Love Durham Challenge

Durhamites are fiercely proud of the city they love. That pride shows up through warm smiles, eager recommendations, welcoming invitations. Durham locals are the first to show off their city – the coolest hidden gems, the secret menu items, the friendliest bartenders, the most serene trails, the most thought-provoking art. Love Durham is here to help share that love out loud for all to see.

More than 150 small businesses have signed on to host events, offer deals and discounts, special menu items and more. Now, Durham’s biggest attractions are also collaborating to launch interactive exhibits and activations welcoming folks into their spaces to make their mark and create memories while experiencing more of the city and supporting the small businesses that are the city’s heartbeat.

Learn more about Love Durham, take the Love Durham pledge and see all the participating businesses.

What is the Love Durham Challenge?

The Love Durham Challenge is an app-based challenge that allows you to earn prizes for visiting and checking in at activations across Durham. At launch, there are six activations, and several more will launch in the following weeks. Players will win a branded T-shirt after visiting ten spots by April 10, 2025.

Download the App

Love Durham Interactive and Visual Exhibits

Love Lock Lane at the American Tobacco Campus

Address: 300 Blackwell St.
Hours: the campus and Love Lock Lane are accessible 24/7

Leave your mark of love at the fence by the Power Plant building and support a small business along the way. Some of the businesses on campus will have free locks available, including Parker & Otis, Parker Paper Co., Yoga Off East, NanaSteak and Seraphine. You can also find locks at the Visitor Info Center or bring your own.

1. Secure your lock on the Love Lock Lane.
2. Scan the Love Durham Challenge QR code next to the Love Lock Lane to check in.
3. Post a pic tagging @americantobaccocampus and #LoveDurhamNC.
4. Support a participating small business on campus.

Durham Love Notes at the Visitor Info Center

Address: 212 W. Main St.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Share your favorite small businesses and the things you love about Durham to help visitors discover something new.

1. Share your favorite local business by leaving a handwritten note for others to read.
2. Scan the Love Durham Challenge QR code to check in.
3. Explore new downtown businesses that are participating in the Love Durham campaign.

To the Moon and Back at the Museum of Life and Science

Address: 433 W. Murray Ave. – parking lot on the south side of Murray Ave. across the street from the museum
Hours: South side lot is accessible Tuesday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Take a pic by the iconic 83-foot-tall replica of the Mercury-Redstone Rocket that carried the first American into space.

1. Snap a pic with the backdrop. Be sure to throw your Love Durham hand signs.  
2. Tag @museumoflifeandscience and #LoveDurhamNC .
3. Scan the Love Durham Challenge QR code to check in .
4. Discover a new small business in North Durham or a family-friendly establishment like Elmo's Diner or Parker and Otis.

Love in Full Light at the Carolina Theatre of Durham

Address: 309 W. Morgan St.
Hours: outdoor display is accessible 24/7, though only illuminated after dusk

Check out the 99-year-old building’s facade decked out in the City of Durham’s flag colors as well as a new Love Durham light display near the Carolina neon sign. Buy a ticket to a live show while wearing a Love Durham sticker for a free popcorn voucher .

1. Snap a pic outside with the Love Durham hand signs . 
2. Tag @carolinatheatredurham and #LoveDurhamNC. 
3. Scan the Love Durham Challenge QR code found on the signage outside the theatre to check in.
4. Grab dinner from a participating Love Durham small business before or after the show.

The Art of Loving Local at the Durham Arts Council

Address: 120 Morris St.
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m – 9 p.m.; Sunday 1 – 6 p.m.

Window decals on the building’s iconic glass atrium welcome you inside where you can leave a love note about the Bull City before checking out some local art.

1. During the Durham Arts Council’s operating hours, share what you love about the Bull City on the Love Durham wall inside.
2. Be sure to check out the gallery filled with local art while you’re there.  
3. Snap a pic outside with the Love Durham hand signs. 
4. Tag @durham_arts and #LoveDurhamNC .
5. Scan the Love Durham Challenge QR code to check in. 
6. Drink, dine and shop downtown at spots like Toast, Pie Pushers, LocoShop, The Durham Hotel and more.

Mongo Loves Durham at The Scrap Exchange

Address: 2050 Chapel Hill Rd.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

No trip to Durham is complete without a new-to-you treasure from the Scrap Exchange. A rotating activation begins with a Love Durham postcard writing station inside the Scrap. Stay tuned for a DIY graffiti station.

1. Write a postcard to a friend to share what you love about Durham – the postcard and postage are free.
2. Snap a pic and tag @scrapexchange and #LoveDurhamNC.
3. Scan the Love Durham Challenge QR code to check in.
4. Shop rescued treasures and check out DIY art before you explore other Lakewood businesses like Lakewood Social, Bright Black, Freeman's Creative and Cocoa Cinnamon.

How to Complete the Challenge

Explore the city you love, share your pride for the Bull City, support small businesses, win prizes!

• Download the Discover Durham app on iOS or Android.
• On the app’s homepage, click the Love Durham Challenge. There, you’ll find a list and map of the activations to start chipping away on the list. The app will help you map your journey so you can enjoy a few different spots within proximity of each other – and enjoy the small businesses along the way!
• Once you arrive at an activation, find challenge signage including a QR code nearby. Open the activation’s listing within the app challenge and click “scan QR code” to check in.
  • If you’re not able to scan the QR code, you can instead type into the app a passcode listed on the same sign as the QR code. These codes are not case-sensitive and are unique to each of the stops.
  • The check-in radius is limited to 150 meters from each address, so make sure you scan the QR code or enter the passcode while you’re still there! You won’t be able to check in remotely.
  • You should receive confirmation of your check-in instantly.
    

• Once you’ve completed ten objectives, you’ll be eligible for a Love Durham t-shirt and gift card from a participating Love Durham small business.
  • The app will prompt you to fill out a submission form (name, home zip code and email address) and then will provide you with a completion badge.
  • To claim your prize, visit the Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main St. downtown and show your completion badge in the app to one of our friendly staff or volunteers to receive your t-shirt and gift card. Visitor Info Center hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Many of the 150+ participating small businesses have donated gift cards to help incentivize participation. Those who come to the Visitor Info Center after checking-in at 10 locations will randomly draw one of the gift cards. Gift cards are available while supplies last. You will not be able to pull for multiple gift cards or exchange gift cards after drawing.

• App users will receive a push notification when more activations are available, helping you pace progress to get to all 10 activations before the deadline of April 10.
• Have any questions or difficulty with the mobile app challenge? Please email Mobileapp@discoverdurham.com.

Score Love Durham Deals and Offers

Durham's small businesses are making it easier and more fun than ever to show your Durham love. Check out all the special menu items, deals, discounts and offers Love Durham's participating businesses have cooked up for you.

See the Deals and Offers