Duke Parents
 

Where do you stay when you are visiting you kids at school? Restaurant recommendations welcome, too.

Many thanks,
Kathy

That should have read, 'your kids at school.' Some of the keys on my keyboard are sticking.

Upscale? Budget? Somewhere in between?

Upscale -- most convenient is Washington Duke, but it's a golf resort of sorts and costs $$$. Nice dining room but again $$$. Upscale dining: 4 Square is best of best; also great: Nana's and Magnolia Grill (altho' that's not my favorite).

Moderate: There's a Hilton Durham, a Hampton Inn, and Courtyard not far off I-85 that are reasonably convenient (also a Days Inn, but yuck). Several decent restaurants up 9th St., esp. the one within Whole Foods store, Elmo's. I wouldn't stay in a hotel in downtown Durham although the Duke Towers motel is surprisingly comfortable in a decent neighborhood somewhat removed from the seamier areas (and closer to East campus than the others). In and near Brightleaf Sq. are some good restaurants -- Taverna Nikos (a little pricey for a Greek restaurant but very good), Anotherthyme -- sort of upscale food at very reasonable prices, including a choose-your-salad-combo that's a great bargain and has wonderful ingredients.

Important question: when are you coming? Things get badly sold out during critical times -- beginning and end of school, ball games, etc. Strongly suggest locking in reservations as soon as you know you're coming. There are probably always rooms out 15-501 or I-40 toward the airport, but they are greviously inconvenient.

Thanks for the good info. I'll print it for my folder. We are school shoppping, so visit will be this summer. Washington Duke shows no availability even during mid-July. I am thinking of the Sienna Hotel in Chapel Hill for central location. We will visit UNC Chapel Hill, Duke and Wake Forest. I have not visited this area, but someone told me it is a very nice hotel. Otherwise, I may book the Hilton or Millenium -- Hilton has better rate.

Your advice is very welcome.

Many thanks.

Siena is a lovely place with exceptional restaurant (I live about a mile up the hill from it). It is very central to Duke and UNCCH (well, much closer to UNCCH but handy enough to Duke -- and Chapel Hill is a more interesting town to visit than Durham for your kid if not you), but Wake Forest is pretty much of a hike. Glad to answer other questions.

You've been given some excellent advice already on hotels and restaurants.

The Sheraton in Chapel Hill is reasonably priced and very nice, with rooms newly renovated in Scandinavian style. It's in a good location, about a mile from the Sienna towards Duke.

The Carolina Inn is overpriced, but has some charm and is right in the middle of the UNC campus.

Other fine restaurants in Durham: Parizade, Vin Rouge, George's Garage.

Good choices in Chapel Hill: Crook's Corner, The Grill at Glenn Lenox, Aurora.

Don't forget to bring your sunscreen!

Hope you enjoy your trip. You do know that Wake Forest Univ. is in Winston-Salem, not in Wake Forest, the town in NC? They are a couple of hours apart.

The Washington and Duke, Siena, and Carolina Inn are all very lovely hotels. Would return to any of the three in a heartbeat.