Where to Stay in Durham, NC: Best Hotels & Areas
Determining where to stay in Durham, North Carolina can make or break your trip to this unforgettable historic town. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the American Tobacco Campus, catch a Durham Bulls baseball game, admire the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and more! But first, you have to decide where to stay.
Let’s go ahead and get started taking a look at the best hotels in Durham.
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Downtown Durham Hotels
For most visitors, the best place to stay in Durham is the city center. Being the 4th largest city in North Carolina, Durham offers a long list of amazing things to do, and staying downtown will put you within walking distance of much of it. In case that’s not a big enough sell, there are also awesome boutique hotels in downtown Durham!
Spend your time in downtown exploring on foot. You can visit the CCB plaza, where you’ll find “Major” – the bronze bull statue, then walk around to admire over 30 murals, and explore the American Tobacco Campus, which is perfect for grabbing a meal or a drink.
If you’re fortunate enough to be attending an event in Durham, you’ll also be just a short walk from the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where you can catch a minor league baseball game.
21c Museum Hotel Durham
A fun spin on places to stay is the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Durham. It offers an art gallery in a historic building, alongside the hotel. You’ll find it’s also conveniently located in downtown and offers an on-site restaurant, bar and lounge, and spa service. To top it off, it is one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Durham!
Check current rates at 21c Museum Hotel Durham.
The Durham Hotel
Located in the middle of downtown Durham, the Durham Hotel goes a step above and beyond offering amenities you won’t find everywhere. Catch a yoga class on the rooftop. Enjoy the view of the city over dinner. Sip a classic cocktail from one of the best rooftop bars in Durham. You’ll never even need to leave the hotel!
Check current rates at the Durham Hotel.
Unscripted Durham
One of the many pet-friendly hotels in Durham, Unscripted Durham is the perfect place to base yourself when visiting Durham. It offers a seasonal outdoor rooftop pool, as well as an onsite bar – all right in the heart of downtown.
Check current rates at Unscripted Durham.
Durham Hotels near Duke University
One of the top draws to Durham, NC is Duke University. It is a private university often considered the “Ivy of the South” due to its competitive admissions, excellent academics, global presence, and championship-level athletics.
Staying at a hotel near Duke University puts you in the perfect position to attend sporting events at the university, check out the neo-gothic Duke Chapel, explore the on-campus and open to the public Nasher Museum of Art, and admire the 55-acre Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
JB Duke Hotel
Perfectly situated for anyone attending a Duke sporting event or other events on campus, the JB Duke Hotel features everything you need for a comfortable stay from an onsite bar and restaurant to a well-equipped gym and outdoor fire-pits.
Check current rates at JB Duke Hotel.
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
Located on the Duke University Campus, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club features an 18-hole championship golf course and 3 onsite restaurants. Additionally you’ll find an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as meeting facilities and a fitness center.
Check current rates at Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club.
Bed & Breakfasts in Durham
Another great option is to try out a bed and breakfast in Durham. You’ll find every detail is attended to in addition to extra comforts that you wouldn’t find at a hotel. B&Bs are also perfect for a romantic weekend in Durham or even a staycation.
Arrowhead Inn
This historic 1775-era B&B in Durham features a 6-acre garden, daily gourmet breakfasts, rooms with spa baths and fireplaces, and more! Staying at the Arrowhead Inn in Durham gives you a bit more laid back luxury and space to relax outside of the hustle and bustle of the city, all while being only 20 minutes away from Duke University.
Check current rates at Arrowhead Inn.
Intersted in exploring other Durham B&Bs?
Check out the Best Bed and Breakfasts in Durham.
Cheap Hotels in Durham
If you’re a thrifty traveler, you may like the idea of staying in the best locations, but what you’re really after is low cost. These cheap Durham hotel alternatives are still safe and clean, while being a bit less luxurious.
Having traveled for many years on a barebones budget, I completely understand the need to protect those hard-earned dollars while maximizing the fun!
