Things to Do Alone in Durham, NC (Fare-Free Buses)

Durham, North Carolina is a good place to go out alone because it lets you make something, not only look at it: the Durham Arts Council teaches classes in bookbinding and other crafts, and the city's buses carry no fare. This guide pairs those with a 1926 theatre, a food hall and free state-run history sites.

All hours below were checked on 2026-11-01 against the venue page linked in each entry.

The bus has no fare

GoDurham says its buses will stay fare-free through June 2027, following the Durham City Council's approval of the 2026 to 2027 budget (GoDurham). That changes how you plan alone: you can ride out to one place, decide it is not for you and ride back without having spent anything on the trip.

Make something

Durham Arts Council. At 120 Morris Street downtown. The building is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m., and the galleries are free and open daily (Durham Arts Council). Its classes run through the year in categories including ceramics, painting and drawing, printmaking, photography, literary arts, dance and bookbinding, from one-time workshops to weekly courses, and registration is required (DAC art classes). A beginner bookbinding workshop is a strong first solo class: everyone is working on the same small object, and the instructor is there to help.

Free doors on campus

Nasher Museum of Art. Admission is free for all. It is closed Mondays, open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. (Nasher: hours and admission). The Thursday late opening is the easiest time to go after work. See how to visit a museum alone.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Admission is free. The grounds are open from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. The main entrance and Barnes Welcome Center are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between November 1 and February 28. Parking is currently $2 an hour; there is no entrance fee (Duke Gardens: hours and directions). A garden walk in November is quiet by design.

Museum of Life and Science. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays between Labor Day and Memorial Day, open on Veterans Day, and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas (Museum of Life and Science).

The tobacco and Civil War trail

Three sites run by the state are free to enter. All three close on designated state holidays, so check the holiday list for the day you pick.

Duke Homestead. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It interprets the home, farm and factory buildings of Washington Duke and his family from 1852 to 1874 and the start of their tobacco manufacturing business. Admission to the grounds and museum is free, and a 17-minute film is part of the visit (Duke Homestead).

Bennett Place. At 4409 Bennett Memorial Road. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is free and tour fees apply; guided tours run daily at 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is the farmhouse where Generals Johnston and Sherman met in April 1865 to sign surrender papers (NC Historic Sites: Bennett Place).

Historic Stagville. At 5828 Old Oxford Highway. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and outdoor self-guided tours are free. Guided tours run at 1 and 3 p.m. on weekdays and at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays, for $2 plus tax. The site describes itself as a Site of Conscience and a site of memory (NC Historic Sites: Historic Stagville). It is a sober visit, and a self-guided walk is a fitting way to do it alone.

Downtown evenings

Carolina Theatre of Durham. At 309 West Morgan Street, a nonprofit theatre operating since 1926. Its site has a "Films Playing This Week" listing and a cinema box office (Carolina Theatre). A film is a classic first solo evening; see how to go to the cinema alone.

Durham Food Hall. At 530 Foster Street, with 10 concepts under one roof. Hall hours are Sunday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; vendor hours may vary (Durham Food Hall). Pair it with the film: eat first at a counter, then walk to the theatre. More ideas are in how to eat alone in public.

First solo outings

Easy. A free Thursday evening at the Nasher, open until 9 p.m.
Medium. A garden walk at Duke Gardens, then dinner at the food hall.
Bold. Register for a beginner bookbinding class at the Durham Arts Council.

Solo Era for iPhone

Book a beginner class

Solo Era has a culture mission at level 4: "Take a beginner bookbinding class." The Durham Arts Council is one place to try it. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.

Nearby: Raleigh, Charlotte and the full cities hub. For a longer trip, see first solo trip tips.

FAQ

Are Durham buses really free?

GoDurham says its buses are fare-free through June 2027, following the city council's approval of the 2026 to 2027 budget.

Is the Nasher Museum free?

Yes. The museum offers free admission for all and is open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays.

Do I pay to enter Duke Gardens?

No. Admission is free. Duke charges for parking, currently $2 an hour.

Are Duke Homestead, Bennett Place and Stagville open on Sundays?

No. Bennett Place and Historic Stagville are closed on Sunday and Monday, and Duke Homestead lists Tuesday to Saturday hours.

Can I take a bookbinding class as a beginner?

The Durham Arts Council says it offers courses for beginning and experienced artists, with bookbinding among its categories. Registration is required, so check its current class listings.

Sources (checked 2026-11-01)

Details change; check the venue before you go.