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Eno River State Park in Durham

6 Top Things To Do In Summer In Durham, NC (2024)

Durham is the county seat of Durham County and is a city in the state of the U.S. of North Carolina. It is a great destination for tourism as it has various visiting places, and each place has a unique past and culture. If you’re planning to visit Durham in summers, you will have a variety of things that you can do here. The city seems small but when you actually visit it, you will get the real idea. It boasts some of the breathtaking nature spots and fascinating historic sights of the country. You can learn about the American tobacco industry and catch your favorite Durham Bulls playing game. Durham city has a wide variety of top-notch restaurants to choose from. Durham has its own magical charm that’s why some of the scenes of Harry Potter movies were shot here. One of the most amazing things about Durham is that you could be enjoying your lunch on the beach in the afternoon and then the next moment you can be hiking in the countryside. This makes it a perfect place for traveling purposes. So, if you’re planning to visit Durham in summers and you want to know what you can do there then keep reading this article.

6 Top Things To Do In Summer In Durham, NC

Here are the top things you can do in summer in Durham.

1. Eno River State Park

Eno River State Park is only about 10 miles from downtown Durham and considered to be the best place if you want to get away from the chaos of the city and want to have some peaceful moments. It preserved almost nine miles of the Eno River, situated along the West Point of the Eno city park. This park is scattered over 4200 acres of land and ends up in the fall lake. Previously, this area was under the Native American Tribes. In order to protect from the development, Eno River State Park was created in 1972. The natural beauty of this park is magnificent, you will be able to see animals like birds, beavers, deer, turtles, fish and many more. Springtime wildflowers can be seen here too along with some other beautiful flowers. It is best known for various outdoor activities such as canoeing, camping, hiking, swimming, and fishing. There is a 24 miles long hiking trail where you can enjoy your summer day by doing something adventurous. During the hiking, you’ll see Cole Mill, Buckquarter Creek, Eno Quarry, Eno Trace, Cabelands, Cox Mountain, Holden Mill, Fanny’s Ford, Pump station, Laurel, and Shakori. The most common fishes that you’ll find while fishing are the bluegill, Roanoke bass and largemouth bass. Such a nice place for a family picnic. Unleashed dogs are prohibited here. They also provide clean washroom facilities. If you’re visiting this place, then don’t forget to capture the most amazing “suspension bridge”.

Best time to visit Eno River State Park: It opens every day from 7am to 9pm.

2. Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Sarah P. Duke Garden lies in the heart of the city at Anderson Street on the West Campus of Duke University. The garden is scattered over 55 acres of land and there are 5 miles of pathways, alleys, and walks throughout the garden. It is made after the name of Sarah P. Duke who was the wife of one of Duke University’s benefactors, Benjamin N. Duke. This Garden is a memorial for her. Plenty of attractions are there in the garden such as a small pond, fountain, seven stone-walled terraces and 2500 colorful plant species. After the pandemic, many amendments were made here. You can also enjoy the food at The Terrace Café which serves a variety of salads, sandwiches, coffee, sides, cold beverages, snacks, and ice cream. In the month of November, the café closes but reopens at the end of March. There are no entry fees to visit the garden but Duke University Parking & Transportation charges $2 per hour for parking at Duke Gardens. Bathroom facility is available in the Doris Duke Center open from 9am to 5pm daily.

Best time to visit Sarah P. Duke Garden: It opens Monday to Sunday from 8am to dusk. On weekends, try to go early or before 10 am as the parking lot fills up really soon.

3. Wallace Wade Stadium

Wallace Wade Stadium was opened in 1929 on 5 October. The stadium is surrounded by Duke Forest’s green pines and is designed in the shape of a horseshoe. Located in the Southeastern United States, it is a 40,004-seat outdoor stadium. If you love to watch football, then definitely do not skip this place. Enjoy a night Football match with a clear great view because of the sixty-four lights on 110 poles. When you’ll get bored with hiking, biking, camping, swimming then this place will come to your rescue for sure.

Best time to visit Wallace Wade Stadium: For weeknight games, it opens from 5pm until the kickoff, for Saturday 12:00 PM kick-offs, opens from 9am until kick-off.

4. Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Falls Lake State Recreation Area is located ten miles east of Durham and along the falls lake’s shoreline. It is scattered over 1200 acres of land which acts as a great spot for camping and trails for hiking during summers. The recreation area provides hiking and boating activities for residents of the surrounding communities. Only a few campgrounds are open after 30 November or before 15 March, making it a great place to visit in summers. It is considered one of the largest recreational facilities in the state. It is a very beautiful place where you can visit your family, kids, and friends. Don’t forget to carry your camera with yourself to capture the serenic view and the area.

Best time to visit Falls Lake State Recreation Area: You can visit it (Monday to Sunday) from 8am to 8pm.

5. Penny’s Bend

It is a sort of natural preserve which is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and preserved by the North Carolina botanical garden’s association. It is home to various rare animal species and plant species that are very difficult to find in Central North Carolina. Penny’s Bend is surrounded on 84 acres of land bounded on three sides by the Eno River.

There is also a loop trail of 2.8 miles. As the trail is very shady, it will protect you from the scorching heat of the summers making it a must visit in Durham. On the way through the trail, there are long overgrown buggy grasses so make sure you wear some kind of spray to protect you from it. It is a very neat place so make sure if you visit this place don’t litter it and let it remain neat and clean only. Here you will also get to experience an amazing view of rock cliffs and in the springtime, some of the really beautiful, rare flowers.

Best time to visit Penny’s Bend: It remains open for 24 hours (Monday to Sunday).

6. Duke Lemur Center

Duke Lemur Center is known to be the world’s largest sanctuary for endangered and rare prosimian primates. Located on Erwin Road near Duke University, the center is scattered over 80 acres of land. Only 90 primates were there in the center which were shifted to Duke University from Yale University, when it was opened in 1966. Now there are about 250 primates. Open hour tours are only available when you make a beforehand reservation. It is a fun place to visit with your pals or family and in fact kids will also love it. The staff here is very friendly and professional. You can even click pictures with animals here. The center also hosts various interactive and great events. One of them being Lemurpalooza – where visitors bring blankets and some other items and are introduced to primates. Till now, the center has served around four thousand primates. You surely won’t regret it if you visit the Duke Lemur Center.

Best time to visit Duke Lemur Center: It opens every day from 9am to 4pm.

Escape the bustle of everyday life and plan your trip to this landlocked and gorgeous city filled with all types of adventurous, serenic and relaxing places. So, whenever you plan to make a trip to Durham especially in summers then use this article as your guide when planning your journey. May you have a wonderful experience in Durham when you visit it.

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