Econo Lodge Research Triangle Park
One of the best budget hotels in Durham is the Econo Lodge Research Triangle Park. Located a bit further from downtown, closer to the Research Triangle Park, it’s an easy drive to downtown Durham, Duke University, Raleigh, and even Chapel Hill. While amenities are limited, you’ll have everything you need including wifi, a free hot breakfast, and pillow-top mattresses. It’s also one of the pet-friendly hotels in RTP!
Check current rates at the Econo Lodge Research Triangle Park.
Millennium Durham
Just a five-minute drive from Duke University is the affordable Millennium Durham hotel. While this might not be the cheapest hotel in Durham, it does offer a lot more bang for your buck, offering a free on-site fitness center, swimming pool, event space, conference rooms, and more – all at a low cost. It’s a perfect option for those looking to balance cost and luxury.
Check current rates at the Millennium Durham.
Explore the best places to stay in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Quick Things to Know before Visiting Durham, NC
Besides finding the best hotel in Durham, North Carolina, you will want some additional information to get acquainted with Durham before you arrive. This will help make your trip a success and avoid unwanted surprises.
What is Durham known for?
Durham is best known as the “City of Medicine” as it is home to over 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices. It is also well known for being home to Duke University, which is famed for its basketball team, and of course the Durham Bulls baseball team, made famous in the movie Bull Durham.
Is Durham, NC safe?
Durham has gotten a bad name for being a bit dangerous. However, as a tourist, you are unlikely to encounter the rougher parts of town. In fact, Durham is just about as safe as any other part of North Carolina. This means you shouldn’t worry about walking around downtown Durham at night to the bars and restaurants. Just use basic safety tips and you’ll have no problems.
What is Durham like?
In Durham, you’ll find a thriving city with a strong culture full of delicious food, live music, sports, art, museums, and more! It’s also home to Duke University with a typical college scene available for the younger crowd. No matter what you’re into, you’ll find something of interest in Durham.
Where should you eat in Durham?
No matter where you stay in Durham, there are amazing restaurants within your reach! Stop at Dames Chicken and Waffles for their famous combination of… chicken and waffles. Try JuJu Durham or Mateo Bar de Tapas for a tapas style meal. Swing by M Sushi for delicious sushi. There’s no shortage of delicious restaurants in Durham.
Explore More of North Carolina
Determining where to stay in Durham, NC is a critical part of your trip planning. Once you’ve found the best hotel in Durham for you, you can continue planning your time in North Carolina! After all, there are endless things to do, from the mountains to the beaches.
As a local North Carolinian, I like to share insight into my beautiful state so that others can continue to explore it. Here are a few of my favorite North Carolina cities to visit.
Raleigh – the Capitol of North Carolina
Located just 30 minutes from Durham, it’s easy to visit Raleigh and Durham in one trip. If you’re local, Durham is the perfect staycation from Raleigh too!
- 20 Amazing Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh, NC
- Where to Stay in Raleigh: Top Areas and Hotels
- The 10 Best Bars in Downtown Raleigh, NC
- Best Restaurants in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina
Asheville – a Beautiful Mountain Escape
Get out to the mountains for some serious hiking, beautiful scenery, and amazing food in Asheville! It’s one of the best mountain towns in North Carolina.
- How to Spend One Perfect Weekend in Asheville, North Carolina
- Raleigh to Asheville Road Trip: See the Best of North Carolina
The Outer Banks – the Best Beaches in North Carolina
Head to the Outer Banks to experience the North Carolina beaches, explore the Wright Brothers historic plane flight, and admire the many coastal lighthouses.
- 10 Fun Things to Do in the Outer Banks for a Perfect Vacation
- The Best Hotels in the Outer Banks, NC
- Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Jockey’s Ridge State Park
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Nice blog, Thank you for sharing us. I have taken admission in Durham University. This blog helped me a lot to visit Durham . Such a fabulous contnt
Glad you have found it useful. Durham is a beautiful city to visit, and I hope you enjoy it!