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JC Raulston Arboretum

4.7 (117 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Updated 3 months ago

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Jennifer E.

The day I was there they were having two weddings. The was no parking but you can park along the street for free. A few of the gardens were closed for the weddings. Overall a nice way to spend a hour. Free to admission.

Rebecca M.

The JC Raulston Arboretum is a wonderful place. It is 10 acres of botanic gardens just waiting to be explored. There is a small parking lot with additional parking on the street. Admission is free. Restrooms are available at both the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor's Center and the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center. I liked that the paths were clearly marked and the diverse gardens from the adaptable plants that don't need watering to the shade garden to the open spaces with the trees and shrubs to the pollinator garden. I don't remember the specific names of the gardens just the type of plants there. There was so much to see there and I would have lingered and wandered longer if it had been a cooler day. Next time I will know to go earlier in the day.

My first magnolia sighting!
May B.

Beautiful Gardens! Very clean and well mainted and free!!! We spent a few hours walking through all the different themed gardens. Some paths were paved,dirt or stone walkways so you felt like you were truly experiencing the full effect of each themed garden. Large enough to spend 1-2 hours but small enough not to be tired with a lot of walking. Lots of benches throughout to rest and a big open field to picnic and have kids run Around! Fun for all.

Karen L.

I saw some pictures back in 2022 that made me want to attend this in 2023. Bought my tickets and drove 3 hrs. We were lucky to get a parking spot on the street in front of the entrance at 5 pm. (Note- when we left at 8 the cars were parked up and down the streets, so getting there early is smart) I'm sorry to say I was not impressed with the light show. It really wasn't decorated that much. The thing I did like was that there was live music and she was excellent. They had free marshmallows to roast. The food trucks were great. Note to JC in case they read these: By the Japanese garden area there was only one place I noticed that was dark and had a huge root that one could easily fall over. I would recommend bringing a flashlight or using your phone flashlight. Doherty's fish and chips was the best priced food truck.

Matthew O.

What a peaceful place to visit! I went in winter, and even though a lot of flowers and trees were not in bloom, the winter varietals that were are really beautiful. I loved that the arboretum is free to visit and is kept very well. The people that work here are all really helpful and very kind. Definitely put this place on your list of places to visit in Raleigh :)

Kathryn M.

This is a great place to come to check out some greenery. There is roadside parking. We were able to park right in front of the entrance. It's free to enter. There is a super small gift shop up front. They have bathrooms that are clean. It was early December so nothing was really in bloom. Pretty much everything was dormant. They have a research/education area which was pretty cool. They have chairs and benches around for rest. There are small trails around.

The fire pit setup is lovely.
Sookia S.

I have not been here in many years. I loved the after dark event. This was a great way to get people out to the arboretum after the bounty of summer has ended. I will definitely do this again next year.

Kelly C.

Found a moment of peace at the Arboretum. JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina (close to NC State University) is a nationally acclaimed garden with one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants adapted for landscape use in the Southeast and some serious Monet vibes.

Gretchen C.

Had such an amazing morning walk at the Arboretum. Tons of blooms and gorgeous trees. It was warm out but it felt so cool walking through amongst the trees. The staff were extremely friendly and able to answer questions about event space, Fruit on trees and coming back for the late night event. It was my first time but won't be my last...

Allan A.

Lovely garden associated with NC State. No admission fee (donations accepted) and well worth a couple of hours visit. Parking is limited, so plan to park in the street.

Sylvia B.

Beautiful grounds. Love the walk around this garden and how peaceful it is. You can easily spend a few hours here just exploring and taking it the beauty of your surroundings. For more recommendations follow @raleighunlocked on Instagram.

Australian furl bowl underside
Lori F.

Gorgeous arboretum supported by NC University students. Beautiful flowers. Went to a plant sale & craft show on April 29, 2023. Bought 3 items and then walked around gardens. Very well maintained and only $5 admission. Highly recommend.

Jackie P.

Was a great stop with my daughter to explore natural beauty of flowers and various plant life. So beautifully laid out and landscaped with everything carefully taken care of such a wondrous place. Definitely donate if possible to keep places like this going such gems.

