Eat See Do: Raleigh & Durham

In recent years, Raleigh and Durham have developed into culinary strongholds whose strength lies in their diversity. International cuisines, creative restaurant concepts, and a booming craft beer scene characterize the region in addition to its young, multicultural atmosphere. This side of the city is particularly tangible in the Raleigh Beer Garden: with several hundred draught beers and a Guinness World Record for the number of different beer brands on tap, it's the perfect stopover for anyone who wants to get to know Raleigh through its brewing culture. Those who prefer to go out alcohol-free can now find some zero-proof concepts in the region. Venues such as the Umbrella Dry Bar in Raleigh show how naturally non-alcoholic drinks have become part of the gastro scene.

More Culinary Delights:

• Biscuits: Few other things in the American South look as simple and at the same time are as identity-forming as freshly baked biscuits. The soft, buttery pastry is an integral part of the local food culture in Raleigh, too, and appears in classic variants such as being served with air-dried ham or sausage gravy, a traditional sauce made from pork. It is because they seem so commonplace that they tell a lot about the down-to-earth side of the city.
• Barbecue as a piece of North Carolina: If you want to understand North Carolina through its cuisine, you can't get past barbecue. It's also an integral part of the region's culinary identity in Raleigh and Durham, with slow-cooked pork, smoky flavors, and sauces that can be vinegary, sweet, and tomato-based, depending on the style.
• Farm to table: A defining aspect of the restaurant scene in Raleigh and Durham is its close connection to the region's agriculture. Many kitchens work with seasonal products and prioritize the use of vegetables. Instead of classic side dishes, stand-alone dishes are created around roasted root vegetables, fresh herbs, and the like, which show how naturally vegetarian cuisine can be developed here using regional ingredients.

In Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art shows just how easily art and nature can go hand in hand. The building has a large park with art installations, gardens, a pond, and several miles of paths, meaning your visit will take you not only through gallery rooms, but also into the great outdoors. It is this alternation between collection and landscape that makes it one of the most interesting sights in the region.

Also Worth Seeing:

• Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham: Right in the heart of Durham is Duke Gardens, a 22-acre botanical garden landscape that is regularly the city's most visited attraction. Established in 1934, the gardens silence the sounds of traffic to allow birdsong to be heard from the treetops, and there are more than 2,500 colorful plant species to discover.
• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh: In the largest natural history museum in the southeast United States, a world of dinosaurs, living animals, aquariums, and interactive exhibits unfolds across several levels, explaining science in a very vivid way. Particularly exciting is the SECU Daily Planet Theater, where researchers and educators share their knowledge with the audience during live presentations and Q&A sessions. These events sum up Raleigh's character as a city of research, education, and curiosity particularly well.
• North Carolina State Capitol: The North Carolina State Capitol is one of Raleigh's most important historic sites. The classicist building stands in the center of the city, which was specially planned and founded in 1792 as the new capital and seat of government. Completed in 1840, the North Carolina State Capitol is one of the best-preserved examples of Greek Revival public architecture in the US and today conveys much of North Carolina's political history as a tourist destination.

Few other places tell the story of Durham's transformation as engagingly as the American Tobacco Campus. Where the tobacco industry used to shape the economic life of the city, today there is a revitalized area of historic brick buildings, courtyards, restaurants, offices, and events venues in the middle of downtown. The landmark of the site is the Lucky Strike Water Tower, which is a reminder of Durham's industrial past and at the same time stands for the new, culturally shaped present of the city.

More Experiences:

• Durham Bulls game: A Durham Bulls game is one of those experiences that immediately gives you a feel for the city. The baseball team plays at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the middle of downtown, a stadium that is a sight in itself with its brick architecture, the striking "Blue Monster" wall in left field, and the famous bull above the scoreboard. The baseball experience rounds off the stadium visit perfectly.
• Pullen Park in Raleigh: Pullen Park is a place where Raleigh feels most relaxed and where there is also the most history. The park was created in 1887 and is considered the first public park in North Carolina. To this day, it attracts visitors with an almost nostalgic mixture of green spaces, a lake, and small attractions. Particularly iconic is the historic Dentzel carousel, which consists of 52 hand-carved animals and gives the park a timeless, almost fairground-like atmosphere without ever looking kitschy.
• Durham Performing Arts Center: Since its opening in 2008, the Durham Performing Arts Center, or DPAC for short, has become one of North Carolina's most important cultural venues. It boasts a striking glass façade and is located in the middle of downtown Durham, right on the American Tobacco Campus. It puts on Broadway productions, concerts, comedy, and major guest performances in an urban evening atmosphere.