Date Night in Durham, NC: 75+ Ideas for First Dates, Wedding Anniversaries, & Everything In Between
When it comes to relationships, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first date or your 50th anniversary, sometimes you just need a night (or day) out together. Finding that time to connect with your partner is what keeps romance alive. Fortunately, Durham can help you cultivate an outing with your honey that can help your relationship go from drab to fab, or sexy, fun, loving, whatever brings you closer together. I’ve pulled together date ideas and compiled them into some general categories denoted by emojis. While each item can stand on its own as a date, get creative and combine multiple items to create a whole afternoon or evening of romantic Bull City delight. Here are some sample date combos:
First date: 🍸 🍔
Third date: 👟 🍦
Early wedding anniversary (10 years or less): 🔨 🍔 🍦
Wedding anniversary (15 years+): 🍽️ 🎭 🍸
Shake things up date: 🐢 🍦
Marathon date: 🍦 🏈 🍔 🍸 👟 🍦
The combinations are endless!
DIY 🔨
Build a new skill and make something beautiful together at any of these DIY date spots. Whether you create separate pieces or forge one uniting piece, a DIY date will certainly build your bond with your partner.
AR Workshop Durham (2816 Erwin Rd, Ste 201, 27705): From wood workshops to chunky blankets, candle making to canvas projects, AR Workshop has got crafters covered! Try your hand at making something new together. $59+
Crafts and Drafts NC (3117 Guess Rd, Ste B, 27705): Combine drinks with an activity at this DIY bar and bottle shop. Crafts and Drafts NC sells self-guided craft kits that you can purchase with a drink from the bar to build on your own, with your date, or in a group. With crafts like canvas painting, mini terrariums, resin catch-all trays, and wood burning, you’re sure to find something to spark conversation and getting to know your date even better. $25+
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Nailed It DIY Studio Durham (5410 NC55 Hwy, Ste M, 27713): Every 2nd Tuesday, Nailed It Durham offers date night from 6-8pm, where couples can choose their own wood project to make together or each do their own. You can also swing by with your own wine/beverage on 3rd Wednesdays or 4th Saturdays for afternoon adult-only builds of specific projects from 1-3pm. $36+
Sweet Serendipity Flower Arranging: Local artist, Lindsay Carr, hosts regular flower arranging workshops at local watering holes, including DSSOLVR and Durham Food Hall. Sign up for one of her upcoming events or host your own private flower arranging event. $40+
Usu Company Candles: Join Stacy Ahua, owner of Usu Company Candles as she guides you and your date through a candle-making workshop in one of several local venues, including The Durham Hotel or Cloer Family Vineyards. Blend your own signature scent and pour your customized soy candle to commemorate the occasion.$65
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Wine and Design Durham (4711 Hope Valley Rd, Ste 5E, 27707): Did you know the national Wine + Design franchise started in Raleigh? At Durham’s studio, BYOB and follow a professional artist as they guide you in creating an individual painting, a date painting that matches your partner’s, or other craft projects like door decor and chunky blankets, just in time for Fall! Check their calendar for events most evenings. $40+
Active 👟
Get on your feet and let’s go! Whether playing games or moving your body, active dates that get the heart racing are a surefire way to break the ice.
