With midterm season in full swing, you’ve been counting down the days until fall break kicks off. If you need to get off campus during your long weekend, here is a world of activities and opportunities to explore in Durham.
Dive into the foodie scene
Durham’s been described as “the foodiest city in the South.” For students who haven’t had a chance to break away from Marketplace or the Brodhead Center, now is the time to check out the scene. Try out some grub on Ninth Street (Alpaca and Juju are student favorites) or head downtown and sample some delicious cuisine from some of the city’s best-known restaurants.
Spend a day at Eno River State Park
If the outdoors are your thing (or even if they aren’t), you can’t go wrong with a day trip to Eno River State Park. Just a 15-minute drive from Duke, the park features over 30 miles of trails which wind through some truly gorgeous scenery: forests, wildflowers, and of course, the Eno River. The park is also an ideal picnic location. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view– maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of the leaves changing color as the fall season arrives.
Visit the Farmer’s Market
There are few more wholesome ways to kick off your weekend than a trip to the Durham Farmers’ Market, a short walk from East Campus. You’ll encounter local vendors selling everything from flower bouquets to handmade jewelry. The Farmers’ Market is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each Saturday and features live music, delicious food and impeccable vibes.
Check out The Streets at Southpoint, or hit up a thrift store
If your wardrobe needs an update with the changing seasons, Southpoint Mall is a 20 minute drive from campus and is home to retailers such as Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Vans and Forever 21. However, if you’d rather find some more unique vintage pieces, Durham has quite the assortment of thrift stores to choose from. Stock up on sweaters, jeans, and cardigans all while staying on budget.
Have a photoshoot in downtown Durham
For the more artistically inclined, Durham offers a surprising variety of photoshoot locations: in particular, its street art. Grab a friend and take a walk through the city–the red brick walls and vibrant murals provide perfect backgrounds for pictures. Your Instagram feed will thank you.
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Sevana Wenn is a Trinity sophomore and features managing editor of The Chronicle's 118th volume.