We are planning a second trip out to Chapel Hill Memorial Day weekend for 5 days/4 nights. Since we are coming from Boston, it only takes us 2 hrs plus the drive from the airport, so we will have 1/2 day each of our travel days.

Last trip out we did alot of driving around - Southern Pines, etc., but did not see Durham or Raleigh.

I'd like to see the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and also Jordan Lake, and maybe Historic Oakwood in Raleigh. Wondering is others can suggest any other things to see - I've read about the Executive Mansion in Raleigh and the arboretum at NC University. Are these worthwhile to visit?

We are planning a day in Durham and a day in Raleigh if that makes sense, plus a full day in Chapel Hill and 2 half days in Chapel Hill.

Is it just a couple, young or old, like museums? Any other info would help. In Chapel Hill, I would walk Franklin Street alll the way down to Carrboro and go to Carr Mill. Plenty of shops and such. Maybe go to Ferrington. Always worthwhle to drive past the Dean Dome, the basketball Chapel of the Universe. In Durham, go to Duke Gardens. I would also go walk through the American Tobacco project near the Durham Bulls Stadium. Maybe eat lunch there. Walk through Brightleaf Square, some shopping in century old tobacco warehouses. Also go to The Duke Homestead where the whole thing started. If you are a movie buff, go to the old Durham Bulls stadium that Bull Durham was filmed at. Also, although in middle of campus, see if you can find Cameron Indoor Stadium, the famous and other Chapel of college basketball on Duke's campus.

In Raleigh, there are the museums. Art is out by the RBC center. Might be nice to go to The Capital but not sure about tours during the week. If DT, go drink a beer at Raleigh TImes, a restaurant that is in the old afternoon newspaper and printing office. THey have food too which is not bad. In DT, maybe walk through city market where there are shops and such. It is not that big. Historic Oakwood is nearby. Some shops on GlenwoodSouth although not many. Ride through NC State University just to say you saw the BRick campus.

I will say, if you like sports or concerts, see what is in town. I forget what day the Holiday is on but if in Raleigh, always look to see if the NHL team is playing...The Carolina Hurricanes.....and get a ticket to go. Nothing like it !!!!

Thanks! Great suggestions.

We are staying at Fearrington, and have stayed there before, but did not see Durham or Raleigh last trip.

Is there anything in Wake Forest? Shopping, etc.? Like good food, but casual places - especially outdoor spots. Not much for museums. Like being outside more. We are late 40s/early 50s.

Thought we'd like to see some water. Is Jordan Lake the best in the area? Want something not too far from CH.

Jordan and Falls (North Raleigh) are the 2 lakes but really not much there. Falls is bigger. I am sure Falls and Jordon has a some trails and such. The area of the damn at Falls Lake is kind of pretty but is worth the drive from Ferrington?? Not sure. I would check the websites. Falls is the water that you see when you fly in from the North to RDU. It is spread out as it was created by damming up the falls and it flooded the lowlands in what was undeveloped land about 20-30 years ago. It is still very much undeveloped due to it being the water source for Raleigh/Wake County.

For Wake Forest, I dont go there too much. More of bedroom community. I guess they have a nice little DT but has been years since I have been there. Standard mall (Tirangle Town Center) on the Raleigh city limits but does have a SAKs. Also, near DT Wake Forest is the original Wake Forest University. Now a southern Baptist seminary. (move to WInston-Salem in 1954 but kept the name).

Have you been to Hillsbourgh? A little town near CH that has antique shops and stuff DT. Some old homes. I dont go there much but several people walking around the little DT to see the shops and such. I will think more about this

Yes, thank you. That was the little town we went to that I forgot the name of. Really cute.

My husband is a boater - that's why we thought we'd check out the lakes.

There is boating but very limited on Falls due to restrictions on building in the watershed. Some people dont understand that all that run-off from building goes diretly to the water they cook with and drink. There are some boats there but no big marina. There is a small lake near the airport that I think you can rent sail boats on if a "blow-boat" is your thing. I forget the name but can find out. I think that part is in Cary but you see the the littel PUB lake from I-40. Depends on what time of year if it is open.

I still say, if the Hurricanes are still in the Stanley Cup finals race, try to scalp a ticket or go party in the parking lot. Nothing like it !!!!!!

IMHO, Jordan is more picturesque than Falls Lake, but Falls isn't bad. (I grew up right next to it.) There are hiking trails around Falls Lake - I've not been hiking at Jordan. Jordan is certainly more convenient to Fearrington.

I haven't been into downtown Wake Forest in a few years (I grew up right near there), but I don't think it merits a visit. If you want small town, Hillsborough and Pittsboro will be enough.

Definitely walk around the campus at UNC. If there's a Durham Bulls game, that would be fun.

Definitely go to the Duke Gardens, and the above poster makes a great suggestion about a Bulls game (such a fun atmosphere!). Perhaps you can combine those two things.

If you like to be outdoors, but are looking for some downtime, there are outdoor films show in the Cary Amphitheatre. I'm not sure how early they begin, but you can check this link closer to the time:
http://www.boothamphitheatre.com/about.html

The Duke Gardens are very nice, as is Duke Chapel and quite close by is the Duke Homstead. It is a NC museum giving the history of tobacco in NC and the Duke family. It is very interesting. http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/duke/duke.htm

Duke Homestead
2828 Duke Homestead Road
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 477-5498
Fax: (919) 479-7092