The Ultimate 2026 Durham Bucket List

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, you’re embarking on your first year in a new home, or you’re planning your first (or fifth) visit, you’ll find new reasons to love Durham by the time you make your way through our Ultimate 2026 Durham Bucket List. And if you consider yourself an expert on all things Durham, we have the tools to create your own list. In exchange, we hope you’ll show us your adventure by tagging us along the way @durhamnc.

Hitting the highlights of Durham’s dining scene is a year-long project in itself, but a few new and old classics are essential if you want a real taste of Durham. Make sure you visit Durham's MICHELIN Guide-recognized restaurants, Nikos, Nanas, Little Bull and Seraphine, as well as the other restaurants created by the owners of these fine establishments. If you haven’t tried James Beard Award Winner Chef Ricky Moore’s famously fresh NC seafood at Saltbox Seafood Joint, take our word for it and get in line now. You also won't want to miss the delicious dishes of multiple-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast, Chef Preeti Waas, at Cheeni. Attached to Cheeni, you will find The Bar Beej, headed up by Amy Waas, Chef Preeti Waas's daughter, which also was a James Beard award semifinalist for Best New Bar. Durham’s downtown neighborhood bar, James Beard Award Finalist Alley Twenty Six, just happens to be one of the state’s premier spots for expertly made classics and innovative seasonal cocktails. Saltbox, Alley Twenty Six and downtown favorite Mateo Bar de Tapas all recently celebrated their tenth anniversaries, so you’ve got yet another reason to add them to your list.

In our humble opinion, Chef Michael Lee hasn’t received enough praise for the restaurants he’s brought to downtown Durham. Try his OG spot, M Sushi, and experience a fresh new take every time by splurging for the omakase. Sit down at M Tempura to taste the wonderful creations of Chef Savannah Miller, a finalist on Top Chef Season 21.

Leave space in your stomach and on your agenda for the the historic Nanas Restaurant. After a brief hiatus in its 30 year reign as a Durham staple, Nanas reopened in late 2023 under the ownership of Chef Matt Kelly. Kelly has honored the legacy of Nana’s as a neighborhood gathering space and Durham institution. An homage to grandmothers everywhere, this restaurant's plates have a the taste of homemade and a hint of love in every bite.

This spring, we're looking forward to more reasons to visit Research Triangle Park as Horseshoe at HubRTP opens. James Beard-nominated chef Preeti Waas plans to expand her hit downtown restaurant Cheeni with a second location in the new, mixed-use development and will incorporate a grab-and-go concept as well. Look for even more big names opening in the complex as well, including chef Chris Prieto's Prime STQ.

Lace-up for a trail run, give your bike a tune-up or pack a picnic. Opt for a quick spin around the Al Buehler trail, a dip in a secluded swimming hole, or an escape into the woods in Eno River State Park or one of Durham’s 67 other parks. Take advantage of 22 miles of well-kept, paved trail through urban and wildlife areas on the American Tobacco Trail, you can find new ways to explore the outdoors all year long. The transformative renovation project at Sarah P. Duke Gardens is slated to wrap up Spring 2026, and we look forward to seeing a new new visitor center, cafe and entrance, expanded event spaces and more. And with its temperate winters, gorgeous spring, long summer days and colorful fall, there's no better place to take in nature's beauty all year round.

Whether you just have to see the year’s hottest Broadway tour, national headlining musicians, and top comedy shows, or if local events, up-and-coming acts or the latest indie film are more your speed, there are plenty of reasons to check out Durham’s top venues. Consistently ranked among the top theaters in America, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, offers the chance to see iconic shows in a mid-size theater conveniently located downtown. Less than a mile away, the historic Carolina Theatre hosts more than 200 live events per year in Fletcher Hall and indie and retro films in the upstairs movie theatre. 2026 marks the theatre's 100 year anniversary, so be prepared for a special year of programming to celebrate the historic milestone. The Hayti Heritage Center will also has big plans for 2026, ushering in a new era for the institution with an inaugural season of programing.

A low-key matinee and a walk to dinner might just be an ideal Sunday, while you can plan a trip around tickets to Hell's Kitchen, dinner at NanaSteak, and a stay at Aloft without taking your car out of the parking deck.

You won't have to look far for live music in Durham. Beyond planning around weekend festivals like Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival or the free outdoor concert series, PLAYlist in the park at Durham Central Park, catch nationally touring bands and local acts at Motorco Music Hall, one of Durhams mid-size music venues. If you're looking to dive in to the local music scene, you can explore all of Durham's concert halls, outdoor music series, restaurants and bars with live music and more.

With all there is to do in Durham, it can be easy to forget that it's a sports city, too. That is, except when the biggest rivalry in college sports is in full swing. Yes, the Duke Blue Devils attract Cameron Crazies and fans from across the country each year to watch the 27 varsity teams compete, and North Carolina Central University's 15 Eagles teams defend titles like the HBCU Football National Championship. NCCU's dominance in sports follows a long history of Black achievement in sports in Durham. Attending games at either of Durham's universities is a heart-pounding thrill.

