Bull City on a Budget

Spending time exploring Durham doesn't mean you'll also have to spend a lot of money. From outdoor activities and historic sites to free concerts and cheap eats, the Bull City knows how to cater to those on a budget. Make sure these low- to no-cost stops are on your Bull City bucket list.

Explore a Museum (for free).

The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation is dedicated to preserving Durham's African-American heritage and Black history at the Hayti Heritage Center, a cultural and educational institution that houses community and artist space, and the Lyda Moore Merrick Gallery, the Rhythm & Blues Gallery, and the 450-seat St. Joseph’s Performance Hall.

Take in exhibits at the Museum of Durham History, a 21st-century museum that uses stories about people, places and things to foster curiosity and promote an understanding of diverse perspectives about the Durham community and its history. Little ones can explore the children’s area stocked with blocks, train tracks, dress-up clothes and more. Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.

As its name implies, visitors to the Museum of Life and Science will find living animals, dinosaurs, bugs and ecosystems to explore and engaging hands-on science exhibits. While there is normally an admission fee to visit the museum, it’s free to Durham residents on Durham Community Days.

One of Durham’s more unique museums is the V & E Simonetti Tuba Collection, one of the largest private collections of tubas in the world! It features tubas, information and ephemera, spanning more than 175 years. While you can see the tuba collection for free, appointments are required.

Visit a Historical Site.

Durham is full of history, from its buildings to its natural landscape. Take a self-guided tour of Downtown Durham to learn about the Bull City's historic land marks and figures.

At the Duke Homestead, visitors can tour the restored Duke family home, tobacco barns, original factory, farm and on-site museum, which showcases the beginnings of the tobacco industry and the empire founded by Washington Duke. The Duke family legacy is also visible at the American Tobacco Campus, where adaptive reuse has welcomed restaurants and startup businesses among the former Lucky Strike cigarette factory buildings.

The Civil War effectively ended in Durham at Bennett Place, which is also the site of the war’s largest troop surrender. In April 1865, Union General William T. Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston met at this homestead to negotiate the Confederacy’s surrender. Today, the historic structures have been preserved, and the site and its surrounding grounds and trails offer an immersive experience.

The past has been preserved at Historic Stagville, a 165-acre State Historic Site, entirely dedicated to teaching about the lives and stories of enslaved African Americans. Through careful research, Stagville documents the history of enslaved people and their descendants. At over 700 acres, it is the largest nature preserve in Durham. These historic grounds are free and open to the public for self-guided exploration. Guided tours at Historic Stagville are $2 for adults and $1 for children and seniors. Call ahead to confirm availability for guided tours.

Tour Duke University.

Pack a picnic and head to Duke University’s East Campus to grab a seat under a shady tree before touring the grounds, which feature Gothic stone buildings that date to the 1920s. Then, head toward West Campus to marvel at the historic Duke Chapel.

Thanks to a generous gift made in June 2022, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is free to visit. Featuring fine contemporary art and rotating exhibits as well as a collection of classical antiquities from Europe, Africa and the Americas, it is a must-see for art lovers and history buffs alike. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 - 5 p.m.

Highlighting decades of achievements, the Duke Basketball Museum and Sports Hall of Fame will captivate any fan. With 24 conference titles, as well as numerous trophies, videos and memorabilia, the Duke Basketball program’s rich history is all on display here. Learn more about the Blue Devils and hall-of-fame coach Mike Krzyzewski. The museum is open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nearby, Sarah P. Duke Gardens is free and open daily. The gardens come alive in the spring when all 55 acres are filled with birds and blooms. Guided tours are offered on foot or by trolley and must be reserved ahead of time online.

Get Cheap Eats on Ninth Street

While you’re near campus, be sure to take a stroll down Ninth Street, where students can often be found cheering on the Blue Devils over beers or munching on affordable table-fare at one of Ninth Street's awesome restaurants.

• Dain’s Place — build your own burger and snack on crispy tots at this local-favorite sports bar.
• Monuts — a go-to spot for donuts, breakfast sandwiches and coffee for those looking for a quick and affordable morning bite.
  
• Elmo’s Diner — a great sit-down spot for a full breakfast menu complete with biscuits and gravy, French toast and more.
• Banh's Cuisine — tasty Chinese food and homestyle Vietnamese dishes on the cheap with super affordable specials on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Tour North Carolina Central University

Discover the legacy of NCCU on a campus tour, from its early beginnings to its modern-day additions. Check out their brand-new, state-of-the-art Student Center where you can spread out on the lawn or look in on its auditoriums and meeting spaces. For a further look into student life, head to the Greek Bowl, the center for student life on campus. Here, you will also find the statue of the university's founder, James E. Shepard. If you're looking to take part in campus activities, go see the latest exhibition at the NCCU Art Museum or watch the Eagles play at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Engage in the Arts.

Durham is full of art galleries that showcase creatives year-round. Every third Friday, the downtown area comes alive to host the Durham Art Walk & Gallery Crawl, a free event where you can enjoy live music and dance performances, inspiring gallery showings, studio tours and more.

Check out our Public Art & Inspiration Guide for larger-than-life murals that honor a variety of people and causes that have shaped the city.

