Best Durham Activities and Attractions for All Ages

Headed to Durham, North Carolina, with the family? Whether they’re just tagging along on a parental business trip or you’re headed somewhere out of the ordinary for a spring break getaway, there’s plenty of activities and attractions to suit all ages.

The Museum of Life and Science

Durham’s Museum of Life and Science is a huge complex set on 84 acres and every single thing is geared toward childhood fun and learning. Indoors, there are interactive and hands-on exhibits on topics from weather to space, nature to mathematics. Outside, it only gets better. There’s a barnyard with resident llamas, alpacas, cattle and more; a nature trail and habitat with black bears and wolves; a dinosaur trail with more than a dozen life-sized dinosaur sculptures; and one of the largest butterfly houses on the East Coast.

Durham Performing Arts Center

Catch Broadway shows, world-class musical performances and more at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Set right in downtown, it’s easy to access, more affordable than performing arts centers in major cities on the East Coast and always chock-full of high-caliber acts. Just to give you a taste of what you can expect, some of the upcoming Broadway shows include Rock of Ages, Dear Evan Hansen, Anastasia, Cruel Intentions and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Catch a minor league baseball game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. If you’re an 80s rom-com fan, you might just recognize the venue from the Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon film Bull Durham. Not only is the small baseball park a great spot for some classic Americana — what with the intimate feel, great views from every seat, affordable ticket and concession prices and weekly fireworks shows — but it also really reflects the local scene. The park is home to Bull Durham Beer Company, the first brewery in the United States owned by a minor league team, and it also features many local food vendors rather than mainstream concessions.

Duke Lemur Center

Not much is cuter than a lemur. The Duke Lemur Center is home to 250 lemurs representing 21 species. It’s the largest collection of lemurs anywhere in the world outside Madagascar. The research facility studies lemur behavior, physiology and more, but also provides a space for the public to get up close with these adorable creatures through a selection of tours.