Guide for the Solo Traveler Visiting Durham, North Carolina

While Raleigh, North Carolina's capital city, is generally a more popular destination compared to other cities around the state, the nearby city of Durham is an accessible option for a solo traveler wanting to check out a thriving city outside the state's capital. It may not ring a bell the way Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles do, but this city has its own kind of charm.

Durham, also called "The City of Medicine" because of the premier hospitals, research centers and universities it hosts, offers a generally technological ambience set outside the typical hustle and bustle of America's most fast-paced cities. It is one of the vertices of the Research Triangle Area, more popularly referred to as "The Triangle" This area within North Carolina's Piedmont region is anchored by a number of premier universities. It also houses the Research Triangle Park, one of the largest and oldest U.S. science parks featuring a number of high-tech companies and agencies.

Transportation

Any traveler taking a plane ride to Durham has convenient access to the city via the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Interestingly, going outside this airport readily brings a tourist very close to a variety of destinations including the Lake Crabtree County Park and the William B. Umstead State Park. A little further west from the airport leads to the Research Triangle Park. This area is also in close proximity to the I-540, which makes the city easy to reach by travelers bringing private transport.

A tourist intending to use the public transportation in Durham can take advantage of the Amtrak and the Triangle Transit. The latter offers scheduled and fixed-route regional and commuter bus services between the airport and Durham, and also in other areas of the city. An extensive network of bike routes and trails are also found in Durham.

Attractions

The American Tobacco Trail, the site of the American Tobacco Company's 1930s railroad tracks, is one of the most popular attractions in Durham. It features modern bicycle and walking paths extending from the downtown area to the Research Triangle Park. The Eno River State Park is another top destination for bird-watching, canoeing, rafting, hiking, fishing and picnics. Meanwhile, the Wheels Fun Park is an ideal place for skateboarding, indoor roller-skating, RC cars, go-karts and batting cages.

Varying historic sites and displays to check out in Durham include the History of Medicine Collections at the Duke Medical Center Library and Archives and the Duke University Musical Instrument Collections. The Downtown Durham Historic District, the state's first commercial district duly acknowledged in the National Register of Historic Places showcases a number of commercial complexes, government buildings and cultural spots.

Art and theater lovers in the city have countless options for museums, art centers and theaters including the Durham Performing Arts Center and Carolina Theatre. Because of its thriving university atmosphere, the city also features year-long arts and music events such as jazz and blues festivals, symphony concerts, art exhibitions and film festivals.

Accommodations

There are dozens of accommodation options around the Durham area. Those needing a place to stay near the airport can try any hotel or motel within the Durham or Morrisville area like the Comfort Suites Raleigh Durham Airport, Hilton Garden Inn RDU Airport, Hyatt Place Raleigh-Durham Airport, Courtyard Raleigh-Durham Airport, Holiday Inn Express Hotel Morrisville.

Travelers intending to stay near the downtown and university areas can choose from dozens of hotels and inns such as the Red Roof Inn Durham Duke University Medical Center, Courtyard by Marriott Durham Duke University/Downtown, University Inn at Duke, Comfort Inn University and Extended StayAmerica Durham-University.

Those who want to be in close proximity to the Research Triangle Park have dozens of hotel options as well. Some of the nearest ones include the Comfort Inn RTP, La Quinta Research Triangle Park, Homestead Durham-Research Triangle Park, Residence Inn Durham Research Triangle Park and Candlewood Suites Research Triangle Park.