Apr

Take an Amtrak Getaway to…Durham

Looking for an adventurous weekend getaway? One option many haven’t considered is right under our noses: taking Amtrak to Durham. My wife and I did this urban excursion back in the Fall and had a fantastic experience. Not only were we able to take an unfamiliar mode of transportation and avoid heavy traffic, but we were able to explore a culinary playground for what felt like the first time. Our one-night excursion included a night at the incredible 21c Hotel, drinks in the 21c’s bar, dinner at Mateo, and late-night drinks on the roof of The Durham Hotel.

So packing your rolling suitcase! Here’s how to do make it fun and easy:

Amtrak

Taking the train to Durham made the trip really feel like we were getting away from it all. Had we driven, it would have felt like just another trip to Durham. Amtrak is scheduled to leave Raleigh each day at 4:50pm and the fare is $9 per person.

Parking is less than ideal at the Raleigh train depot. Though it is free, the lot is very small, and overflow means parking on the street. The alternative is departing from Cary where the terminal is spotless, parking is outstanding. The train leaves at 5:03pm each day from Cary, and fare is $6.50 per person.

The problem with departing from Cary, though, is that you skip the great experience of leaving from downtown Raleigh. You definitely want to sit on the right side of the train, because the views as you depart downtown Raleigh, passing by the new train depot construction site, through NCSU, by the backs of Hillsborough street businesses, and by the NC State Fairgrounds, is superior to that on the left side of the train.

It should be noted that Amtrak runs late the majority of the time. Thankfully they have an outstanding phone app which accurately reports the train’s status. It is a must when traveling on Amtrak.

Usually this train doesn’t sell out, so you can buy a ticket at the depot upon arriving. Seating on the train is general admission, though, so it does help to be first in line at the designated steps when the train is loading. All seat rows have a standard pair of electrical outlets under the window, and the seating dimensions are similar to those in First Class on a large airplane. Baggage is loosely stored overhead, not checked.

if the train is running late, you can walk across the tracks to visit Videri Chocolate Factory or Boxcar Bar + Arcade. CAM is also an option on some days, as they are open until 6:30pm on Wed-Fri. If you are in Cary and the train is late, consider visiting the shops in the Ashworth Drugs block.

Hotels

Durham has three outstanding hotels: The Aloft, The Durham, and the incredible 21c Hotel. The latter two hotels are just two blocks from the Amtrak station, while the aloft is adjacent to the DPAC, essentially 4 blocks away. The scheduled arrival is 5:24pm, so you should have plenty of time to check in and prepare for dinner.

The Aloft– As with most Aloft hotels, the rooms are modern, certainly adequate, but not high end. This location just opened 6 months ago, and I’ve heard a good first hand report about the couple’s stay. Rooms are usually $160 per night.

The Durham Hotel – Set in an old office building that looks like it came out of 1960s Miami, The Durham delivers a high end experience in incredibly minimalist rooms. Nightly rates begin at $290.

20150925-454 The 21C Museum Hotel – Named as one of the best new hotels in the nation in 2015, the 21c is set in the 1930s era Hill Building, Durham’s tallest. The public areas of the building have been converted to a restaurant, a bar, and several rooms of museum space. The front desk area is tucked away on the second floor, but that only ads to the intrigue of the place. The rooms are large, and terrazzo floors and rugs, modern furniture, and neat lighting. The bathrooms look like something from a Stanley Kubrick movie, glowing fuchsia backlighting around the edges of the mirror. Very sexy. Rooms at the 21C begin at $240. Note: the hotel has a construction site across the street, so request a room on the west side of the building if you can.

Make no mistake, these are three high fashion hotels. The 21C has a spa and workout room. The Aloft is the only one with a pool, but it is very small. The Durham has no similar amenities. This is the area where these three hotels are sorely lacking, honestly.

