The Introvert’s Guide to Durham

We get it — large crowds — probably not your thing. You're living your best life when you’re getting recharged with a little R&R, spending some reflective time with small groups, or settling in somewhere peaceful and warm with your favorite snacks and activities. We hear you. Durham is undoubtedly full of life, but also offers a break to the overstimulated. This post is for you. Here are six things to do in Durham if you're an introvert.

introvert

noun | in·tro·vert | \ˈin-trə-ˌvərt

1. one whose personality is characterized by introversion, especially: a reserved or shy person who enjoys spending time alone

This time of year is actually perfect for you, right? There are countless opportunities for you to take your own self-guided tour through Durham’s celebrated restaurant, craft brewery, and distillery scene ... or bundle up and spend time outdoors exploring beautiful gardens and hiking along the Eno River. Intellectuals will love various lecture series at Duke and North Carolina Central University, while those with a bit of wanderlust can explore both public art and museum collections.

1. Explore Durham's Art Scene

Durham's art museums present a refreshing opportunity for introverts to go out in public without feeling compelled to socialize. Walk through the rooms, enjoy the peace and quite, and appreciate the art. Our Public Art and Inspiration Guide can also help you explore the city ... by yourself. If you feel so inspired, there are also plenty of ways you can create your own art in the Bull City.

• The Nasher Museum of Art, North Carolina Central University Art Museum, and 21c Museum Hotel are home to extensive art collections, in addition to rotating exhibits.

• Make your own work of art in your own space and at your own pace at The Scrap Exchange, a creative reuse art center with workshops and classes including handcrafted cosmetics, leatherwork, and crochet materials.

2. Attend Concerts or Plays in Durham at an Intimate Venue

Live performances are almost always a treat, but the crowds can be a bit overwhelming for some. If you'd like a more intimate experience than the headliners that come through the larger stages in Durham, check out one of Durham's small venues. For a full list of where to find live music in Durham, check out our Music Lover's Guide to Durham.

• Duke University's Rubenstein Arts Center hosts performances, screenings and exhibitions from local artists, students, faculty and visiting artists.
  
• If a concert is more your vibe, there are plenty of options for a show in a small venue. See local and touring jazz shows and more while seated at a table at Missy Lane's Assembly Room or at Sharp 9 Gallery.

3. Enjoy the Outdoors in Durham, Solo Style

Few things recharge the soul and calm the mind like a walk in nature. Listen to the fallen leaves and branches crunch beneath your feet, watch your breath plume in clouds of crisp air as you walk through the serene paths around Durham's outdoor recreation destinations.

• Eno River State Park provides visitors with 28 miles of trails. The views of the river are sure to inspire impromptu meditation, reading, or writing from a moss-covered seat in the great outdoors.

• Sarah P. Duke Gardens is an ideal spot to spend a chilly afternoon. Chances are the crowds will be hibernating along with the spring and summer blooms that typically reel them in to the 55-acre botanical wonderland. This means restorative space, time and silence.
  • A note: the gardens will begin a transformative construction project called Garden Gateway this winter which will upgrade and transform its entrance, events spaces and more. Though the gardens will be open throughout the project, beginning Feb. 3, 2025, the main entrance and parking will be closed. A new entrance on Lewis Street will open beginning January 27, with weekend parking available on the adjacent H Lot on Anderson Street. Before you go, check the website for more details.

4. Have a Solo Spa Day in Durham

Hikes and live music are a blast, but sometimes all you need is a little rest and relaxation. For an indulgent experience, look no further than these Durham spas.

• Head to Durham Bodywork for an integrative rest session. At this community clinic, skilled massage therapists work to release tension in your muscles during a clothed massage session. Afterward, relax amongst pillows, blankets, and bolsters during an integrative rest session to deepen the benefits of your bodywork.
  
• Sauna House has a new location in Durham ready to give you a perfect bathhouse experience. Feel the healing benefits of cold plunging and sauna in a sustainable way.
  
• Auroraflow works to make wellness and self-care accessible for historically marginalized groups. Book a massage or energy work session and relax into some serious you time.

• For a more traditional spa experience, venture to the spa at the 21c Museum Hotel for a deep tissue massage or an aromatherapy experience.
  
• Immerse yourself in a relaxing afternoon, complete with sound baths, massage and salt therapy, at Durham Salt Cave.

5. Discover Durham's Restaurants on Your Own

Plan your entire itinerary around your mealtimes, so you can sample every last bite of this culinary mecca. Select a restaurant from a guide of favorite restaurants chosen by Bull City locals, or dive a little deeper into the Durham food community with a selection of hidden gem dining spots. Hit those spots on off-peak times to enjoy mealtime for one.

• Pick up locally-made food products to take home and share (or not share – no judgment) from specialty shops like Parker & Otis, Bulldega Urban Market, Sundries at LocoPops, and Foster’s Market.
  
• Duck into one of Durham's best coffee shops and disappear into a good book.

6. Embrace Your Inner Bookworm at Durhams Bookshops

Looking for a new read to accompany you to the coffee shop? The bookshops in Durham are a treasure trove of new and used reads. A few of these spots are so comfy, you may not even end up making it to the coffee shop.

• Peruse new and used books at downtown shop Letters Bookshop and don't miss the second floor where you can find books on music, art and other interests – plus, there's a bar up there serving beer and wine and, on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, join the Silent Book Club for light socializing and communal reading.
  
• Spend a day tucked away in a nook at The Regulator Bookshop, the oldest independent bookstore in the Triangle. The community-oriented space regularly hosts author-led readings and book signings with recommended reading lists from staff, local Durham book groups, and area librarians.

• Spend an afternoon at the new Main Branch of Durham’s Public Library. The award-winning LEED Gold-certified design includes 100,000 square feet of resources and special facilities including a sensory calming room, an Innovation Lab for creation including 3-D printing and modeling, graphic design and robotics, a gaming room and much more. Find a good book and settle into a nook or a spot on the outdoor terrace.
  
• Duke Arts Presents offers world-class concerts, workshops, guided tours and presentations that are open to the public.

7. Socialize at Your Own Speed

You like you're alone time, but that doesn't mean you're completely opposed to meeting new people. For those that are interested in making friends at your own speed, try one of these solo activities in group settings.

• The Boulder Garden provides a space for individuals to enjoy bouldering and yoga around likeminded people. With a heavy emphasis on community building, this establishment is a great spot to make friends without draining the social battery.
  
• Attend an event at Perfect Lovers, or just show up to hang out. This art gallery, community event space and coffee shop aims to give Durhamites and visitors opportunities for connection, inspiration and beauty.
  
• Night School Bar is the academically-inclined introvert's dream spot. This bar, and yes, it's also a bar, offers arts and humanities classes taught by instructors with PhDs and MFAs. Head over for a class, available on a sliding scale donation basis, or just grab a drink. It's a great opportunity to learn something and potentially meet new, likeminded people.
  
• In addition to being a great spot to read a book, the Durham County Main Library is also a good spot to meet new people in a structured setting. On the first Wednesday of every month, the library holds an It's hard to Make Friends as an Adult event, where individuals can come in with their lunch with the goal of socializing.