If you’re looking for a quick family getaway that feels like a real vacation, Durham should absolutely be on your list this spring & summer. Around an hour from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, Durham offers the perfect mix of hands-on museums, amazing local food, outdoor beauty, and unique family experiences.

As someone who lived in Durham for five years, I’ve had the chance to explore this city far beyond a typical weekend visit. It’s one of the best destinations for families who don’t want to spend a long time traveling, but want a lot of options for places to eat and play. We recently returned for a weekend trip to revisit some of our favorite spots and discover a few new ones. It reminded us just how much Durham has to offer.

Here’s a look at our family-friendly Spring Durham itinerary and why this city makes such a great nearby getaway. For more family-friendly things to do visit Discover Durham’s website.

Quick Durham Weekend Itinerary for Spring

Friday

Check into Aloft Durham Downtown
Dinner at Bull City Burger & Brewery
Dessert at Simon Says Dip This

Saturday

Breakfast at Elmo’s Diner
Explore Museum of Life and Science
Lunch at Redstart Takeaway
Snuggle goats at Avery Family Farm
Walk around American Tobacco Campus
Dinner at Boricua Soul
Dessert at The Parlour

Sunday

Coffee at Whisk & Rye
Breakfast at Eastcut Sandwich Bar
Visit Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Lunch at Lakewood Social
Play at Angel Island Fun Park
Dinner at Picnic or Dino’s Pizza

Where We Stayed: Aloft Downtown Durham

We checked into Aloft Durham Downtown, located right in the heart of downtown at 3:45 Blackwell Street. It has a fun modern feel with everything you could need.

It’s the perfect home base. You’re within walking distance of:

DPAC
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
American Tobacco Campus
Restaurants and shops

Amenities:

Parking is available on-site
Large Rooms
Gym
Rooftop pool
Pool table and board games in the lobby

Friday Night: A Taste of Durham

Dinner at Bull City Burger & Brewery

We headed to Bull City Burger & Brewery. Located about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, this local favorite is known for:

Grass-fed beef burgers
Locally sourced ingredients
House-brewed beers like Parrish Street Pale Ale
Great drink options like fresh hand-squeezed lemonade, Puck’s All Natural Sodas, and Charleston Tea Garden iced tea

Fun Fact:
They’re celebrating 15 years in business, making them a true Durham staple. They are having month-long specials to celebrate. The day we stopped in was free non-alcoholic drinks.

Why Families Will Love It:
One thing that really stood out on this visit was their kid-friendly play area. They had coloring supplies, toys, and even a small play kitchen setup. The kids were completely entertained which meant parents could actually sit and enjoy their meal (a rare win when dining out with kids!).

Dessert at Simon Says Dip This

Just a 2-minute walk from Bull City Burger is Simon Says Dip This. A must-stop for dessert.

With 24 Belgian chocolate dip flavors and tons of toppings, kids can get creative with endless combinations. Try the Butterscotch dip + potato chips for the perfect sweet-and-salty treat.

Fun Detail: Inside, you’ll find three swings, which made for such a fun photo opportunity.

Saturday: Science, Food & Unique Fun

Breakfast at Elmo’s Diner

Known for its classic diner feel and family-friendly atmosphere, Elmo’s Diner is one of those places where everyone can find something they love. We ordered the shrimp and grits and huevos rancheros, and both were absolutely delicious and full of flavor.

Don’t Miss:
Pinning your kids coloring sheet on the front wall. This was definitely a highlight for our girls.

Museum of Life & Science

Next up was another one of our favorite places to visit in Durham with kids: the Museum of Life and Science.

This 84-acre space offers indoor + outdoor exploration, making it one of those places where you can easily spend an entire day here. There’s so much to see and do, and kids won’t want to leave.

