Duke University was named from its key benefactors, the Duke Family who had always expressed an interest in the institute. Through their support and generous donations, what was originally known as Trinity College grew in to the enormous Duke University.

The University houses several attractions that guests can visit. The Duke Chapel is an impressive 210 foot tower that is located in the West Campus of the University. This chapel is the center of all religious activity in the University and visitors can join a service or discover the magnificent interiors of this marvelous building.

Beyond the chapel the University also has a museum that is open to guests, and houses more than 13,000 pieces of art ranging from paintings to sculptures from numerous artists including Christian Boltanski, William Cordova, Sam Durant, and Francois Gerard to name a few.

The permanent collection of the museum concentrates on medieval and Renaissance Art, Classical sculpture and pre-Columbian art. In addition the museum also regularly hosts various art exhibitions that include national and international traveling exhibits based on various themes and artists. The artwork displayed is spread out over three galleries and visitors can browse these as well as enjoy a meal in the restaurant and buy souvenirs from the museum gift shop.

Duke University is also home to a wonderful botanical exhibit. The Sarah Duke Gardens are considered the ‘crown jewel’ of the University and are located on a 55 acre plot. Recognized as one of the premier gardens in the United States, Sarah Duke Gardens is known for its landscape and fine offering of botanical life. It is for this reason that the Gardens attract over 300,000 visitors a year from all around the world. Visitors can stroll through the five miles of pathways, alleys and walks in the garden and discover the serene environment of this collection of nature.

Meeting facilities are also present at Duke University in the form of the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center and The Fuqua School of Business. Both located on the West Campus, the buildings offer a variety of meeting rooms that are equipped with state of the art meeting facilities which includes wireless Internet, computers, and video conferencing facilities. In addition the center also has special rooms that are ideal for having dining events.

Visiting is free of charge and is encouraged by the University. It holds group information sessions daily that answer a variety of questions regarding the enrollment process, the University itself, and financing options. No appointment is necessary to attend these sessions.

The University also offers walking tours that are led by students which provide the opportunity to see the university up close and also listen to opinions of Duke University from its students. These tours last roughly an hour and fifteen minutes and start at the Admissions Office. No appointment is necessary for this tour. Separate tours are also available for the engineering facilities at the University but these occur on fixed dates.

The Duke University also has a range of dining options that offer a vast variety of cuisine including pizza, fast-food and more.

Business and leisure travelers to the city of Durham can discover a range of art, impressive architecture and a display of nature at prestigious Duke University. Hotels in the nearby area such as the Millennium Hotel Durham offer guests convenient access to this historic and artistic destination in the city.