintage and thrift shopping.

Where to 'take your parents' (wink, wink) for a nice meal

Let's be real. We all know who's actually picking up the check. Durham is known for its food scene, so when the parents are in town, it's time to break away from your store-bought ramen routine. Remember, if your family is coming to town for parents’ weekend or other popular university events, you’ll want to make dinner reservations several weeks in advance.

For a celebratory dinner:

• Nanas – seasonally changing menu inspired by grandmothers' cooking. It doesn’t get more Durham than dinner and a drink at Nanas.
• NanaSteak – steakhouse classics in an upscale setting, plus an award-winning wine list for those of age.
• Nikos – Greek and Mediterranean cuisine served in a lively dining room in Brightleaf Square.
• Goorsha – traditional Ethiopian fare with a modern twist. Communal plates are great for a convivial dinner with a group.
• Ekhaya – serving up Southern African flavors, this is the perfect place for tapas, full plates, sweet bites and more
• The Durham – the restaurant in the stylish lobby at The Durham Hotel serves celebrated seasonal American cuisine.
• Parizade – upscale Mediterranean fare at a Durham institution, steps away from campus.

Find more dining options here.

For a leisurely brunch:

• Dame's Chicken and Waffles – a Durham staple with crispy chicken, fluffy waffles and a delectable selection of schmears.
• True Flavors Diner – sky-high biscuit sandwiches and other Southern takes on diner fare.
• Press Coffee, Crépes & Cocktails – an airy, bright European-inspired café with a high-end coffee bar and full brunch menu.
• Foster's Market – dine on brunch classics like breakfast burritos and sandwiches, a farm plate, huevos rancheros and more in this casual cafe setting with plenty of outdoor space.
• Vin Rouge – a traditional French bistro's take on brunch of course, includes a perfect omelette, crépe du jour and steak frites.
• Nzinga's Kitchen – this hidden gem is a breakfast and brunch favorite for Creole-inspired dishes like shrimp and grits.

Explore more options on our guide to Durham's best brunch spots.

For a taste of classic southern cuisine:

• Bullock’s BBQ – classic barbecue from a family-owned Durham institution that has been serving since 1952.
• Lula & Sadie's – modern, seasonal Southern cuisine open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
• Saltbox Seafood Joint – famously fresh coastal Carolina cuisine from James Beard Award-winning chef Ricky Moore.

For a true Southern food tour of Durham, consult Nikki Miller-Ka's piece on the most iconic dishes in the city.

Keep up to date on all the latest restaurant openings here.

Where to go for late-night eats

If you’re out with friends or pulling an all-night study session, you’ll need late-night grub. Here’s where to find it:

• Heavenly Buffaloes – some of the best chicken wings in town, and their vegan counterparts, added to Durham’s late-night food scene. Don’t forget a side of sweet potato waffle fries. Yum.
• Cosmic Cantina – burritos, quesadillas and more available until 4 a.m. So...yeah. Ascend the iconic staircase and get those deluxe burritos and house-made chips. It's a college student's rite of passage.
• Cook Out – a North Carolina-based fast food chain known for its extensive milkshake menu (peach cobbler) and an anything-goes food selection – from corn dogs to quesadillas.
• Queeny's – this downtown establishment with neighborhood bar vibes serves food as late as they'll serve drinks. Drop in any time before 2 a.m. for chicken crispers, birria dip and a fun lineup of house cocktails.
• Mezcalito – this popular Mexican bar and restaurant on the bustling corner of Ramseur and Fayetteville streets brings the party. Grab a table and order a shareable margarita for the table while you feast on the extensive menu of Mexican favorites.

Where to go for coffee and marathon study sessions…

Mix up your study routine by getting off campus and checking out Durham’s coffee houses.

• Cocoa Cinnamon – order from a top-notch selection of pour-over coffees across 3 different locations. Coffee enthusiasts, this is your spot.
• Joe Van Gogh – welcomes "campers" with laptops and textbooks at each of their 3 unique Durham locations
  
• Bean Traders – South Durham staple offering locally roasted coffee, lots of study space and house-made treats.
• Cloche Coffee – located across the street from Duke's east campus, providing both indoor seating and a quiet, shaded outdoor space perfect for studying.
• Triangle Coffee House – head over to UHills for ample parking and space to spread with out your caffeine for a marathon study session at an indoor or outdoor table.
• Durham County Main Library – 4 floors of study space with a variety of seating options, including an outdoor terrace and green roof.

Find all of Durham's best places to caffeinate.

Where to unwind outdoors

Sometimes you need a break from cramped dorm rooms, the library stacks and campus in general. While NCCU and Duke offer beautiful outdoor spaces, Durham has a host of other parks and natural areas for you to explore.

Only six miles north of downtown Durham, West Point on the Eno is your close-to-home nature escape. You can lounge by the Eno River, enjoy miles of hiking trails, or explore the site’s three historic buildings.

Little River Regional Park is a remote natural area in northern Durham County, with over seven miles of hiking trails and eight miles of mountain bike trails.

Enjoy hiking trails and beaches at Falls Lake, located on the eastern edge of the county.

Find more ways to satisfy your adventurous spirit here.

Where to take a group

Take your crew off campus and try something new.

Spend an hour solving puzzles and unlocking clues at Bull City Escape, an escape game within walking distance of Duke’s East Campus.

Looking for something a little more laid back while still staying on your feet? Head over to The Green Room for a few rounds of pool with friends.

Relax and recharge at Happymess Art Studio, where you can enjoy open studio time, an adult art class, or rent out the studio for a party.

Check out our Squad Goals blog post for more ways to entertain a group.

How to get there…

In addition to transportation services like Uber and Lyft, you can rent a Zipcar. The car-sharing service has two locations in Durham and is available by the hour or day. Additionally, scooter companies are vying for you to scoot from one end of the city to the other, and the downtown area is extremely walkable.