Dining

There are some outstanding dining options within a four block walk of these hotels. We walked 2 blocks to Mateo, the creation of James Beard award-nominated chef Matt Kelly. The dinner was impressive, which comes as no surprise given the reputation of the restaurant. Last week Alton Brown gave high praise on Facebook, calling Mateo America’s best tapas restaurant. As of now, you can still have a decent choice of times on Open Table one week in advance.

Over at The Durham, James Beard award-winning chef Andrea Reusing’s new lobby-filling The Restaurant has received high praise from the highest of area food snobs.

The 21c’s Counting House restaurant, Pizzeria Toro, Rue Cler, Piedmont, Dashi, Bull City Burger and Brewery, and Dos Perros are all excellent dining choices as well.

Bars

Our “pregame” events included cocktails at the excellent bar in the 21c. We were able to peruse the art gallery; a wonderful experience. After the meal at Mateo we made our way two blocks to The Durham’s rooftop bar. Views here are very good, and it gave us a chance to experience the neat, quirky aspects of this hotel project. The atmosphere at the top was certainly the most Glenwood South-like experience of the evening, however.

Some other good bar options inside the Durham Loop are Alley Twenty Six, Bar Virgile, and Arcana Bar and Lounge.

Entertainment

Admittedly, our trip was a food-based one, however there are some great entertainment options in downtown Durham including a DPAC or Carolina Theater event, a Durham Bulls game, or even a public event at the American Tobacco complex. While these are great options, the Amtrak factor must not be forgotten. Many of these events begin before 8pm and given Amtrak’s history, it could put a squeeze on dinner plans or even jeopardize seeing a ticketed event. If you anticipate dinner and one of these events, prepare to compromise by abandoning the Amtrak option in the afternoon and just drive it.

Safety

One of the reasons this getaway is an adventure is that Durham is not the safest place on the planet. In fact Durham County is one of North Carolina’s three counties with a higher violent crime rate than any county in New Jersey. Its rate is 2.5X higher than Wake County’s.

I have had no problems, however my sister and her date did have a scary incident. On a warm night this winter, between the 21c and Mateo, they approached an oncoming group of about 20 young black males who, from across the street, yelled at them, mocking them as racists and making lewd suggestions. There were no other people around to help had the group decided to cross the street and be violent.

The streets are dark in downtown Durham, and sometimes are quiet. In 4 nights of going out inside the Durham Loop, I have never seen a police officer. While the crime rate inside the Loop is probably not nearly as high as the county’s rate, the people creating that rate are not far away. This needs to change, now. Downtown Durham is poised to be the next Big Thing in the nation, as long as people feel safe. The population on the street is changing this spring, however, as the general population walking around patronizing businesses on a given weekend night is steadily increasing during warm weather nights.

Return Trip

There are two options for your return trip on Amtrak; 9:42am and 2:42pm. The early train is good for those who need to get on back to Raleigh, but the afternoon train is the way to go. Regardless, check the Amtrak app upon waking and see how the trains are running. (we made the mistake of hurrying to the station only to learn that the early train was delayed 2 hours).

Lunch

There are some great lunch spots in downtown Durham. The most popular is Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, reported to be “the real deal”. Another great option, however, is Parker & Otis, which is 2 blocks west of the Amtrak station. P&O is a great café and gift shop like none in Raleigh.

Some other excellent lunch options include Toast, Old Havana Sandwich Shop, Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas, Pizzeria Toro, Dashi, Bull City Burger and Brewery, and Dos Perros .

* * *

Sometimes we all need a getaway. Unfortunately we find ourselves turning to the same old options, many of which involve multiple-night stays and a considerable amount of difficult driving. However random adventures can be just as exhilarating. Consider a great option that is right in our backyard; the Amtrak Getaway to Durham.

