American Tobacco Campus

Step into Durham's most dynamic district, where century-old tobacco warehouses have been reborn as a thriving destination packed with world-class performances, international flavors and unmistakable Southern charm.

Just south of the City Center District and north of the Durham Freeway sits the American Tobacco District.

Known as a bustling industrial center that once housed one of the world’s largest corporations and shipped tobacco products worldwide, the former American Tobacco manufacturing plant has been transformed into the American Tobacco Historic District, a thriving mixed-use destination where visitors and residents come to live, work and play. Historic warehouses now welcome world-class dining, boutique shopping and live entertainment alongside urban housing and office space. The campus attracts innovative companies drawn to its dynamic energy and architectural character, where century-old brick and steel frame a modern community. Full of fascinating history and meticulously preserved industrial architecture, American Tobacco Campus is a downtown destination that tells Durham's story of reinvention– where the past isn't preserved behind glass, but lives and breathes in every restaurant, office and gathering space.

Things To Do At American Tobacco Campus

Anchored by over one million square feet of multi-use space, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) define this district’s energy. DPAC isn’t just another performing arts center, it’s consistently ranked one of the top venues in the country, bringing Broadway blockbusters, hometown favorites like Sylvan Esso, chart-topping musical acts like Jason Isbell, world-class comedy like Nick Offerman and Seth Myers to thought-provoking conversations from speakers like Vice President Kamala Harris to Durham’s doorstep.

Then there’s the Durham Bulls. This is world-famous Minor League baseball – a team immortalized in the film that jumpstarted the careers of Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins and beloved far beyond North Carolina. And Durham Bulls Athletic Park is the bucket-list ballpark that brings that legacy to life with every crack of the bat. Games are fun for the whole family throughout the season, especially if you stay for the weekly fireworks display after Friday night games, and annual special events like the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration, Bark in the Park (where well-behaved pups are invited) and more are worth planning a trip around. Whether you're a kid experiencing your first game or an adult who's been coming for decades, a Bulls game is pure Durham: accessible, committed to local and impossible not to love, no matter how much you actually care about baseball.

Beyond the marquee venues, the restored historic tobacco factory buzzes with life year-round. Outside Burt's Bees' global headquarters, the actual cabin where founder Burt Shavitz lived in Maine invites guests to learn about bees and peek into his secluded life. Summer brings a calendar of free concerts and events curated by Duke Arts Presents on the lawn, where a man-made river flows nearby (follow the flow upstream to find with kid-friendly stepping stones near the historic rail car). Winter transforms the campus into a holiday wonderland of lights. Year round, you can shop local vendors at monthly Night Markets or gather for creative pop-ups at a variety of campus events. Find your center at a yoga class at Yoga Off East, all while surrounded by the iconic Lucky Strike water tower and the flashing Old Bull sign on downtown Durham's oldest standing building. This is where Durham's past and present don't just coexist, they celebrate together.

Restaurants And Bars At ATC

Along the flowing, man-made river, ATC is a destination for flavor seekers and food enthusiasts, where a diversity of cuisines intermingle on sidewalk patios overlooking the iconic scenery. Head to Parker and Otis, a gourmet eatery, coffee and gift shop, for breakfast, lunch and an assortment cookbooks, gifts and specialty food items.

Across the way, you’ll find Boricua Soul, the brainchild of a husband-and-wife duo that serves a fusion of Caribbean and Southern flavors in a casual environment. Grab your food to-go and enjoy it with a drink at Ment Beverage Co. where 24 taps pour craft beer and cider alongside award-winning mead – yes, mead, the ancient honey wine that's having a modern moment – plus Durham's only local sake, made with NC rice, and non-alcoholic options for every palate.

For upscale dining, Ekhaya brings Bantu fusion tapas to a slick setting filled with the flavors and relics of chef Zweli Williams’s upbringing in southeastern Africa. MICHELIN Guide-recommended Seraphine delivers New Orleans-inspired staples like Dragos-style oysters, gumbo, boudin and more that transport you straight to the French Quarter.

NanaSteak offers classic steakhouse excellence beneath high ceilings flooded with natural light. Durham Magazine's Best Restaurant 2024 features a subtle nod to the building's industrial past with a bar top inlaid with tobacco leaves, plus an award-winning wine list.

Craving something more casual? Queenburger serves up satisfying smashburgers and fries while interior photos tell the story of the concept’s roots as a COVID-era backyard project, while Milkshake Factory satisfies your sweet tooth. Tobacco Road Sports Café offers views over the ballpark that can't be beat, and Moe's Southwest Grill provides a familiar favorite for picky eaters or quick family meals.

With a menu boasting European-inspired coffees, crepes and craft cocktails, Press Coffee, Crepes & Cocktails is the perfect spot to refuel any time of day before exploring the American Tobacco Trail.

For a nightcap or a quick drink before a show at DPAC, stop by The Waiting Room. The cozy room with plush furniture will make you want to stay a while, to say nothing of the creative and expertly made cocktails.

And there's more coming: Fullsteam Brewery, Lutra Bakery and East of Texas are set to join the campus in 2026, ensuring American Tobacco Campus continues to evolve as Durham's premier destination for gathering, eating and celebrating.

Places To Stay In ATC

Now that you've discovered all of ATC's restaurants, bars and attractions, you'll need a place to wind down. Luckily, Aloft Durham Downtown offers that and more. Comfortable rooms, an entertainment-themed lobby, indoor pool and more make it the place to stay in ATC. A location adjacent to both ATC and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park make it a no brainer for anyone who wants to park the car once and spend the weekend enjoying all the convenience offered by ATC.

American Tobacco Campus isn't just a destination, it's proof that Durham knows how to honor its roots while building something entirely new. Whether you're catching a game, seeing a show, savoring a meal or simply wandering the brick pathways beneath the Lucky Strike tower, you're experiencing a place where history and innovation don't compete, they collaborate.

Parking At ATC

Three parking decks at American Tobacco Campus provide complimentary parking for up to two hours (event days may vary). You'll find the North Deck at 305 W. Pettigrew St., South Deck at 653 Jackie Robinson Dr. and East Deck at 305 W. Mangum St. Pay via the stations in each garage or through the ParkMobile App. For complete parking tips throughout Durham – including strategies for DPAC shows and other events – check out our parking guide.

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