Visit these following Places in Durham, Raleigh and Charlotte.

 

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

– Michael Jordan

 

Durham

 TRANSPORTATION NOTE: will not need to rent a car if your accommodations are anywhere near downtown.

• The Bull City Connector is free from Duke University to the Golden Belt artistic hub, including Ninth Street and downtown Durham.
• The bus runs every 17 minutes from Monday-Friday 6:30am-9pm, and Saturday 10am-9pm.

HISTORY HERE:

Durham has been at the forefront of pioneering ideas and inventions.

• 3-D ultrasound
  • Alzheimer gene breakthrough
  • Astroturf
  • Barcode reader
  • Childproof caps on medicine bottles • Ctrl-Alt-Delete computer command
  • On-board plane wind shear warning

Go to the American Tobacco Entertainment District

• It’s the former home of the Lucky Strike Cigarette Factory, a historical landmark.
• A one-million-sq.-ft. entertainment district with restaurants, a documentary theater, a basketball court.
• Plenty of open green common space under the iconic Lucky Strike smokestack.
• Art shows, pop-up shops, and free concerts in the summer.

Brightleaf Square District

• Two tobacco warehouses renovated to house shops, restaurants, and nightlife in west Downtown Durham.
• Nat’l Historical Landmark: Built in the early 20th century to store and age the tobacco produced by the American Tobacco Company.
  • It’s been called “a living museum of tobacco history.”
• Washington Duke started his worldwide tobacco empire in a one room barn.
  • After learning of the demand Union soldiers had for brightleaf tobacco during his service in the Civil War, Duke built a small factory and began selling tobacco to the rest of the world.
  • You’ll see:
    • A mid-19th century Duke family home,
    • tobacco barns, original factory, and farm.
    • A museum to showcase the beginnings of the modern day tobacco industry with visuals of early farming techniques and manufacturing processes.
    • DO NOT mention the word “cancer” there!
• Free: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  • See the 17-minute orientation film, “Legacy of the Golden Leaf.”
    • Highlights the history of the Duke family, the North Carolina tobacco industry, and the history of Durham.
  • Take the mostly outdoor 45-minute guided tour (offered daily)
    • See four historic structures: a tobacco curing barn, tobacco pack house, Washington Duke’s Third Tobacco Factory (1869), and his 1852 home.

City Center District

• Home to the Carolina Theatre, Durham Arts Council and the Durham Convention Center.
• The city center is the place to see historic landmarks, dine, shop and enjoy nightlife.

Central Park District

Check out Durham Central Park, Durham Farmers Market and Historic Durham Athletic Park.

Golden Belt District

It’s a historic textile mill campus reborn as a creative arts hub.

There’s unique dining options, good shopping, art studios and galleries and outdoor areas to hang out.

21c Museum Hotel

I loved the free contemporary art museum inside, and although I wound up there too late at night, unknowingly, I was told the former bank vault in the basement is worth seeing.

 

DPAC – Durham Performing Arts Center

• In Downtown Durham
• Fletcher Hall has been restored to its original 1926 décor.
• Touring Broadway shows, big-time concerts and comedy performances, and the American Dance Festival in the summer.

Duke Lemur Center (DLC)

• World’s largest collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar, where they are only native to.
• 250 lemurs from 21 different species.
• Notes:
  • Tours are by appointment. Schedule it.
  • Can’t touch the lemurs… they’re wild animals.
  • BUT, absolutely take photos of them (no flash), they’re photogenic!

Duke University Campus

Founded in 1924, the Duke campus offers many interesting and historic sites, including Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

• Named one of the top 10 public gardens in the U.S. by TripAdvisor
• Winner of the 2013 Horticulture Magazine Award for Garden Excellence,
• Stunning 55-acre public garden on campus of Duke University,
• One of the premier university gardens in the country.

It’s free and is recognized internationally.

“Among its many features are Italianate terraces, an Asiatic arboretum, a garden of native plants, a white garden, water features, and an organic food garden.”

