duke lemur center self guided tour

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Interesting self-guided tour for 1-1.5... - Duke Lemur Center

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• Duke Lemur Center

What a unique and fun tour! My best friend and I took this tour. It exceeded our scope tarpons. We... read more

I went to the Duke Lemur Center with my 26 year old daughter and her two friends. This is a very... read more

Interesting self-guided tour for 1-1.5 hours

They have the guided and self-guided tour options. We had enjoyed both, so it is really your preference. In the self-guided tour, you go at your own pace and there are docents at the different areas to talk about and answer questions on the lemurs. It is not a big facility, so it should only take 1-1.5 hours including the nocturnal lemur building. Pro tip: If you want the small-group guided tour, then book well (4-6 weeks) in advance as it is popular. Overall, an Interesting self-guided tour for 1-1.5 hours

Being this the most diverse collection of Lemurs (outside from Madagascar) this is a mandatory visit for tourists and locals. Not only you have the opportunity to meet Lemurs, but you learn about the cutting edge research that Duke is doing around them.

We got to go as a prescheduled group to the Duke Lemur Center. This has been a research facility for lemurs for more than 50 years and has the world’s largest and most diverse collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar. We started at the visitor center and gift shop, moved on to a short film and then did an outdoor tour of the caged lemurs. We saw about a dozen outdoors (including Zooboomafoo’s child and mate) and then more nocturnal lemurs in a darkened enclosure. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and shared tons of information. There is also a walk through the woods where you can see some in a more natural habitat where they jump and swing in the trees. Go early in the day when it’s cool. This appropriate for small children

Outside of Mozambique, this is the only place which has 15 species of Lemurs, who live in a safe preserve; the ones on display are rotated so they aren't always caged. While there are 100 species of Lemur, this place has the most outside of Mozambique. Many are endangered -- your visit will help them as they breed some of the more endangered ones. The animals are adorable, and the volunteer docents are very knowledgeable. Nice gift shop, too! Charming place to visit and to feel like you are helping the animals!

DH & I signed up for the walking with lemurs tour. We did get to the center super early which was fun as we browsed the shop and watched a short video. Our small group was taken into an enclosure and then watched the lemurs being called to their feeding. There was lots of opportunities to take photos and to view grooming and feeding. The feeding takes place outside of cages so photos are clear of the bars. We also visited the nocturnal lemurs house which are fitted with special red light. These were more difficult to see but we did catch glimpse of the Aye-Aye who make me think of Yoda from Star Wars. Open sandals are not permitted. I forgot that and was given some trendy blue over socks to wear. There was some rain but we were lucky with timing as the best views were rain free. This was a very informative experience. Highly recommend

I think I would have had a better experience if it was not raining outside. The Lemurs were all inside their cages and you don't really get to see many if you just step inside the building. I would recommend visiting if the weather is good and the lemurs can come outside of their cages.

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Family Weekend at Duke

Save the date for family weekend 2024:, october 18-20.

This is an annual tradition unlike any other! Duke's Family Weekend provides the opportunity for undergraduate parents and families to engage in the life of the University and cultivate a deeper understanding of the Duke student experience.

Registration and a schedule of events for Family Weekend 2024 will be available in August. 

Check out the  2023 Schedule and  Family Weekend FAQ below to get a snapshot on what could be expected from this exciting weekend.

Family Weekend 2023 Schedule

Thursday, november 2, 2023 - early arrival, nasher museum access (10:00 am – 9:00 pm)  .

In addition to the "New at the Nasher Tours," the Nasher will be open to the public during normal operating hours. Admission is free. For visitor information and details about exhibitions on view, please visit nasher.duke.edu.  

Nasher Museum of Art, 2001 Campus Dr  

New at the Nasher Tours (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)  

Explore new exhibitions and works in the Nasher Museum collection with insights from gallery guides. The expanded tour schedule for Family Weekend includes Thursday November 2nd at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm; Friday November 3rd at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm; and Sunday, November 5th at 2:00 pm. No reservation is required, but the tour size is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Tour visitors should meet at the information desk in the great hall. For visitor information and details about ex hibitions on view, please visit nasher.duke.edu.   

Family Tailgate – Club Blue Devil (4:30 pm – 7:30pm)  

Come and join fans and families under a tent in K-Ville. Right in the middle of all the pregame activity, this is the perfect spot for families to see the team walk, listen to the pregame radio show live, and enjoy barbecue sandwiches, chicken wings, and beverages . No tickets are necessary to enter. You can pay for food & drink via credit card in the adjacent area called Club Blue Devil. Plan on making this part of your plans for Family Weekend prior to the Duke-Wake Forest football game!    

K-Ville & Morton Plaza, West Campus 

Hospitality Desk & Box Office Open (5:00 pm-7:00 pm)  

Stop by to pick up a Family Weekend brochure and other giveaways, ask questions, and exchange or purchase additional tickets (pending availability). Those who did not register online may do so here. Hospitality and Box Office hours will also be offered Friday, November 3 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday, November 4 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  

Schaefer Mall (top floor), Bryan Center, West Campus 

New at the Nasher Tours (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)  

Explore new exhibitions and works in the Nasher Museum collection with insights from gallery guides. The expanded tour schedule for Family Weekend includes Thursday November 2nd at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm; Friday November 3rd at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm; and Sunday, November 5 th at 2:00 pm. No reservation is required, but the tour size is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Tour visitors should meet at the information desk in the great hall. For visitor information and details about exhibitions on view, please visit nasher.duke.edu. 

Hindu Life – Spiritual Discussion & Light Dinner (6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)*  

Students and families are invited to a 45-minute discussion from the Bhagavad Gita, Hindu Scriptures; chanting of Sacred Hymns and songs by Duke Hindu students ; and then Prasadam dinner (blessed meal). Dinner is $10 for families and $5 for students. Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system.   

Hindu Life Room, Bryan Center Greenhouse, West Campus 

The Beethoven Effect: Ariana Kim, violin; Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano; Daniel Temkin, composer/percussionist (8:00 pm - 9:30 pm)  

Beethoven: Romance in F Major, Op. 50 for violin and piano; Temkin: Maksimal (2019) for violin, piano and percussion; Beethoven: Sonata No. 9 for violin and piano, Op. 47 "Kreutzer". This program, featuring two of Beethoven's works for violin and piano, shows his contrasts in spirit, as the relatively brief and serenely beautiful "Romance in F" stands opposite the epic "Kreutzer" sonata. Paired as a modern foil on this program is American composer Daniel Temkin. His colorful trio "Maksimal" for violin, piano, and percussion reflects and illuminates particular elements of Beethoven's own sensibility. No tickets are needed for this event.   

Nelson Music Room, East Duke 201, East Campus 

Duke Football vs. Wake Forest (7:30 pm) *  

Support the Duke Football team in their match against ACC rival Wake Forest. Kickoff is at 7:30pm. Families will be able to purchase tickets through an exclusive Family Weekend Athletics link after registering for Family Weekend online. Exclusive Family Weekend discounted rates start at $25, pending availability. Please note that the free ticket available to each student is for seating in the student sections. We encourage families who would like to sit with their Duke student to purchase an additional ticket for their student.   

Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, West Campus 

Friday, November 3, 2023

Family rec & p.e. facility access   .

Family members of Duke Students are welcome to utilize the Wilson and Brodie Recreation Centers over Family Weekend with a valid Family Weekend Registration receipt shown the Front Desk of each facility upon entry. Students with family members who did not register for the weekend are able to purchase a Daily Guest Pass for their family for $10 per person per visit. Instructions for how to purchase a Daily Guest Pass can be found under the 'One-Time Visits' section of the Rec & P.E. Memberships webpage (link to: https://recreation.duke.edu/memberships/ ). Taishoff and Brodie Aquatics Centers will be unavailable. View the Rec & P.E. website for Facility Hours ( https://recreation.duke.edu/facilities/facility-hours/ ) over the course of the weekend. Please review our Operating Policies ( https://recreation.duke.edu/facilities/facility-guidelines/ ) ahead of your visit and note age requirements for access to certain areas of our facilities (if available). Participants must be at minimum 10 years of age to access the recreation centers.  

Wilson Recreation Center, West Campus & Brodie Recreation Center, East Campus 

Hospitality Desk & Box Office Open (9:00 am-5:30pm)  

Stop by to pick up a Family Weekend brochure and other giveaways, ask questions, and exchange or purchase additional tickets (pending availability). Those who did not register online may do so here. Hospitality and Box Office hours will also be offered Thursday, November 2 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday, November 4 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  

Wilkinson Building Art Collection: A Celebration of Creativity in Engineering      (9:00am – 5:00pm)    

Take a stroll through Duke Engineering’s new Wilkinson Building for a self-guided tour of original art inspired by the imagination of engineering minds.  Among the featured artists you will discover are Duke BME graduate Mikael Owunna E’12, internationally lauded installation artist Luke Jerram, Durham activist Saba Taj, and former Duke art professor Vernon Pratt.  In addition to the art on display, the Wilkinson Building offers striking architecture and spaces. Designed to serve as a high-tech hub for teaching, learning, and research, it features state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories as well as unique views of Duke Chapel, the medical center, and historic West campus, a one-of-a-kind media wall, and even a hologram to display 3D design models. We invite you to explore. More can be found at  https://pratt.duke.edu/about/campus/facilities/wilkinson-building and https://art.pratt.duke.edu/ .   

