Planning Your Visit

How To Get Here

As the Durham area (inclusive of the Research Triangle Park) is geographically expansive and not linked by a metro or rail line, the best way to see it is by car or taxi. Once you are in one of the local neighborhoods, you will be able to easily walk around and explore. Duke University Hospital is located at 2301 Erwin Road. Below are directions from the main arteries that run through the area (I-85 and I-40).

Note: RDU is only a 15-minute drive to the university; taxi fare is about $40. 

From the East/Raleigh/Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) Airport

Merge onto I-40 W. Merge onto NC-147 N via EXIT 279B toward DURHAM/DOWNTOWN. Take the ELBA ST/TRENT DR exit, EXIT 15A. Turn SLIGHT LEFT to take the TRENT DR ramp. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto TRENT ST. Turn RIGHT onto ERWIN RD. Duke University Hospital will be on your left – the parking garage will be on your right. 

From the West/Greensboro

Merge onto I-40 E toward BURLINGTON/DURHAM. Merge onto I- 85 N. Merge onto NC-147 S via EXIT 172 toward DURHAM/DOWNTOWN/RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK. Take the ELBA ST/TRENT DR exit, EXIT 15A. Turn SLIGHT LEFT to take the TRENT DR ramp. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto TRENT ST. Turn RIGHT onto ERWIN RD. Duke University Hospital will be on your left – the parking garage will be on your right. 

From the North/Richmond, VA

Merge onto I-95 S toward PETERSBURG/NORFOLK. Merge onto I-85 S via EXIT 51 toward DURHAM/ATLANTA. Take the HILLANDALE RD exit, EXIT 174B. Turn LEFT onto HILLANDALE RD. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto FULTON ST. Turn RIGHT onto ERWIN RD. Duke University Hospital will be on your left – the parking garage will be on your right. 

From the South/Columbia, SC

Merge onto I-77 N. Merge onto I-85 N via EXIT 13A toward GREENSBORO. Merge onto NC-147 S via EXIT 172 toward DURHAM/DOWNTOWN/RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK. Take the HILLANDALE RD/FULTON ST exit. Merge onto FULTON ST. Turn RIGHT onto ERWIN RD. Duke University Hospital will be on your left – the parking garage will be on your right.

Where To Stay​

The following hotels are recommended by the Internal Medical Residency Program. Below are a few options, depending on where you wish to stay (e.g. downtown Durham, Research Triangle Park, south Durham, etc). All are within a 15-minute drive to the Medical Center. 

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Located on the campus of Duke University, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning luxury hotel. Built in the style of an old English country inn, the hotel is nestled on a 300-acre site. — 919-490-0999

JB Duke Hotel 

Located on the campus of Duke University, the JB Duke Hotel is Durham’s newest upscale, contemporary lodging which features 198 spacious guestrooms and suites. The hotel offers complimentary transportation to all Duke University campus locations. — 919-660-6400

Courtyard Marriott Durham (Duke University/Downtown)

Located on Front Street, the Courtyard Marriott is 1.6 miles from the Duke University Medical Center. Newly renovated, the Courtyard offers free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel. — 919-309-1500 

Millennium Hotel Durham

Located one mile from Duke University Medical Center, the Millennium Hotel is conveniently situated near area points of interest. The Millennium offers airport shuttle service at a nominal fee. —​ 919-383-5002

Durham Marriott Convention Center
Located in downtown Durham, the Durham Marriott Convention Center is 2 miles from Duke University Medical Center, 20 minutes from Raleigh- Durham International Airport (RDU) and 7 miles from Research Triangle Park (RTP). —​ 919-768-6000

The Durham Hotel 

Located in downtown Durham, The Durham Hotel is 2.5 miles from Duke University Medical Center. This boutique hotel offers free wireless internet, a continental farmer's market breakfast, 24-hour fitness studio, and free rooftop yoga classes for its guests. —​ 919-768-8830

21c Museum Hotel 

The 21c Museum hotel is located in the center of downtown Durham. It is 2.5 miles from Duke University Medical Center. This hotel offers complimentary sprinter van service, free wireless internet, and open curated art exhibitions. — 919-956-6700

Unscripted Durham Hotel 

Located near Durham landmarks such as the American Tobacco Campus, the Unscripted Durham Hotel is 2.5 miles from Duke University Medical Center. The boutique hotel is an 8-minute walk from shops, restaurants, and other cultural venues near the American Tobacco Campus. — 984-329-9500

Residence Inn Duke University Medical Center

​In July 2015, Durham will welcome a brand new Residence Inn Duke University Medical Center to the city. It offers many amenities to carter to your needs and less than 1 mile to Duke University, 2 miles to Duke University Medical Center and minutes to Durham Performing Arts Center DPAC, NC Central University (6 miles) and UNC-Chapel Hill (8 miles). —​ 919-680-4440

​What To Do

Events & Things To Do

Local Attractions

Duke Chapel (www.chapel.duke.edu
Set on the highest ridge on campus and is the heart of the University’s West Campus. The chapel features a 5,200-pipe Flentrop organ, 210-foot tower housing a 50-bell carillon and intricate stained-glass windows. 

The Nasher Museum of Art (www.nasher.duke.edu
One of the major centers of art in the area. The museum has three large gallery spaces, a museum store, university and community classrooms and the Nasher Museum Café with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking sculpture gardens. The museum is closed on Mondays, but is open Tuesday – Sunday (general group tours are held Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.).

Duke Forest (www.env.duke.edu/forest)
Comprises more than 7,000 acres of land in Durham, Alamance, and Orange counties. It is accessible through a network of roads and fire trails. The Forest has been maintained and managed for research and teaching purposes since the early 1930s and is available to visitors for running, hiking and biking. The best way to enter is via Cameron Boulevard to tour the 3-mile loop through the woods, around the golf course.2014 Welcome Packet 13 

Sarah P. Duke Gardens (www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens
A 55-acre public botanic garden on the Duke University campus. Though the touring season runs March 15 – November 15, there are still more than 5 miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens to explore in the winter months. The gardens are open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk, and the Terrace Shop/Café (located in the Doris Duke Center) is open daily. 

Cameron Indoor Stadium
Home to both the Men’s and Women’s Blue Devil Basketball Teams and the Cameron Crazies. During the season, you’ll see students camped out for tickets to the prime games. 

There is plenty more to explore on campus. Use the interactive Duke University Campus Map at http://maps.duke.edu/

Click here for an extended list of great things to do and see in Durham.