Bluebird’s guidebook
Food scene
This underground lounge will be the best sushi you've had west of Japan itself. (Yes, really.)
61 locals recommend
M Sushi
311 Holland StThis underground lounge will be the best sushi you've had west of Japan itself. (Yes, really.)
A modern take on an authentic ramen bar, but the real secret is the upstairs late-night Isakaya and their Whiskey Wednesdays.
56 locals recommend
Dashi
415 E Chapel Hill StA modern take on an authentic ramen bar, but the real secret is the upstairs late-night Isakaya and their Whiskey Wednesdays.
Two words...double burger. You don't really even need to know about anything else.
63 locals recommend
Bar Virgile
105 S Mangum StTwo words...double burger. You don't really even need to know about anything else.
Durham is full of pizza joints but this one's top notch, seasonal, and wood fired.
105 locals recommend
Pizzeria Toro
105 E Chapel Hill StDurham is full of pizza joints but this one's top notch, seasonal, and wood fired.
There's way too much to love about this place. We consider this one of our neighborhood bars and frequent it often. This is also home to the famous handmade Alley Twenty Six Tonic that you'll find making an appearance in many other bars and restaurants throughout the city. Must-trys: 1) outdoor seating in the famous "alley", 2) Alley Burger, 3) Bang Bang Cauliflower, 4) Muddled Old Fashioned.*
*You can also order all sorts of provisions and things from their online market.
72 locals recommend
Alley Twenty Six
320 E Chapel Hill StThere's way too much to love about this place. We consider this one of our neighborhood bars and frequent it often. This is also home to the famous handmade Alley Twenty Six Tonic that you'll find making an appearance in many other bars and restaurants throughout the city. Must-trys: 1) outdoor seating in the famous "alley", 2) Alley Burger, 3) Bang Bang Cauliflower, 4) Muddled Old Fashioned.*
*You can also order all sorts of provisions and things from their online market.
Jack Tar - the modern upscale diner on the lefthand side. It's really the pancakes for us.
The Colonel's Daughter - take the door to the right and you all the sudden find yourself in a hip little bar with personable bartenders and great drinks.
14 locals recommend
Jack Tar and The Colonel’s Daughter
202 Corcoran StJack Tar - the modern upscale diner on the lefthand side. It's really the pancakes for us.
The Colonel's Daughter - take the door to the right and you all the sudden find yourself in a hip little bar with personable bartenders and great drinks.
Wine Bar, Bottle Shop, or Brewery
Neighborhood bar & bottle shop. The owner, Cam, willl find the bottle you didn't even know you were looking for!
10 locals recommend
LouElla Wine Beer & Beverage
316 W Geer StNeighborhood bar & bottle shop. The owner, Cam, willl find the bottle you didn't even know you were looking for!
Perfect place to sit outside in the spring and summer months and have a cold beverage. Definitely pay the couple of bucks for the snack plate with 3 of your choosing: swedish fish, goldfish, pretzels, wasabi peas. Some of the best beer in town!
112 locals recommend
Ponysaurus Brewing Company
219 Hood StPerfect place to sit outside in the spring and summer months and have a cold beverage. Definitely pay the couple of bucks for the snack plate with 3 of your choosing: swedish fish, goldfish, pretzels, wasabi peas. Some of the best beer in town!
This place is just cool - no other word for it. Perfect for groups and plenty of space to spread out, there is a fabulous selection of beers on tap. For the kids - actual kids, or adult kids - check out the human soccer pitch and start a game!
26 locals recommend
Hi-Wire Brewing - Durham
800 Taylor StThis place is just cool - no other word for it. Perfect for groups and plenty of space to spread out, there is a fabulous selection of beers on tap. For the kids - actual kids, or adult kids - check out the human soccer pitch and start a game!
Owner, Esteban, is one of the most knowledgeable about wines of anyone we've ever met - and definitely the most personable! Grab a seat at the bar and learn all about new wines you never thought you'd like but Esteban will convince you of!
9 locals recommend
Bar Brunello
123 E Main StOwner, Esteban, is one of the most knowledgeable about wines of anyone we've ever met - and definitely the most personable! Grab a seat at the bar and learn all about new wines you never thought you'd like but Esteban will convince you of!
Sports & Recreation
Don't Lollygag on getting tickets - this is one of the original things Durham's known for.
220 locals recommend
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
409 Blackwell StDon't Lollygag on getting tickets - this is one of the original things Durham's known for.
Concerts & Events
The largest performing arts center in the Carolinas. Some of the most notable concerts and off-broadway shows make their way here.
244 locals recommend
DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian StreetThe largest performing arts center in the Carolinas. Some of the most notable concerts and off-broadway shows make their way here.
A performing arts center and cinema in the heart of downtown. See new releases and old school classics!
104 locals recommend
Carolina Theatre
309 W Morgan StA performing arts center and cinema in the heart of downtown. See new releases and old school classics!
A super local, super fun outdoor market in Central park. If you're staying during main season (May to November) this should definitely be on your list. Go grab coffee and a bagel at the Durham Food Hall first, then peruse the market.
106 locals recommend
Durham Farmers' Market
501 Foster StA super local, super fun outdoor market in Central park. If you're staying during main season (May to November) this should definitely be on your list. Go grab coffee and a bagel at the Durham Food Hall first, then peruse the market.
Sightseeing
55 miles of gardens, arboretum, and wooded area. The beauty of this place never gets old.
378 locals recommend
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson St55 miles of gardens, arboretum, and wooded area. The beauty of this place never gets old.
Museum and city park nestled by the Eno River and home to the annual Festival for the Eno. Check out the Paddling at Dusk!
30 locals recommend
West Point on the Eno
5101 N Roxboro StMuseum and city park nestled by the Eno River and home to the annual Festival for the Eno. Check out the Paddling at Dusk!
Discover Durham is the re-branded Durham Visitor Info Center. If you're staying during the week and looking to learn more about Durham or get some more local insights, pop in there and say hi!
Durham Visitor Information Center
212 W Main StDiscover Durham is the re-branded Durham Visitor Info Center. If you're staying during the week and looking to learn more about Durham or get some more local insights, pop in there and say hi!
Museums
Home to the famous "Brontosaurus" statue along the Dino trail, this 84 acre science museum is one of the cooler museums we've ever seen.
203 locals recommend
Museum of Life + Science
433 W Murray AveHome to the famous "Brontosaurus" statue along the Dino trail, this 84 acre science museum is one of the cooler museums we've ever seen.
Small museum featuring exhibits, artifacts & spoken accounts of regional history & culture. Learn all about Durham and 'Durmites'
23 locals recommend
Museum of Durham History
500 W Main StSmall museum featuring exhibits, artifacts & spoken accounts of regional history & culture. Learn all about Durham and 'Durmites'
Both a hotel and art museum, this place was a bank and still has the original Vault downstairs. Take the elevator up to the quirky museum with the most modern and avant garde exhibitions. Book a spa appointment and then a dinner reservation in the Counting House restaurant!
62 locals recommend
21c Museum Hotel Durham
111 North Corcoran StBoth a hotel and art museum, this place was a bank and still has the original Vault downstairs. Take the elevator up to the quirky museum with the most modern and avant garde exhibitions. Book a spa appointment and then a dinner reservation in the Counting House restaurant!
Shopping
Brightleaf is quintessential trendy Durham - local, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants in an old tobacco warehouse district.
45 locals recommend
Brightleaf Square
905 W Main StBrightleaf is quintessential trendy Durham - local, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants in an old tobacco warehouse district.