Duke's hometown is Durham, North Carolina, also known as the Bull City. Durham is rated as one of the best places to live in the U.S., with a pleasant climate and clean air, and a lower cost of living than most cities where LLM programs are located.
Our LLMs take advantage of the foodie scene, vibrant nightlife, sporting events, and stunning outdoor activities in this sophisticated smaller city. Here are some of the reasons why our LLMs love Durham.
#1 Let's Go Duke!
Duke Athletics are a big part of campus life. As one LLM put it, "Duke football is so American, I always feel like I'm in a movie!" Many students camp out over a 36-hour period with 1,700 other Duke graduate students to get men's basketball season tickets (and a once in a lifetime bonding experience). Duke has more than 20 different athletic teams, so there's always a game on campus to enjoy.
#2 Study Breaks
When looking for a break from the light-filled Goodson Law Library or expansive Perkins Library, our LLMs often enjoy getting off campus to take advantage of local breweries and the Durham music scene. Some favorites include Clouds Brewing (German-inspired menu with 40 taps), Hunky Dory on Ninth Street (known for its craft beer and vinyl records), Boxcar (arcade games, $3 craft cans, and free popcorn on Thursdays), and the Washington Duke Inn (great view of the golf course from the terrace).
#3 Golf, Golf, and More Golf
With an average of 220 sunny days per year, Durham is the perfect location for golf enthusiasts. Whether you are ready to go pro or still trying to hit the ball on the green, there are numerous golf courses conveniently located close to campus. A short drive away, there are some of the world's most celebrated golf courses at Pinehurst. A new golf favorite of many of our LLMs is disc golf (where you throw a disc into a basket instead of hitting balls).
#4 Hanging Out with our LLM Crew
What do our LLMs love most about Durham? Gathering with all of their friends from all over the world. Our LLM class of 88 students from 37 countries means there's always a reason to get together to celebrate: pool parties, birthday dinners, holiday celebrations, cocktail parties, pub crawls, color runs, and more.
#5 Great Eats
Durham is much cheaper than New York and other big cities, and the farm-to-table food scene is amazing. Durham was even voted the South's Tastiest Town by Southern Living magazine and the #1 Foodiest Small Town by Bon Appetit magazine. From Mexican-Colombian cuisine at Gonza Tacos y Tequila to North Carolina barbecue at Hillsborough BBQ, our LLMs can't get enough of the restaurants in Durham. For a special treat, our LLMs highly recommend Sunday brunch at Guglhuph or True Flavors Diner.
#6 Playing on an Intramural Team
Looking for a way to stay in shape and have fun with friends? Weekly, our LLMs put on cleats and meet up at the soccer field. Duke organizes intramural sports teams year-round for students to join, including softball, basketball, soccer, kickball, and dodgeball, just to name a few.
#7 Enjoying Amazing Outdoor Scenery
Do you love to be outdoors? Enjoy running through beautiful meadows? Love to hike in the woods? Durham is filled with amazing nature preserves and parks. Some favorites of our LLM class include the Eno State Park, Duke Forest, Sandy Creek Park, and Hollow Rock Nature Park. Of course, you don't even have to leave campus. Students particularly like visiting Duke Gardens with its 55 acres of specialized gardens in the heart of Duke's Campus.
#8 North Carolina State Fair: Go Big or Go Home
There is nothing more American than a state fair. Each October, the North Carolina State Fair offers a dynamic display of fireworks, carnival rides, roller coasters, music concerts, pig races, dairy milking demonstrations, lumberjack shows, tractor pulls, livestock competitions, and so much more. For those with adventurous stomachs, LLMs have been known to enjoy deep-fried Oreo cookies, funnel cakes, jumbo turkey legs, and chocolate-covered bacon on a stick.
#9 Explore New Places from a Kayak
LLM students looking to relieve stress and bond with friends have taken to kayaking and canoeing in the many beautiful waterways throughout the region. There is no better way to spend a morning or afternoon catching some rays and having great laughs with your friends as they paddle through natural scenery. Beginners and experts alike are welcome!
#10 Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Less than three miles from campus, our LLMs join 10,000 of their newest friends to cheer on the Durham Bulls baseball team. Made internationally famous by the 1988 movie Bull Durham starring Kevin Costner, this AAA team offers an outing jam-packed with great baseball and great fun!