Top Highlights:

Butterfly House (one of the largest on the East Coast)
Water area
Hideaway Woods (treehouses + nature play)
Bear & red wolf exhibits
Dinosaur Trail
Train Ride

Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew

Bring a stroller & cozy walking shoes
Bring a change of clothes (or two!)
Get train tickets right when you arrive they sell out!
Order food ahead of time online
Plan for at least 2–3 hours (minimum!)

If you want more details on everything there is to do here & these tips, check out our full guide:
Durham Museum of Life and Science Trip

Lunch at Redstart Takeaway

We grabbed lunch at Redstart Takeaway. Perfect for a quick but delicious family lunch. The Chicken Pita was our favorite!

This local gem started as a meal delivery service and now offers:

Ready-to-eat meals
Coffee + pastries
Local pantry items

If you need an afternoon pick me up there is a coffee shop next door, perfect lovers.

Snuggle Goats at Avery Family Farm

One of the most memorable experiences was visiting Avery Family Farm. This small family-owned farm offers:

Goat snuggles – Yes, it’s as adorable as it sounds. The goats are trained to come lay down with anyone who is sitting on a towel.
Goat Yoga & Meditation
Craft experiences – The kids painted some cute animal pottery & keychains while the adults painted some baby goat watercolors.
Educational activities

Explore the American Tobacco Campus

We spent time exploring the American Tobacco Campus. This was also one of our favorite spots from when we lived in Durham. This is especially Beautiful when it is lit up at night with strings of cafe lights.

This 16-acre district features:

A scenic man-made river – they loved hopping over the stepping stones. It’s also beautiful to just sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the waterfalls.
Open green spaces – perfect for the kids to run around and get their energy out while the parents relax.
Historic brick buildings
Burt’s Bees Mural, Cabin, and Observation Hive
Don’t Miss: Parker & Otis for fun gifts and snacks.

Dinner at Boricua Soul

Boricua Soul blends Puerto Rican and Southern flavors and started as a food truck before becoming a local favorite. We got the Garlic Chicken Sandwich, Pernil, and Empanada. They were all delicious! We had to go get another round of Empanadas because our kids ate them so fast! They also really loved the flags that came in each of the foods of the countries they were inspired by.

The Parlour

If you’re in Durham, you have to stop by The Parlour. It’s one of those places that’s absolutely worth the hype. We used to go all the time when we lived in Durham, and even though there’s almost always a line out the door it moves fast and is 100% worth the wait.

Their flavors are creative, their ice cream is so good. If you ever see the Drunken Sailor sundae pop back up, get it! It was made with salted caramel ice cream, chocolate syrup, pretzels, and potato chips.

Sunday: Relax, Explore & Play

Coffee Stop at Whisk & Rye

Whisk & Rye is such a cute little bakery & coffee shop with the best laid-back neighborhood vibe. Everything is made fresh in-house daily with a rotating menu of pastries and drinks, so there’s always something new to try. I got the Cinnamon Latte and it was SO good.

Don’t skip the pastries, they’re known for their French-inspired baked goods (with vegan options too!).

Breakfast at Eastcut Sandwich Bar

We started our morning at Eastcut Sandwich Bar. Some favorites were Jersey THEC, Chicken and the Egg, and the Zeppole (Italian Donuts). They have Raleigh and Durham locations.

Explore Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Next we visited Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This was also a favorite when we lived in Durham. It’s a great spot for family photos, a picnic, a relaxing stroll, or to let the kids run around. There is so much to explore spanning over 55-acres. If you are short on time and want to check out some of the more eye-catching areas here are our favorites. Before you go print the Sarah P. Duke Garden map or pull up a copy on your phone.