Wilkinson Building, West Campus  

Career Center Open House (9:00 am – 11:00 am)  

Stop in to meet the staff and learn more about Career Everywhere at Duke!  

036 Bryan Center, West Campus 

CMA First Friday Family Breakfast (9:30 am – 11:00 am)  

The Center for Multicultural Affair’s (CMA) First Fridays Breakfast is a monthly community gathering space where all community members are welcome to stop by Suite 101 for a CMA-sponsored, free breakfast (limited supplies while they last), community connection, and receive the latest updates from the CMA!  

Suite 101, Bryan Center, West Campus  

Nasher Museum Access (10:00 am – 5:00 pm)  

Cultivating academic success (10:00 am – 11:00 am)  .

Come learn about the resources that Duke offers to support students in making the most of their undergraduate experience. Colleagues from the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Division of Student Success and the Pratt School of Engineering will provide an overview of services provided for academic coaching, well-being, and advising.  

Event 2, Penn Pavilion, West Campus 

The Library Presents Duke Moms and Dads: Saxophonist Branford Marsalis (10:00am – 11:00 am)   

Join the Duke University Libraries for a conversation with renowned saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and Duke parent Branford Marsalis. Best known as the leader of the Grammy-winning Branford Marsalis Quartet, Marsalis has over thirty albums to his name and has been honored as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. He has played alongside artists as diverse as the Grateful Dead, Tina Turner, and Sting, and he formerly led the house band on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In classical music, he’s sought-after as a featured soloist with acclaimed orchestras around the world. For years, Marsalis has shared his knowledge as a music educator at North Carolina Central University, Michigan State, San Francisco State, and other institutions. Marsalis and his wife, Nicole, are the parents of Thaïs, a first-year student at Duke, who will introduce her dad for this talk.  

Gothic Reading Room, Rubenstein Library, 2nd Floor, Rubenstein Library, West Campus  

Morning Yoga with Duke Rec & P.E. (10:00 am – 10:45 am)  

Enjoy the fresh air with David during a relaxing morning yoga session. All levels are welcome for a meditation-filled way to start your day. Mats will be provided for this event, though participants are welcome to bring their own. Please arrive 15 minutes early to meet the instructor and set up your mat. This event is available to the first 60 attendees. Participants should meet on K-Ville. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held in Wilson Recreation Center 125.  

K-Ville, West Campus 

Stay Connected with SPARK – Information Table (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)  

SPARK provides a coordinated approach to supporting second-year students in their efforts to seek purpose, build resilience, and navigate academic and career journeys. Come learn about SPARK, a signature program of QuadEx, and how you can support your Duke student as they traverse their second year at Duke.  

Schaefer Mall (top floor), Bryan Center, West Campus  

Address from the Office of Undergraduate Education (11:00am – 12:00 pm)  

Meet Dr. Candis Watts Smith the Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and an Professor of Political Science as she introduces the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE). OUE is a 100-person unit whose dedicated staff deliver on Duke’s promise of a transformative, holistic undergraduate experience for students across Duke's four undergraduate schools: Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, the Pratt School of Engineering, the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Nicholas School of the Environment. For undergraduates, OUE offers academic resources and guidance, unique learning programs, and connections to faculty and peers that help students more fully realize their time at Duke. Dr. Smith will share the exciting opportunities OUE provides to enrich your student’s educational journey while at Duke.  

Event 1, Penn Pavilion, West Campus   

Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy – Open House (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)    

This event is an opportunity for parents to meet the educators and mentors who are working with Duke students to learn about and explore careers in health policy. Hosted by our Director & former FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark McClellan and Dr. Gillian Sanders Schmidler, join us and hear more about how the Center’s research and educational initiatives help engage students across campus in health policy.  

Duke-Margolis Center, JB Duke Hotel, West Campus 

Engaging with the Duke Climate Commitment (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)  

The Duke Climate Commitment weaves climate and sustainability through every aspect of the University’s core missions of education , research , sustainable operations , community partnerships , and external engagement . Join members of the newly created Office of Climate and Sustainability to learn more about this ambitious endeavor and how students are shaping, contributing and benefitting from this work.  

Reynolds Theater, Bryan Center, West Campus 

DukeEngage (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)  

This session will include a presentation about DukeEngage programs and opportunities. Parents and students will hear from a panel of DukeEngage alums from about their experiences in their perspective programs.  

Event 1, Penn Pavilion, West Campus 

Health Professions Advising Information Session (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)  

The Office of Health Professions Advising works with Trinity and Pratt students pursuing careers in healthcare. In this session we will talk about how we work with students so that they get the best out of their Duke education while preparing for health careers. We will share trends and data from Duke students and leave time for your questions.  

Jumu'ah Prayer (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)  

The Friday prayer service (Jumu'ah) is a cornerstone of many Muslim communities. Join the Duke Center for Muslim Life for its Friday prayer service which includes a khutbah (sermon) and prayer. Stay after to enjoy food and socialize with the community! All are welcome.  

McClendon Tower, 5th Floor 

New at the Nasher Tours (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)  

Explore new exhibitions and works in the Nasher Museum collection with insights from gallery guides. The expanded tour schedule for Family Weekend includes Thursday November 2nd at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm; Friday November 3rd at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm; and Sunday, November 5 th at 2:00 pm. No reservation is required, but the tour size is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Tour visitors should meet at the information desk in the great hall. For visitor information and details about exhibitions on view, please visit nasher.duke.edu.   

Global Education Office – Information Table (1:00 pm – 4:30 pm)    

Swing by to talk with professional staff from the Global Education Office about your specific study abroad/study away questions.   

Lemur Center Self-Guided Tour (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm) *  

Come visit the lemurs in a relaxed, open-format event specially organized for Duke Family Weekend! You can walk through the tour path at your own pace, with staff and volunteers stationed all around to chat with you about the lemurs and answer any of your questions. There’s no need to arrive right at the start of this event – as long as you arrive at least 45 minutes before it ends, you will have plenty of time to see the lemurs. Parking is available on site. Please note that this is a ticketed event with limited spots available. If weather conditions are not suitable for humans and lemurs to safely and comfortably be outdoors, then this event will be cancelled and refunded; you will be notified by email with as much notice as possible. Tickets are a special Family Weekend rate of $12 each. Children under 2 are free and do not need to register. Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system.  

Duke Lemur Center, 3705 Erwin Rd 

Moments of Mindfulness: Sleight of Hand (2:00 pm – 2:45 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. Students and families are invited to attend these student-led wellness experience which gives participants the opportunity to learn sleight of hand techniques and close-up magic in an inviting, fun, and relaxed social atmosphere. No experience necessary! Performing magic serves as a positive distraction, provides an opportunity to learn a new skill to share with others, and promotes mindfulness through hands-on learning.    

Oasis West - Room 128, Student Wellness Center, West Campus 

WRITING MATTERS: Drop By and Chat at the Thompson Writing Program Table (2:30 pm – 5:00 pm)  

Families and students are invited to drop by the Thompson Writing Program table and learn more about how all writers can thrive at Duke and make their voices heard. What can writing accomplish? What have  you  accomplished through your writing? What have been your favorite/least favorite experiences as a writer? What makes writing hard? When and how do you write?   

Career Everywhere (for Everyone): Integrating Career Readiness Through the Entire Duke Experience (2:30 pm – 3:15 pm)  

This session will connect families with some of the staff at the Duke Career Center who will share about the career everywhere philosophy, Duke's career development process; the competencies that students will build during their time at Duke; resources and tools that your Blue Devil can access; and how you can partner with the Career Center to help develop your student's career readiness.  

Global Education Opportunities (2:30 pm – 3:30 pm)  

In this session, professional staff from the Global Education Office will share advice on planning an international study abroad or U.S.-based study away experience that will earn credit toward the Duke degree. Session topics include choosing a program, transferring course credits, covering costs, and using your financial aid. There will also be an information table staffed by Global Education Office professionals who can answer your study abroad/study away questions on the top floor of the Bryan Center from 1: 0 0 pm to 4: 3 0 pm on Friday.    

