Sports & Outdoors | Durham, NC

Pictured:

Durham Bulls Baseball Stadium

National champions. Hall of fame coaches. The first-ever interracial basketball game. Durham sports history is rich and replete with competitors used to winning big; especially our nationally recognized sports and community champion, the Durham Sports Commission.

Whether baseball, basketball, track and field, fencing, curling, e-sports or futsal is your thing, Durham is your destination. There are sports to play, games to watch and history to take in every day of the year.

You likely know Durham from the blockbuster film “Bull Durham” — a career game-changer for Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins — and (we’ll claim this unapologetically) the best sports movie of all time. However, do you know about Durham’s role in the creation of baseball cards? You can learn about it all at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in between innings during a Bulls’ game or any time of the year at the Museum of Durham History.

The athletic programs at Duke University and North Carolina Central University are storied and bring the best kind of competition to Durham. Before or after a game at Duke’s Cameron Indoor or Wallace Wade Stadiums, stop by the Duke Basketball Museum and Sports Hall of Fame. Or at NCCU, discover where the Secret Game was played or walk through the center named after Leroy T. Walker, a track and field coach and the first black president of the United States Olympic Committee.

Durham is also home to nontraditional sports: making waves in the e-sports community, hosting national curling bonspiels in the South and more. From America’s pastime to the new age of sports, Durham’s got sports fans covered.

Explore. Encounter.

Get out! No ... really. Get out - Durham is waiting.

Lakes. Rivers. Public parks. Rails to trails for biking and hiking. Durham’s outdoor spaces are as diverse as they are beautiful.

Durham’s covered in pathways, both urban and natural. Stroll through all 55 acres of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Bike the American Tobacco Trail from downtown to the Streets of Southpoint without competing with car traffic. Fish at Lake Michie or kayak at Little River.

Unwind, exercise and breathe in that fresh air. The Bull City’s offerings allow you to escape or push yourself as much as you wish; don’t resist the challenge of encountering life at it’s fullest while exploring Durham’s outdoor spaces.

in this section

Hiking, Biking & Running Trails

Breathe deep. Lace up. Discover Durham's natural beauty.

When it comes to hiking and biking trails, Durham is rich with a variety of options. The American Tobacco Trail is a 22.6-mile trail, 12 of which are in Durham, that runs along an abandoned railroad bed originally built for the American Tobacco Company in the 1970s. Beginning just across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at Morehead Ave, it is a must for bicycling, hiking, walking and running. Nature lover? Eno River State Park...

Learn More

Parks & Gardens

Wake up and smell the roses, y’all. Durham is beautiful.

Overflowing with lush plants, fascinating species, and beautiful landscapes, Durham's public gardens are areas to be cherished and admired. Don't miss the colorful beauty on display at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, one of the finest examples of public gardens in the country, offering free admission to its expansive grounds. Durham is also home to rose cultures, educational gardens, and more, well within walking and biking distance from city center. In a testament to our...

Learn More

Spectator Sports

All we do is win.

Home to beloved championship teams like the Durham Bulls Baseball Club, the Duke University Blue Devils, and the North Carolina Central University Eagles, Durham offers plenty of opportunities to take in high-level sporting events. Check out the listings below to find the teams that match your interests. You can also browse the event calendar to find upcoming events.

Learn More

Waterways & Water Activities

With boating, canoeing, swimming, spraygrounds, and more, Durham has the water activities you need.

We’re not just brick and concrete. Nestled midway between sand, sails and mountain peaks, Durham has its own distinct flavor. We enjoy our Carolina spring and summer months in refreshing natural environments, both urban and rustic. Boating, canoeing, swimming, spraygrounds ... our water activities are perfect for family, solo or couple adventures. Explore our waterways (creeks, rivers and lakes), perfect backdrops for your favorite refreshing forays, and well equipped for different activities to make the...

Learn More

Golf

A place to play a round ...

Fore! Well, actually, nine, but let's not be picky. Durham is home to nine golf courses, six of which are public or semi-private, making it easy to schedule a round while you’re in town. The other three courses are private, meaning they are only accessible if you are a member, or if you play with someone who is. Durham has award-winning, nationally ranked courses designed by some of the world’s most famous golf course architects...

Learn More