Posted by Dana on April 22, 2016 | Tags: Entertainment, Exclusives, Food, Road Trip, RTP/Dur/CH. | ( 5 ) Comments

Apr

Summer ‘16 Promises Huge Concert Season

Despite what some might portray, this summer’s concert calendar for the Raleigh area is jam packed with a plethora of incredible concerts, comedy shows, and stage productions. Over 120 concerts by original artists await, with more announcements to come!

4/19 – Puscifer (RMA)
4/20 – Caberet begins (DPAC)
4/21 – Jimmy Buffett, Huey Lewis and The News (WCA)
4/21 – Ciara (RT)
4/21 – Robyn Hitchcock (CC)
4/21 – Jim Breuer opening night (GC)
4/22 – Martin Lawrence (PNC)
4/25 – Joy Formidable, Helio Sequence (CC)
4/26 – Lauryn Hill, Gary Clark Jr. (WOA-gboro)
4/27 – Dave Ramsey (DPAC)
4/28 – Polica (CC)
4/29 – M. Ward (HRB)
4/30 – Cravin’ Melon, Jack the Radio, Noah Guthrie, Katelyn Read (NH)
4/30 – Widespread Panic (WCA)
5/2 – Citizen Cope (CC)
5/3 – Beyonce, DJ Khaled (CFS)
5/3 – Chris Isaak (CTD)
5/3 – Wild Belle (MMH)
5/3 – 42nd Street opening night (DPAC)
5/5 – Parachute (CC)
5/5 – Jamie Kennedy (GC)
5/6 – Kiefer Sutherland (LT)
5/6 – Frankie Beverly, Charlie Wilson, Lalah Hathaway (PNC)
5/7 – Old Crow Medicine Show, Brandi Carlile (WOA-gboro)
5/8 – Cowboy Mouth (MMH)
5/8 – Old 97’s, Heartless Bastards, J Barham (of American Aquarium) (CC)
5/11 – Martin Short (CTD)
5/11 – Pentatonix, Us The Duo (RHA)
5/12 – Craig Robinson (GC)
5/13 – Parquet Courts (CC)
5/14 – The Front Bottoms (CC)
5/14 – Trampled By Turtles, The Devil Makes Three (RHA)
5/14 – WWE Live (PNC)
5/15 – Bloc Party, The Vaccines (CC)
5/17 – Silversun Pickups, Foals, Joywave (CD-gboro)
5/18 – Styx, Kansas, Don Felder (KB)
5/18 – Rogue Wave, Hey Marseilles (CC)
5/19 – Aretha Franklin (DPAC)
5/19 – Moogfest (Durham) – Miike Snow, Blood Orange, Gary Numan, et al
5/20 – Chris Stapleton, Sam Lewis (KB)
5/21 – Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion (WCA)
5/21 – Tab Benoit (LT)
5/21 – Nantucket, Band of Brothers, Kyle Scobie and Kaylin Roberson (RPG)
5/22 – Willie Nelson (KB)
5/22 – RuPaul’s Drag Race (DPAC)
5/26 – Bill Bellamy (GC)
5/27 – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (NCMA)
5/29 – Minus The Bear, Restorations (CD-gboro)
6/3 – Dave Coulier (GC)
6/3 – Dolly Parton (GC-gboro)
6/4 – Cyndi Lauper (DPAC)
6/4 – Scotty McCreery (TFS)
6/5 – Journey, Doobie Bros, Dave Mason (WCA)
6/7 – Riverdance (DPAC)
6/8 – Dirty Dozen Brass Band (MMH)
6/9 – Chris Botti (CTD)
6/9 – Lord Huron, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (RHA)
6/9 – Two Door Cinema Club (CC)
6/10 – Ellie Goulding, Matt and Kim (RHA)
6/10 – Kris Allen (CC)
6/10 – Lake Street Dive (NCMA)
6/10 – Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Brothers Osborne (WCA)
6/11 – M83 (RHA)
6/14 – Pete Davidson (GC)
6/15 – Of Monsters and Men (RHA)
6/15 – Fitz & The Tantrums (CD-Gboro)
6/16 – Rebelution (The Green, J Boog, Stick Figure, Through the Roots, DJ Mackle – RHA)
6/16 – Bobby Lee opens (GC)
6/17 – The 1975 (RHA)
6/18 – Greg Humphreys (PH)
6/18 – Rascal Flatts, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Lane (WCA)
6/19 – Josh Groban (WOA-gboro)
6/21 – Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness (WCA)
6/21 – The Jayhawks (CC)
6/23 – Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Colt Ford (WCA)