The Academic Advising Experience for Trinity College Students (2:30 pm – 3:30 pm)    

Come learn about the Academic Advising Center’s (AAC) unique advising program and experience first-hand how we guide students toward an academic path that responds to their individual interests and goals, as well as how we help them choose wisely among the many opportunities that Duke affords undergraduates.   

Garden Level, Penn Pavilion, West Campus  

Moments of Mindfulness: Painting (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. Families and students are invited to attend t his wellness experience which gives participants a chance to become a part of an inclusive community while learning or improving upon an artistic skill that promotes wellness through the mindful activity of painting.  

Room 144, Student Wellness Center, West Campus 

Explore new exhibitions and works in the Nasher Museum collection with insights from gallery guides. The expanded tour schedule for Family Weekend includes Thursday November 2nd at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm; Friday November 3rd at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm; and Sunday, November 5th at 2:00 pm. No reservation is required, but the tour size is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Tour visitors should meet at the information desk in the great hall. For visitor information and details about exhibitions on view, please visit nasher.duke.edu.   

Hindu Life – Chai/Chaat & a Chat (3:00 pm – 5:00 pm)  

Families are invited to a casual conversation with Duke University Hindu chaplain, Priya Amaresh, and Duke Hindu students. Learn about the activities and programs we offer on campus. Students will share their interest & practices of upholding traditions & values of Hindu culture. There will be tea and snacks available for the attendees.

Student for a Day Lecture : Dr. Ronnie Chatterji   & Peter Feaver (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm)  

Dr. Chatterji and Dr. Feaver will discuss Chatterji’s recent work in the White House, implementing President Biden’s new CHIPS and Science Act, which to build a more resilient supply chain for semiconductors, a vital component of economic and military power. Chatterji and Feaver bring an interesting and sometime divergent perspective to this topic: both served at the White House, collectively in the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations, so they cover both the theory and the practice of these crucial policy topics.”  

Leveraging the Forever Duke Network: How and Why to Connect with Alumni (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm)  

All Duke students and their families are invited to hear from a diverse panel of recent Duke graduates representing different majors and career paths. These alumni, together with staff from Duke Alumni Engagement & Development, will share information and answer questions about how students can connect with alumni and how these connections can enrich their time at Duke and support their future career paths. The session is open to all students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) and family members.  

Event 1, Penn Pavilion, West Campus    

Focus Program Director Q&A (4:00 pm – 5:00 pm)  

This event is for the Focus families to hear about Focus from our wonderful directors! The directors will give a brief overview of their clusters and then we will open up the floor for your questions. We encourage you to come to this event without your students. A light pre-dinner will be served.  

Event 2, Penn Pavilion, West Campus    

DISC International Student and Family Weekend Celebration (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm)  

Come enjoy an opportunity to celebrate Duke's Family Weekend with the Duke international community (undergraduates, graduates, and their families). Enjoy pizza, soft drinks, beer/wine, and arcade games with classmates and community members from around the world. US State-issued IDs or original passports are required for entry into Boxcar Bar + Arcade for adults , including students under 21. Transportation to and from campus will be provided.   Buses will depart every 30 minutes from the Science Drive Circle beginning at 3:45pm.    

Boxcar Bar & Arcade, 621 Foster St 

The President’s Welcome (5:30pm-6:00pm)    

Join President Vincent Price and Vice Provost/Vice President Mary Pat McMahon as they welcome Duke families back to campus. They will discuss current events on campus and engage in conversation with families .   

Pre-Reception - Sanford Distinguished Lecture (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)  

Join us after the President’s Welcome for heavy hors d’oeuvres, and get the chance to meet North Carolina native Jasmine Crowe-Houston before her talk. Help us make sure no food goes to waste before then joining us in the adjacent Reynolds Theater at 7:00pm to hear Jasmine speak about how to solve two of the world’s biggest problems: hunger and food waste. Come for the food and prizes, and stay for the lecture!  

The Landing, Bryan Center, West Campus 

Moments of Mindfulness: Restorative Yoga (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. Families and students are invited to attend this event which will allow participants to focus on their mind-body connection through restful poses, controlled breathing, and relaxation that will help you manage stress and anxiety.  

Room 144, Student Wellness Center, West Campus   

Moments of Mindfulness: Knitting (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. Families and students are invited to attend this event which gives participants the opportunity to learn or improve upon a skill that promotes wellness through the mindful activity of knitting. All materials are provided and no prior experience necessary!  

Volleyball vs. Wake Forest (6:30 pm)   

All students and families are welcome to this event. Tickets are not required.  

Cameron Indoor Stadium, West Campus 

Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Dinner with Jewish Life at Duke (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm) *  

Join Jewish Life at Duke to experience a Duke Shabbat! We start at 6:30pm with a pluralistic Kabbalat Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Elana Friedman and students, followed by a kosher, family-style Shabbat dinner at ~7:30pm. Come for all or part of the evening. Kabbalat Shabbat Service is free for all. Dinner is FREE for students and $20 for non-students. The event is hosted by Jewish Life at Duke. Tickets for dinner are available for purchase through the Family Weekend online registration system.  

Freeman Center for Jewish Life, 1415 Faber Street  

Sanford Distinguished Lecture: Hungry for Change: Ending Food Waste (7:00 pm – 8:00 pm) *  

Join us to hear from Jasmine Crowe-Houston, social entrepreneur, TED speaker, and founder and CEO of Goodr. Jasmine will explain how she built a tech company to solve two of the world's biggest problems: hunger and food waste, and why there is a strong need for policy innovation to solve old problems -- it’s time to make a change! This lecture is part of the Terry Sanford Lecture Series to promote engaged and enlightened leadership. Endowed by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, this prestigious lecture is open to the public and the entire Duke University campus. Families are encouraged to register for this event through the Family Weekend online registration system.   

Oppenheimer (7:00pm)  

Freewater Presentations and Duke University Union present a FREE film for Duke students and families. The feature film will be  Oppenheimer (2023).   

Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center, West Campus 

Student Performance Showcase 1 (8:00pm) *    

In the words of Henri Matisse, ‘creativity takes courage.’ From song and dance to comedy and improv, the student creators of Duke are not afraid. These showcases are a demonstration of the artistic energy flowing through our campus, and we look forward to sharing the power of our art with you. This showcase is sponsored by duARTS. Friday performers include Duke University Stand-Up Troupe, Street Medicine, Duke Swing, Defining Movement, Duke Dhamaka, Duke Lasya, Duke Club Ballroom Dance, Momentum Dance Company, Pureun, Sabrosura, Nakisai ADE, Devils En Pointe, Something Borrowed Something Blue, Out of the Blue, Deja Blue, Lady Blue, Speak of the Devil, and The Pitchforks. Tickets are $15 each. Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system. This will be a very similar show to Saturday afternoon.   

Page Auditorium, West Campus 

Family Weekend Concert: Duke Jazz Ensemble (with guest artist Gregory Tardy, saxophone) (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm) *  

Join the Duke Jazz Ensemble, John V. Brown, director, and Evan Roberson, associate director, as they welcome saxophonist Gregory Tardy to the Baldwin stage for this special Family Weekend concert. Gregory Tardy's performance schedule has taken him all over the world, playing at all of the major jazz festivals and on some of the biggest stages in jazz. He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, John Patitucci, and many others. Tickets are $10. Students can register for two free tickets. Tickets are available for purchase through the Family Weekend online registration system.   

Baldwin Auditorium, East Campus

Oppenheimer (10:00pm)  

* ticketed events – families must obtain a ticket from the family weekend registration site unless a different ticketing process is otherwise noted. additional fees may apply ., saturday, november 4, 2023, hospitality desk & box office open (9:00 am – 1:00 pm)  .

Stop by to pick up a Family Weekend brochure and other giveaways, ask questions, and exchange or purchase additional tickets (pending availability). Those who did not register online may do so here. Hospitality and Box Office hours will also be offered Thursday, November 2 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Friday, November 3 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.  

Things No One Wants to Talk About (9:00 am – 10:00 am)  

In this session we will explore how Duke has hard conversations with your student about alcohol and other drugs. Come and learn about how we can partner together to keep your student safe.  

Student Wellness Center 148/149, West Campus 

Duke Gardens: A Festival of Fabulous Mums (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)  

Enjoy an explosion of color this fall during A Festival of Fabulous Mums at Duke Gardens. Exhibition mums will create a dazzling floral display inside the Doris Duke Center and outdoors in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. A flower show competition sponsored by the Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society (CCCS) and the Raleigh Garden Club will feature the skill and creativity of mum growers and floral designers from near and far. CCCS members will be on hand to highlight the 13 classes of mums and answer questions. Fun activities will be available for all ages. Stop by the information desk in the Doris Duke Center or the Gothic Gate kiosk to get directions, ask questions, pick up materials for a self-guided exploration, and more! Visit the Duke Gardens website for more information about how to get here.  

Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St. 

