Spring has Sprung: What to do around Durham this Season

Spring has sprung, which means Durham is alive with outdoor activity. So many articles and blogs are posted with what to do this Spring, I thought I’d highlight wonderful ways to spend your Spring days around Durham.

U-Pick Fruit

DURHAM:

Waller Family Farm (5030 Kerley Rd, 27705)
Strawberries (now until late May)

Durham’s most popular site for u-pick strawberries is Waller Family Farm. Before you go, be sure to check their Facebook page or call for updates. When you arrive, pick your bucket size and head to the field of the day to fill that puppy up to the brim. In addition to fields of strawberries, you can also buy flowers, vegetables, eggs, and honey while also checking out the menagerie of chickens and other livestock. Always a fun family outing!

Herndon Hills Farm (7110 Massey Chapel Rd, 27713)
Blueberries/blackberries (mid-June through July); Muscadine & scuppernong grapes (end of August until early October)

While they may not be open quite yet, check out their Facebook page toward the end of May in case berry season cometh early. This unassuming urban farm is located within minutes of Southpoint Mall, but will transport you to a slower pace of life among the scenic vines and berry bushes. They offer never-sprayed organic berries for the picking, but ask that you limit your party to 6 people.

Many Rivers Farm (502 John Jones Rd, Bahama, NC 27503)
Blackberries & peaches starting in June; Apples starting in July

You may recall Many Rivers Farm from my autumn apple picking post, yet they offer warm weather crops for the picking as well. Blackberries and peaches should be available starting in June this year. They update their website with What’s Ripe during the season, so you get to see what you’ll be getting into before you trek out to Bahama. Also don’t be afraid if it looks like you’re going down someone’s driveway for a bit before it opens up to the orchard…it’s part of the experience.

Tailgate Farm (2610 Olive Branch Rd, 27703)
Blueberries, blackberries, & flowers (June & July)

Established in 2016 as a small family farm near Brier Creek with just blueberries, Tailgate Farm has branched out into blackberries, flowers, and fresh veggies. They also sell handcrafted soy candles, hair accessories, and apparel at their farm store during the summer and on their website with free local pick-up or delivery. Also keep an eye out for their blooming sunflower field for amazing photo ops.

OTHER U-PICK LOCATIONS:

• Triangle on the Cheap provides a county-by-county list of where to pick your own strawberries in the Triangle and surrounding areas.

• NC Tripping offers a statewide list and map of u-pick strawberry spots across the whole state.

• WRAL lists strawberry patches/farms across the Triangle, including links to their Facebook pages for the most up-to-date info.

Take a Hike

Spring is the perfect time to get outside and explore nature. Plus, 2023 has been dubbed the Year of the Trail in North Carolina, with some special events, activities, and even prizes for opting outside. As if you needed more reason to enjoy Mother Nature than this beautiful, Spring weather.

DURHAM:

State Parks- Eno River (6101 Cole Mill Rd, 27705) & Falls Lake (4201 Baptist Rd, 27703)

Durham has two lovely State Parks for you to explore (though Falls Lake is majority Wake County, there is an entrance in Durham!). Eno River State Park offers more than 15 miles of hiking as well as paddling, fishing, and picnicking. Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers miles of hiking, biking, swimming, and over 300 campsites. Definitely spend some time exploring these incredible state-maintained parks. *Pro tip- don’t forget to pick up a free NC State Parks Passport at any state park and collect a stamp at each park you visit!

City of Durham Parks & Recreation facilities

Did you know that the City of Durham has four greenways, consisting of more than a dozen trails? Or that Durham Parks & Recreation manages 68 parks across the City? Below are two well-known favorites among DPR facilities, but check out all the other parks and trails near you, too!

• West Point on the Eno (5101 N Roxboro St, 27704): With more than 400 acres, including spots for hiking and learning about history, this park is a cornerstone of Durham’s outdoor scene. Be sure to check out their annual Festival for the Eno over Fourth of July weekend.

• American Tobacco Trail (starts 602 Blackwell St, 27701; ends south of Scott King Rd, 27713): This paved, off-road trail offers excellent space for walkers, runners, cyclists, and strollers to explore Durham all the way from downtown to the Chatham County line. The Durham portion of the American Tobacco Trail (which is also part of the 3000+mile East Coast Greenway) is 11-miles one-way and connects points of interest like Bulls Stadium, Solite Park, Streets of Southpoint, and Jordan Lake. Be sure to stick to the right unless you’re passing and make room for other trail users.

Sarah P Duke Gardens (420 Anderson St, 27705)

Not quite hiking, Duke Gardens offers a serene and beautiful getaway to enjoy landscaped flowers and plants right on Duke’s campus. Whether you explore on your own or book a walking ($15/person) or trolley ($60 for up to 5) tour, Spring is the ideal time to see the gorgeous flowers and trees in bloom. They even offer a variety of games, like bingo and scavenger hunts, to entertain yourself or little ones as you meander the grounds. This is a must-visit on your Durham Bucket List!

OTHER HIKING OPTIONS:

• Statewide resources: Visit Year of the Trail and follow @GreatTrailsNC to stay updated on events and activities around trails across NC all year. Looking to plan a trip around hiking/visiting a park? I cannot stress how amazing the NC State Parks Passport is. I have planned several road trips around State Parks using this passport and each one has its own unique wonder.

• Wake County Parks: Yall may have picked up on the fact that I love a passport. Well Wake County Parks has a Trail Tracker and if you visit all 11 parks across Wake County, your family can each get a free Year of the Trail hat! An excellent activity for those

NC DAY TRIPS

NC Tripping has curated an awesome list of 50 day trips from Durham, including their distance in miles and hours from city center (so helpful for planning!). They are even organized by type of destination (outdoor, cities, small towns, So if you’ve got a long weekend or even just an afternoon to get out of town, here are some highlights care of NC Tripping.

• Outdoor destination: Raven Rock State Park (Lillington, 60 miles, 1 hr 6 min) Raven Rock offers easy and difficult hiking trails, including lots of stairs and incredible river views. There are also new campsites that only opened during COVID times, so the bathrooms are in great shape.

• City destination: Fayetteville (89 miles, 1 hr 24 min) Home to outdoor adventuring (Carvers Creek State Park), breweries, and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville makes an ideal day trip destination. Don’t forget to check out Carter Blueberry Farm in June/July for prime picking season.

• Small town destination: Wilson (75 miles, 1 hr 13 min) Two words: Whirligig Park. Also delicious barbecue, lovely Lake Wilson, and scenic strolls.