Summer heat and humidity has hit us hard, but school is out and vacations have begun, so it’s time to scan the horizon for cheap, fun ways to spend the long days, preferably away from phones and computer screens. Check out the state’s many arboretums, botanic, and public gardens! No matter your plans, there’s bound to be a public garden nearby with beautiful plants, nature, and plenty of room for kids to run.

First, a word about nomenclature. An arboretum is a technical term that describes a collection of trees and shrubs. They are often planted in sections that bring together plants of different species but in the same genus or family. A botanic (or botanical) garden is similar, however it includes a broader selection of plants, typically including perennials, tropical, or exotic plants of various types. Many arboretums are in reality a combination of woody plants with other types of plants. Whether an arboretum or botanic garden, plants are typically labeled with common name and scientific name, since education and scientific research is a foundational goal of these types of gardens. Some public gardens are simply beautiful formal or informal plantings, often with a special historic or unique background. This time of year, many gardens have special guided tours or other fun events scheduled, so check websites!

Let’s take a tour of gardens across the state!

Going to the beach for vacation? The New Hanover Arboretum in Wilmington is smaller than many arboretums across the state, but that’s not a bad thing. It is a very manageable size for an hour or two strolling through the space, which includes a soothing Japanese garden. There’s also a kids’ play area. Airlie Gardens, also in Wilmington, is a non-profit with a focus on the history of the once private property and the special natural and environmental aspects of the 67 acre landscape. It has numerous activities for the whole family, including a seasonal Butterfly House. Visiting the Outer Banks? Check out the Elizabethan Garden in Manteo. The garden memorializes the first English colonists who arrived in the late 1500s. Finally, if you’re headed to Myrtle Beach, check out the fascinating Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, about a 30 minute drive south of Myrtle Beach. A botanical garden, sculpture garden, and small zoo, featuring native animals from the region, all rolled into one. A must see if you’re in the area!

If you’re in stay-at-home mode, there are several great gardens within a 2 hour drive. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville features plant collections (including an exceptional daylily collection), a recreated historic colonial garden, and nature walks. Just up the road is the Sandhills Community College Horticultural Gardens in Moore County. The garden is free, and includes lovely water features and a Native Wetland Trail garden.

If you’re headed to the urban centers in the Piedmont, be sure to include stops at some of the fantastic gardens there, including the Sarah P Duke Garden in Durham (be aware of special parking issues there this summer), the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, and the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Each garden has its own special features and charms. The Raulston Arboretum has a stunning herbaceous border, while the NC Botanical Garden includes a “poison plants” section, sure to fascinate a teen in “goth mode”, and offers native plants for sale on site. Special mention for Juniper Level Botanic Gardens in Raleigh which has beautiful, shady paths and a wide selection of plants for sale. Visits by appointment only unless it’s an open house weekend, but it is free.

Heading to the mountains? There are wonderful gardens there too of course! If you need a break from the road, consider stopping at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, or the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, in Belmont. The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens boasts themed greenhouses, including the Dinosaur Garden with living fossils, and the Carnivorous plant collection. The Daniel Stowe garden has numerous cooling water features, and the amazing Williamson Conservatory is five-story glass house full of stunning orchids and other tropical plants. If heading to the Boone or Ashe County area, the Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem, the former estate of RJ Reynolds, is a lovely way to stretch your legs: walk through the formal gardens, check out the extensive vegetable garden and the impressive greenhouse.

If your mountain vacation takes you near Asheville, take time to visit the NC Arboretum. There, 434 acres with winding trails awaits, including 65 acres of cultivated formal and informal gardens. From native wildflowers, impressive Bonsai Exhibition garden, and garden-scale model train, the garden is both educational and beautiful.

While this list of public gardens across the state is far from comprehensive, hopefully it can be a starting point to get outside, get moving, and learning about plants and nature. Enjoy summer in NC public gardens!