Nasher Museum Access (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)  

Duke gardens family weekend portraits (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)  .

Capture the fun of Family Weekend in one of the most Instagram-worthy spots on campus! Duke Gardens invites Duke students and their families to pose for a portrait with a Duke Gardens photographer on Saturday, November 4, between 10 a.m. and noon.  This event is free for Duke students and their families. Advanced registration is required and limited to the first 120 families.  For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/familyweekendportraits2023 . Stop by the information desk in the Doris Duke Center or the Gothic Gate kiosk to get directions. Visit the Duke Gardens website for more information about how to get here.  

Lemur Center Self-Guided Tour (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) *  

Duke life family weekend brunch (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)  .

Come meet the team that supports your first-generation lower-income student and learn about their major milestones in their Duke careers. Pre-registration strongly encouraged: https://bit.ly/DukeFamilyBrunch .  

Abele Quad, West Campus 

FOCUS Family Weekend Symposium (10:00 am – 11:30 am)  

This event is where the Focus clusters show off what they have been doing so far this semester! You will be able to walk around Brodie Gym and see what your student and others have been up to, as well as chat with faculty and other families. This event will have snacks and drinks to take with you.  

Brodie Gym, East Campus 

Pratt Family Weekend Seminar: Design Your Future (10:00 am – 11:00 am)    

The future of engineering is design. Every Duke Engineering student gets their hands busy with real-world design starting their freshmen year and ends with every senior completing a Capstone Design Project in their major focused on producing actual engineering products — from custom parts for an autonomous underwater vehicle to devices for local clients with disabilities. Join us to hear how design has impacted the educational experience as we talk to professors and their students about their design projects.    

Schiciano Auditorium, Fitzpatrick Building (FCIEMAS), West Campus 

Trinity College Dean's Reception for Students and Families (10:30 am – 11:30 am)  

Trinity College undergraduates and their families are invited to meet Dean Gary Bennett and Trinity administrative deans, department chairs, and faculty for conversation about undergraduate classes and programs. Refreshments will be available.  

Abele Academic Quad (between Allen and Social Sciences), West Campus 

Pratt Family Weekend Cookout (11:00am – 1:00pm) *    

Come meet and mingle with Pratt School of Engineering faculty, staff, students, and families while enjoying a delicious lunch. The cost is $20 for anyone 12 and older, including Duke students; $10 for guests 5-11 years old; and free for children 4 and under. Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system.  

Fitzpatrick Building (FCIEMAS) Atrium and Harrington Quad, West Campus 

Moments of Mindfulness: Guided Meditation (11:00 am – 12:00 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. Families are invited to attend this experience which allows participants to learn a new skill or continue their practice as they relax more and worry less while coming together with the greater Duke community.  

Room 148/149, Student Wellness Center, West Campus  

Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture Family Weekend Brunch (11:00 am – 1:00 pm)

Join the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture for a delightful and meaningful Family Weekend- Black Family brunch, and celebrate the bonds that unite as a Duke family. This event is a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your Duke student, enjoy delicious food, and engage in meaningful conversations that celebrate our heritage and culture. Registration for this event is closed!

Blue Devil Tower-President's Suite, Wallace Wade Stadium, West Campus 

Student Wellness Center Guided Tour (12:00 pm – 12:45 pm)  

Join a Wellness Intern for a tour of the Student Wellness Center.  

Departing from Room 148/149, Student Wellness Center, West Campus 

Moments of Mindfulness: Drum Circle (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. Students and families are invited to relax, restore, and energize your physical and mental well-being by coming together to create rhythm, a universal language that allows participants to connect with themselves and others. Through this experience participants will begin to encounter how drumming induces relaxation and feelings of well-being, while releasing stress.

Room 148/149, Student Wellness Center, West Campus 

Women’s Basketball vs. Wingate (1:00 pm)   

Student performance showcase 2 (2:00pm) *    .

In the words of Henri Matisse, ‘creativity takes courage.’ From song and dance to comedy and improv, the student creators of Duke are not afraid. These showcases are a demonstration of the artistic energy flowing through our campus, and we look forward to sharing the power of our art with you. This showcase is sponsored by duARTS . Saturday performers include Duke University Stand-Up Troupe, Street Medicine, Defining Movement, Duke Dhamaka , Duke Lasya, Duke Club Ballroom Dance, Momentum Dance Company, Pureun, and Nakisai ADE, Out of the Blue, Speak of the Devil, and The Pitchforks. Tickets are $15 each. Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system. This will be a very similar show to Friday evening.   

Moments of Mindfulness: Meditative Art (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm)  

Moments of Mindfulness are weekly programs providing the entire Duke community with opportunities to relax, reenergize, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences. This event provides the opportunity for students and families to relax and be creative without the pressure of performing. Participants are invited to practice mindfulness and experience peace by leaving it all on paper. No experience necessary and materials will be provided.  

Bachata on BC (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)  

Sabrosura is the premiere Latin dance group at Duke University. They will be promoting community and demonstrate Latin culture through dance by hosting a workshop of a Latin dance style called Bachata.  Bachata originates from the beautiful Dominican Republic. Students and families are encouraged to come out and participate!  

Bryan Center Plaza, West Campus 

Paint and Sip Chai…and eat Bean Pie! (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)  

Students and families visiting for Family Weekend are invited to stop by the Center for Muslim Life to drink chai, eat bean pie (a Black American Muslim staple), and meet staff at an open house at our new center in Few Quad on West Campus. We'll have paint kits for students and families to also enjoy as they sip on their chai and learn more about Muslim life at Duke from CML staff!  

Center for Muslim Life (Few GG), West Campus 

Loving OUT Loud: Supporting my LGBTQIA+ Loved Ones (3:00 pm – 4:30 pm)   

Join the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity for Loving OUT Loud, a panel of parents and loved ones of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Questioning) individuals. In this space panelist will share personal stories of their journey in learning about and supporting their family member/s and loved ones who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community. There will be time set aside for questions at the end, and light snacks will be provided.  

The CSGD Programming Space, Bryan Center 100J, West Campus 

Family Weekend Concert: Duke Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Symphony (7:00 pm) *  

This concert showcases three of Duke's largest student music ensembles: the Duke Chorale, directed by Allan Friedman; Duke Symphony Orchestra, directed by Harry Davidson; and Duke Wind Symphony, directed by Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant. Celebrate Family Weekend with a showcase concert featuring an eclectic selection of works. Tickets are $10. Students can register for two free tickets. Tickets are available for purchase through the Family Weekend online registration system.   

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Duke catholic center mass & brunch (8:30 am)    .

The Duke Catholic Center cordially invites all Duke families to Catholic Mass & Brunch. Mass will be followed by a complimentary brunch at 9:30am in the Divinity School Cafe.     

Goodson Chapel, Divinity School, West Campus   

Coffee and Pastries with Duke Chapel Ministry Team (9:45 am – 10:30 am)  

The Chapel Ministry Team will be offering light refreshments on the Chapel Quad from 9:45 - 10:30am, before Sunday morning worship at 11:00am. Come to eat, connect, and learn more about Duke Chapel's ongoing initiatives in worship leadership, student fellowship, community service, and interreligious engagement.  For more information, contact Bruce Puckett, Assistant Dean of Duke Chapel, [email protected] .  

Duke Chapel, West Campus 

Marketplace Family Weekend Brunch (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) *  

First-year students and their families are invited to a special Sunday Brunch. Students do not need tickets, but they will be expected to use a meal plan swipe for entrance. Tickets for family members are sold per hour-long seating block: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm.  Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system.    

Marketplace, East Union, East Campus 

Family Weekend Bagel Brunch with Jewish Life at Duke (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) *  

Students and their families are invited to join Jewish Life at Duke for a delicious bagel brunch. Visit the Freeman Center for Jewish Life, the home of Jewish Life at Duke and the Rubenstein-Silvers Hillel, meet fellow families and the JLD staff, and nosh on a kosher brunch as you wrap up your visit to Duke. The event is FREE for students and $10 for non-students. Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke. Please register through the Family Weekend online registration system.  

Freeman Center for Jewish Life, 1415 Faber Street 

Duke Catholic Center Mass & Brunch (10:30 am)    

The Duke Catholic Center cordially invites all Duke families to Catholic Mass & Brunch.   Mass will be followed by a complimentary brunch at 11:30 am in the Divinity School Café.      

Goodson Chapel, Divinity School, West Campus 

Duke Chapel Sunday Morning Worship Service (11:00 am)    

Duke Chapel has a long—and living—tradition of faithful preaching and inspiring sacred music. You are invited to be a part of it at this ecumenical Christian worship service. Hear a sermon from Chapel Dean Luke A. Powery, singing by the Chapel Choir, and music from the Chapel’s organs.   