Augmentality VR Arcade (3519 Witherspoon Blvd, Ste 104, 27707): Escape reality at this tech-driven virtual reality arcade. With 70 virtual experiences to choose from, you can play solo or multi-player games with your date. Starts at $20 for 30 mins
Boxcar Bar + Arcade (621 Foster St, 27701): Whether you’re into nostalgic games, like skee ball and air hockey, or classic arcade games, like pinball and Ms. Pacman, Boxcar can treat you and your date to an entire evening of friendly competition. Round out the evening with drinks and artisan pizzas to soften the blow when you make the winning bag in cornhole. Pay per game
Escape Rooms: Challenge yourself to complete puzzles flexing all the parts of your brain as you and your date race the clock. Escape rooms reveal someone’s true colors under pressure and are a great way to get to know your boo on another level. Here are several escape room options across Durham:
- Bull City Escape (2020 W Main St, Ste 300, 27705) $30+
- Escape on Purpose (7072 NC 751, Ste 102, 27713) $30
- Game On Escapes at Boxyard RTP (900 Park Offices Dr, Ste 110, 27709)
$15/30 min or $40/hr - Mission X Escape (3400 Westgate Dr, Ste 8, 27707) $25
- NC Escape (119 Orange St, 27701) $30
- Xtreme Escapes (7460 Hwy 98, 27703) $18/30 min or $35/1 hr
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Ninth Street Dance (1920 ½ Perry St, 27705): While Ninth Street Dance may be known for their multi-week classes, like ballroom dance or East Coast Swing for pairs, their two-hour workshops make for superb date ideas. Learn dances like tribal funk, musical theatre, or even Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” choreo, then wow your friends next time the song comes on as you both move in unison. $22
- Pro tip: Check out the Recurring Events blog post for regular dance nights all
around Durham.
Riptide Batting Cage (359 Blackwell St, 27701): Whether impressing your date or letting off some steam, a batting cage can be a great couple’s activity. Riptide Baseball + Softball Academy, nestled next to Durham Bulls stadium, offers batting cage rentals with or without pitching machines and swing data on a TV screen called Rapsodo. Starts at $30 for 30 mins
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State of Golf (318 Blackwell St, Ste 240, 27701): Located in American Tobacco Campus, this indoor golf simulator lounge offers the chance to book a tee time without worrying about the weather. Bring your own food or buy from one of the delicious ATC restaurants and try your hand at the virtual reality version of golf. $45/hr+
Top Golf Durham (4901 Topgolf Way, 27703): Share some apps and brews in one of the 100+ golf bays as you take aim at the giant outfield targets. Have a relaxed evening watching sports on the 28-foot video wall or make it a friendly competition to see who can get high score. Check their promotions as the pricing varies by day and time. $30/hr+
Triangle Rock Club Durham (1010 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Ste 400, 27713): Challenge yourself physically (and perhaps mentally if you have a fear of heights) with a rock climbing date. One day pass can open up dozens of climbing, bouldering, and even fitness classes to do with your partner to build up a sweat. $25
Triangle Treasure Hunt: Spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon exploring Durham’s “Bullpen” social district on an hour-long walking scavenger hunt. Solve puzzles and get to know more of downtown Durham, all while carrying a to-go drink if you so choose. $20+
Triangle Walking Tours: Get to know more about our Bull City with Triangle Walking Tours. You and your beau can learn about the history of downtown Durham (Saturdays at 2pm), African American history in Durham (Saturdays at 4pm), or Durham’s True Crime tales (Saturdays at 6pm). $14
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Wreck It Rage Room (4122 Bennett Memorial Rd, Ste 105, 27705): It’s just one of those days…when you need to break something! Take out your stress on a room full of breakables with a sledgehammer or a bat and you’ll really get to know your partner well. Wreck It Rage Room offers date night deals as well as a splash room option for a more artistic experience. $40+
Drinks 🍸
Dates often revolve around drinks: meet someone for drinks, jumpstart the evening with happy hour, wind down with a night cap. And with Durham’s ever expanding array of non-alcoholic options, most bars can provide just the right beverage to keep tempo with the flow of your date.
19Fifty-One (800 Taylor St, 27701): A newer restaurant, café, and bar in Golden Belt that features Ethiopian and Korean dishes and drinks, from coffee to cocktails
Alley Twenty Six (320 E Chapel Hill St, Ste 200, 27701): Classy cocktails and food in a relaxed setting with both indoor and outdoor seating, including under the twinkle lights in a cozy, brick alleyway
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Bar Virgile (105 S Mangum St, 27701): A cozy, sophisticated bar with one of the largest spirit selections in the Triangle. Try their ever-changing dinner and small plates menu, too.