Duke Gardens also has a café, gift shop, and visitor center. It offers walking and trolley tours (reserved in advance).

Ninth Street Shopping District-

• “This funky and eclectic dining and shopping district near Duke’s East Campus around historic Erwin Mill features nationally recognized restaurants and independent stores selling books, clothes, music and more.”
• The district includes Erwin Square, Broad Street and Ninth Street North.

Source: DiscoverDurham.com

Durham Bulls

If you are there during the season, you’re in for a baseball treat.

Go see the Tampa Bay Rays AAA team play at an urban stadium (Durham Bulls Athletic Park) which reminds me of Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Check Out The Carolina Basketball Museum

When you visit Durham, and the North Carolina triangle region, it is essential to check out the Carolina Basketball Museum. No matter who your team is, there is something for everyone to appreciate at the Carolina Basketball Museum. The museum is filled with historic trophies, memorabilia, video footage, and autographed documents. One of the primary exhibits is Michael Jordan’s original signed national letter of intent. When you visit the North Carolina Triangle Region, be sure to check out the famous Carolina Basketball Museum. If you are a sports travel lover, be sure to check out our ultimate guide on going to Los Angeles Clippers games at the Staples Center.

Raleigh

This is a fairly easy city to get around without a car as well.

The R line is a free bus service and runs every 15 minutes in downtown Raleigh.

Warehouse District

• Thrillist recently named it as one of 12 “neighborhoods across America about to get crazy popular.”
• I also agree. It is so cool.
  • Hand-sewn denim store
  • Carolina barbecue,
  • Locally brewed beer,
  • A contemporary art museum,
  • Gourmet chocolate factory and more—all within a two or three-block radius.

Six blocks of iconic, red-brick, former industrial buildings…

• …Some of which are now occupied by startups and other innovative businesses.

N.C. Museum of History

Every exhibit they have is incredibly detailed and interesting.

I browsed through some of them, but I only had time to focus deeply on one, the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.

• Admission is free.
• Michael Jordan, Jimmy V, Coach K, Arnold Palmer, Catfish Hunter, Dean Smith, Curly Neal, Bob McAdoo, Gaylord Perry, Ron Francis, Rod Brind’Amour…
• I’d say North Carolina has produced quite the crop of athletes amongst all sports.

Raleigh Dining

I spent most of my time in Raleigh diving into the food scene, as you do not want to miss this vlog and blog.

It also includes in-depth Charlotte and Durham food coverage.

You will read just how varied Raleigh’s food scene is, and I would not be surprised if you went ahead and booked your flight to NC directly after seeing the presentation of this food.

Charlotte

I do not like Charlotte as a city to “do things” in. The caliber of their main attractions lack excitement and historical significance.

I will, however, go there if there is a big event in town, as it is an affordable big city. There are really good restaurant choices there as well.

In the vlog and blog link above, you’ll see details.

I attended the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte recently and I will have thorough coverage on that to follow.

Best North Carolina Beaches

Even in North Carolina, travelers can get out an relax on the beach. Undeniably, one of the most famous beaches in the Tarheel State is at the Outer Banks. In the OBX, visitors will enjoy lush beaches, surfing, as well as shipwreck diving. Other great destinations include Carolina Beach and Nags Head. For a more peaceful destination, head over to Corolla, where you can admire the spectacular Currituck Lighthouse. If you have extra time, also stop by Emrals Isle, Bald Head Island, and Cape Hatteras. Then, check out some of these best secret Caribbean islands without cruise ships for your next beach getaway.

Recap

There is a high chance you will enjoy urban North Carolina if you visit these places in Durham, Raleigh and Charlotte.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy.” 

– Jim Valvano

• Was awarded the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first ESPY Awards.
• Died following a nearly yearlong battle with metastatic cancer two months after his famous speech in 1993.
• Known for his excellent basketball coaching career, mainly at NC State University.