Duke Chapel, West Campus  

Nasher Museum Access (12:00 pm – 5:00 pm)  

Volleyball vs. virginia tech (1:00 pm)  , new at the nasher tours (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm)  , united in praise and something borrowed something blue joint fall concert (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm)  .

Join us in the afternoon of Sunday November 5th as our university gospel choir, United in Praise, hosts their annual fall concert alongside our university co-ed Christian a cappella group Something Borrowed Something Blue. All are invited for an evening of heartfelt worship and beautiful music. For more information email Rev. Racquel Gill at [email protected] .  

Duke Catholic Center Mass (8:00 pm)    

The Duke Catholic Center cordially invites all Duke families to Catholic Mass.     

Duke Chapel, Divinity School, West Campus   

Family Weekend FAQs

Family Weekend is an informative, engaging, and important yearly tradition! Over the course of the Weekend, Duke welcomes parents and families to visit campus in order to interact with the organizations, people, and places that have become so important to your student.

Each year, we look forward to topical and interesting programs by staff, presentations from faculty, and interactions with special members of the student community.

Family Weekend 2024 is Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20.

Regi s tration for Family Weekend will be launched in the late summer. The registration link will be posted to this page and shared with current Duke families through New Student and Family Programs emails.   

Each year we collaborate with Athletics and other stakeholders across campus with the hopes of hosting Family Weekend during a home football game weekend. 

Countdown to Craziness is run by Duke Athletics and is separate from Family Weekend.

In addition to the opportunity to experience programs, discussions, concerts, performances, and more from members throughout the Duke community, attending Family Weekend also provides a wonderful chance for you to spend quality time with your student. Not only does it strengthen your relationship, but it can also provide your student with the opportunity to bridge the gap between their lives both on and away from campus.

Family Weekend typically includes three days of programming and opportunities for you to engage with your student. Family Weekend is designed in a conference format where you choose which sessions to attend. Each day has many activities—too many for one person—so you’ll pick what feels most relevant to you and exciting for your family.

Friday is the busiest. Programming starts mid-morning and continues into the evening. Your student will have a regular class schedule this day, so the events are more intentionally geared towards parents and visiting family members. More programming is offered on Saturday with more opportunities to attend events alongside your student. Sunday is the lightest, with most activities wrapping up by midday. 

Please do not hesitate to give us a call at 919-684-3511 or email us at  [email protected]  if you have questions regarding the weekend's activities.

Visiting the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina: A First-Timers Guide

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Thinking about going to the Duke Lemur Center? Read on for everything you need to know before your visit.

I can honestly say the last place I expected to find lemurs was in North Carolina.

Aside from cartoon versions, I had never seen one in real life and wasn’t even sure what they were. 

Were they like bats? Were they nocturnal? I knew they had beady eyes. That was about it. 

Now, I know more about lemurs than ever, and have met quite a few. That’s because I had the privilege of visiting the Duke Lemur Center. 

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What is the Duke Lemur Center?

The Duke Lemur Center is a research facility in Durham, North Carolina that has the largest population of lemurs outside Madagascar.

They’ve had an agreement with the government of Madagascar for some time and are doing their best to preserve the lemur population, many of which are critically endangered. 

They focus on raising community awareness, conserving different lemur types and learning as much as possible about these animals. 

They’ve been in operation since 1966, span over 85 acres and have over 200 animals on the premises. 

About Lemurs

Lemurs are the world’s oldest primates. Besides humans, they are the only primates that have blue eyes (not all, just the blue-eyed black lemur). 

They have a female-dominated society, so King Julian in the Madagascar movie would have actually been a queen in real life. 

They function in family units and get traumatized when they’re split up. A lot of people buy lemurs as pets, not realizing that they’re wild animals ill suited for the home. 

They communicate by scent, so it’s important that they be able to mark places and other animals (not ideal for a household). 

They’re generally quadrupedal but certain lemurs are bipedal. The first time you see them hopping sideways on two legs will catch you off guard! 

Perhaps that’s the biggest lesson of all. While many people picture the ring-tailed lemurs made famous by pop culture, there are dozens of different types of lemurs with varying colors, movements and mannerisms. 

Where is Zoombamafoo?

The Duke Lemur Center had one very famous resident — Jovian, the actor known as Zoboo in Zobomafoo.

He lived from 1994 to 2014 and singlehandedly brought more than 15,000 visitors a year to the Center. 

While he’s no longer at the center, he had 12 offspring and as of 2020 the Center welcomed two new babies to his family, a nephew and grandson. 

Tours of the Duke Lemur Center 

Reservations are required in order to visit the Center so make your bookings far in advance. No walk-ins are accepted. 

There are two tours offered: a general tour and a premium tour. 

The general tour can be done self-guided (on Friday or Saturday evenings) or with a small group generally. It costs $14/person plus tax and includes a cursory view of the lemurs housed around the walking trails. There are 17 lemurs total representing 8 different species. 

Click here to schedule your general tour . 

The premium tour costs $95/person and is well worth the upgrade. Instead of seeing lemurs through the barrier of a cage, you’ll get to walk with them unrestricted in the forest, see them being fed and appreciate them in their natural habitat.

Click here to schedule your premium tour.

Note — at no point in time can you feed or touch the lemurs . In fact, touching a lemur is a fireable offense for the staff. All tours are strictly hands off to maintain as much normalcy for the animals in their habits and interactions as possible. 

Can’t make it in person just yet? There’s a 75-minute virtual tour offer that’s free to watch around the world. 

Know Before You Go 

You’ll need to wear closed toed shoes for your visit. 

They have certain lemurs that they release to roam freely around the property.

In order to be given this access they have to be healthy, with no geriatrics or mobility issues, they must return on their own to the center and they cannot bite.

If you see a lemur roaming wild, rest assured the staff knows about it and they lemur has been granted special privileges. 

Critically endangered is the most endangered an animal can be before going extinct, so take advantage of the opportunity to support and learn more about these unique creatures. 

You’ll see paintings of lemur footsteps throughout the guest trail.

These were hand painted as part of a Girl Scout project, where they measured out the steps of each lemur and made custom paw prints. 

The Center is very active on social media so make sure to tag them in all your pictures.

They even got Mark Hamill to respond on Twitter when some new babies got Star Wars themed names.

Till next time, safe travels!

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• Getting Here

Reservations Essential

Please note that all visits are by appointment only and that you must have tour reservations to see the animals. You can explore general and premium tour options via our tours homepage.  

No Pets, Please

Because the DLC houses critically endangered primates, we cannot allow pet animals anywhere on the DLC grounds — not even inside your vehicle. For our lemurs’ health and safety and for your pets’, please leave your pup at home. If you have a service dog, see the “Accessibility” tab on our Visitor FAQ .

We’re located at 3705 Erwin Road in Durham,  less than 10 minutes from Duke’s West Campus. Click the ‘Directions to DLC’ link below to view step-by-step directions to the Lemur Center from Duke, Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Greensboro.

Directions to DLC

Using GPS or Google Maps? Occasionally these will direct visitors to the gated forestry entrance off Cornwallis Road. Please do not use the Cornwallis entrance, as Cornwallis Road is closed for construction.  If your GPS takes you to the Cornwallis entrance in error, please follow the map below to our main entrance on Erwin Road.

If you have questions at any time, please call (919) 401-7240. The Lemur Landing staff will be happy to help!

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Address: 3705 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705 Phone: (919) 401-7240

• History + Mission
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Visit Options + Help

Visit options, follow the lemurs.

Ready to get to know Duke? No matter where you are in the college search process, we can help you decide if Duke might be the right place for you. Here’s a guide to navigating our extensive array of virtual and in-person options.

Just for fun, we’ve named the various levels of getting to know Duke after the residents of the Duke Lemur Center , a world leader in the study, care, and protection of lemurs—Earth’s most threatened group of mammals.

Choose one of the following:

I’m just starting my college search.

You’re at the Ring-tailed lemur level! We’re happy to introduce you to Duke and give you a taste of our connected, collaborative, and creative community.

We recommend attending a Live Virtual Information Session* and Live Virtual Tour . Interested in engineering? Join us for a Live Virtual Pratt School of Engineering Tour . If you can’t attend live, watch one of our recordings of live sessions .

*Duke también ofrece una sesión de información virtual en vivo en español.

I already know a bit about Duke but want to know more.

We’re glad to hear that Duke has piqued your interest. You’ve reached Coquerel’s Sifaka level. It’s time to find out more about how Duke might match your interests and goals.

If you haven’t already done so, attend a Live Virtual Information Session and Live Virtual Tour . If you can’t attend live, watch one of our recordings of live sessions .

Next, join us for one of our Live Virtual Duke Community Panels and other events with student ambassadors.

