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Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham

4.9
Must see · Garden · Nature / Park
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A living memorial, Sarah P. Duke Gardens showcases a collection of landscaped gardens. Over 100 flowerbeds with more than 40,000 irises blossomed in the gardens in 1935. These original gardens were washed away in 1936, but Ellen Biddle Shipman redesigned them into an area called the Terraces. The terraced greenery includes a variety of species that release heady scents into Duke University's campus air. This blossoming memorial is open to the public with 8 km (5 mi) of walkways that wrap around different plant life. PutSarah P. Duke Gardens into our Durham tour itinerary planner and find out what's close by, where to stay, and where to head next.
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Sarah P. Duke Gardens reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
2,197 reviews
Google
4.9
TripAdvisor
  • Just beautiful. Well kept. Nice place for pictures and nice stroll with family. Wish they had the bulbs for sale. Even bathrooms were well kept 
    Just beautiful. Well kept. Nice place for pictures and nice stroll with family. Wish they had the bulbs for sale. Even bathrooms were well kept  more »
  • Beautiful garden. My friend and I had a lovely time here. The weather was gorgeous, and helpful maps were scattered around the gardens. The staff at the visitor center was very helpful. Do check out.....  more
    Beautiful garden. My friend and I had a lovely time here. The weather was gorgeous, and helpful maps were scattered around the gardens. The staff at the visitor center was very helpful. Do check out.....  more »
  • Gorgeous! It’s right next to Duke University so you can kill two birds with one stone. Don’t miss it! 
    Gorgeous! It’s right next to Duke University so you can kill two birds with one stone. Don’t miss it!  more »
Google
  • It's absolutely stunning, and it's a fantastic spot for a scenic stroll and photography. There's a lot to see, so you'll probably need to come back a couple of times depending on your mood for a long, long walk. A beautiful body of water with this adorable red bridge is only a small part of the scenic beauty that this park has to offer. It's also completely free. ( Parking is only $2/hr) unfortunately gift shop was closed because of private even.
  • This botanical garden took me by surprise! It looks small from the road but it is quite large with plenty of walking paths. Even though it was moderately busy when i went it didn’t feel like it since there’s so much space to walk around in! All the flowers, bushes, and other plants are meticulously maintained and it truly is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens I’ve ever been to.
  • Beautiful gardens with even more various colors of flowers and plants all over the place. Gardens is maintained well and walking through gives you good feel all the way through. It's most famous for its natural light and scenery views for capturing your beautiful memories of any events or occasions😍 better carry strollers if you going with kids or toddlers as the walk can be easy with it instead of carrying them all the time.definitely makes you feel good and worth visiting this place.
  • I visited Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, NC. The gardens are expansive, with over 55 acres of beautifully manicured grounds to explore. Right from the parking, the entrance of the gardens, and once inside, I was able to find my way around and locate the various points of interest. The maps are easy to read and provide helpful information about the different areas of the gardens, including the different types of plants and flowers on display. Among many other gardens, I really liked the iconic Rose Garden or the serene Japanese Garden. There is also a gift shop at the entrance. The gardens are located in close proximity of the chapel and walk on the boulevard leading to Chapel will surely be something to cherish for years to come.
  • As part of a day of celebration for my daughter’s birthday, my family and I decided to visit the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. There is no cost to visit these gardens; however, there is a parking fee of $2.00/hr. There is parking available at the main garden entrance area as well as a designated overflow area. Parking could be a bit limited so carpooling is a great idea, and the bus also runs there These gardens provide a serene atmosphere, beautiful sceneries, a peaceful and relaxing environment, and the opportunity to see some wildlife. There are also great areas for a picnic. I would recommend that you give yourself at least 2 to 3 hours to explore all of the grounds as it is huge and requires a lot of walking. We had a marvelous time and will visit again. What a great way to start a birthday celebration!

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