Housed in a boutique hotel, 21c Museum Hotel’s galleries include thought-provoking collections. The works consist of modern and contemporary art from emerging and established artists. The museum is free and open to the public 24 hours a day, and guided tours are offered on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Can't get enough art? Look through our guide to Durham Museums and Galleries page to find more tours, locations, attractions and more.

Shop Durham's Vintage Stores

More of an artisan yourself? Don’t miss Durham’s thrift and vintage scene. A DIY-er’s dream, you’ll find everything from tools and craft supplies to original artwork and more at The Scrap Exchange, and you can even learn a new skill for free with one of their online creative classes.

If you're in the market for unique vintage clothing or furniture, you have a host of shops to choose from. Stop by TROSA Thrift Store for second-hand clothing, books, furniture, household items and more. For carefully curated vintage pieces, peruse the racks at Durham Vintage Collective and Gibson Girl Vintage.

Go on a Taco Tour

With a plethora of family-owned and operated taquerias, Durham is a prime destination for all taco lovers. Whether you're looking for a casual spot to munch on street tacos or a full menu of authentic, regional Mexican cuisine, Durham's Mexican-owned restaurants have got you covered. You won't want to miss Lakewood favorite Taqueria La Vaquita or longstanding North Durham staple, Super Taqueria.

Plan an Outdoor Adventure.

There is no shortage of opportunities to get in touch with nature in Durham. You can pack a picnic and enjoy a park for a few hours or spend a whole weekend outdoors in Durham. Whether you love hiking, biking, fishing or camping, our parks provide space to recreate and enjoy the great outdoors year-round.

While first and foremost a teaching and research area, Duke Forest is also open for hiking, picnics, nature study and fishing. The natural trails provide a convenient and relaxing escape from the city and offer stunning glimpses of wildlife.

The American Tobacco Trail provides an accessible, partially paved foray into nature that follows a former railroad line. The trail extends well into neighboring Chatham and Wake Counties (the Durham portion is 11 miles long) and traverses many of Durham’s neighborhoods. It's open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.

Just 10 miles from downtown, Eno River State Park offers terrific access to nature. The river winds through miles of hills and bluffs and is ready to be hiked and enjoyed from one of five access points. You can take a photo from the iconic suspension bridge, picnic at one of the picnic tables, go fishing, or relax by the water. For a modest fee, you can extend your stay and take advantage of the campgrounds.

If all of this sounds great to you, you'll want to make sure you read up on the rest of Durham's outdoor adventure activities.

Follow the Eno to Falls Lake for even more outdoor activities by the water. You can hike or camp on the Mountains to Sea Trail. Book a guided paddle tour with Two Sisters Adventure Company or rent your own kayaks and paddle boards to create your own experience. Fishing opportunities abound, so make sure to pack a rod and reel.

Duck into a Dive Bar

It's hard to beat a cheap beer at the end of a day spent running around town. Luckily, there's no shortage of dive bars in Durham where you can do just that. Order of the $3 board at 106 Main for a surprise special. Cruise on down to Kotuku Surf Club to play a round of darts of bocce with friends. Love to play pool? Rent a table and buy a beer at The Green Room. Check out our full list of Durham bars with activities to plan your ideal, budget-friendly night out.

See a Live Music Performance

Durham has great music venues, many of which host free performances. Head to Durham Central Park to attend the PLAYlist Concert Series, a program that hosts a free concert on the first Friday of every month from May to October. Occasionally, you can find free live music in the American Tobacco Campus as well. For a full list of venues that have both free and ticketed events, check out our music lovers guide to Durham.

Tour Durham's Breweries & Distilleries.

Boasting local ingredients and fresh flavors, Durham’s award-winning breweries and distilleries are a great way to wrap up a day of discovery.

Hopheads will rejoice at the array of flavor profiles offered by Durham’s beer crafters. Don’t miss standbys like the Carver, Fullsteam’s sweet potato ale, or Ponysaurus Brewing Company's bright Biere de Garde, before you see what seasonal fruits have made it onto the menu at Bull City Ciderworks. The great news is there are no wrong choices – and a taste of the South is no further than the nearest brewery. Here’s a roundup of all of the Bull City’s breweries.

Ready for something stronger? Take a tour at Mystic Farm and Distillery or cocktail crafting class at Durham Distillery for a behind-the-scenes look. Or, just relax and enjoy a refreshing cocktail while you reflect on all of your new memories.

Discover Durham's Coffee Scene

There are plenty of amazing coffee shops in Durham, each of has a menu full of classic drinks and unique creations. While cafes like Gojo and Omie's are great places to get your caffeine fix, buying a drink is just scratching the surface of Durham's Coffee scene. Take a class with Little Waves Roasters to learn more about what makes those tiny beans so delicious. On Fridays, you can join the folks over at Counter Culture Coffee for Tasting at 10, where you'll learn all about Counter Culture's amazing flavors in their training center.

Still need ideas? Stop by the Discover Durham Visitor Info Center to pick up self-guided tour maps and ask our helpful team any questions you might have. Available guides include the ​​African American Heritage Guide, and Public Art & Inspiration Guide. Plus, there’s always something new to discover under the “Free events” category on our calendar.