We will be touring the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area in mid-march. Any suggestions as the best of the three cities to stay? I am favoring Durham. We are interested in touring gardens, college campuses, historic homes.

Thanks.

Durham is the most central, but Raleigh has more of a range and nicer downtown accommodations, restarants and entertainment options imho.
(Of course, I LIVE in Raleigh, so I know it better, but I did go to college in Chapel Hill.)
Chapel Hill only has one downtown accommodation - the Carolina Inn - that is just across the street from the UNC cmapus and is quite charming.
They are all three so close together that any would be a good vantage point for you.
I personally would stay in a historic bed and breakfast in the Oakwood district of Raleigh since you said you are interested in historic homes.

Which colleges are you visiting? I'm from Raleigh, and I currently live in Chapel Hill for school. I agree with Diana about Raleigh having more options, but if you are not interested in visiting NC State or the other colleges in Raleigh then I would suggest staying in Durham or Chapel Hill. Both cities have a historic homes, plus you'll be closer to Duke Gardens and the NC Botanical Gardens.

Chapel Hill is a lot more fun (and I went to Wake Forest so you know it pains me to admit it!) The Siena is very nice. An alternative is the University Inn.
Chapel Hill and Durham have the best restaurants.

I have lived in Chapel Hill and Durham (now my home) and am a little less familiar with Raleigh. There are enough nice restaurants in Chapel Hill-Durham (might as well see them as one since they are so close together) to be as least as good as Raleigh. I would decide where I was going to spend the most time and base there, but you can go from downtown Chapel Hill to downtown Raleigh in around 30 minutes and to Durham in 15-20. Raleigh has much more traffic in general, so I find driving in Chapel Hill and Durham usually much better. Chapel Hill and Raleigh easily have the most interesting downtowns of the three. Without knowing your final plans, I would select Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham in that order. The Siena hotel someone mentioned would put you right between Chapel Hill and Durham and near Hwy 40 for Raleigh.

I live in Raleigh, and we send visitors we can't accomodate at home to the Crabtree Marriott. It is very nice, reasonably priced, and a nice pool.
Raleigh is working on a nice new downtown hotel, but right now, pickings are slim! If you decide to go to Chapel Hill, the historic Carolina Inn can't be beat. The ACC tournament will be coming up March 19-21 (somebody check my dates), and any college bar will be rocking while that's going on.
In Chapel Hill, do visit Morehead Planetarium, where the original NASA astronauts trained. In Durham, try to do a Sunday Service at Duke Chapel (aka the big Gothic Cathedral in the middle of Campus) and then stroll through Duke Gardens. In Raleigh, take a tour of the State Capital, and if time permits, a tour of the Govenor's Mansion (call for a schedule). My great great Aunt was married in the center hall in the Mansion, and I think it's one of the nicest historic homes around. If you are real history buffs, you may also want to detour 15 miles North of Chapel Hill to historic Hillsborough. It's charming, quaint, and site of the Revolutionary War battle against the British (The Regulators).
Finally, you must have some Carolina style cooking- hit Mama Dip's in Chapel Hill, the Que shack in Durham, and any of the Char Grill locations in Raleigh. Hope you enjoy your visit!
Laura

I second the SIENNA HOTEL in Chapel Hill- very upscale and elegant with a terrific restaurant in the hotel...

Chapel Hill is a much more quaint town than Durham--which , to me, needs to be refreshed. CH is more of a college town and in Spring, the gardens and homes there should be gorgeous...

Restaurant-wise, Chapel Hill is ok==RALEIGH is way better for more unusual places to eat at..
For some good restaurants in ALL the areas, post on http://www.chowhound.com/south/boards/south/south.html.

Thanks to all who sent a reply. The information is exactly the type I was seeking.

Amie