If you’re able to visit Duke in person and you’re a senior, register for a Student-Led Walking Tour . All students can take themselves on the Duke Mobile Tour , and consider a Pratt School of Engineering Tour . If you’d like to set your own pace for a virtual visit, you can take a Virtual Reality Tour , or tune in for a video tour of Duke’s East Campus or Duke’s West Campus .

I’m ready to apply but I have questions.

By now you’ve probably attended some of our virtual or in-person programs and know a lot about Duke, but you’d like to hear about the admissions process and financial aid from the experts. You’re ready for Red-ruffed Lemur level!

Tune in to one of our Live Virtual Guide to Applying sessions, led by Duke admissions officers, and to our Live Virtual Financial Support at Duke, led by Duke financial aid officers. If you can’t attend live, watch one of our recordings of live sessions . If you still have questions, join us for Q&A with Admissions Officers .

You can also sign up for a Live Webinar focused on admissions and financial aid topics.

Want to know more about Durham? Check out more about the Bull City here .

Finally, we encourage you to reach out to faculty and staff in the academic departments and programs that excite you most. You can find information about majors/programs in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences here , and the Pratt School of Engineering here .

Top 12 things to do in Durham, North Carolina from lemurs to baseball games

May 21, 2022 • 6 min read

Whether you're getting close to a lemur or craft cocktail, there's plenty to discover in Durham, North Carolina © Chuck Liddy / Getty Images

Not unlike the famed university in its midst, Durham is one of North Carolina’s most well-rounded destinations. You’ll find blooming gardens, craft breweries, eclectic restaurants and loads of entertainment for all ages and budgets. The biggest challenge is simply deciding where to begin. 

Duke University is an integral part of the Durham experience. You’ll need to plan ahead to visit its extraordinary lemur center, though the campus offers plenty of more spontaneous activities, including taking in its admission-free gardens. Of course, there’s much more to explore beyond Duke, from seeing a performance in the vintage Carolina Theatre to taking a harrowing but highly recommended journey into the past at Historic Stagville. 

Learn about the people who lived in bondage at Historic Stagville 

Historic Stagville flips the script on typical plantation tours, and focuses on the lives of the enslaved men, women and children who toiled on this vast property north of Durham. Back in 1864, the Bennehan and Cameron plantations stretched over 30,000 acres, with some 1000 people in bondage working in mills, on farms and inside workshops. 

You can learn about the many hardships they endured on a visit to one of Durham’s most important historic sites. Admission is free, though it’s worth paying the small nominal fee for a guided tour.

Watch ring-tailed lemurs at the Duke Lemur Center

If you don’t have the chance to visit Madagascar this year, book a visit to the Duke Lemur Center instead. Here you can see the world’s largest collection of these wide-eyed primates outside of their African island home. Over 200 lemurs and bush babies, representing over a dozen different species, reside in this wooded 85-acre sanctuary. 

The center offers both self-guided tours and small-group specialized tours - such as the ‘walking with lemurs’ tour where you visit right at meal time. Book well in advance as all tours tend to sell out. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Durham, the Duke Lemur Center should be at the top of your list.

Hike through the forests of Eno River State Park 

Leafy nature escapes are just a car ride away from downtown Durham. Eno River State Park, with its 28 miles of trails has a good mix of easy and challenging hikes. One of Durham’s best is the Cox Mountain Trail, a 3.8-mile loop that crosses a suspension bridge, takes you up to a hilltop and then back down along the trickling, forest-lined Eno River. It’s about a 15-minute drive northwest of Durham.     

Stroll Durham’s liveliest district on 9th Street

Not unlike New York’s East Village , Durham’s 9th Street is packed with eye-catching restaurants, indie stores and inviting cafes well placed for taking in the passing street scene. You can munch on artisanal donuts while sipping a mocha latte at Monuts , nurse a house-made craft beer at Flying Bull or browse for vintage vinyl at Hunky Dory Record Store . The street’s easy-to-walk-to location makes it a great option when looking for things to do near Duke University. 

Spend a fun-filled (and secretly educational) day at the Museum of Life and Science

One of the best attractions for kids in Durham is the sprawling Museum of Life & Science , located three miles north of downtown. Be forewarned: you could spend hours exploring the interactive exhibits scattered across 84 acres.

Highlights include the butterfly house, sound garden, insectarium, outdoor play areas, a budding builder’s lab and a barnyard full of farm animals. Don’t miss a ride on the open-sided narrow-gauge railroad or a romp through woods that are dotted with life-sized dinosaurs. 

Watch the actors take the stage at the Carolina Theatre

Though Duke hogs all the attention, Durham has much more up its sleeve than just its (admittedly renowned) university. You’ll find some great things to do in downtown, especially when it comes to entertainment. The 1000-seat Carolina Theatre is a restored 1920s beauty that stages wide-ranging fare.

You might catch a whimsical dance performance, a raucous gospel choir or a comedy show, though there’s also independent film screenings and the odd big-name band that takes the stage. 

Spend date night at Vin Rouge

Durham doesn’t lack options when it comes to planning an intimate dinner. Amid French country ambiance, Vin Rouge earns high marks for its beautifully turned out French bistro classics (onion soup, escargots, duck confit). Top-notch seafood is also a hit - particularly the bouillabaisse, which is an aphrodisiac according to some chefs in Marseille (where the dish originated).

The excellent wine list adds to the appeal. You can also come for a decadent Sunday brunch - a great choice for couples looking for fun things to do in Durham.     

Sip some of Durham’s finest craft cocktails at Kingfisher

A vibrant bar scene offers ample variety when seeking out fun things to do at night in Durham. Named one of the city’s best bars after opening in 2019, Kingfisher serves up imaginatively crafted cocktails made from locally sourced spirits and seasonal ingredients.

The handsomely designed downstairs space features works by resident artists and makes an inviting backdrop to lingering over libations like the Shire Folk (vodka, nasturtium leaf, boissiere dry vermouth and lime). 

Catch a baseball game or see a performance at the American Tobacco Campus

The former home of the world’s largest tobacco company is now the epicenter of a vibrant entertainment district . Historic red brick buildings form the backdrop to locally owned shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. At DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) you can catch musicals, comedy shows and concerts.

Also on campus is the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home to the city’s minor league baseball team (famously depicted in the 1988 Kevin Costner film Bull Durham). It’s great fun to see a game during the season, which runs from mid-April to early September.  

Smell the flowers in bloom at Sarah P Duke Gardens

There are loads of free things to do in Durham, from picnicking in the park to seeing special exhibitions around town. One of the best places for cost-free adventure is the Sarah P Duke Gardens , a botanical wonderland of forested paths, lily-covered ponds and over 2500 plant species. Walking paths meander through the various sections, with myriad photo opportunities.  

Sip craft beers by the fire at Ponysaurus Brewing 

Even when the temperatures plummet, Durham has appealing things to do in the winter. In the beer garden of Ponysaurus Brewing you can stay warm and toasty by the fire pits while sampling one of their signature ales or barrel-aged sours. The local craft brewer also has hot non-alcoholic apple cider and even smores, not to mention the excellent thin-crust pizzas that are available year-round.

Go on a scavenger hunt at the 21c Museum Hotel 

One of Durham’s best boutique hotels is also a showcase for innovative artwork. Across two stories of gallery space, the 21c Museum Hotel hosts changing exhibitions and site-specific installations - and there’s never an admission charge. Afterward, take a peek inside the former bank vault (now a lounge) or enjoy a contemporary take on regional flavors at the stylish Counting House restaurant. For a bit of adventure, you can partake in one of the hotel’s DIY scavenger hunts. 

The 21c is set in the 17-story art deco Hill Building, which is something of a mini Empire State Building. In fact, it was designed by the same NYC architecture firm in the 1930s.

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Visiting Duke University: A Perfect Day Trip

By: Author Kim

Posted on March 10, 2023

A day trip to visit Duke University’s campus in Durham, NC is a budget-friendly way to enjoy stunning architecture and historical sites that are iconic in North Carolina.

When we were planning a visit to Duke University’s gardens, we had so many questions about visiting the campus as a guest. Could you visit Duke without being a student? Was there any place to eat on campus as a visitor? Was everything on campus within walking distance or would we need to keep changing our parking spaces?

Here are all the answers to planning a campus visit to Duke University, whether as a prospective student or a curious visitor.

Table of Contents

Helpful Tips for Planning a Visit

Keep these helpful tips in mind when planning your itinerary:

• Most of the things to do on this list are free admission, except for the lemur encounter and dining.
• Parking is not free on the campus. You will need to pay metered parking.
• Always check the Duke University website for information about game days or special events, such as graduation, that could impact operating hours of any of these things to do.

Can I Walk Around Duke University Campus?

Yes, you can walk around Duke University as a visitor. The public is allowed to visit Duke at any time of the year.

How Long Does It Take to Walk Around Campus?

There is a lot to do at Duke University as a visitor, but you can probably do it all within 3-4 hours.

