Durham was the home and farming location for the Eno and the Occaneechi Indian tribes, who contributed to the Great Indian Trading Path development. In 1701, an English explorer, John Lawson, chronicled the beauty of Durham and called it “the flower of the Carolinas.” In the mid-18th century, English, Scots, and Irish colonists settled in the region on land King Charles I had granted to George Carteret. After establishing a fast-growing tobacco industry, Durham’s economic and population growth exploded following the Civil War. When the soldiers passed through the region during the war, they fell in love with the milder tobacco and started ordering it through the mail. The Bull Durham Tobacco Factory was born at the time, and the region’s economic growth increased. Another industry, W. Duke and Sons Tobacco Company, started to prosper in the late 1800s, fueling Durham’s economic growth. Washington Duke, the company’s owner, was an excellent businessman. His two sons formed a monopoly on the smoking and tobacco industry by the early 1900s until the government broke them up under antitrust laws. The state incorporated the city in 1869. Duke Energy, the company that powers the city and its neighbors, has been another driver of economic growth in Durham. Duke Energy took over electricity franchises in Durham and other towns and cities in North Carolina. Since then, Durham has experienced exponential growth, making it a significant part of the Research Triangle Park, the most extensive research park in the United States.

One of the first things you should do in Durham is visit the American Tobacco Campus. This modern urban district features recreation facilities, artwork, eclectic dining, water features, and entertainment. The one-million-square-foot community is a multi-use gathering for the visitors and the locals. It is also one of the best places to socialize, have fun, and relax in Durham.

You should never miss a performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center, which ranks third in the United States for a performing arts center. The center features Broadway shows such as Hamilton, and major performing artists come to the city to entertain people. The theater can accommodate up to 2,700 individuals with more than 200 performances to choose from yearly.

Visit nearly 30 miles of trails and natural scenic areas at the Eno River State Park and experience Durham’s best outdoor recreation areas. Locals and regulars can visit the spot for fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking. Additionally, sports fans should visit the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home to the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team. The fan game experiences are unforgettable.