Counting House at 21c Hotel (111 Corcoran St, 27701): Full restaurant and bar built on an old bank, which includes a vault you can explore. Check their event calendar for their monthly Underground Cocktail Series and the occasional drag brunch.
Durham Distillery and Corpse Reviver Cocktail Bar (711 Washington St, 27701): World class, award winning gin distillery with tours paired with a relaxing, suave cocktail bar (in an old coffin shop!) that has small bites and hosts events like music bingo and live music
Kingfisher (321 E Chapel Hill St, 27701): “Ground-to-Glass cocktails served in an artful basement” and a fabulous sunken patio, featuring live jazz every Tuesday evening
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Killer Queen Wine Bar (117 E Main St, 27701): An intimate space offering over 50 wines and tasty hors d’oeuvres. Fun fact: you can stay in their boutique hotel suite above the bar for a full night out on the town!
La Mala (110 Corcoran St, 27701): A Mexican inspired cocktail bar with authentic street food and beautiful ambiance. Don’t miss the playful mocktails!
Liberty + Plenty Distillery (609 Foster St, Ste B, 27701): Local distillery and cocktail bar overlooking the original Durham Athletic Park in an industrial, sophisticated space
Mystic Farm and Distillery (1413 Stallings Rd, 27703): A 22-acre farm with bourbon distillery that hosts tours, tastings, and events, like trivia, line dancing, and karaoke
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The Roof at The Durham Hotel (315 E Chapel Hill St, 27701): The Durham Hotel houses both an indoor, ground-floor restaurant/bar and a rooftop dining experience. Opt for the roof whenever possible to enjoy signature cocktails, craft beer, and seasonal small plates to share. Keep an eye on their calendar for rooftop events, like yoga and star gazing.
The Velvet Hippo (119 Orange St, 3rd Floor, 27701): An inclusive, neighborhood bar built around themes of dogs (which are welcome through the VIP stairwell) and tropical décor. Cocktails, mocktails, slushes, and light bites all await your arrival to enjoy rooftop views.
The Waiting Room (300 Blackwell St, Ste 100, 27701): A private club designed for you to grab a drink before your show at DPAC, dinner at ATC, or after a long work day. Their menu features craft cocktails, flavorful small plates, and delectable desserts.
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Weldon Mills Durham Distillery and Lounge (300 E Main St, Ste 001, 27701): Second location for Weldon Mills, which features small batch spirits, gourmet apps, tastings, and live music events
Dessert/Coffee🍦
Discover Durham has comprehensive lists of coffee shops and ice cream shops, ideal for kicking off or winding down a date night. Plus, many of these businesses offer classes or events that can add even more to your night out. I’ve highlighted some of my top picks below.
Bean Traders (105 W NC Hwy 54, Ste 249, 27713): Eclectic, local vibes with in-house baked goods and roasted coffee beans, perfect for a casual day date or working remotely next to your sweetie
Cloche Coffee (721 Broad St, 27705): A glass-enclosed, greenery-filled space near Duke’s East Campus with a cozy outdoor patio that hosts events like yoga
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Counter Culture Coffee (812 Mallard Ave, 27701): National training center and headquarters which offers weekly free tastings on Fridays at 10am
Little Waves Roasters and Cocoa Cinnamon (420 W Geer St, 27701): Latina-led, women-forward company that roasts their own blends and host three brick and mortar shops in Durham. Hit up their Lakewood location for fresh-made churros!
Mid Bloom Coffee (1821 Green St, 27705): Located in the new Common Market, grab a cup of joe or sign up for one of their barista classes to learn a new skill with your date.
Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery (2300 N Roxboro St, 27703): Woman-owned, low- waste café serving espresso, coffee, and local baked goods in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere in North Durham
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The Parlour (117 Market St, 27701): Handmade ice cream (with vegan options), cookies, brownies, and coffee drinks in the heart of downtown. Try their new second location, The Parlour Junior at The Common Market in Old West Durham.
