A College Kid’s Guide to Durham
Welcome to Durham, or as the locals call it, the Bull City. Durham is a bustling city that has grown tremendously over the last few years. Duke is an exceptional school, and therefore, as students, we have a responsibility to explore and enjoy all that Durham offers. Whether it's brunch at Foster's Market or Bull and Bean, or an excellent wine and pasta dinner at Osteria Cucciolo, you’ll never have a dull dining experience in Durham. If you’re a fish lover like myself, try M Sushi. The infamous Juju is a great choice for Asian-style dishes; it’s right off East campus, and you will undoubtedly run into everyone you know. The Pit is always good for classic North Carolinian barbecue. Lastly, Taberna Tapas is a Spanish sangria and small dish spot, fun for an intimate dinner with friends.
Exploring the beautiful Duke Gardens is a must, and it’s a right of passage for every Duke student to take a picture in front of the Duke Chapel. Sneaking into Cameron to stand on the infamous hardwood floor and experiencing a basketball game from the student section are both quintessential to the Duke experience. A 1:00 am meal with friends at Pitchforks on West Campus is also a tradition; Cookout, too, always hits the spot with their incredible milkshakes, burgers, and fries.
In terms of exploration, Ninth Street and Downtown Durham are great spots to hit. Ninth Street is popular for students as it is incredibly close to campus—it’s a quick walk from East Campus. Ninth Street has an array of restaurants and a few niche stores to pop into. Downtown Durham is chock full of cafes, eateries, and delicious ice cream shops like The Parlor, which you can expect to have a line out the door. If you’re looking for a fun bar, Pour, and the rooftop at the Durham Hotel are my favorites.
From the moment you step onto campus for the first time as a freshman, you will slowly start to discover the magic of Durham. Enjoy your time at Duke—it feels like just yesterday I was moving into my freshman dorm, and now I’m a second-semester junior living off-campus. It would be an understatement to say I feel old and not ready to leave this special place next Spring.