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12 days ago

Hidden Zen Gem. Great place to get lost or learn something completely new, especially with its experimental background.

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8 months ago

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3 months ago

The place is huge..so much varieties of plants and flowers. Went before the spring so not all had bloomed yet. Would be awesome in spring.

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

Beautiful gardens to walk through. Parking area is small but some parking allowed on the street. Nice place to spend an hour or so.

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2 years ago

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7 months ago

Beautiful place! Midnight in the Garden is out of this world! They have room for your event! Inside or outside.

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Review Highlights - JC Raulston Arboretum

It's a nice, quiet spot with plenty of NC State's ag school's personal nature strewn about in a beautiful arrangement.

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Raleigh Rose Garden

Raleigh Rose Garden

4.9
(24 reviews)

The Raleigh Rose Garden is one of the City of Raleigh Parks. It is a treasure in Raleigh, located…read morebehind the Raleigh Little Theatre. The garden was officially dedicated in 1951 and remains one of three accredited rose gardens in North Carolina. The area has a fascinating history. The sunken, oval-shaped space was a dirt race track back when the NC Fairgrounds was located there. Then, during World War I, the space was converted into a training ground for Camp Polk's combat tanks. The racehorse track and the combat tank training trench were reimagined into the space we get to enjoy today. The mud hole was drained, and the land was reshaped by volunteers. The tier-terraces were a way to keep the water from washing away the future flowers. The amphitheater was constructed first, and it took years for the rose garden, as there was no budget for it during World War II. Nurseries, community garden clubs and even private individuals donated the rose bushes and native trees, Normally, there is a free parking lot, but my visit today had the lot blocked off as a tree brought down power lines. So there was parking available on the streets surrounding the gardens. My visit today was short: it was 97 degrees out, and my phone overheated during my stroll. I realized I might be overheated, too and made my way back into the air conditioning. It is a stunning, historic oasis that is well worth the visit--just remember to bring a cold bottle of water on hot afternoons!

Thank You!!! ...to the volunteers that maintain this treasured garden with hundreds of rose…read morebushes....and thanks to the city for the upgrades recently made : ) Amazing spot that always brings a smile ; ) and such a wonderful asset in our city. FYI- Mother's Day is typically a good time to visit in the spring

Raleigh Little Theatre

Raleigh Little Theatre

4.2
(58 reviews)

Volunteering at Raleigh Little Theatre has been one of the best decisions I've made! I started a…read morecouple of months ago, and it's such a great deal; volunteer an hour or two of your time and you get to see the show for free. Win-win! But beyond the perks, I've genuinely been blown away by the talent, the sets, the lighting, and the overall production quality. The cast members are phenomenal, and the passion they bring to the stage is palpable. It truly feels like you're witnessing professional-grade theatre in an intimate community space. The experience is super comfortable too; concessions are available at great prices, the bathrooms are always clean, and the venue is accessible for those with vision or hearing needs, which really shows their commitment to being inclusive. Whether you're looking to volunteer or just catch a great show, Raleigh Little Theatre is an absolute gem. 10/10 Highly recommend!