If you take a guided tour or enjoy the lemur experience (yes, lemurs!), then you will need to allow more time.

Visiting Duke University is the perfect half-day trip from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill or Greensboro.

How to Get Around on Campus

While Duke University has a sprawling campus, with two separate areas known as West Campus and East Campus, it does not take long to walk among the points of interest for guests.

Everything that you would want to see as a visitor to Duke’s campus is within a very walkable area.

If you have no mobility issues, we suggest parking in one spot and walking to each destination.

For those unable to walk distances, there is parking located near all of the points of interest.

The Duke University public transportation is also available to visitors, as well. These are buses that transport students across campus, and are available for the public, too.

Visitor Center

You can start your day at Duke University at the Karsh Alumni and Visitor Center . The relatively new welcome center was opened in 2019.

The stunning building has architectural details that mimic the rest of the distinctive architecture you will find on campus.

This is where you will meet for guided tours.

Anyone can join a Duke University tour. While the emphasis on the tour will be about academics and lean more towards prospective students, everyone is welcome to sign up. The tours are 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

Duke University tours book up well in advance! If you are planning a visit, be sure to sign up for your tour and reserve a spot beforehand. You can always ask at the Visitor Center if there are any openings for the day if you are a last minute visitor, though.

If you would like a map, a sticker saying that you visited Duke or to ask questions about the campus, this is where to go.

Inside are some tables and chairs, a charging station, a very small snack area for purchasing snacks, and an 8-foot touchscreen wall display where you can learn more about Duke’s notable alumni, history and athletics.

Quite honestly, I found that visiting the Visitor Center was a waste of time and parking fees. While the structure is nice, so are a lot of other buildings on campus. We were hoping for something more, maybe a small museum of artifacts or memorabilia, historical photos….something. What we walked away saying was that the building looks like it was built more for a function space and happens to have some maps and an interactive wall.

Duke Chapel

Can you go inside the Duke Chapel? Yes, you can, and you are encouraged to do so!

Visiting the Duke Chapel was the highlight of our campus tour. If possible, you really must spend some time exploring the interior of this iconic building at the University.

The exterior of the Neo-Gothic-inspired chapel reminds us of historic chapels we have visited throughout Europe. (And we’ve been to a LOT of chapels in Europe!)

Inside, you will be dwarfed by the soaring ceilings and two levels of 77 vibrant stained glass windows telling the stories of the Bible.

There are two organs inside the chapel. A special treat is to visit the chapel while there is an organ rehearsal or recital. You can find an event schedule online, or ask the docent sitting at the desk to the right when you walk in when there is expected to be organ music.

When we went, we happened to start talking to a docent that gave us an impromptu tour that was fascinating. While looking at the chapel from the inside is stunning, the history and unusual facts that you learn during a guided tour make your visit even more memorable.

Such as the fact that the builder of the stained glass windows, who didn’t like doing stained glass for churches, signed his name in the Noah stained glass and was subsequently fired.

Be sure to pick up a map at the front of the chapel for a detailed guide on the windows and interesting facts.

The closest public parking is the Bryan Center Parking Garage.

Be sure to look at the events listing page online before visiting to make sure that the Duke Chapel is open for visitors.

In general, the Duke Chapel is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. University Worship is at 11 a.m. on Sundays, with Choral Evensong at 4 p.m. on Sundays.

The 50-bell Carillon plays at 5 p.m. on weekdays and before and after Sunday service.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens is considered one of the best public gardens on the East coast. There are four distinct garden areas within the 55-acre gardens:

• Doris Duke Center and Gardens
• Historic Gardens
• H.L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants
• W.L. Culberson Asiatic Arboretum

The gardens are open from 8 a.m. to dusk every day. Dog walking is only allowed before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

Enjoy free admission to the gardens.

The paths are wheelchair and stroller friendly.

Restrooms are available in three areas of the gardens. The bathrooms at the W.L. Culberson Asiatic Arboretum are my favorite for their design style.

A cafe is available from Spring to November and serves lunch and ice cream.

Nasher Museum of Art

This contemporary art museum has a focus on works by artists of African descent. The artwork is bold and conversation-starting.

Enjoy free admission to the Nasher Museum of Art .

It is a very short walk from the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Just go out the main entrance of the gardens, turn right and walk down the sidewalk to the traffic light. At the traffic light, cross the streets and the art museum is located to your right.

A cafe and small bookstore are inside the very modern and spacious building.

University Store

The main University Store is located at Bryan University Center, close to the Duke Chapel.

This two-story gift shop and bookstore has everything you might ever need with the Duke logo on it!

There is so much stuff to buy in this store. Be sure to look downstairs where you will find a Clearance section.

Duke Basketball Museum and Sports Hall of Fame

Located adjacent to the famed Cameron Indoor Stadium where the famed Duke men’s basketball program has games, the Duke Basketball Museum is a fun destination even if you don’t know much about the University’s sports.

We walked around and around this building before we finally found the door! Ha ha! So don’t look for a very celebrated entrance. In fact, we entered the building and wondered if we were supposed to be there.

Once inside, you will be mesmerized by the wealth of sports memorabilia and game videos playing.

You will enjoy display cases showcasing the highlights of the Duke University athletic system, with a big emphasis on the men’s basketball program and Coach Krzyzewski.

The Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m .with free admission.

On football game days, the hours are different, so be sure to check the website.

Duke Lemur Center

Surprisingly, the largest collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar is found at Duke University! Strange, but true.

The non-invasive research center conducts research and conservation initiatives.

Visitors can explore the Duke Lemur Center, but only with an advance reservation. Visits can only be conducted in warm weather, which means tours are generally available from late Spring to October.

Where to Eat

There are a variety of places to eat on the Duke University campus. There are also a lot of great places just a 10 minute ride off of campus, too.

Below are some of our favorite choices for where to eat at Duke University.

Terrace Cafe

Enjoy a lovely meal while strolling the Sarah P. Duke Gardens when you have lunch at the Terrace Cafe .

This cafe features menu items from The Picnic Basket catering, including sandwiches, salads and gluten-free items.

Terrace Cafe is closed from mid-November to sometime in early Spring. During our visit in early March, the weather was beautiful but the cafe hadn’t opened yet. Be sure to check Duke University dining website for details on hours if you are visiting in the off-season.

Nasher Museum of Art Cafe

Fresh and local-ingredients salads, sandwiches and shareables can be found on the menu here. Items such as Lemon Linguine, Cobb salad and Braise Short Rib are among the popular dishes. You can enjoy beer, wine or cocktails, as well.

Enjoy a lovely meal on the outside patio at the art museum. There are 125-seats both indoors and outdoors which overlooks the garden and the Claes Oldenburg and Coos van Brugge “Corridor Pin” sculpture.

We suggest dining outside if the weather is nice because the indoor dining can get quite noisy.

The cafe is open very limited hours for lunch and brunch, so be sure to check their website . Dinner is only served on Thursday nights. The cafe is closed on Mondays.

You can make a reservation through OpenTable for the cafe.

Bryan University Center

You can find quick-service food at the Bryan University Center where the University Bookstore is.

Fairview Dining Room or Bull Durham Bar

Located at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club on campus, the popular Fairview Dining Room is a four diamond, four-star restaurant. Afternoon Tea is served at the Inn, or you could enjoy a lighter bite and cocktails in the Bull Durham Bar.

You will need to pay to park wherever you go. Parking is $2 per hour.

There is convenient parking at the Sarah Duke Gardens in two different sections. There is an overflow parking lot just a short walk from the main entrance, as well.

Nasher Art Museum has their own parking lot.

The Visitor Center has parking in front of the building. Apparently the dirt parking lot across from the building offers free parking to guests (according to the student representative that we spoke to at the Visitor Center), however we saw that the parking lot had a Green Zone Permit sign. So I’m not sure about that.

If you park at the Bryan Center Parking Garage, it is right near the bookstore, which is just behind the chapel.

Where to Stay When Visiting Duke University

If you are staying overnight while doing a campus tour, there are plenty of places to stay close to the University campus.

For big spenders and those that want a luxurious overnight stay, there are two hotels on campus located in the same area across from each other.

• JB Duke Hotel is located on campus and offers complimentary transportation to Duke University Medical Center. You will find a restaurant and bar at the contemporary hotel, with free parking in the Science Drive Garage.
• Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club is definitely more luxurious and elegant. It is also a mile from the Duke University Medical Center, with complimentary transportation included. This is where you will find the famed Fairview Dining Room, the Bull Durham Bar and can enjoy afternoon high tea. As well as the 18-hole Duke University Golf Club.

Need something a little less pricey?

There are plenty of hotel brands located 10 minutes or less from the campus. Including many different Hilton and Marriott properties.

A Best Western located near campus was the least expensive lodging we found.

