<p>Any current students or ppl familiar with the area wanna enlighten us freshmen? What stuff is there to do within walking/biking distance and stuff to do thats farther away? I only visited for a couple of days with my dad so I know that Northgate Mall is to the north of Duke a few mins but thats pretty much it. Thanks.</p>
<p>Lee,</p>
<p>There are some shops and restaurants within walking distance of East Campus. This link will give you an idea of some of the things within walking distance. Remember, you can also take the campus (Robertson) buses to Chapel Hill for a diversion as well.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ninthst.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ninthst.com/</a></p>
<p>Although they are trying to change their image, currently Northgate is a gang haven. They are opening a huge new movie theatre near the end of the year, though, which might improve their atmosphere somewhat (it's certainly going to be more convenient for Duke students than the other movie theatres located in southern Durham). Most Duke students choose to shop at Southpoint, which requires a car. You can always hop aboard the Robertson Scholars bus to hang out on Franklin St., but be aware that it only runs hourly after about 6 and only until 11:30 or 12. 9th St has a few good restaurants and shops and it's a nice diversion within walking distance from East, but on the whole it's very unimpressive - also, it attracts a very "alternative" crowd, which may not be your scene.</p>
<p>thanks for the responses guys, is there stuff to do other than shop? lol Like are there things equivalent to gameworks or fun hangouts and stuff? Thanks</p>
<p>HeartOfBlue-- that's AMAZING that they're opening a movie theatre at Northgate. Yay.</p>
<p>IMO, the coolest 'hangout' type place with a wide variety of things to do is heading over to Franklin St. HeartOfBlue may be able to confirm this, but in UNC's new student center Ram's Head, they have an ESPN sports zone-like place w/ video games (or that's how my boyfriend explained it to me the other day). But either way, Franklin St. is just an aesthetically pleasing, very collegiate place to enjoy a snack, a movie, a drink, whatever you want :) I never go to 9th st unless I need to eat dinner or run an errand like drug store or getting film developed. There's not a whole lot to do on 9th St. There's a videogameish place sort of nearby, or at least a place w/ lazer tag because I know frats go there for rush events. haha... but I couldn't even tell you its name or where it is (other than that a car is needed to get there).</p>
<p>bluestar - the new movie theatre is going to be awesome. They say November/December, but you know how construction projects go...it'll probably be sometime in the spring before it's actually ready. But yeah, it's going to be as good as if not better than Southpoint's movie theatre, and very convenient for Duke students (especially freshmen). Hopefully it will help in the mall's owner's goal of discouraging the "seedy element" from hanging out there (along with the recently instituted mall curfew for teenagers). Believe it or not, Northgate was "the" mall in Durham before Southpoint opened 3 years ago - you'd never know it today. </p>
<p>The sports bar on campus at UNC is kind of a hike from Franklin/the Robertson bus stop, and for Dukies, the UNC memorabilia and paintings of campus athletes all over the tables might kill the appetite. However, there is an arcade with lots of different games, like Dance Dance Revolution and those games where you get on the fake skis and skateboards and that kind of thing. The sports bar (loosely termed, as alcohol is not actually sold there or anywhere else on the UNC campus) is something fun to do with UNC friends, but I think a pack of Duke-only kids would feel out of place there.</p>
<p>As far as gaming, there is an arcade near Southpoint's food court. There is a paintball course somewhere (my boyfriend's fraternity goes there during rush), but it's a drive, too. There aren't really any arcades or casual off campus hangouts within walking distance of campus, to my knowledge. Not that you want to be walking around Durham alone anyway - yikes!! It's crucial for everyone to be aware of their surroundings everywhere (not just in Durham; there are plenty of incidents afterhours on Franklin St, too) - guys can get mugged, too.</p>
<p>Franklin St. has a little bit of everything - movie theatre, tons and tons of restaurants, and quaint little shops as well as trendy chains like Ralph Lauren's new Rugby brand and an Aveda salon. It's great for people watching, too. That Robertson bus is truly a godsend, and not something that students at most campuses have the opportunity to experience (note that there is no shuttle between Duke or UNC and NC State ;) )!</p>
<p>If you like ice skating, it's a long drive (probably half an hour), but the Triangle Sportsplex in Hillsborough is a good place for that (both the UNC and Duke men's club hockey teams practice there). You definitely need a car for that, though; there is no public transportation between Durham and Hillsborough. Unfortunately, there really isn't very much entertainment available if you don't feel like eating, drinking, shopping or watching a movie, but you know, part of the charm of the college experience is the ability to dig up fun whenever, wherever and with whomever.</p>
<p>This website is such a great work distraction. Guess I better get back to that "being productive" thing.</p>
<p>Ahhh, I remember Northgate's heyday. I was quite disappointed when South Square (another mall, as close to west campus as NG is to east, I believe) was torn down, as it was "too much competition" for Southpointe. That was the real downfall of Durham's malls.</p>
<p>But really, I've lived in Durham all my life. It's not that bad. I don't feel unsafe at Northgate at all.</p>
<p>People from my school practically LIVE on Ninth Street, so I must say, I have a soft spot for it. There are such interesting, unique establishments along it, though its quaintness has faded over time.</p>
<p>The various festivals that come through Durham are very entertaining, such as the American Dance Festival during the summer.</p>
<p>The Carolina Theatre downtown is a BRILLIANT indie cinema and theatre with major film festivals coming through constantly. </p>
<p>There's a small gourmet Mexican popsicle store called Locopops off of Hillsborough street that's owned by a woman and her family with DELICIOUS treats on sweaty NC days. </p>
<p>Of course, I'm contractually obligated to pimp my own avenue of artistic expression in Durham...There are wonderful theatre, dance, and musical performances at Durham School of the Arts (DSA) on N. Duke Street (seriously, a five minute walk from East Campus) that are open to the public. I especially recommend the theatre. Banners are put up outside the theatre with notice of upcoming shows. Come to one sometime!</p>
<p>Hopefully you won't need to venture off of campus too often, even just for fun. When my parents went there, they left campus just to go to the ABC store for BYOB parties. XD Duke itself was fulfilling of most other needs. The more I see of it, the more I'm sure that it has its bases covered...in terms of entertainment, there's ALWAYS something going on. Performing groups come through there in a neverending stream, and student productions are very numerous.</p>