Nestled in the heart of Durham lies Duke Gardens, a 55-acre botanical wonderland where the hum of cars and traffic disappear, birds serenade visitors from treetops and streams flow alongside pathways connecting people to more than 2,500 colorful plant species. Over 600,000 people visit Sarah P. Duke Gardens every year to experience an artful expression inspired by nature and to enjoy hours of discovery, exploration and inspiration. Admission to one of the top-ranked public gardens in the U.S. is free, with a small fee for parking.
I recently visited the Sarah Duke Botanical Garden in Durham, NC, on a beautiful day in early May, and it was a delightful experience! The gardens are extensive yet manageable, making it doable for a two-hour visit.
The well-maintained paths are easy to navigate in tennis shoes, allowing for a comfortable stroll through the various themed areas. Each section of the garden showcases a diverse array of plants and flowers, creating a vibrant and picturesque atmosphere.
I especially enjoyed the serene ambiance and the time to connect with nature. Whether you're a local or just passing through, I highly recommend taking the time to explore this lovely garden and be in nature.
Bryan W
Oct 29, 2024
5
These Botanical Gardens are very well laid out, maintained and really are beautiful. My favorite section was the Japanese garden, but there are many other breathtaking areas to explore in these very extensive and diverse gardens. I visited in October and it was obvious that many of the Summer flowers were gone but many other plants were still in bloom. With such diversity, I bet these gardens are gorgeous any time of year. I highly recommend exploring these gardens if in the area.
Joel Rubin
Oct 28, 2024
5
This is an absolutely marvelous public garden. Even if you don't like plants and trees, they have about 5 miles of trails on their 55 acres of land so you can get a great walk in with no traffic to deal with. But the gardens are very beautiful.
Tamar Beridze
Oct 23, 2024
5
Duke Gardens is an incredible destination to visit year-round, but my favorite times are spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and fall, perfect for picnics and peaceful strolls. The gardens offer a tranquil escape with beautifully maintained landscapes and a variety of plants that make every visit special. It can get quite crowded during Parent’s Weekend, and professional photographers sometimes set up with their gear, which can block some pathways. Despite that, Duke Gardens remains a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy nature and serenity in the heart of Durham.
D P
Oct 19, 2024
5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sarah P. Duke Gardens is an absolute treasure! This beautiful oasis in Durham offers a stunning display of nature's beauty, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, a peaceful picnic, or just a moment of reflection.
The gardens are meticulously maintained, with a diverse array of plants, flowers, and trees that change with the seasons. Each section, from the historic gardens to the serene wetlands, has its own unique charm, and there’s always something new to discover. The vibrant colors and fragrant blooms are simply breathtaking, especially in the spring!
One of my favorite parts is the Terraces, where you can enjoy panoramic views and find lovely spots to relax. The pathways are well-marked and accessible, making it easy to navigate through the different areas.
Additionally, the staff and volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable, often sharing insights about the various plants and the history of the gardens. It’s clear that a lot of love and care goes into maintaining this stunning space.
Overall, Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a must-visit for anyone in the area, whether you’re a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful escape. I can’t recommend it enough, and I can’t wait to return!
Se Fi
Oct 14, 2024
5
Incredible place. Highly recommended! Can easily spend a couple of hours (or more) meandering around. So many beautiful things to look at. Loves the mosses and the black sweet potato leaves amongst many loved things. Parking at 2 bucks an hour is well worth it.
Wanda
Oct 8, 2024
5
We fell in love with it. It's huge. I could spend an entire day here easily. My 8 year old son loved it! We saw turtles, ducks, koi fish, a hawk, squirrels, and a heron. Everything is well marked to identify the plants and the trees. There are tons of benches in the shade. Lots of places to hide away and read a book in peace and quiet on a weekday. If I lived here, I would be a very frequent visitor.
Melissa De Yoe (Meli55a)
Oct 8, 2024
5
Beautiful, peaceful, serene. I really enjoyed my time there. Though there were a fair amount of people there, it never felt crowded or congested. I had a nice meditation under a tree.
Ty lee
Sep 19, 2024
5
Wonderful garden to visit to see the amazing flowers and plants. This vast garden is divided into 4 different themes sectors with good walking pathways. The 4 sectors are Historic Gardens, Doris Duke Center Gardens, Blomquist Garden of Native Plants and Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. They are like many gardens within a big garden. It's a great place to enjoy a fun family outing to learn about the floral and fauna inside the many different gardens.
Lyubov Kolte
Aug 25, 2024
5
We visited the Duke Gardens today and we are very happy with our experience! We got there around 8:30 a.m. so there was plenty of parking. The entrance to the garden is free but the parking is $2 per hour. You can use an app to pay or pay with cash, but you don’t get change back. The walk was very nice and there was shade almost everywhere, which makes it easy to walk on a sunny day. The views of the garden are breathtaking! There are many benches to sit. There were restrooms all around the garden and they were all stocked and clean. It is also really close to Duke Chapel, just a few minutes walk. I definitely recommend this place to everyone: couples, families and dogs! We will back again soon!
Molly Anthony
Aug 13, 2024
5
We did a trolley tour (book online for a relatively small fee) which protected us from most of the rain. You can also walk the grounds for free, 365 days a year. Parking is paid, though. There are so many beautiful details to take in; I wish I'd had more time to explore. Great for all ages, whether you live plants, pretty scenes, or walking.
Sarah Hochman
Aug 12, 2024
5
What a hidden gem! This is a great stop for anyone in the area to get a break and enjoy some beautiful nature. The paths are easy to navigate and make for a relaxing walk through the gardens for anyone from novice to expert outdoors enthusiasts. The blooms and plants are further complemented by the lovely statues and architecture featured throughout the reserve, and also provide opportunities and spaces to sit and admire the excellently maintained and curated landscapes.
David Simkins
Jun 24, 2024
5
I was brought here by family while visiting the US. A very hot day, so the trees provided some welcome shade.
Beautiful gardens, very well laid out, with well maintained pathways. Visiting is free of charge, apart from parking, which was great. The lady volunteer at the entrance was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out the highlights. In reality you can see pretty much everything in a couple of hours. Highly recommended.
Autumn Eng
May 22, 2024
5
Beautiful garden! Tons of variety, shaded areas, and ponds. There are also a lot of benches for you to sit on if you get tired while walking. Most of the garden is completely paved, so it is not a difficult walk.
Very helpful visitor's center to give you an idea of where to go and what's blooming nicely. The garden itself is free to visit. You just need to pay for parking, which isn't bad. Then you get to go on a lovely scenic journey and may encounter some ducks, turtles and fish near the water.
E D
Dec 30, 2023
5
This place is magical. It’s like a mini trip to Italy 😍 We didn’t have a lot of time to explore the entire garden but what we saw was heavenly. Great location for a stroll, a picnic, or just a relaxing time outdoors. Also good for all ages. Highly recommended
Siba Siddique
Dec 1, 2023
5
I have visited the Sarah P. Duke Gardens during all the seasons (cherry blossom season is the best imo), and these were the pictures I took during my latest visit. The routes are well-maintained with leaf blowers, and you can enjoy the fall colors and exotic plants such as cacti and chrysanthemums (in the Asiatic Arboretum). There are also cute nooks where you can spend time.
Justin Trosclair, D.C.
Nov 22, 2023
5
One more could you ask for. Great fall foliage and a really cool Japanese area with other Asian country plants. Nice bridges, chrysanthemums, tiered gardens, lots of places to escape from the rain too. Whole family enjoyed are 2 hours
