The American Tobacco Campus: the old Lucky Strike factory beside DPAC and the Bulls ballpark, with parking rules, restaurants, free concerts and the trailhead.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts come from the American Tobacco Campus website and the venues’ own sites.

The American Tobacco Campus is the old American Tobacco factory on the south edge of downtown, founded in 1890 and rebuilt as offices, restaurants, apartments and event space around the Lucky Strike tower and water tower. The campus says local government and private partners remade the factory, built the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and opened the Durham Performing Arts Center beside it, and that it now draws more than a million guests a year.

Know before you go

  • Parking: three campus decks, ParkMobile app
  • Events and venue rentals: CBC Events
  • No drones on campus; photo shoots should follow the campus guidelines.

Parking

From the campus’s visit page:

Deck Address
North 305 W. Pettigrew St.
South 705 Willard St.
East 250 S. Mangum St.
  • All three decks use the ParkMobile app or pay stations.
  • Parking is generally free for the first two hours, and free on weekends, unless there is a Bulls game or another event.
  • On show and game nights, expect event rates; see our getting around page.

Eat and drink

The campus’s restaurants and retail page lists:

  • Boricua Soul: Puerto Rican and soul food fusion.
  • East of Texas: Texas-style barbecue and Tex-Mex.
  • Ekhaya: chef Zweli Williams’ Bantu fusion tapas, by reservation.
  • Fullsteam ATC: a taproom and public house between the Lucky Strike tower and smokestack, with a 100-seat theater.
  • Lutra Cafe and Bakery: breakfast and lunch daily and brunch on weekends; open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends.
  • Mellow Mushroom: pizza near DPAC, with a patio bar.
  • Ment Beverage Co.: meads, ciders and seltzers.
  • Milkshake Factory: handspun milkshakes next to the ballpark, open every day.
  • Nanasteak: a steakhouse steps from DPAC.
  • Parker and Otis: an all-day Southern cafe and retail shop.
  • Press Coffee and Crepes: an all-day cafe with crepes, espresso and cocktails and a covered patio.
  • QueenBurger: smash burgers and cocktails.
  • Seraphine: a Louisiana-inspired kitchen and bar.

Shows and games

  • DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), 123 Vivian St. The campus says it draws more than 500,000 guests a year to more than 200 events, from Broadway tours to concerts (dpacnc.com).
  • Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St. Home of the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, since 1995, with post-game fireworks on some nights. In winter it becomes FestiBull of Lights; see our holiday lights page.

Free events

The campus events calendar lists free Live Music @ATC on Friday evenings and Music on the Lawn on Saturday afternoons; on Oct. 16 and 17, 2026, for example, Live Music @ATC started at 6:30 p.m. and Music on the Lawn at 3 p.m. Each December the campus lights its buildings and the Lucky Strike tower; the date is on our holiday lights page when announced.

Walk or ride

The American Tobacco Trail starts at the corner of Morehead and Blackwell streets and runs 11 paved miles south through Durham; see our walking and biking trails guide.

What this means for you

  • Going to DPAC or a Bulls game? Arrive early for dinner on campus and park once.
  • A free weekend afternoon: park free, catch Music on the Lawn and walk the start of the trail.
  • More downtown ideas are in our date night and free things to do guides.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you park at the American Tobacco Campus?

The campus has three decks: North at 305 W. Pettigrew St., South at 705 Willard St. and East at 250 S. Mangum St. All use the ParkMobile app. Parking is generally free for the first two hours, and free on weekends, unless there is a Bulls game or other event.

What restaurants are at the American Tobacco Campus?

The campus lists Boricua Soul, East of Texas, Ekhaya, Fullsteam ATC, Lutra Cafe and Bakery, Mellow Mushroom, Ment Beverage Co., Milkshake Factory, Moe’s, Nanasteak, Parker and Otis, Press Coffee and Crepes, QueenBurger and Seraphine, among others.

Is there free music at the American Tobacco Campus?

Yes. The campus calendar lists Live Music @ATC on Friday evenings and Music on the Lawn on Saturday afternoons during the season.

Is DPAC part of the American Tobacco Campus?

Yes. The campus says the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park were developed as part of the redevelopment of the old American Tobacco factory.

Where does the American Tobacco Trail start?

The Durham section starts at the corner of Morehead and Blackwell streets, at the edge of the campus, and runs 11 miles south to the Chatham County line.