Because then I would have the excuse to stay again at the Washington Duke Inn. Of course, I probably wouldn't be able to afford it after paying Duke's tuition.
The Inn is wonderful and at the $209 we paid for weekdays and weekends it was a bargain. I would expect to pay 350-400 for a room in a hotel of that caliber.
My husband was very impressed by the practice facility at the golf course. He would love to return again when he has time to play a round. I was able to spend some time on the ball machine at the tennis courts next door at the faculty club.
There is a beautiful trail nearby that circles Duke but I was happy to wander around the campus and the gardens. Gorgeous!
We wandered into Durham one night for dinner at Nikos. I liked the look of the renovated factory it is in but the food was only ok. Our best meals were at the Inn itself. A late dinner at the Bull Durham bar was fantastic. My salmon and my husband's filet would be hard to top. We tried to get into the Carolina Inn for dinner but because of a home basketball game and a home football game that was impossible. Because of our experience at the bar we were happy to again eat at the Inn, this time in the dining room. It was very good but for some reason not quite as good as the bar.
We do still need to bring our son down to look at NC State so we may get another oppurtunity to stay. I will be looking forward to it.
Thank you for all the help I received from the Fodorites!!

It is important that a kid attend college in a place that parents want to visit - since when you visit the kid ignores you for much of the time anyway.

We were successful with our first - he is in Savannah. Will begin to threaten and bribe our 15 year old daughter to go someplace else we would like to visit.

Glad you enjoy your visit.

Even if your child isn't smart/rich enough for Duke, you can always visit. Next time, stop by the Duke Gardens, attend a football game (tickets are always available for Duke football) and try out several of the bbq restaurants.

gail- Your post made me giggle . However, my senior DS and I are getting along so well these days I was thinking Alaska Fairbanks for marine biology might be a good choice. And not because I would visit often!

Oh Birdie, thank you for the trip report. My husband goes to Raleigh-Durham often for business and we're thinking of going together this spring. Sounds inviting.

There are some outstanding restaurants in Durham -- actually we've had some great food at Nikos, but our favorite place is Another Thyme -- and one of the best restaurants in North Carolina is said to be the Magnolia Grill (which we haven't tried yet). And of course, 15 minutes away is Chapel Hill, with a host of restaurants as well.

Not going to investigate UNC-Chapel Hill?

As Gretchen said, why not UNC-CH?

My son, the junior golfer, would love Chapel Hill but he is going into construction management and they don't offer that.

what's most interesting to me is that people consider Duke a top level school -- I mean, look at the football team! you're telling me this is the best of the US educational system?

that is pretty bad.

the same is true, or course, about Michigan, Nebraska, ND, etc, that are nothing more than football factories.

I have to agree with Gail. On freshman weekend (when hotel rooms are at a premium) my son told me that he had plans to be out of town, but I could spend the weekend with his roommate!! I made him pay for the cost of cancelling my reservation (which amounted to 50% of the cost of the room). When my second son went to college, I was wiser.

Birdie - your post has me laughing too. I'm considering bribing my daughters to go to William & Mary so I can come to Williamsburg as much as I want. Currently they are 9 and 13 but boy was I talking up the school big time when we were there last summer!

I am encouraging my daughter to go the culinary route (she is 3). I hear they have some fine cooking schools in Paris...lol

I agree that the Washington Duke looks nice. Never stayed there, since I live in Durham. Love Duke Gardens.

However, I hope my kids are smart enough not to go to Duke!! (sorry; I am a Tar Heel and couldn't resist).

Love the yawn_boring fellow..wonder how he decides what a good school makes?
I have a daughter at UNC-CH and a daughter at Duke. Proud and excited about both schools. I graduated from UNC-CH, but don't question the amazing and well deserved reputation of Duke..
As for food in the area..Magnolia in Durham (the Barker's are fabulous chef's), Foster's Market in Durham, Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, Nana's in Durham, The WaDu in Durham are all fantastic places to eat, imho. In Raleigh, Mura for good sushi, Waraji for fabulous sushi, Sullivan's for a great bar scene - martini's and steaks and creme brulee...ah...I could go on an on

I was lucky enough to have my daughter find her perfect fit school (she LOVES it) at the north end of Lake Tahoe, 1 block off the lake. Great place to visit summer and winter AND as a bonus she spends time with us and wants us to visit.