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    Airlie Gardens

    4.5 (132 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Services - Airlie Gardens

    Venue rental

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    Rachael C.

    This place is magical! So much to look at and different places to explore. The staff obviously do a great job keeping everything in order. $10 for adults $4 for kids. Babies are free. My daughter and I could have spent all day here if we brought some snacks. Lots of great spots to have a picnic. There's some cute things in the gift shop, super clean restrooms and a little classroom with a few different critters in there.

    Gator and turtle spotting
    Lauren S.

    Explore the whimsy and views of the Airlie Gardens! You'll be greeted by friendly staff in the gift shop/ticket office and provided map. It will take you on a scavenger hunt of themed exhibits (sculptures when we were there). The trails snake along the river and marsh and ponds within the gardens. You'll see turtles, egrets, herons, and alligators. The gardens are complete with walkable trails, water features, peaceful seating areas to take in the beauty, and even a labyrinth! One of our favorite spots was a tucked away fountain towards the back to just sit and enjoy the serenity. There's a small pavilion on the pond that poses a beautiful spot for photos too

    John B.

    A manicured garden that you have to pay to enter; not an enormous amount btu it is per person. The space adjoins a tidal creek, but also has constructed spaces with various statuary, a butterfly garden, and a lot of Spanish Moss. The paths are mostly paved and it is a low intensity experience. It's an easy place to sit a while. There were not any of the carnivorous plants I was looking for. There were a lot of spiders. It's a pretty area. Not one that would divert me away from the beach or various other attractions in the area for too long.

    Todd R.

    My wife and I were visiting from out of town and this place was recommended to us as a nice place to visit. We couldn't agree more! Lots of beautiful trees, plants and great places to walk,

    andrea s.

    This location is absolutely beautiful and worth visiting. Upon entering you go through a beautiful gate and down a paved road through some beautiful trees and flowers. Parking was easy and plentiful and the walking paths are well maintained and easy to navigate. There are many restrooms inside the visitors center where you pay before you explore. There is also a tiny gift shop for you to purchase goodies if you'd like. The grounds were breathtaking, serene, and just heavenly. I took my time exploring each trail and took in the entire park. The paths were easy to navigate and there were placards with information for you to read as you embark on the journey. I would absolutely return!!! The butterfly house was unfortunately empty, but ironically enough the exterior of it had many butterflies fluttering around. We visited in early October so maybe the house had more activity earlier in the year. Not a huge deal since we saw so many outside but a smidge of a bummer.

    Manish C.

    Airlie Gardens is a beautiful and serene place to explore in the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach area. Although spring is typical bloom season and most things weren't in bloom in October, staff were hard at work with landscaping and watering plants. The massive oak trees were beautiful, and they have one that dates back to the 1500s. The waterfront pergola garden is especially scenic and picturesque. Plenty of filming has taken place here, including television episodes of One Tree Hill, Dawson's Creek, and Sleepy Hollow. You will hear birds chirping as you wander about and may see some wildlife out on Bradley Creek or on the other bodies of water. We saw several turtles out on a log and a few swam right up to the steps of the pergola garden. The butterfly house didn't have any butterflies, but their brochure does mention they are only there seasonally May through October. We did see some butterflies outside while walking the grounds. Admission is a very modest $10, and there's plenty of free parking in their lot. Although there are some unpaved paths, most of the walking paths are paved. They do offer an unguided tram, but it's recommended to call ahead as it's not always running (it wasn't running when I visited since the person that drove it had called out). Overall, I loved my visit to Airlie Gardens and while it's not one of the larger or more elaborate gardens in the country, I'd recommend it to others visiting the Wilmington area who love gardens or exploring peaceful settings.

    Natasha M.

    Southern coastal charm and natural beauty at every turn. These well-manicured gardens are simply stunning. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this place, but it was one of the highlights of my vacation. Self-guided and an ease-full walk, (and I think ADA accessible).

    Silly toad and pal
    April S.

    Just a beautiful walk no matter what time of the year. I love just sitting and spending time in the butterfly house it's so peaceful - will definitely be back

    Airlie gardens is absolutely perfect for everyone. The garden is beautiful and very peaceful.

    Rebecca M.

    Airlie Gardens is a beautiful 67 acre garden. The gardens are next to the Bradley Creek Salt Marsh. When you arrive there is a large parking lot and then you go purchase your ticket for your time in the gardens. The only restrooms are at that building. They do offer a golf cart trip around the gardens if you are not a strong walker. There are tram stops throughout the gardens if you want to walk some and ride some. I walked around the gardens but am not positive if I saw everything as I kept getting myself lost as there are many paths to take. I do have a good sense of direction so knew the direction to head when I had my fill of nature and the sun. I didn't follow the map and just wandered and took in my surroundings which was the best way for me to explore the gardens that day and find my zen. The Airlie Oak tree dates back to 1545. The azaleas and camellias were everywhere it seemed. I loved all the tulips. There are lakes and a sculpture garden, a butterfly house and even a pollinator garden. The gift shop areas was under construction so I didn't get to check that out but there is always next time.

    Sofia H.

    This beautiful garden was donated to the city by a family called Xxx, it's no wonder it has been used as a shooting location for not one but two famous series "Dawson's Creek" and " One Tree Hill". It's a lovely venue for weddings and a walk with the kids, friends or family. There is a small sanctuary for butterflies and in one of the spots there are turtles which makes the whole arboretum tour much more fun for kids. I enjoyed it a lot it was a very hot day and the location has ample parking and water fountain, they had sold out on cold water bottles which I would suggest having those on stock maybe perhaps adding a water vending machine with all brands and kinds of water - for mama like me who often forget a few important things for the road (just a random thought). It's absolutely stunning wonderful place for calming and being with nature and it's a must spot to stop by if you are visiting Wilmington as I was for the first time or perhaps every time (at least for me it will be).

    Isaac A.

    Went here for an afternoon stroll! Beautiful place with a mix of everything to see. It's right on the water too but you might not notice given you feel like you're in a forest oasis. The structure with steps down by the pond is probably the coolest. Really liked the oak trees too and the butterfly sanctuary with the glass bottle sculpture. The tree inside the sculpture is amazing... made with metal and birds are on it! Must see. Doesn't take long to walk the entire thing. Good for a quick break of the day.

    Emily M.

    This was a very cute place to walk around, kill time, and just enjoy the beauty outside! My kids and I had a lot of fun walking around, although there was not as much to see and do as I thought there was, it was still well worth stopping in.

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    8 months ago

    A nice respite and forest walk. We visited this week for the first time and bought a season pass as we exited.

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    1 year ago

    Great scenery and friendly staff! Try walking around by the riverfront or exploring the old buildings.

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    Ask the Community - Airlie Gardens

    Do you have to pay the entrance fee if you're attending a wedding?

    No. You do not. It is after hours usually and the Garden part is only open at certain areas where the wedding is being held.

    Can I bring my dog?

    Pets are not permitted in the Gardens, nor can they be left in a vehicle. Service animals are welcome.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Airlie Gardens

    Another favorite area is the bottle chapel, which is exactly what it sounds like: a chapel made of glass bottles.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Airlie Gardens - venues - Updated May 2026

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