Located between Raleigh and Durham, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) operates three runways and covers an area of 4,929 acres. This airport serves as a service point for 44 domestic and international destinations and also has an average of 500 daily flights.

While primarily an airport, this destination also has other attractions to offer. Visitors to the airport can enjoy views of planes taking off and landing at the Observation Park and Crosswinds Café. The Observation Park overlooks the airport’s longest runway and provides an impressive aerial view of the planes that use the runway.  From the park direct air traffic communication is also broadcasted over a loudspeaker providing for an informative explanation of what viewers are seeing. The Observation Park also features a playground and picnic tables as well.

Crosswinds Café at the General Aviation Terminal not only offers panoramic views of planes taking off and landing but also serves meals, snacks and beverages including breakfast selections, lunch and dinner entrees, signature sandwiches and a selection of desserts.

Dining options are numerous at the airport and include cafés, pizzerias, bagel houses, and more. When visiting the airport guests will not have a shortage of locations and types of cuisines to choose from.

Beyond observing planes in action, Raleigh-Dunham International Airport also features a variety of different pieces of art at an impressive art gallery. The gallery is located in Terminal A and covers a wide variety of mediums, including paintings, drawings, pottery and sculptures.

In addition the major symbol of the airport can be seen as motorists approach the airport. RDU’s enormous Triangle Icon represents flight and commemorates the 100th anniversary of powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright. It also serves as a very prominent symbol for the Raleigh and Durham area.

Visitors to the General Aviation Terminal can look upon the Dream of Flight sculpture that represents man’s desire to reach the heaven. This sculpture consists of four stainless steel figures and a mobile hanging overhead.

The airport also features a mural which was the first piece of permanent art that was introduced. This 2500 piece ceramic mural depicts the eco system of North Carolina and is a lesson in art, history and science that passengers can experience as they travel through the tunnel that connects the car park and Terminal A.

In addition to being a fully equipped and modern airport the Raleigh – Durham International Airport offers travelers shopping and dining options.

Airport visitors can find a variety of bookshops including Borders, women’s accessories at Brighton, while newspapers and magazines can be bought at the CNBC store, Hudson News and Press/Press Plus. There is even a PGA Tour shop that sells a variety of golf related accessories and products.


Staying at one of the Raleigh Durham Airport Hotels that is located close to the airport such as the Millennium Hotel Durham provides convenient access, and allowing for both an easy arrival and departure.