We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham/Chapel Hill just a 12 minute drive from the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This location was in between a Comfort Inn and a Staybridge Suites, with a Springhill Suites and a Home2 Suites by Hilton very close by.

There was a free breakfast and a manager’s reception at night with enough food to make a light dinner. This was included in the price.

The location is surrounded by plenty of restaurants and shopping. You can easily walk to the restaurants.

A day trip to Duke University is a wonderful way to spend the day and learn more about one of the most famous educational institutions in North Carolina. Even if you root for the Tar Heels, you have got to admit that visiting Duke University’s campus offers a fun array of destinations to enjoy and explore.

Playing Tour Guide? Visit These Duke Stops

Check out the recommendations to build your route for showing off Duke

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As a New York native who’s called Duke home for nearly 12 years, Debbe Geiger occasionally has curious family and friends visit from out of town.

“I love taking relatives to the Lemur Center and the Brodhead Center,” she said. “We’ve been to the Gardens several times, sometimes we’ll just drive around. It’s just a really special place.”

When it comes to showing off Duke, few people are better equipped than the people who work here every day. We asked staff and faculty to suggest their favorite campus tour stops, and here are a few answers.

Duke University Chapel

But Bouton-Verville, associate director for program management at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, said that there’s something special about a visit to Duke University Chapel .

“When you walk up to it, everybody kind of goes quiet,” Bouton-Verville said. “They’re just taking it in. You can see their eyes are really big.”

Aside from the grandeur of the stained glass, elegant stonework and stunning scale of the building, Bouton-Verville appreciates that the religious meaning of the space shows visitors how life at Duke has many sides.

“It kind of reminds them that there’s more than just science here, there’s more than just sports,” Bouton-Verville said.

Last spring, a good friend of Debbe Geiger’s came down from New York with her family. The friend’s 13-year old son was a basketball fan, so when Geiger showed the family around campus, Cameron Indoor Stadium was a must-see sight.

As luck would have it, on the day they visited, Cameron was open, and Geiger and her guests tagged along with a group taking a tour. The tour included a chance to walk on the court and ended with a stroll through the nearby Duke Basketball Museum and the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame .

“They loved it,” Geiger said. “It was great. And I’m a big Duke basketball fan, so any opportunity I have to feel the vibe in that building, I will take.”

A few weeks ago, Geiger was able to attend a Duke basketball game.

“I was at a game and I posted a photo and said we were at a game,” Geiger said. “And then my friend responded saying ‘I WAS ON THAT FLOOR!!!’ It definitely resonated with them.”

With sunshine streaming through windows, bubbling fish tanks and a brightly-colored mobile featuring rings of turkey feathers floating in the center of a multi-story lobby, the atrium of Duke Children’s Health Cente r is an inviting, cheerful space in the middle of a bustling medical complex.

The beauty of the space is one of the reasons Marti Brauer, an information security analyst for Duke Health Technology Solutions, is so fond of showing off the lobby to visitors.

“They love it,” Brauer said. “They think it’s cool.”

Brauer, who previously worked with Duke Health’s Office of Development and Alumni Affairs , helped raise money for the facility, which was opened in 2000. Her work in that capacity gives her another reason to show the space off.

“A lot of people don’t know that this came from personal donations,” Brauer said. “This was built with the generosity of a lot of individual people.”

Ashley Lunn, program coordinator for disability services and project management with Duke Divinity School, often takes guests to Duke University Chapel to soak in the gothic revival majesty. But she’ll follow it up with a trip to the Duke Divinity School’s Goodson Chapel , which is just a few steps away. 

“Most people don’t know we have a chapel in the Divinity School,” Lunn said. “They’re so amazed at how different it is. They don’t expect it to be this beautiful.”

Opened in 2006, the 300-seat chapel features soaring glass windows that look out onto the trees of Chapel Woods. With bright wood and an airy layout, it’s a modern counterpoint to its ornate, iconic neighbor.

“When you’re in Goodson Chapel, you don’t feel like you’re right there in the heart of campus, there’s this forest around you,” Lunn said. “It’s so open. It’s almost like you’re worshipping outside.”

Recently, Cat De Montjoye, marketing manager for Duke Integrative Medicine , brought several relatives to campus for a look around.  

While hitting many of the popular spots on campus, it became time for lunch. Trying to find a spot to please an array of tastes wasn’t difficult. De Montjoye brought her group to the Brodhead Center, where they got to explore the sleek, modern facility and choose from a wide selection of food vendors.

“The ability for people to just float around and explore was really nice,” De Montjoye said. “The space is beautiful and the quality of the food is wonderful. This was something we had a lot of fun with.”

De Montjoye said her guest dined on rice bowls, Indian food and paella. For dessert, they shared a flourless chocolate cake.

“It was so rich and delicious,” De Montjoye said. “It was a great experience for everyone.”

As a tour guide coordinator for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, which provides tours for around 50,000 visitors annually, Ilana Weisman knows plenty about what spots on campus leave guests impressed.

The Gothic Reading Room, on the second floor of Rubenstein Library , is one such spot. With wood paneled walls, portraits of past presidents, ornate chandeliers and towering windows, it’s a quiet, grand space for study.

“There’s a little bit of that awestruck feeling,” said Weisman, Admissions Officer. “For a school that’s so young and energetic, to see something that seems so rooted and so historic in a space that’s so modern and collaborative is really cool.”

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Press release, adopt a lemur summer package.

DURHAM, N.C., July 21, 2022 – Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and JB Duke Hotel, two hotel properties located on the campus of Duke University, are offering summer packages with unique ways to support and experience the nearby Duke Lemur Center, a world leader in the study, care and protection of lemurs—Earth’s most threatened group of mammals. When booking the Adopt a Lemur Package, an adorable stuffed lemur greets guests in their room upon arrival, along with an Adopt a Lemur packet from the Duke Lemur Center. The symbolic, one-year adoption supports animal care at the Duke Lemur Center and its conservation programs in Madagascar.

Available for check-in Thursdays through Saturdays* now through October 2, the package includes a one-night stay in a guest room or suite at the Inn or JB Duke Hotel, a classic breakfast for two, and two tickets for a self-guided tour at the Duke Lemur Center. The Duke Lemur Center is home to more than 200 primates across 14 species, a wild population that can only be found living in their natural habitat of Madagascar. The self-guided tours allow visitors to wander at their own pace and ask personalized questions to trained, onsite educators.

The Adopt a Lemur packet includes an adoption certificate, species fact sheet, lemur biography, photo and sticker for guests to get to know the primate pal they are supporting. The hotels have each adopted a lemur species to support the Duke Lemur Center, with the Inn adopting a ring-tailed lemur named Randy and JB Duke Hotel adopting a Coquerel’s sifaka named Pompeia. Guests will spot Randy and Pompeia’s stuffed lemur counterparts visiting different locations throughout the hotel properties.

“We are pleased to collaborate with the Duke Lemur Center, located just minutes from both the Inn and JB Duke Hotel, to offer our guests a unique, curated experience at this internationally renowned facility,” said Julie Barrow, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, JB Duke Hotel and The Lodge at Duke Medical Center. “Through our Adopt a Lemur package, we want to create special memories for our guests while showcasing these amazing animals. This is a way for us to support the Duke Lemur Center’s important conservation efforts to protect such a highly endangered species."

Guests are invited to cap off their fun filled visit to the Duke Lemur Center with a specialty drink from the “Summer in Madagascar” drink menu, available in the Fairview Dining Room or the Bull Durham Bar at the Inn. The featured cocktail, “King Julian,” is a fusion of cranberry juice, premium Fever-Tree ginger beer and the smooth richness of Crown Royal Vanilla whiskey. The featured zero-proof mocktail, “Madagascar Punch,” is a delightful blend of fresh raspberry puree, Vanilla 1883 syrup and sparkling lemon-lime soda garnished with a classic twist of orange peel.

A range of summertime programming is also available at the Inn, including 8 a.m. Saturday morning yoga sessions and 9 p.m. Saturday evening stargazing events. Other amenities include the three-mile Al Buehler walking trail through Duke Forest, indoor pool with indoor/outdoor deck, family game room and access to the neighboring Duke Faculty Club, a private swim and fitness facility.

Reservations for the Adopt a Lemur Package are required 48 hours in advance and based on availability. To make a reservation online for the Washington Duke Inn, visit https://www.washingtondukeinn.com/durham-hotel-offers/adopt-a-lemur-package. To book online for the JB Duke Hotel, visit https://www.jbdukehotel.com/stay/specials/adopt-a-lemur-package.

*Self-guided tour tickets are available most Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m. or Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon now through October 2. A hotel reservation specialist will work to coordinate an available tour time at guests’ convenience. Guests have the option to purchase up to two (2) additional tour tickets and/or breakfast vouchers upon request.

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.