Bennett Place
This state historic site marks the location of the surrender negotiations of Confederate General Johnston to Union General Sherman, which ended the civil war in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us

Duke Homestead and Tobacco Museum
Here you can take a tour of the small, wood-frame factories, pack house, and curing barn where the Duke family tobacco empire began in the late 1860s. Especially entertaining are the visitor center exhibits of early tobacco products and advertising. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us

Sarah P Duke Gardens
Formal, terraced flower beds come alive each spring, with 20 acres of blooming color centered round a lily pond and wisteria-covered pergola. The garden is surrounded by 35 acres of pine forest, which is an ideal setting for less formal plant groupings. www.hr.duke.edu

Duke Primate Center
The endearing inhabitants of the Duke Primate Center, nestled on 40 acres of Duke Forest, make up the world's largest collection of endangered prosimian primates. All visitors must have an appointment. www.duke.edu

Museum of Life and Science
What is, perhaps, one of the best and most contemporary, hands-on science museums in the country is in nearby Durham. The Museum of Life and Science features two floors of highly interactive, state-of-the-art exhibits, a butterfly pavilion, and a wildlife tour on Ellerbee Creek railway. www.ncmls.org

The Gardens of Montrose
Nationally known complex of gardens in Hillsborough, established in the 19th century by Governor William Alexander Graham, that includes several 19th-century buildings, a rock garden, several acres of woodland planting, and large areas of sunny gardens. Guided tours available by appointment.

Research Triangle Park
All the brainpower converges at the center of the Triangle in the internationally recognized Research Triangle Park. Established in the mid 1950s, RTP is headquarters for over 50 research-oriented industries and more than 140 companies. www.rtp.org