Spring Color

Spring In Durham

Spring is in the air in Durham, North Carolina! The fragrant flowers are in bloom at Duke Gardens while baseballs fly at Durham Athletic Park. Musicians fill weekend nights at the American Tobacco Entertainment District. Meanwhile, Broadway shows are on stage at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

What’s the best thing about this excitement? All of the evening activities are grouped together so that you park your car once for all there is to enjoy. With plenty of restaurants at American Tobacco and great concessions at Durham Athletic Park, there’s a wide variety of food.

Durham is located in the Triangle area of the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Only sixteen miles from Raleigh and nine miles from downtown Chapel Hill, there are many other opportunities for activities in the Triangle, too.

Starting in April, the spring flowers are in bloom at the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Tulips, pansies, and flowering cherries are in bloom in the terraced beds. Azaleas, camellias, dogwood, daffodils, irises, wisteria and wildflowers are in bloom throughout the rest of Duke Gardens. The 55-acre garden is laced with wide pathways and comfortable benches for you to linger and enjoy the spring weather. The spring blooms keep on coming through May. With no admission fee, visit as often as you like! Be sure to visit the famous Duke Chapel while you’re on the university campus, too.

Spend your spring days enjoying the gardens before heading out for a night of fun. Drive less than two miles from Duke Gardens to reach the evening entertainment.

The Durham Bulls take the field at the Durham Athletic Park beginning April 15 and play into September. Check the schedule for home games and the promotions for special events.What a fabulous family outing!

The handsome American Tobacco Entertainment District restaurants include Cuban, Asian, American cuisines and a Deli. The restaurants are in stylishly refurbished tobacco warehouses. The buildings are grouped around a large, central courtyard with an amazing, flowing stream and waterfall. Are you outdoors or indoors? The ambiance is perfect for spring nights!

Beginning in May and lasting through October, the “Music on the Lawn” free concerts are held in the central courtyard. Dine outside the restaurants or bring a chair to enjoy the music. The concerts are on Friday and Saturday nights. Bluegrass, blues and folk music performers are on stage on different weekends. The American Tobacco District and North Carolina Public Radio sponsor the events.

If a Broadway Show suits your style, the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) has your ticket. 'Wicked' is on stage April 21 – May 16 and Oprah Winfrey Presents 'The Color Purple' performances are May 25 – 30. The dress code at DPAC is casual so there’s no need to dress up when you’re in town.

There’s more than Broadway, too. Other spring DPAC performances include artists like David Gray and Ringo Star.

Spend spring in Durham to catch our blooms, baseball, blues and Broadway. There’s so much excitement in the air that we’re sure you’ll agree that Great Things Happen in Durham!

added: March 5, 2009

updated: August 27, 2010