6/23 – Pere Ubu (CC)
6/23 – Rich Vos (GC)
6/24 – Silversun Pickups (RT)
6/24 – Jay Farrar (HRB)
6/24 – Rob Schneider opens (GC)
6/29 – Twenty One Pilots (RHA)
7/3 – Barenaked Ladies, OMD, Howard Jones – (RHA)
7/4 – Yarn (RHA)
7/6 – Modest Mouse, Brand New (KB)
7/10 – Toby Keith, Eric Paslay (WCA)
7/14 – Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Cadillac Three, Kane Brown (WCA)
7/15 – Ray LaMontagne (RHA)
7/16 – Steve Miller Band (RHA)
7/17 – Maks & Val (DPAC)
7/18 – Flight of the Conchords (KB)
7/18 – Lindsey Stirling (DPAC)
7/20 – Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge (RHA)
7/22 – Dierks Bentley (WCA)
7/22 – Peter Frampton, Gregg Allman (RHA)
7/22 – Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lobos, North Mississippi Allstars (KB)
7/24 – Digable Planets (CC)
7/23 – Kool & The Gang (WCA)
7/24 – Gwen Stefani, Eve (WCA)
7/24 – 311 w/ Matisyahu (RHA)
7/24 – Digable Planets (CC)
7/26 – Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa (WCA)
7/26 – Swans (CC)
7/28 – Counting Crows, Rob Thomas (RHA)
7/29 – Maxwell (RHA)
7/30 – Slightly Stoopid (RHA)
7/30 – K. Michelle (RT)
7/31 – Phillip Phillips, Matt Nathanson, A Great Big World (RHA)
8/5 – The Smithereens (KB)
8/7 – Frankie Valli (KB)
8/9 – Joe Walsh (RHA)
8/12 – Dixie Chicks (WCA)
8/12 – Nick Offerman w/ Megan Mullally (DPAC)
8/12 – Piebald (HRB)
8/13 – Def Leppard, REO Speedwagon, Tesla (WCA)
8/13 – Kidz Bop Live (RHA)
8/13 – Lyle Lovett (DPAC)
8/13 – Iron and Wine (NCMA)
8/13 – Jim Gaffigan (WOA-gboro)
8/16 – Newsies opening night (DPAC)
8/17 – Needtobreathe, Mat Kearney (RHA)
8/19 – Brian Wilson (DPAC)
8/19 – Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge, Maren Morris (WCA)
8/19 – Fifth Harmony (RHA)
8/19 – D.L. Hughley opens (GC)
8/20 – Jonathan Byrd (HRB)
8/20 – Gillian Welch (NCMA)
8/21 – O.A.R. (RHA)
8/23 – Butch Walker (LT)
8/24 – Glass Animals (RT)
8/24 – Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ (506)
8/25 – Rick Springfield, Night Ranger, The Romantics (RHA)
8/25 – Local H (CC)
8/27 – Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul, Tribe Society (RHA)
9/2, 9/3 – Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch (WCA)
9/1 – The Melvins (CC)
9/4 – Of Montreal (CC)
9/6 – Crystal Castles (CC)
9/8 – Wolf Parade, Wye Oak (CP)
9/9 – Beach House (RHA)
9/9 – Erykah Badu (RHA)
9/9 – Gary Clark, Jr. (RT)
9/9 – Weird Al Yankovic (DPAC)
9/10 – Darius Rucker, Dan + Shay, Michael Ray (WCA)
9/10 – Chatham County Line (KB)
9/11 – Bull Durham Blues Festival begins
9/13 – Kinky Boots begins (DPAC)
9/13 – Ben Folds (RMA)
9/13 – Titus Andronicus (PIN)
9/14 – Heart, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick (WCA)
9/14 – ZZ Top, Gov’t Mule KB
9/15 – The Lumineers, Borns, Rayland Baxter (KB)
9/16 – Damien Escobar (RHA)
9/17 – The Connells (RLT)
9/18 – Brad Paisley, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae (WCA)
9/20 – The Cult (RT)
9/20 – Sevendust (LT)
9/21 – Amos Lee (DPAC)
9/23 – Grace Potter (LT)
9/23 – Hannibal Buress (RMA)
9/23 – Squirrel Nut Zippers (CTD)
9/25 – Il Divo (DPAC)
9/26 – The Sword (LT)
9/28 – Violent Femmes (NCMA)
9/30 – IBMA Wide Open Bluegrass
9/30 – Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett & A Thousand Horses (WCA)

