Durham district, North Carolina, United States

Places to visit near Durham

Durham is a city in Durham district, North Carolina, United States, home to about 257,636 people. Within 50 km by road there are 243 places to visit — 85 churches, 41 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 38 forts & heritage and 21 museums. The must-see places are Central Park (1 km), 11-foot-8 Bridge (1 km) and Nasher Museum of Art (3 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Durham on the map

Durham at a glance

Location
Durham district, North Carolina, United States
Population
about 257,636
Coordinates
35.9940° N, 78.8986° W
Places within 50 km
243 (51 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and museums

Top places to visit near Durham

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Durham: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Durham, by type

Churches near Durham

88 churches within 100 km of Durham. The closest is First Presbyterian Church (1 km); the best-known is O'Kellys Church (19 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Durham

46 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Durham. The closest is Lake Unity (10 km); the best-known is Little River Dam (17 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Forts & heritage near Durham

39 forts & heritage within 100 km of Durham. The closest is American Tobacco Historic District (1 km); the best-known is Historic Stagville (19 km). Best time: october to february.

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Museums near Durham

22 museums within 100 km of Durham. The closest is Somerhill Gallery (1 km); the best-known is Nasher Museum of Art (3 km). Best time: year-round.

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Waterfalls near Durham

22 waterfalls within 100 km of Durham. The closest is Falls Lake (13 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Parks near Durham

15 parks within 100 km of Durham. The closest is Central Park (1 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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A one-day trip from Durham

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 21 km on the road.

  1. Start in Durham
  2. 1 km Central Park · park, Durham
  3. 4 km Museum of Life and Science · museum, Durham
  4. 6 km Sarah P. Duke Gardens · garden, Durham
  5. 3 km Duke Lemur Center · nature spot, Durham
  6. 4 km Nasher Museum of Art · museum, Durham
  7. 3 km Back to Durham

Plan a longer trip from Durham — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Durham

No traveller has reported from around Durham yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Durham

    All places near Durham by distance

    Within 15 km of Durham

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Durham by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Churches8588First Presbyterian Church (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs4146Lake Unity (10 km)
    Forts & heritage3839American Tobacco Historic District (1 km)
    Museums2122Somerhill Gallery (1 km)
    Waterfalls2222Falls Lake (13 km)
    Parks1315Central Park (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1013Duke Lemur Center (7 km)
    Other attractions2311-foot-8 Bridge (1 km)
    Caves33Mulka's Cave (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints33Hollow Rock (12 km)
    Temples22Sree Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina (29 km)
    Beaches & coast22Crosswinds Beach (36 km)
    Treks01Haw River Land Trail (57 km)
    Mosques & dargahs11Islamic Association of Raleigh (37 km)

    Durham: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Durham?

    Central Park (park, about 1 km), 11-foot-8 Bridge (attraction, about 1 km), Nasher Museum of Art (museum, about 3 km), Sarah P. Duke Gardens (garden, about 4 km), Museum of Life and Science (museum, about 5 km), Duke Lemur Center (nature spot, about 7 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Durham?

    243 places on Spotwander: 85 churches, 41 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 38 forts & heritage, 21 museums, 22 waterfalls.

    Which is the nearest church to Durham?

    First Presbyterian Church, about 1 km by road; New Greater Zion Wall (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Durham?

    Lake Unity, about 10 km by road; General Electric Lake Number Two (13 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Durham?

    American Tobacco Historic District, about 1 km by road; Imperial Tobacco (1 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Durham?

    Start in Durham, visit Central Park, then Museum of Life and Science, then Sarah P. Duke Gardens, then Duke Lemur Center, then Nasher Museum of Art, and drive back — about 21 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Durham?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches and museums.

    Towns near Durham

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Durham’s location and population from GeoNames. Data sources & credits.