You don’t have to be a sports fan to have a great time at a Bulls Game, but if you are, here’s your chance to see the most famous team in the Minor League. With local restauranteurs running concessions, an onsite brewery, plenty of peanuts and crackerjack, Friday night fireworks, and the chance to be called to the field for a game of Simon Says during the seventh-inning stretch, there’s a reason the whole city shows up for games. Opening Night starts the season in late March, and with 75 dates slated for home games, weekly themed nights and local concessions, you'll be singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" all summer.

This year, sports fans can take part in several more exciting sports experiences right here in the Bull City. Attend the Garmin Marathon in Downtown Durham as a runner or a spectator. The CIAA Football championships also take place here. The first ever Conference Carolinas Women's Flag Football Championship will take place in April, with Conference Carolina's being first NCAA Division I or II conference to sponsor women’s flag football at the varsity level.

It’s time to get to know Durham’s spirits. A trip downtown will take you to three of Durham's distilleries, and a bit farther out of town, you can get an immersive look at a grain-to-glass bourbon distillery.

• Durham Distillery – learn about how Melissa Katrincic uses modern techniques to expand on traditional pot still distillation to create her award-winning Conniption Gins with zero extracts or artificial ingredients. Stop by the downstairs sister bar Conniption Bar & Lounge after the tour to try a cocktail using spirits made upstairs. If you're flying in, you can also check out their wonderful spirits at Conniption Bar & Lounge in Terminal 2 of the RDU Airport.
• Liberty & Plenty, Durham’s second woman-owned distillery, offers cocktails in its tasting room that's directly adjacent to the distillery itself. Try Durham-made spirits including Bronze Bull Spirits Bourbon and Slate Belt Vodka.
• Weldon Mills makes award-winning small-batch spirits. The downtown Durham distillery and cocktail bar sells bottles, serves cocktails and hosts events in their space and adjoining patio.
• Outside of town, Mystic Farm & Distillery is a farm-to-flask distillery and the world’s largest solar-powered bourbon distillery. A visit to the farm gives you the chance to see the farm and fields, tour the distillery, and taste their award-winning handmade bourbon and other spirits.

Durham’s Social District invites us to socialize outside and get creative as we mix and mingle with other visitors and Durhamites. Go ahead, plan a picnic in Central Park with sanctioned to-go beers from The Glass Jug. Take a walking cocktail from West Main St. to East Main St. Grab a glass of wine from Pour Taproom and walk around the corner to peruse the racks at Dolly's Vintage. Lounge on the lawn at American Tobacco Campus with burgers, fries, and cocktails from Queenburger and, this summer, keep an eye out for the opening of Fullsteam Brewery's new ATC location. Take a to-go beverage on a walking mural tour and stop by Crank Arm Brewing, downtown's newest brewery. Experience more of downtown however it appeals to you. Before you go, check out our guide to making the most of The Bullpen.

If you want to explore Durham's incredible craft beverage scene, first stop by the Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main St. to pick up our pocket guide: Durham Drinks. It has all the info you need to experience the best cocktails, brews, spirits and more.

Shopping local in Durham is a win-win. You get access to curated selections full of items you won't find anywhere else, as well as a personalized service that larger store chains can't offer. The businesses receive the valuable patronage that allows them to continue to offer their wares and services to Durham locals and visitors. Whether you're looking for a unique vintage coat or a used piece of furniture full of personality, the vintage and thrift stores in Durham are just brimming with amazing pre-loved pieces. Looking to update your wardrobe? Check out one of Durham's boutiques, jewelry stores and accessory shops to perfect your new look.

Hear about the reasons to shop small from Durham's small business owners in the video below.

We organize several challenges throughout the year, all with the intent of helping you have fun and enjoy our city while supporting the businesses and institutions that make the Bull City special. By downloading the app, you can take part in these challenges and earn yourself some Durham swag and bragging rights. Every fall, we hold the Bull City Beer Challenge, where participants can earn prizes for visiting multiple breweries and taprooms in the area. Our Love Durham Challenges, launching January 5 and going through February 28, invite you to experience more of Durham according to your interest. Find out more on the Love Durham website.

Download the Discover Durham App, complete with detailed maps, itineraries and a business listing directory. With these tools, you can save every place you want to visit and create your own itinerary, creating a Durham bucket list that fits your own personality perfectly.

As we approach the United States semiquincentennial – say that three times fast – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, it's time to discover hidden histories. This is your year to visit all three of Durham’s state historic sites – see firsthand the site of the negotiations that marked the beginning of the end of the Civil War at Bennett Place, learn how the South’s Industrial Revolution began in tobacco and textiles at Duke Homestead and find out how Historic Stagville centers the experiences of enslaved people at the site of one of the largest plantations in the South. And that’s just scratching the surface of how you can learn about Durham’s rich history. Durham is also where the civil rights movement gained significant traction and is where one of the nation's premier Black universities made its home. You can learn more about Durham's Civil Rights history, and one of the city's leading advocates from that time period, at The Pauli Murray Center.