Sarah P. Duke Garden Highlights

Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden / Roney Fountain
Meyer Bridge (arched red bridge)
Waterfowl Observation Area – We typically have good luck seeing turtles and ducks here.
Terraces, Fish Pool & Cindy Brodhead Pergola. Our kids love looking at the Koi fish in the pond. Then head up higher to the Frances P. Rollins Overlook to see this from above.
Cherry Blossom Season at Duke Gardens – If you visit in early spring, you may catch the cherry blossoms in bloom. This typically happens around mid march! Check out Sarah P. Duke Gardens Instagram for updates each year. They do a great job of showing pictures each day of what they look like. I don’t see this spot marked on the map, but it is between the Gothic Gate and Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden / Roney Fountain

Tips: For Parking use the H Lot (2000 Lewis Street) on weekends. The regular parking should be finished with construction soon. If you plan on seeing Duke University this is also a good option to walk through the gardens to go on the campus.

Fun Fact: Over 600,000 visitors come each year.

We stopped at Lakewood Social. This spot was also a favorite when we lived in Durham. It was a different name, but same great atmosphere with a fenced in area for the kids to run and play. They donate 10% of Tuesday sales to nonprofits. The Stranger Things Mocktail was delicious made with pomegranate, cucumber, and lime with a Tajin sprinkle.

Play at Angel Island Fun Park

We had at Angel Island Fun Park. Perfect for all ages with a ball pit + play zones, Go-karts, Arcade, and Bumper Cars. Our girls had fun running around the 12 and under area until they ran out of energy. Tip- Bring grippy socks to avoid having to pay $3 per pair there.

Dinner at Dino’s Pizza

When I saw this on our list as a mom of small kids I’m thinking this is going to be a dinosaur themed pizza shop. Ha Nope! Dino like the Italian name, but I was even more excited when I showed up and saw the place. They’ve been open just about a year, so it is new since we have moved. It’s such a great spot for families. Not only is the pizza delicious, but they have a grassy turf area outside where kids can run around and play while you actually sit, relax, and enjoy your food (a win for everyone).

Other Fun things to Check out this Spring & Summer

Take a walk on Duke’s Campus to see the gorgeous college. Make sure to see the chapel if you can!
Durham Bulls Game – Opening Day March 31, 2026 – You can find more backdrops and familiar spots from the Movie Bull Durham in this ‘Bull Durham’ Sites Blog by VisitNC.com.
Hike the Eno River Trail or Tobacco Trail.
Duke Lemur Center – The largest Lemur habitat outside of Madagascar
Swim at Sennett’s Hole, a swimming hole at West Point on the Eno.
Enjoy a Lake -You can go fishing, boating, or kayaking on Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Little River Lake or Lake Michie.
Take a Walking Tour – Here are a few options:

More Durham Adventures for Parents

Durham is also a great destination for grown-ups looking for a fun day out. If you’re planning a trip with friends or want ideas for a kid-free outing, check out our guide: Mom’s Day Out in Durham

FAQ’s for Planning a Family Trip to Durham

Is Durham NC good for families?

Yes! Durham is a fantastic destination for families thanks to attractions like the Museum of Life & Science, outdoor spaces like Duke Gardens, and kid-friendly restaurants throughout the city. For more family-friendly things to do visit Discover Durham’s website.

What are the best things to do in Durham with kids?

Some of the top family activities include visiting the Museum of Life & Science, exploring Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Angel Island Fun Park, Hyper Kidz, and walking around American Tobacco Campus.

When is the best time to visit Durham?

Spring and summer are wonderful times to visit Durham thanks to blooming gardens, festivals, and perfect weather for outdoor activities.

How far is Durham from the Triad?

Durham is about 60–75 minutes from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, making it an easy weekend trip for families.

What family-friendly restaurants are in Durham?

Popular options include Bull City Burger & Brewery, Dino’s Pizza, Boricua Soul, and Lakewood Social.

This trip was made possible with support from Discover Durham, Durham’s official tourism organization. They helped coordinate most of our visit so we could experience some of the many amazing places to eat, play, and stay throughout the city.

All opinions, experiences, and recommendations shared here are our own.

If you’re planning your own trip, be sure to visit DiscoverDurham.com for even more ideas on family-friendly attractions, restaurants, events, and things to do in Durham.