Next door to Chapel Hill and UNC-Chapel Hill is Durham and Duke University. Durham is most famous for its Duke University and the Duke University Medical Center. The main tourist attraction – or so we were told – is the University Chapel, a very antique looking building which houses some 50 bells ranging up to 5 tons in size. Now that’s a bell! We expected to hear them sound off but were disappointed. They only play at 5p and we just couldn’t wait that long and still make it to Wilmington.

Visitors' Center - From I-85 take exit 176-A ("Gregson") and follow Gregson southbound to Trinity Avenue Street (10 blocks). Turn left on Trinity and follow it to Mangum Street (US-501 Business). Turn right and the Durham Visitor Information Center is on your left at the intersection of Mangum and Seminary Streets.
  The lobby of the visitors' center, well stocked with literature, is open 24 hours daily. The staff is there from 8:30a to 5p Mondays through Friday and 10a to 2p on Saturdays.
  For more information phone 1-800-446-8604 (toll free). Web site: DurhamCVB.

• Bennett Place State Historic Site
• Duke University Chapel
• Magic Wings Butterfly House and Bayer Crop Science Insectarium
• Museum of Life and Science
• Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Magic Wings Butterfly House and Bayer Crop Science Insectarium - This 3-story, tropical conservatory, largest museum butterfly house east of the Mississippi, features over 1,000 tropical butterflies in free flight including many rare species from Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Butterflies like blossoms; no disappointments, here, with beds of exotic flowers, tropical fruit trees and a flowering meadow in a rainforest area (that even includes a stream garden).
  The Insectarium presently has more than 25 live exotic and native species of insects and insect predators plus an extensive collection of mounted specimens.
  This is the location of the Museum of Life and Science (see below).
  For more information phone 1-919-220-5429 or visit their web site: MagicWings.
  From I-85 take exit 176-B and follow Duke Street (US-501) and drive northbound to Murray Avenue. Turn right and the Butterfly House is at 433 Murray Avenue just beyond the State Museum of Life and Science and adjacent to the NC Museum of Life and Science.

Museum of Life and Science - Family Fun magazine wrote that the NC Museum of Life and Science the top four family-friendly museums in the Southeast. This 78-acre, 50,000 square foot regional science-technology campus offers user-friendly learning experiences for the young and not so young. One of the main goals is to stimulate creativity and a sense of discovery which enhances the learning experience. This is the location of the Magic Wings Butterfly House and Bayer CropScience Insectarium (see above).
  For more information phone 1-919-220-5429 or visit their web site: NCMLS.
  From I-85 take exit 176-B and follow Duke Street (US-501) and drive northbound to Murray Avenue. Turn right and the Butterfly House is at 433 Murray Avenue just beyond the State Museum of Life and Science and adjacent to the NC Museum of Life and Science.

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Bennett Place State Historic Site - Perhaps the official end of the Civil War was General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, but the big surrender, largest in the War, was at the Bennett farmstead where Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman 17 days after Lee’s Appomattox surrender.
  Here you can view the reconstructed farm house and outbuildings and visit the interpretive center and museum.
  Open Monday through Friday from 9a to 5p.
  For more information phone 1-919-383-4345 or visit their web site: BennettPlace.
  From I-40 take exit 270. If eastbound, turn left; if westbound, turn right. Follod US-15 northbound (be sure to stay on US-15 at the US-501 split) to the US-70 Business exit. Turn left on US-70 Bus and follow it westbound to Neal Road. Turn left and drive to the end of the road at Bennett Memorial Road. Turn right and the Bennet Farmstead will be on your left at 4409 Bennett Memorial Road.

Duke University Chapel - Durham's most popular tourist attraction, the Duke University Chapel (built in 1930) is a prime example of English-Gothic architecture and represents one of the last great collegiate Gothic projects in the United States. It features the only significant Æolian Organ built for a church. This 4-manual, 5,200 pipe instrument is about to be completely restored to its original condition and is really a pleasure to hear. In the 210-foot tower of the chapel is installed a 50-bell carillon; the bells range up to 5 tons in size. The aesthetic impact of the chapel is accented by the beautiful, stained-glass windows.
  The Inter-denominational chapel serves the university community and holds Sunday morning worship at 11a to which all are welcome. During the fall and spring semesters there are numerous recitals and concerts by the university organists and guest performers. The carillonneur gives a recital at 5p weekdays and before and after the Sunday worship service.
  The Chapel is normally open to tourists daily from 8a to 5p. Tourists are also invited to attend Sunday service at 11a.
  For more information phone 1-919-684-2572 or visit their web page: DukeChapel.
  From I-40 take exit 270. If eastbound, turn left; if westbound, turn right. Follod US-15 northbound (be sure to stay on US-15 at the US-501 Business split) to the NC-751 (Cameron Blvd) exit. Turn right and follow 751 eastbound to Duke University Road. Turn left, continue to Campus Drive, turn left and follow the signs to the Chapel on Chapel Drive. (This is the Duke West Campus.)

Sarah P. Duke Gardens - 55 acres of landscaped and woodland gardens featuring over 2,000 kinds of plants. Of special interest is their 20-acre Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. About 550 species and cultivars of Asian plants which is a living example of the close relationship of the flora of the Eastern U.S. with the flora of eastern Asia. Five miles of pathways with landscaped bridges, courts, lawns, ponds and waterfalls help create a very enjoyable experience for the visitor. Docent-led tours are also available by advance arrangement.
  Open daily from 8a to dusk. Admission FREE.
  For more information phone 1-919-684-3698 or visit their web site: SarahDuke.
  From I-40 westbound take exit 279-B and follow NC-147 (Durham Freeway) into Durham to the Swift Avenue exit. Turn left onto Swift Avenue and drive 4 blocks to the 4-way stop at Campus Drive. Turn right onto Campus Drive and drive to Anderson Street (the first traffic light) and turn right. The main entrance is 150 yards on your left after the intersection (half-circle drive with stone walls). Address: 418 Anderson Street.
  From I-40 eastbound, take exit 270 and turn left to follow US-15 northbound (be sure to stay on US-15 at the US-501 Business split) to the NC-751 (Cameron Blvd) exit. Turn right and follow 751 eastbound to Duke University Road. Turn left, continue to Anderson Street. Turn left and and continue to 418 Anderson Street.