With a small downtown and sprawling campus vibes in the immediately surrounding area, Durham is more of a town than a metropolis. Unlike its much-compared-to cousin Raleigh a half-hour away (or a full hour, with traffic) with a grid-like downtown and high rises, Durham's got spread out blocks of converted warehouses and brand new housing construction all over town.
A stone's throw away is Chapel Hill, where the UNC bubble contains undergrads, grad students, many a college cheap eatery, a great music venue, and Will's former roommate Fordo (known as "Ryan," apparently, on campus). He showed us a great time around town, from a fantastic show from A. Savage (of Parquet Courts) to the many beer and food joints in Durham.
Some of our favorite food/drink stops in town:
Finally, not in Durham, but on our way out of town, we stopped at Hillsborough BBQ Company - some of my favorite barbecue on this trip. Fantastic ribs, brisket, and pulled pork with regional sides (fried okra, hush puppies) and THREE types of coleslaw (classic, red vinegar-y, and mustard). Welcoming table service and friendly staff. Oh, and that famous eastern NC vinegar sauce - not totally my thing, but worth a try.