People’s Coffee (7830 NC Hwy 751, Ste 120, 27713): Delectable breakfast/brunch spot near South Point, serving local coffee, smashed waffles, and yummy vegan options too
Pincho Loco (1918 Perry St, 27705): Ninth Street hidden gem with unique, Latino-inspired ice cream flavors, like Tiger Tail and guava, plus you can add in churros or buy pints to go
Pistachio (2708 Chapel Hill Rd, 27707): Authentic Persian ice cream, which blends creamy milk or vegan bases with aromatic spices for a worldly dessert experience
Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings, + Sweets (121 N Gregson St, 27701): Spend the whole evening dining at Rose’s with East Asian inspired ramen and sandwiches, but be sure to end with one of their infamous, hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches
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Simons Says Dip This (117 W Parrish St, 27701): Artisanal hand-dipped ice cream with a variety of fillings and toppings, plus ice cream sandwiches, stuffed cookies, and unique freeze-dried candies
Triangle Coffee House (3109 Shannon Rd, Bldg 3 Ste 101, 2770): Hot new spot in U Hills that offers all day coffee and breakfast bites in a casual, fun setting
Casual Food 🍔
Some dates call for a more relaxed, low-key pace, where the focus can be more on the conversation than any over-the-top trappings surrounding the food. These casual restaurants
can offer a nice, chill vibe. Prices vary by restaurant, but generally I would consider these spots
to be $-$$.
Boxyard RTP (900 Park Offices Dr, 27709): Local vendors in an outdoor food hall built from shipping containers. Often hosting music or events that can be fun for a date.
Durham Food Hall (530 Foster St, Ste 1, 27701): Ten mini eateries and a bar with local brews with ample communal dining spaces located in the heart of downtown Durham.
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Foster’s Market (2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, 27707): Durham’s 30-year-old, family-owned neighborhood restaurant with dozens of salad, wrap, and sandwich options, perfect for a casual lunch or get it to-go for a lovely, local picnic.
King’s Sandwich Shop (701 Foster St, 27701): A Durham institution since 1942, hit up the window of King’s to order the best hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, and shakes. Outdoor seating is limited at the picnic tables, but take your meal on the go to Durham Central Park perhaps.
Koki (104 City Hall Plaza, #101, 27701): Puerto Rican fare, like handmade empanadas, ropa vieja, and slow roasted pork or pernil. Salads with fresh, unique ingredients, like maduros or roasted pear. Don’t skip the s’mores empanada or guava and cheese pastry for dessert!
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Namu (5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, 27707): One of the best outdoor patios in town with a scrumptious Korean-inspired menu and a beer hall on site.
Motorco Parts + Labor (723 Rigsbee Ave, 27701): The international street food and bar
side of Motorco Music Hall, Parts + Labor provides an array of tapas style dishes, including great vegan options.
Queen Burger (359 Blackwell St, Ste 125, 27701): Delicious grass-fed smash burgers, craft cocktails, and beer with the option of patio seating all in the American Tobacco Campus/Bulls stadium area. Great for DPAC pre-show dinner or Bulls pre-game bite.
Fancy Dinner 🍽️
Looking to impress? Durham is chock full of top tier restaurants that will have you gasping at how picturesque both the dishes and the ambiance can be. Prices vary by restaurant, but expect these spots to run closer to the $$$-$$$$ range. Reservations are recommended wherever possible.
Cucciola Osteria (601 W Main St, Ste C, 27701): Upscale, modern Italian cuisine with a small, seasonal menu that rotates regularly. I hear their after dinner drinks, like housemade limoncello, are not to be missed.
Glasshouse Kitchen (5 Laboratory Dr, 27709): RTP is the next Durham frontier and Glasshouse Kitchen should be your first culinary stop. A blend of natural light and greenery amidst the modern tech backdrop, GK offers esteemed dinner, weekday lunch, and weekend brunch menus to impress any date.
