To the north of I-40 exits 279 and 280 is the famous Research Triangle Park. From the Tourist Pack we had received from the state, we couldn’t see any reason to stop by the RTP as they call it.
  This unique 7,000-acre area, 8 miles long and about 2 mile wide, is just 4 miles from downtown Durham. Set aside in 1959 as a special Durham County tax district, North Carolina has vigorously campaigned to bring non-polluting research companies to this privately owned facility – and they have been very successful.
  A self-driving tour is available at the Durham Visitor Information Center.
  For more information phone 1-919-549-8181.

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 Eastbound on I-40, you’ll pass by the Raleigh- Durham Airport (lovingly called RDU) and then by one of our favorite parks: Umstead State Park (Sorry, you can’t easily get there from here - but enjoy the look.) They have some great trails and, other than for the sounds of all the jets taking off and landing next door, you could easily forget you are in one of North Carolina’s most solidly packed urban areas.