USA Today recently recognized Durham’s The Streets at Southpoint as one of the “10 great places to spend it all in one place.” Shopping and fashion gurus Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, co-hosts of TLC's "What Not to Wear," made the list for USA Today, ranking Durham alongside other great destinations like Miami’s Bal Harbour Shops and Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive.

The Streets at Southpoint Bruce R. Feeley/DCVB

Brightleaf Square Heather Jacks/DCVB

Northgate Mall plans courtesy Northgate Mall

This is just one of many national recognitions for Durham features and events. USA Today named Durham’s Museum of Life and Science "one of the top ten places in the U.S. to get bug-eyed over insects." Eighteen Durham restaurants and eateries have been nationally or regionally reviewed by sources like The Food Network, Bon Appetit, and Food and Wine. The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (Thursday, April 7 – Monday, April 10) receives an extraordinary amount of national media attention each year from sources ranging from Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times to IndieWIRE and Yahoo!.

Two more Durham events recently joined the long list of features and events to receive national recognition. The 14th Annual Native American Powwow (Saturday, February 19) has been named one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. The Society also named the annual Light Up Durham Holiday Extravaganza a Top 20 event in December. Click here to search by category to see more of the national rankings and superlatives that Durham has received.

Research shows that shopping is the primary activity for 57% of Durham’s day-trippers—which is above the national average. Of Durham’s overnight visitors, shopping is second only to dining as the top activity. In addition, 26% of Durham’s overnight visitors spend $20 or more per day while shopping. Economic analysis indicates that visitors generate one-third of all retail spending in Durham.

Brightleaf Square, the first major, private sector attempt at revitalizing Downtown Durham, and the anchor for an entire shopping, dining, and entertainment district, completed a $1 million redevelopment of its scenic courtyard area last summer. The once under-used courtyard has been transformed into a vibrant street-like scene with storefront access and alfresco dining.

On the north side of Durham, Northgate Mall, soon to mark its 45th anniversary, is also making headlines with a $16 million renovation plan that will include a 10-screen cinema complex.

Along with the multiplex, which will occupy the current second-floor Belk area, the mall will add a “junior tenant” on the ground floor. In addition, 31,000 square feet of current indoor shopping space will be converted into a 33,000-sq.-ft. pedestrian-friendly outdoor plaza with retail and dining space.

With shopping such an integral part of Durham’s visitor-related economy, DCVB’s promotion and marketing of Durham’s many places to shop is essential to sustaining the shopping needs of Durham visitors. The projected continued decline in business-related travel has placed a greater emphasis on leisure travelers and the leisurely activities that satisfy them (shopping, dining, sporting events, etc).

DCVB annually produces more than 500,000 pieces of literature to attract and serve visitors and stimulate visitor spending. Thanks to a strategic partnership with The Herald-Sun, all subscribers received a copy of DCVB’s Dining & Shopping Flyer. Click here for the most recent copy, or visit the official Durham Visitor Information Center.