Parks and Gardens in Wilmington, NC

Pristine Southern Gardens

At the New Hanover County Arboretum, explore 7 acres of scenic gardens with unique features, including a Japanese garden with an authentic tea house and Japanese maples; a water garden with colorful Koi, catfish and lilies; a Contemplation Garden that honors the five branches of the military; and a Children's Garden with a miniature cottage, bug safari hunt and interactive musical features.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Airlie Gardens’ 67 acres, as showcased in a number of Hollywood and TV hits like Nicholas Sparks' "The Choice," as well as "One Tree Hill" and "Dawson’s Creek." One of the South’s premier gardens is home to walking paths, seasonal blooms, a Butterfly House with butterfly release events and the nearly 500-year-old Airlie Oak. You’ll also find historic and contemporary sculptures such as the Bottle Chapel and Azalea Earl the Frog. Bring your binoculars to spy a variety of colorful wildlife and bird species throughout this North Carolina Birding Trail site. Attend the Airlie Gardens Summer Concert Series to picnic and relax on the lawn while enjoying live music.

Entertaining Parks

Noted as one of the best dog-friendly spots for outdoor activities, Greenfield Park is home to 190 acres of scenic views, lush gardens, walking trails, fishing and more. While walking and biking around the area, see moss-draped cypress trees and indigenous wildlife. Spend time outdoors with the conveniences of restrooms, water fountains, playgrounds, shelters and more. Live music lovers can hear popular acts perform at the park’s scenic Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.

Long Leaf Park offers a beautiful garden area with a pond and gazebo, as well as picnic areas, a 1.55-mile walking trail and an off-leash dog park. Little ones will enjoy the splash pad and fully accessible playground. For a little friendly competition, check out one of the park’s baseball fields, basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts, or its outdoor gym.

Get active outdoors at Ogden Park, where you can play your favorite sport (soccer, football, basketball, baseball, softball or tennis), stroll along a paved walking trail with an exercise station or pop a wheelie at its state-of-the-art, 10,000-square-foot concrete skate park.

Head to Arrowhead Park for a round of 18-hole disc golf. In addition to the PDGA-registered course, the park also offers tennis courts, a basketball court, a multi-purpose field and a playground.

At Halyburton Memorial Park, a 58-acre nature preserve, embark on a 1.3-mile walking and birding trail, join fitness classes and participate in nature programs and events, including environmental education sessions.

Bring your helmet for mountain biking through the graded 8-mile trail system at Blue Clay Bike Park, the area’s most extensive bike trail. This off-road trail system is suitable for all levels of cyclists, as well as hikers and runners. Parking, restrooms and a sheltered table are located at the start of the trail.

Tap into your creative side with a stroll through Cameron Art Museum's outdoor Art Park, and view works from artists like Vollis Simpson, Stephen Hayes, Charlie Brouwer, Hiroshi Sueyoshi and more. Hayes' life-size bronze sculpture, Boundless, is the centerpiece of the museum’s USCT Park, the nation's first park honoring the United States Colored Troops (USCT). The park is on museum grounds where the USCT won the Battle of Forks Road.