From a welcoming atmosphere to an incredible food scene and countless opportunities to explore, Durham has something for everyone. The Bull City is a flexible environment that meets the evolving needs of Fuqua’s diverse community. In this post, we share what we love most about living in Durham.

Mikhala Nelson

Durham’s close-knit, lively community adds to the unique Fuqua experience. Students live in similar areas of town and love the same restaurants and nightlife venues. Rather than leaving town on the weekends, many of my classmates and I enjoy spending our time locally, exploring what Durham has to offer. Our student body is more connected because Durham provides the perfect backdrop to do so.

Coming from a big city like Atlanta, Durham has made me appreciate all the great things about being in a mid-sized city. The city has its own personality outside of Duke, with plenty of local restaurants and coffee shop gems like Little Bull and Oak House in the Downtown Durham area.

There’s plenty to do year-round. In the warmer months, some of my favorite outdoor activities are aimlessly walking around downtown Durham — wandering into local boutiques like MODE or Rose & Lee, sitting and listening to live music in the square, grabbing a bite to eat at Durham Food Hall (with a sweet treat afterwards from Parlour Ice Cream).

The spring is also a great time to catch a Durham Bulls baseball game and the fireworks afterward. Lastly, there’s very little traffic — it takes about 10 minutes or less to get pretty much anywhere!

Tobi Adewodu

Business school moves fast. With all the traveling I’ve done for conferences and social events, coming back to a place like Durham feels amazing.

The community here is strong, the quality of life is outstanding, and the weather — often in the 60s and sometimes even the 70s in November — is hard to beat. Durham offers a great mix of a vibrant intellectual environment and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.

Henry White

Beyond Fuqua, Durham has so much to offer. My favorite thing about Durham: it’s a foodie town! I love trying new restaurants. A few of the best eats are Cugino Forno, Pizzeria Toro, and any kiosk in the Durham Food Hall.

Of course, free time is hard to come by as an MBA student, but Durham provides many options for taking a break from our school and work obligations. Here are five ways to spend a weekend in Durham:

1. Start your weekend with Fuqua Friday. Grab a beer and some food with friends in the Fox Center. If you’re like me and wait until the last minute to plan your weekend, Fuqua Friday is the best way to connect with friends and learn about social activities to join.
2. Cheer on the Blue Devils at a Duke sporting event. Students can attend almost any sporting event on campus for free. There are only a few exceptions.
3. Enjoy the great outdoors at Eno River State Park. Only a 10-minute drive from campus, Eno River is a great place to go on a hike with friends, pets, and family.
4. Enjoy a night in Downtown Durham. You can start by attending a Durham Bulls game, then take a walk to the historic Brightleaf District, which features several bars, restaurants, and shops.
5. Take a walk down 9^th Street. Many Fuqua students call 9^th Street home, so you’re bound to run into a classmate or two. I highly recommend checking out Dain’s Place.