Best On-and Off-Campus Hotspots: Duke University

Everyone knows that location plays a major role in the college experience. While you spend a lot of time in classes, you also get to participate in all sorts of activities on-and-off campus. Thankfully, Duke University is in Durham, a city with small-town charm chockfull of unique things to do.

From rock-climbing walls to the best places with Wi-Fi, there are plenty of places to explore in Durham. First-year students have the advantage of beginning their college experience on Duke’s East Campus, situated perfectly between Durham’s Ninth Street District and historic downtown.

With the help of Dillon Patel, a Duke alumnus and regular on the Bravo show “Family Karma,” Discover Durham created a list of spots to help other Blue Devils enjoy the Bull City.

Devine's

904 W. Main St.

This downtown Durham hangout spot has everything a college student needs to enjoy a night with friends. Family-owned and operated since 1978, Devine's has amazing food, affordable drinks, and 17 TVs so you never have to miss a game. Show up with friends, sit down, and watch the Blue Devils throw down on the road while you enjoy burgers, wings, salads, fries and more. Guests 21 and up can enjoy beers, cocktails and their specialty shooters.

Durham Food Hall

530 Foster St., Ste 1

The Durham Food Hall is a great place for hanging out with friends, studying, bringing your out-of-town friends or making a new friend at the bar, where vendors offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and more. Grab a coffee at Liturgy before sitting down for a study session. After the Saturday Farmer's market, you can get a late breakfast at Everything Bagels. Order a burger from Patty Boy or noodles from Corner Yaki. With plenty of seating, this food hall is a solid option for large groups or solo trips.

Eno River State Park

6101 Cole Mill Rd.

The Eno River State Park is just a short drive from downtown Durham. Whether you’re into hiking, swimming, fishing, paddling or just wandering through the forest, there is no shortage of things to do. Take a short mile hike to the crystal-clear rock quarry and cool off on a hot summer day. Head to the Cox Mountain River Loop for a longer hike with a scenic and relatively flat path. Some of the Eno River's trails are currently closed after Tropical Storm Chantal, so check to make sure your desired destination is open before leaving.

Guglhupf

2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

This German bakery and restaurant is a perfect place to stop for breakfast and brunch. It's unique architecture and German inspired menu guarantee a special experience every visit. Order a classic Benedict or stay on theme with a Krustenbraten or Bauernomlett.

K-Mix

3400 Westgate Dr.

Karaoke fans, listen up. K-Mix is your go-to spot for all things karaoke. Book a private room with your friends or sing it up on the main stage. If you're looking to book a private room, make sure you call 24 hours in advance, because this is a hot spot. Alcoholic beverages are available for those of legal age.

Motorco Music Hall

723 Rigsbee Ave.

Motorco Music Hall is a hip music venue with one of the best patios in town. With delicious food options from their restaurant Parts & Labor, it’s a step above your traditional bar bites. Do yourself a favor and try the hipster poutine and vegan samosas. Be sure to check out their website for their full slate of events!

Ninth Street

Durham's Ninth Street District is full of awesome shops, restaurants, and places to hang out. Grab late night burritos at Cosmic Cantina, a legendary eatery. Right next to Cosmic pantheon of Durham affordable eats, Banh's Cuisine sits right on Ninth Street serving Vietnamese and Chinese Dishes. Show up on Wednesday's and Saturdays for their Banh-mi or soup specials. Pick yourself out some Durham swag and rep your Bull City pride at Hometown Apparel.

Sushi Love

2812 Erwin Road #204

Sometimes high-quality, well-priced sushi is exactly what you need. Sushi Love has long been an unpretentious and convenient staple in the growing Durham food scene. With generous portions, unique rolls, and great specials ─ it’s hard to go wrong. Be sure to try the Blue Devil roll (shrimp tempura rolls topped with delicious filet mignon) created for all my fellow Blue Devils.

The Tavern

1900 W. Markham Ave.

Located near Durham's Ninth Street District and Duke's East Campus, the Tavern is a local favorite for students over the age of 21. This neighborhood bar has plenty of drink options, solid standard bar fare, and lots of activities to take part in. Enjoy Karaoke, pool, darts and other bar games. Come for Tavern Tuesdays for weekly drink specials.

Taqueria La Vaquita

2700 Chapel Hill Rd.

Look for the building with the cow on the roof for some of the best tacos in town. Taqueria La Vaquita boasts tantalizing tacos, tasty traditional plates, awesome appetizers and more. Being one of the more affordable restaurants in town also makes this taco shop perfect for college students trying to stretch their dollars.

The Pinhook

117 W. Main St.

Pinhook is an eclectic dive bar with a loyal fan base, best known for its indie music events, karaoke nights, and epic drag shows. While not specifically an LGBTQ+ bar, it’s run by a group of fabulous queer folks who created an inclusive space, where people can “be whoever they are and feel powerful while surrounded by art and fun and wildness.” Many of their online reviews echo their family-like environment. They also rent their space out for private parties at reasonable rates, so be sure to hit them up the next time you’re looking to plan a fun event!

Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

219 Hood St.

You don't just have to be a craft beer lover to enjoy Ponysaurus. With great pizza, a large outdoor seating area, misters in the summer and fire pits in the winter, what's not to like about Ponysaurus? They host regular community events and weekly gatherings like run club, music bingo, trivia and more.

Duke Arts Annex

404 Gattis St.

The Duke Arts Annex first opened in 2012 as a small space for creative students who wanted to make dorm art with the drawers of free canvases, acrylic paints, and art supplies. Over the years, it’s become a hub for art with dance rehearsals and all sorts of weekly programming. Also, make sure to check out the eight decommissioned satellite dishes outside that were painted by local artists in an ongoing Duke Arts movement.

Wilson Recreation Center Climbing Wall

330 Towerview Road

The Wilson Climbing Wall may be one of the most underrated places on campus. Start your experience with a free belay class, or better yet, enroll in a semester-long rock climbing course. The wall stands at 35 feet and has 11 ropes and dozens of changing routes; thus, it’s intentionally built for various skill sets. While the daily rate for a typical climbing gym can quickly get pricey, all equipment, including climbing shoes, harnesses, and belay devices, are available for use at no cost to Duke students.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

420 Anderson St.

No best spots list at Duke could be complete without the mention of Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Many Duke applicants joyfully mention the gardens in their applications, but few take advantage of this beautiful haven in the center of campus. Best of all, the Duke Gardens is free and open to the public. While beautiful year-round, watching the flowers bloom in spring is truly magical. Also, Duke Wi-Fi covers many garden areas, making it the perfect student spot!

We hope Dillon’s incredible list helps you get out and explore the Bull City. Go Blue Devils!