Sports & Recreation
From the crack of the bat to the rush of the trail – Durham's where champions play and adventure awaits.
Durham is world famous for its spectator sports, drawing fans to bucket-list ballparks and arenas where tomorrow's legends sharpen their skills today. But step beyond the stadium lights and you'll find endless ways to play your own game: courts, trails, rivers and fields where the only competition is your own best self.
Whether you live for the roar of the crowd or crave the quiet rhythm of your own heartbeat on the trail, Durham delivers both and everything in between.
Sports in Durham
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.
The Durham Bulls is one of Durham's – and baseball's – most iconic teams. If you don't already know the minor league team, perhaps you recognize them from 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.
For collegiate sports fans and prospective players, the athletic programs at Duke University and North Carolina Central University are storied and bring the best kind of competition to Durham. Not only do the sports themselves provide endless entertainment, but also the culture and history behind both universities are worth a look.
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.
Outdoor Activities in Durham
Beyond organized sports, Durham also has a wealth of opportunities for outdoor recreation in your own way. 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.
A Guide to Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Here's everything you need to know to navigate one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the U.S.
The Outdoor Adventure Guide to Durham
Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are around every corner in Durham. Leave the planning to us and follow our outdoor adventure itinerary, giving you more time to enjoy the sights and smells.
A Guide to Durham’s Accessible Outdoor Activities
Durham's accessible outdoor activities offer visitors many options to enjoy walking paths, adventures, and the natural beauty of the region.
Durham’s Best Golf Courses
From the coast to the mountains and everywhere in between, North Carolina has an abundance of phenomenal golf courses. Durham is no exception.
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