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Gocciolina (3314 Guess Rd, 27705): Classic Italian dishes and small plates in an unassuming North Durham strip mall. Round out your meal with a cocktail or Italian vino.
Juju (737 Ninth St, #210, 27705): In the heart of Ninth St, Juju ain’t no college eatery. This classy Asian tapas bar boasts an array of scrumptious small plates that make for an ideal sharing date situation. I highly recommend the beef short ribs or pork belly in any dish.
Krill (506 Ramseur St, 27701): Southeast Asian cuisine in a funky, playful environment. Part of the Giorgios Hospitality Group of restaurants, Krill offers fresh, creative dishes and a thoughtfully curated drink menu, including wine and sake.
Littler (110 E Parrish St, 27701): An intimate venue located near Durham’s Pink Wall (iykyk) that highlights seasonal, sustainable ingredients paired with wine and cocktails.
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M Sushi (311 Holland St, 27701): M Sushi Grand or Nigiri Omakase sitting at the bar is #datenightgoals. Watching these incredible chefs taking such care to create impressive dishes gives you a deep appreciation of their sushi-making craft and the meal tastes that much more special.
Mateo (109 W Chapel Hill St, 27701): Tapas bar from chef Matthew Kelly of Vin Rouge, Mother’s + Son’s, and Saint James Seafood. Mateo blends flavors of Spain with Southern inflection.
Mezcalito (706 Ramseur St, 27701): A newer Mexican spot that values quality, authenticity, and hospitality in everything they do. Their gorgeous, colorful margaritas are as tasty as they are eye-catching.
Mothers + Sons Trattoria (107 W Chapel Hill St, 27701): Handmade pasta and Italian dishes that change seasonally. Open for dinner, but try Alimentari, the sister restaurant for weekday lunch and Saturday brunch.
Nanasteak (345 Blackwell St, 27701): Adjacent to DPAC, Nanasteak makes for an ideal pre-show steak dinner and/or drink. This multilevel space features a bar top and tables that are actually inlaid with real tobacco leaves as an homage to Durham’s long tobacco history.
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Viceroy (335 W Main St, 27701): Modern Indian cuisine in an English tavern-style setting. Enjoy craft cocktails and curries in the heart of downtown Durham, near Five Points.
Vin Rouge (2010 Hillsborough Rd, 27705): A French bistro right on Ninth Street that pays homage to French Art Deco design and traditional French flavors. Brought to you by the same Chef Matt Kelly behind Mateo and Mothers + Sons, Vin Rouge may be the quintessential romantic date spot in Durham.
Performance 🎭
Knock your usual “dinner and a show” date night out of the park by snagging tickets to one of these unique Bull City venues. With shows ranging from spoken word to dance, musical theater to improv comedy, jazz to contemporary music, show your honey you truly know them by picking a performance they’ll be sure to love.
Carolina Theatre (309 W Morgan St, 27701): Serving as a venue for both live performances (concerts, comedy, and theatre) as well as movies, Carolina Theatre is a landmark institution of downtown that truly offers something for everyone. $12+ film double features; $20++ performances
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Duke Arts Presents (1336 Campus Dr, 27708): Duke Arts programs are not just for students and staff (though they do get discounts); community members are invited to performances at Duke’s East Campus venues, including Baldwin and Page Auditoriums. $20+
Durham Performing Arts Center (123 Vivian St, 27701): Anchoring the American Tobacco district, DPAC is a theatrical destination for Broadway shows, big name concerts, and national comedians. Check out their Durham For All program for discounted tickets ($15+) for Durham residents. $28+++
Mettlesome Theater (800 Taylor St, Ste 9-156, 27701): Home to Durham’s improv scene, Mettlesome is nestled in Golden Belt and offers both performances and classes should you and your partner want to truly lean into the “Yes, and” mentality. $5+
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Missy Lane’s Assembly Room (310 E Main St, Ste 100, 27701): A new hot spot in downtown, Missy Lane’s is a social hub for music lovers, particularly lovers of jazz. Enjoy food, drink, and live music, with a front room café in the mornings/afternoons and a back showroom where most performances take place. $10+ with several free show options
Animals 🐢
A true test of a person’s character is how they treat animals. Why not get to know this side of your loved one by taking them on one of these animal-inspired outings?
