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Beautiful gardens to visit around Raleigh & the Triangle
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Beautiful gardens to visit around Raleigh & the Triangle

9 places • 4 events • Updated Aug 27, 2026 at 12:41 PM EDT

The Triangle's gardens take turns starring: azaleas at WRAL in April, roses through summer, Moonlight in the Garden each November. All three university gardens are free — this guide tells you when each one peaks.

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Map of places & events

Places to visit (9)

Explore destinations related to this guide.

Upcoming events (4)

Find scheduled activities, dates, and ticket details.

Saturday, October 17
Tuesday, October 20

Questions parents ask

Are the gardens free to visit? +
JC Raulston Arboretum, WRAL Azalea Garden and Camden Street Learning Garden are always free. Duke Gardens charges $5 parking on weekends; NC Botanical Garden is donation-based.
Which garden is best for toddlers? +
White Deer Park Nature Center has a sensory garden and toddler-height Discovery Barn. Juniper Level Botanic Garden has wide flat paths perfect for strollers.
Can we bring a picnic? +
All gardens welcome picnics. Duke Gardens has dedicated picnic areas near the terrace. JC Raulston has benches scattered throughout but no designated lawn seating.
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