Now that summer is upon us, we have opportunities to get out and explore our surroundings. But summer activities don’t have to be expensive. In fact, here are ten activities you can do that are absolutely free.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
These gardens are located on 55 acres in the heart of Duke University. The gardens consist of four separate gardens: the Historic Gardens, the H. L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, the W. L. Culbertson Asiatic Arboretum, and the Doris Duke Center Gardens. There is a fee for parking at the gardens, but the overflow lot has free parking and is just a 5-minute walk from the gardens. Tours are available for a fee, but maps of the gardens are free, enabling you to explore all that the gardens have to offer. The gardens are open from 8 a.m. to dusk throughout the year. Visit the Sarah P. Duke Gardens website for more information.
Bennet Place Historic Site
Bennet Place is the site of the largest surrender of the Civil War, officially ending the war in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It’s open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. It is closed on most state holidays. The site has the reconstructed Bennet Farm, visitor’s center, museum, theater presentation, and gift shop. Learn more at the Bennet Place Historic Site website.
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
The Nasher Museum houses a collection of contemporary art, African and pre-Columbian art, and European paintings. On Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., admission is free. Find out more about the museum at the Nasher Museum of Art At Duke University's website.
North Carolina State Farmer’s Market
The market, located in Raleigh, offers fresh produce and local products. Farmers and local merchants rent over 30,000 square feet of space to offer you the best fresh fruits and vegetables. You can meet and talk with the growers. The market also offers seafood, cheeses, beef, and other more exotic meats. The market is open Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Raleigh Farmers Market website.
American Tobacco
American Tobacco is the former home of the Lucky Strike cigarette factory. It now houses apartments, offices, restaurants, a theater, and lots of open green space. It the summer, it offers some free concerts, called Back Porch Music on the Lawn, in the Amphitheater. Picnics and coolers are welcome, but no glass. Check out the latest news and find out about upcoming events at the American Tabacco Campus website.
Alive After Five Concert Series in Durham
Free concerts are offered, usually on the last Thursday night of the month. They are held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Ball Park. Music is provided by various artists.
North Carolina Museum of Art
The museum has one of the largest collections of sculptures by Renoir in the US. It also hosts one of only two permanent displays of Jewish art in the US. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum hosts major touring exhibits throughout the year. Museum Park hosts over a dozen monumental sculptures. Admission is free to the permanent collection and Museum Park. There is a charge for some events, such a films, concerts and performances. The Museum is closed on Mondays, open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the week. Museum Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. For more information, check them out online.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Although this museum is dedicated to nature and science, it is not boring. The museum has live animals, exhibits, and hands-on activities that will interest people of all ages. Events in the Family Programs area include Firefly Watch, Game Night, Butterfly Walk, Dragonfly Walk, Nature Stories, and Moths at Night. Other events include Meet the Animals, Getting Started in Astro-Imaging, Science Café: Ecology You can Eat, and many more. These events, and others, are free. There are some fees for other events. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. View all of ther current exhibits and upcoming events at their website.
Bookstores and Libraries.
Many bookstores in the area have free events where authors read selections from their books. These events offer the chance to meet authors and neighbors who enjoy books. Public libraries also offer many free events, including book reading, storytelling, various book clubs, games, and many more events. Check out the calendar of events at the Durham County Public Library for a huge list of events available to you. The library isn’t just for reading anymore!
Free Concerts
There are several places in the area to enjoy free concerts during the summer. Here are just two of our favorites:
The Streets at Southpoint’s Music on Main. On Saturday nights from 6:00 to 9:00. you can listen to light jazz, adult contemporary, and beach music. The location is Cinema Circle, across from South Point Cinemas.
Warehouse Blues Concert Series. On Friday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 you can enjoy a picnic and listen to the blues. Lawn chairs and coolers are allowed; alcohol is not. These concerts are held at Durham Central Park.
Take advantage of these free activities and enjoy your summer! If you are considering buying or selling a home this summer, give us a call. My partner Andrew Palumbo and I both have extensive real estate and construction experience. Send us a message
Posted by Larry Tollen on
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