Dirty Durham: How the Bull City Does Agritourism

There are an incredible amount of natural spaces that are just ready to be explored. They offer a lens into Durham's delicacies, from root to market to table.

Durham fresh. Durham local.

Tour farms to see how local crops are grown, see how those fresh ingredients are brewed into one-of-a-kind beers, and enjoy a meal made from local ingredients. Durham's agricultural destinations offer something special for budding or seasoned agritourists.

This is what agritourism is: a way to let visitors tour and engage with agriculturally focused sites and activities.

Durham’s commitment to local businesses is evident at breweries and restaurants like Fullsteam Brewery, Plum Southern Kitchen and Bar, Local 22, Bull City Burger and Brewery, and Foster’s Market, all of which are intentional about sourcing ingredients intentionally in brews and plates. There are many more, offering seasonal delights whenever possible, and composting leftovers to fuel the next round of delicious eats.

Waller Family Farm is perfect for picking berries as they blossom. Lyon's Farms sells produce at a number of partners in Durham. Elodie Farms located in Rougemont has over 70 goats and has all sorts of parties for children and adults, and be sure to check out their farm dinners. Hux Family Farms has their famous goat yoga and meditation sessions nearly every weekend — an unfor-goat-able experience.

Produce is readily available closer to home, too. The Durham Central Park Farmers’ Market is open year-round each Saturday with the Seeds Community Garden close by. The new Brightleaf Square Durham Roots Farmer’s Market is perfect for sourcing locally-grown eats, as is the South Durham Farmers’ Market at the Greenwood Commons Shopping Center.

You don't need to eat your way through all of your adventures (but no shame if you do). The Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a sight for your visionary palate. Peruse the 55-acre garden with 200+ diverse plant varieties on more than five miles of walkways and paths. Take in seasonal plantings, fruits, and vegetables in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden. Visit one of the finest garden centers in the area, Witherspoon Rose Culture, which has more than 2,000 varieties of roses.

Bee Downtown raises bees in rooftop hives in the heart of downtown Durham. The company doesn’t just harvest honey — Bee Downtown educates the public about the importance of bees and builds healthy honey bee communities that are integral to the environment.

Companies and groups can register for a two-hour tour on Bee Downtown’s website. You’ll get to visit the apiaries at the American Tobacco Campus, the Burt’s Bees observatory, and participate in a hands-on class.

Breathe in the sweet Durham natural landscape

Learn more about Durham’s neighborhoods, parks, and waterways by attending tree camp or “wafting” down the Eno River. Naturalist and Durham-native Riverdave Owen can take your group on an outdoor adventure while teaching you about Durham’s natural features. Sessions cover the urban forests of Durham’s historic neighborhoods as well as courses on engaging the energies of trees in Durham parks. Most tree camp sessions cost $20.

Investigate group trips as well — up to five people can go on a two-hour river trip in inflatable tandem kayaks to discover wildlife and examine river flora.

Learn more about green transportation alternatives

See you out there!