Venue Key:

506 – Local 506 (Chapel Hill)
CC – Cat’s Cradle (Carrboro)
CD-gboro – Cone Denim Entertainment Center (Greensboro, NC)
CFS – Carter-Finley Stadium
CP – City Plaza (Fayetteville, St)
CTD – Carolina Theater (Durham)
DPAC – Durham Performing Arts Center (Durham)
GC – Goodnights Comedy Club
GC-gboro – Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
HRB – Haw River Ballroom (Haw River, NC)
KB – Koka Booth Amphitheater (Cary)
LT – Lincoln Theatre
MMH – Motorco Music Hall (Durham)
NCMA – NC Museum of Art)
NH – North Hills East Amphitheater
PIN – Pinhook (Durham)
PNC – PNC Arena
RHA – Red Hat Amphitheater
RLT – Raleigh Little Theatre
RMA – Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
RPG – RallyPoint Sports Grill (Cary)
RT – Ritz Theater
WCA – Walnut Creek Amphitheater
WOA-gboro – White Oak Amphitheater (Greensboro, NC)

Posted by Dana on April 19, 2016 | Tags: Exclusives, Music. | ( 2 ) Comments

Apr

Publix Coming to Downtown Raleigh

According to trusted sources it appears that Publix will be the major tenant to the Kane Realty project coming to N. West St. in downtown Raleigh. The site, currently occupied by the ThemeWorks and Southland Ballroom, is zoned for 12 stories. So, perhaps, a mixed use project with a ground or second-level grocery is planned.

The site is in an area of NW downtown set to see some major changes. With the NCDOT bridge project set to offload Capital Blvd to eastbound Peace Street traffic via Johnson Street (pdf plan), we are set to see a major amount of redevelopment happen between Capital Blvd and the railroad tracks. Publix will be a perfect fit for this project.

Posted by Dana on April 18, 2016 | Tags: Downtown, Replacements, Retail. | ( 2 ) Comments

Apr

Daniels Middle School to Build Skyboxes

Today the Wake County School System announced that Daniels Middle School will undergo a renovation project that will make it the first school in North Carolina to feature skyboxes in its football and basketball facilities. The project not only offers a luxury suite for fans, but also replaces the outdated, original dressing rooms on the ground floor.

The skybox will feature an innovative design, offering prime views of the football field on the east side of the box, as well as a prime view of the basketball gym on the west side, a flexible design to suit all seasons. Food services will be offered on gamedays and for select Blue Jacket events throughout the year by the Angus Barn.

“We are excited for this opportunity to modernize our facilities,” school principal Elizabeth Battle said. “The students and coaches will get long-awaited locker room upgrades, while the suites will give parents a chance to bond during events.

The project will be financed in a joint partnership of the WCPSS as well as the Blue Jacket Club. Construction is scheduled to begin in June of this year.