For an in depth look into the history of the Black communities that have made Durham what it is today, read through our African American Heritage Guide or request your own printed copy.

Pop into the Museum of Durham History. Walk Black Wall Street. Explore the Hayti Heritage Center. Gain context around all those old tobacco warehouses.

With all there is to explore in Durham, you will want to stay a while. If style and comfort are at the top of your list, a stay at one of Durham’s AAA Four Diamond-rated hotels is guaranteed to impress. For the urbanite looking to stay amid the energy of downtown and wander downstairs to check out some art in a 3 a.m. fit of insomnia, 21c Museum Hotel will fit the bill. If a vacation is not a vacation without a golf outing followed by an afternoon cocktail on the patio, the sprawling property at the newly renovated Washington Duke Inn is the right choice. Arrowhead Inn offers luxurious amenities and modern comforts along with the intimacy of a historic bed and breakfast. Comfort and convenience in the heart of Duke’s West Campus, spa-like guest rooms and an onsite barista bar are some of what the JB Duke Hotel delivers. Durham’s lodging properties don’t stop here.

Looking for a rooftop pool? Sweeping views? Pet-friendly rooms? Meeting spaces? Find your perfect fit.

Durham's diversity of interests and activities means that its reputation as a creative, artistic city is equally important as its nickname as the "City of Champions." When it comes to developing new skills and experiencing new activities, all you need to bring is your curiosity. This year, why not take on a new creative medium, make connections through improv comedy or find community through an unexpected new sport. Here are a few ideas –

• Triangle Curling Club has been expanding the sport’s reach outside its traditional home in frigid settings for more than 25 years and offers leagues, learn-to-curl sessions, and pickup curling at their 15,000 sq. ft. southeast Durham home.
• Triangle Rock Club boasts 27,000 square feet of indoor recreation, including a climbing facility with spaces for rope climbing and bouldering as well as spaces for cardio and yoga, a gear shop and private areas for events and conferences.
• At The Boulder Garden downtown, space for climbing is intentionally designed to integrate art, community and environmental activism.
• Channel your inner ninja warrior at OC Aerial’s indoor adventure park, which includes a ropes course, a zip line, 18- and 21-foot slides and the terrifyingly-named Leap of Faith, among many other attractions.
• Night School Bar is Durham's newest hub for community, classes and cocktails committed to democratizing education through a wide range of courses taught by expert instructors. Sign up for a seminar-style course to connect with other like-minded individuals across age, race and gender demographics. And, if you're out of town, virtual classes are also offered.
• Mettlesome produces comedy and live shows across Durham, and is primarily based in their own black box community theater in the Golden Belt Campus. If you're visiting for a weekend, score tickets to a show and if you're here for longer, improv and sketch comedy classes and workshops are offered through the Improv Lab.
• The pasta experts behind Melina's Fresh Pasta are sharing the wealth of their pasta-making skills beginning in early 2024. Sign up for a class that will pay dividends in your dinner party hosting skills.
• Attend a Scent Experience at Bright Black, where you can learn about the Durham candle shop's scents and maybe even create your own. In addition to the store's scheduled events, it hosts a "Drop-In Design Your Own Body Fragrance"event very Saturday.
• Practice your swing, rain or shine, at Topgolf where golf meets entertainment, dining, socializing and more.

College campuses are notoriously inspiring and abundant with the majesty of architecture, the beauty of manicured public spaces, the excitement of student activities and athletics, and the inspiration of campus museums. Durham’s two historic campuses – North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Duke University – capture the imagination of students and tourists alike. Take in the energy of the nation’s first public liberal arts institution for African American students by visiting the Eagles’ campus, starting with one of North Carolina’s leading collections of work by Black artists at the NCCU Art Museum. Learn about the history of the university and its founder at the James E. Shepard Memorial Library. Get caught up in the energy of student life by cheering on the Eagles at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium and getting in on the tradition of a post-game social at the Greek Bowl.

At Duke, appreciate the wonder of collegiate gothic architecture in the midst of Duke Forest starting with Duke Chapel in the center of West Campus. Make your way to Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a beautifully maintained public botanical garden in the heart of campus for a stroll along native and Asiatic landscapes and historic gardens. No campus visit is complete without a visit to a museum. Duke’s Nasher Museum of Art houses some of today’s best contemporary art, with a focus on work by artists of African descent, along with influential temporary exhibits. The Basketball Museum and Athletics Hall of Fame offers a chance to relive the history of Duke Sports adjacent to the must-see Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Give us FOMO and inspiration by posting your list to social media and tagging us @durhamnc. Happy hunting and cheers to your best-ever year in Durham!