Spotlight on Downtown Durham: Blending the Old and New
Home to the American Tobacco Campus, the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Durham Bulls, downtown Durham offers vibrant experiences for all ages. Recently voted as the best place to retire by CNN Money, Durham also features the Eno River State Park, a great place for kids to enjoy the outdoors.
The American Tobacco Campus
Since its start as nothing more than a cluster of factories in the 1800s, the American Tobacco Campus has undergone renovation and rehabilitation over the past few decades. Lined with the old brick factory buildings, this quad is teeming with restaurants like Mellow Mushroom, a family-friendly pizza joint, and links up to numerous biking and walking trails. The on-site amphitheater even plays host to a free summer concert series, Music on the Lawn.
Durham Performing Arts Center
Adjacent to the bustling American Tobacco District is the new Durham Performing Arts Center. DPAC is a 2,800-seat performance 
hall ranked by Pollstar as one of the top 50 theatre venues in the world. It brings a variety of shows to Durham, ranging from the Disney musical “The Lion King” to memorable concerts by The Temptations and The Four Tops. Of its 230 ticketed events, the center has sold out 80. Since its opening in November 2008, DPAC has been bringing together Durham residents and visitors to experience world-renowned shows.
Durham Bulls
Another recent renovation in downtown Durham is the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Playing in Durham since 1902, this minor league baseball team is the inspiration for the 1988 movie “Bull Durham.” Along with the traditional chair seating, the stadium also offers a lawn area behind the field for families to spread out during the games in hopes of catching a home run ball. Kids will be pleased to find Wool E. World just inside the stadium for obstacle course fun and interaction with the team’s mascot, Wool E. Bull.
Downtown Durham offers multiple choices when it comes to entertainment and relaxation. You can enjoy the modern features of the Durham Performing Arts Center or the urban-chic atmosphere in one of the American Tobacco Campus’ restaurants. If you’re considering moving to Durham or are simply interested in having some of your questions answered, please seek out our Durham Realtors. We don’t want you to miss this beautiful blend of the past and present in downtown.