Raleigh Little Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in the United States. It became incorporated…read morein 1936. The building is on land that was once the home to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds for a horse racing dirt track. In World War I, it was used as a training area for combat tanks. It is also land for the Lumbee Tribe and the Tuscarora Nation. Raleigh Little Theatre shares a campus with the Raleigh Rose Garden and an outdoor amphitheatre. The main stage was dedicated to Cantey V. Sutton in 2000, as she was the one who found Raleigh Little Theatre a permanent campus in 1939. She got a grant to build the campus and cut through the red tape. She is remembered as the "Grand Dame" and "First Lady" of Raleigh Little Theatre. Raleigh Little Theatre has three theatres, the Cantey V. Sutton theatre, which has 298 seats. The Louise "Scottie" Stephenson Amphitheatre, which seats 2000 on the outside on the terraced grass rows. And the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre, a black box theatre that seats 150. I attended School of Rock at RLT. The performance was held in the Sutton Theatre, which has 298 seats, and the auditorium has a small slope. I found the sightlines good for watching the performance, as well as the sound and lighting. I did find the seating challenging as the seat numbers were not clearly marked, just the rows. I sat in the wrong seat and had to move. But I liked my new seat much better. As I was not familiar with the layout and had bought my ticket months ago, it would have been helpful to have volunteers in the theatre to assist guests, as many of us were confused. Parking was a little challenging for this performance because a downed tree and power lines had closed the parking lot, so off-street parking was the only option. The lobby was small, with some seating, restrooms and a concession stand that only takes credit cards. Drinks could go in the theatre, but not the food. I did like that we could go outside at intermission and sit on the benches. Overall, I give Raleigh Little Theatre a solid 4 stars. The production quality, acoustics, and historic atmosphere are easily 5-star material, but the seating confusion and lack of usher assistance held it back from being a perfect 5. It is a fantastic community asset, and I will definitely be back!

Haywood Hall & Gardens

Haywood Hall & Gardens

4.6
(7 reviews)

We've just moved here from the West Coast, and family came to visit. They love historical homes and…read morehistory, but all the ones online that are so beautiful I guess are closed now, which is really sad!! So we didn't have any hopes for this one BUT ladies were there and helped us get a tour the next day!!! They were all so sweet and great!! My parents were so impressed with the facts of the tour and our tour guide that we talked about it for hours afterwards!!! So if you love history and gorgeous homes, make sure you sign up for a tour!! You can also stay in the house if you're having your wedding there!

I got married at Haywood Hall & Gardens on 11/04/2017. We found Haywood Hall in July 2016 and…read moreimmediately fell in love! Greg, Haywood Hall's curator, is so helpful and can answer any question you might have about holding your wedding at the location. The grounds are beautiful and the house as the backdrop to the ceremony is unique. We spent about 16 months planning our wedding. Greg has lots of recommendations for outside vendors, as you need to bring everything, from tables and chairs, alcohol, food, cake, etc. in as none of this is provided by the venue. This gives you a lot of flexibility to plan your own wedding, but does require a lot of time and effort. Both the ceremony and reception sites are outdoor, so be wary of that because there is no flexible rain plan. It might not be the great choice for summer or winter, but mid-April through early June and mid-September through mid-November are perfect for holding a wedding. I've seen the springs blooms and we had peak fall colors the first week of November. Just an all-around unique piece of Raleigh that in my opinion is a great place to have your special day.

DesignScapes

DesignScapes

5.0
(1 review)

Every house I move to, the first person I call is Susan. She does a fabulous job of giving the…read moregarden structure but still allows flexibility for me to plant as I wish. I love to garden but do not have a designers mind. Her designs have interest year round with beautiful fall colors, winter having enough evergreens to make it look good when everything else is gone and of course spring/summer is gorgeous. If you have existing plants you want to keep, Susan can put those in the plan and integrate them with everything else. Susan is super responsive and has a great, respectful crew for installation. At this house they also installed a drip system to help get the plants settled in. We had a massive swing set in the backyard with gravel under it. They dug the gravel out and brought in amendments - 10 years later it looks wonderful. You won't regret working with Susan!

From the owner: As the Triangle's only custom landscaping residential specialist, DesignScapes provides unique…read morelandscaping services. We offer an exceptionally high quality of service that focuses on each clients individual needs. We will plan and implement the perfect garden for your home and lifestyle. Our services begin with a complimentary consultation and include: -Design -Installation of Trees, Plants and Sod -Specialty Gardens -Patios, walkways and walls -Natural Stone and pavers -Water gardens It is important to us that you love your new landscape. That's why all of DesignScapes' landscaping services are guaranteed. From initial consultation to final installation, our landscaping professionals are with you all the way. As a DesignScapes client, you'll receive a new landscape that will grow, flourish and provide you with years of immeasurable joy, while adding value to your home.

JC Raulston Arboretum - gardens - Updated June 2026

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