There’s a lot of fun to be had in Durham without spending a ton, and not just by taking on park trails, bike paths or window browsing. Here are some free things to do in Durham!

Duke Chapel Photo: Katelyn Belch

1. Take a behind the scenes tour of DPAC

2. Attend a children’s choir performance at Duke Chapel

3. Take a picture with Major the Bull

4. Go on a guided tour at the 21c Museum

5. Check out the championship trophies at Duke Basketball Hall of Fame

6. Do a coffee tasting at Counter Culture

7. Explore with the whole family at Ellerbe Creek Family Explorers Club

8. Take your pup to Duke University Forest Trails

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9. Learn more about our city at the Museum of Durham History

10. Take a stroll in Duke Gardens

11. Strike a pose on the stage at Burch Avenue Park

12. Admire some of Durham’s street art

13. Swing in the hammocks at American Tobacco Campus

14. Hike at the Eno River State Park

15. Check out a tuba museum, V & E Simonetti’s Historic Tuba Collection

16. Take everyone to Family Day at Duke Homestead

17. Go on a Funny Girl Farm Tour

18. See where ‘Bull Durham’ was filmed, Historic Durham Athletic Park

19. Explore West Point on the Eno

20. Visit the Historic Parrish Street Forum and learn more about Black Wall Street

21. Volunteer at Durham Central Park

22. Play at one of Durham’s 65+ parks

23. Enjoy some blues music at the Bullpen every Friday and Saturday

24. Tour historic Bennett Place

25. Visit one of the largest plantations in NC, Stagville State Historic Site

26. Go on a Preservation Durham Tour

27. Walk Duke University’s campus

28. Play pinball games for free at Bullpen (Sundays 12-9pm)

29. Ride your bike on American Tobacco Trail

30. Grab a book from a Free Little Library around town

31. Volunteer at SEEDS, a non-profit garden school

Museum of Life and Science, Photo: Katelyn Belch

32. Go on a Pony Bike Ride that ends at Ponysaurus Brewing

33. See a comedy show at Fullsteam: Bulltown Comedy Series (3rd Tuesday of every month)

34. Experience the Museum of Life and Science (Check out Durham County Residents Free day)

35. Check out a book from the Durham County Library

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Katelyn Belch
Author: Katelyn Belch

Founder of Best of the Bull and Shop Durham. It’s my chief goal to keep you in the know about all things Durham.