Animal Protection Society (2117 E Club Blvd, 27704): Volunteering at APS requires an 8 hr/month commitment and orientation, however how romantic would it be to take shelter dogs for walks for a few hours with your partner? Plus, you could foster together and turn adoption events at breweries into dates as well. Win-win for everyone!
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Avery Family Farm (1923 Shaw Rd, 27704): A small homestead specializing in healing souls with farm animals. They’ve previously offered goat yoga, goat and horse snuggles, and painting on the farm, with plans to share their fall events soon.
Duke Lemur Center (3705 Erwin Rd, 27705): Explore the world’s most diverse lemur population outside of Madagascar with a General Tour ($17) at the Duke Lemur Center. Step it up a notch with the Walking with Lemurs Tour ($75), where you can go inside the outdoor habitat as the lemurs literally leap around you.
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Piedmont Wildlife Center (364 Leigh Farm Rd, 27707): Dating a nature lover? Join in their passion for Mother Earth by taking a tour of Piedmont Wildlife Center, a community dedicated to building nature connections in all people. You can meet the birds of prey on site or PWC’s own box turtles. Also keep an eye on their Facebook page for their annual winter and summer solstice celebrations and HAWKtoberfest outings in, you guessed it,October.
Sports 🏈
Take the friendly banter and smack talking to the source when you bring your date to a sporting event in Durham. The Durham Bulls aren’t the only game in town; NCCU and Duke boast robust athletic calendars that are open to the public. Or, try watching some of these lesser known, but no less talented sports teams to see what your boo thinks.
Carolina Flyers (750 Stadium Dr, 27704): Durham is home to the Ultimate Frisbee Association’s professional Southern league, which plays regularly at Durham County Stadium. They’ll be in Salt Lake City 8/23-8/24 for the National Championship Weekend, but check their calendar for when they’ll return in the spring.
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Duke University (110 Frank Basset Dr, 27708): Duke’s Division I athletics host a number of ticketed sporting events, including men’s and women’s basketball, lacrosse, and soccer, as well as football, baseball, and softball. Cheer on the Blue Devils and support Duke Athletics. Prices range depending on the sport, but tickets start at $7.
Durham Bulls (409 Blackwell St, 27701): Durham’s national champion Minor League Baseball Team that feeds into the Tampa Bay Rays. Their season winds down in September, so grab tickets for any of the theme nights coming up, including Stranger Things Night and Pickleball Paddle Night. $12+
North Carolina Central University (705 E Lawson St, 27701): NCCU, our area’s incredible HBCU, houses a talented athletic department, including ticketed games for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball. Root for the NCCU Eagles on their home turf. Prices range depending on the sport, but tickets start at $5.
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NC Courage (101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC 27511): While not in Durham, I highly recommend snagging tix to an NC Courage game, the Triangle’s incredible Division I professional women’s soccer team. Their season will wrap in November, so grab tickets to one of the last home games ASAP. $15+
Triangle Curling Club (2310 So Hi Dr, 27703): Join in on the action by trying your hand at curling. Triangle Curling Club hosts several events for folks to learn the sport, including regular Learn to Curl evening sessions. League sign-ups open on Aug 19th. $40+
Go ahead and share this blog post with your date and have them text you which emoji categories they would like to explore. Mix and match from the lists above to expand your interests across Durham and grow deeper in love with your partner.
Check out The Guide to Recurring Events in Durham for recurring date night ideas!
I’m Chrysti!
Durham real estate agent and enthusiast for all the best the area has to offer.
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