New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington

My mom and I were in the Wilmington area today looking for things to do, and as a result I'm so happy I came across this place! I read a couple reviews beforehand and was delighted to know that there is free admission here. They have a cute gift shop as well. This arboretum is one of the first I've been to, so it was a great experience strolling through the park, and taking in all the beautiful flowers, plants and scenery! There are many different types of flowers here (as you can tell from my photos). Even though some plants were not in bloom, I absolutely loved what I did see! They even have a Japanese garden and a traditional tearoom, lots of plants and gardens, a large koi pond, and some play areas for kids. So it's a very family friendly place! Highly recommend!

New Hanover County Arboretum is a lovely hidden gem in Wilmington. This free Arboretum is perfect for a day trip with Family for fun or educational purposes. It is absolutely beautiful! A pleasant walk to see plants, flowers, artwork, and more. My favorite area was the Japanese Garden. Kid friendly areas included such as a koi pond where guest can feed the koi and small play area. There are seating areas around the Gardens if you want to sit and enjoy the views for a bit. Gift shop available on site. Oh did I mention it is free? 10/10 will recommend this to anyone who ask! If you haven't been you should go and if you have been you should go again!

There were so many flowers and there was a small pond with a lot of koi fish which were adorable. Overall a good little excursion if you're in the area.

I would love to come back to this community gem. It’s the perfect size if you want to enjoy beautiful, well-maintained and completely charming scenery rather than walking long trails. The fairytale cottage, koi pond, bridges, and Japanese garden make it a great spot for kids (plus there’s a fence around the property so it feels safe). If I lived locally, I’d be here all the time.

Truly serene place which calms the soul. The turtles, plants, flowers, and pond were soothing to look at and explore. The arboretum offers peace and tranquility to those who come.