The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Durham, North Carolina (NC)

We combine stand-up comedy and a tour of the city on our open-air bus to bring you a unique experience. Laugh your way through Durham's history as you sit back, relax, and listen to a comedian spin history into jokes.

Located on Duke University's West Campus, Duke Chapel is as magnificent in structure as it is rich in ministry. Construction of the Chapel was begun in October of 1930 and completed two years later. During that time students continually congregated at the stonemasons' huts to watch the Chapel take shape. It was first used for Commencement in 1932 and was formally dedicated on June 2, 1935.Duke Chapel continues to be a Christian church of uniquely interdenominational character and purpose. Through its tradition of inspiring worship and music, and a calling to walk with people of all faiths and circumstances, Duke Chapel acts a beacon of grace on campus and in the community. All are welcome to take part in worship, learning, dialogue, and service.

Bull City Escape is an exhilarating, interactive experience designed to test your wits. The premise is simple: small groups are locked in a room and have 60 minutes to escape. To find the key, you must work together to unearth clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes. Book a room with your friends, family, or co-workers – and see if you have what it takes to escape!

Escape On Purpose is a real-life escape game for groups of 2-10 people. Work as a team,testing your skills to escape the room in under 60 minutes.Work together by finding clues, solving puzzles and conquering challenges. At Escape On Purpose you CHOOSE 1 of 3 CHARITIES to which part of your game fee will be donated ESCAPE for FUN. GIVE on PURPOSE. We are an anti- COVID destination! We wear our masks, wipe down our surfaces, offer hand sanitizer and schedule adequate time between our escapes for disinfection. When you sign up we also block our rooms for JUST YOUR GROUP so that you can play safely and with confidence that you are protected. So come and play for a good cause (supporting a worthy charity) and to get out to do something SAFE and FUN- we could ALL use that!

At Duke Homestead, visitors can tour the early home, factories, and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. Duke's sons later founded The American Tobacco Company, the largest tobacco company in the world. The Dukes became one of the wealthiest families in the country at the turn of the 20th century and now lend their name to Duke University, Duke Energy, and the Duke Endowment.Duke Homestead offers an orientation film twice an hour, an extensive tobacco museum, and guided tours of the surviving historical structures on the grounds. Among these structures are early Bright Leaf tobacco barns, Washington Duke's first and third factories, and his 1852 homestead.The museum contains exhibits regarding tobacco farming, manufacturing, and marketing. Annual events include an Herb, Garden, and Craft Festival in June; Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina festival in July; a summer children's festival in August; the Tobacco Harvest Festival and Mock Tobacco Auction in September; and Christmas by Candlelight programs in December.

Located just blocks from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Situated on 84-acres, our interactive science park includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast, and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits which are safe havens for rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves. Other popular attractions include over 60 species of live animals, Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek Railway, Into the Mist, Hideaway Woods, and Earth Moves. The Museum of Life and Science is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.