Lake Johnson Park is one of Raleigh's best spots when you want a workout that actually comes with a…read moreview. The 3-mile loop gave me the perfect mix of cardio, scenery, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The trail is mostly paved and very well maintained, but there are also a few off-road paths if you want to switch things up. The lake views are gorgeous throughout the walk, and the heavily wooded sections make it feel peaceful and shaded even on warmer days. I also appreciated that the trail has a few solid uphill stretches. I'd say it's ideal for intermediate walkers, runners, or cyclists looking for a scenic challenge without venturing into hardcore hiking territory. The only downside is the parking situation, which can get pretty tight during busy hours. Still, once you're on the trail, it's absolutely worth it. Raleigh really lucked out with this gem of a park.

Natures finest!…read more Local park with free (but limited) parking. Walking trails. Kayak and paddleboard rentals. Birdwatching. Clean picnic and public bathrooms. Great place to go and enjoy nature.

Awesome park! Visited this past weekend with the main attraction being the sunflowers ! I haven't…read moreseen a field of sunflowers this big since living in South Dakota. Some were dead, but many were still living. Although there was significant rain this week, many parts of the fields were sandy and dry, there is a ramp like at the beach for wheelchairs and strollers. Also saw one of the hammock areas, a dog park and a troll ! I was seriously impressed at the size and scale of this park, and could easily spend an entire day exploring and enjoying, or bringing a lunch spread. Would definitely like to find and see the other trolls (heard there are 5 in total), spend some more time relaxing in hammock alley! Hope to return in the future!

Other than the renovation of certain park areas, this place was great. We did so much walking,…read moreespecially when you walked to 4 of the 5 trolls residing within the park fences (we saw one at the start of the loop in our car). We enjoyed the hammocks set between two trees - and there were many of them. The trolls were fun. They each had names, and a QR code to read their stories. Other visitors offered pieces to the puzzle. One even visited Charlotte, NC, where I believed she talked about the grandmother, but it's a tree instead of a troll. Anyway, good strolls, lots of sun, and it was fun watching the dogs at the dog park. Plan on a couple of ours in search for the trolls. Or, do that, and picnic under the trees or pavilions. There are shuttles so you can park in one area, and then visit another.

Nice little park for families. Very clean and well maintained. Some great play areas and some low…read morecost amusements. Highly recommend!

No doubt the best park in the Raleigh area with lots of things to do for the rug rats. Carousel,…read moreboats, playgrounds, Choo Choo train, and wonderful picnic pavilions. Food stand has a few things which are actually pretty good plus ice cream and soft drinks, which are refreshing in the summer months. New bocce courts are nice addition and the tennis courts are never busy. Check out their live music schedule, too!

This park is a great place to take a walk and kill some time. From the parking lot you can walk…read morethrough down the path. You will see basketball courts. baseball fields, sitting areas, and several fields for various activities. There were paths if you wanted to venture into the woods which i started to do but once i saw the giant spider webs, i turned around lol. There is a body of water. There is a huge playground if you have kids. There is also a building, im thinking it was a community center but i had no reason to go inside. Other than the kids in the playground this place was pretty quiet. Its a good place to enjoy your day outside.

I visited Laurel Hills today while attending the city's Wake County Genealogical Society Find Your…read moreFamily History Event & Holistic Wellness Expo. I've visited years ago while bringing my daughter to the playground. The playground is very modern here. A lovely place for young children. They also have several basketball courts and a nice gazebo picnic area. The Genealogy event was very informative. Staff were very engaged and helpful. Very well organized. It was intriguing to learn about my loved ones and where we come from.

Love this park and the water splash area for kids when it's hot! Sometimes they have marketing…read moreevents there with information and free handouts samples promoting community services. The play equipment isn't as exciting as other places but the open space and freedom to burn off some energy is fabulous

Chavis Park is named after John Chavis, a free Black educator, Presbyterian minister, and American…read moreRevolutionary War veteran. In 1808, he opened his first school, the site of which was located near the grounds of modern-day Chavis Park. There is rich black history here at this park. If you visit the community center on its grounds you can see the black and white photos adorning the walls of the center dating back to the 60's featuring the people of this African American community. This is a beautiful park that is home to the main attraction its early 20th-century carousel. Allan Herschell Carousel, showcases a Wurlitzer 146A band organ, oil paintings of waterfalls and other natural scenes, and thirty-six jumping, hand-carved, hand-painted horses. There are several indoor and outdoor spaces available to the public and for rent. In addition a playground, tennis courts, and a pool, the park offers a community center, picnic shelters, a gymnasium, a lit, outdoor track, a fitness center, and a game room. A half-mile of Raleigh's Capital Area Greenway traverses the park via Little Rock Trail. During the week my daughter attends basketball practice here and we love the view of the city skyline from the community center This is my favorite park in the Raleigh area.

What a daydream this spot is so beautiful and a very easy walk. I loved coming in to explore this…read more park and we even saw some deer when walking here. It was so cute. For more recommendations follow@raleighunlocked on Instagram.

It's a nice park in the area! You'll get to expose yourself to sunlight and nature! Great place to…read moredo picnic or outdooring like fishing and playing toys on the lake! Cool place

I came across William B Umstead State Park while staying in a nearby hotel for business. I am…read morealways looking for somewhere peaceful to walk or run when I have the time and so happy to have found this park nearby. I came to find out that the park covers thousands of acres and has all kinds of trails. The entrance I utilized on foot required my constant attention after crossing over the interstate as the sidewalk vanishes and I had to make sure I was on the shoulder to make sure I didn't get squished by cars going into and out of the park. It wasn't that difficult but be aware if you are entering the park on foot from the nearby SAS campus (of which I understand Umstead along with a friend started). There's lots of parking from this entrance and a few trails to choose from. I took the Loblolly trail from the Reedy Creek entrance. It is fairly long at around 7 miles out. It's not a loop. I did about a mile and a quarter of the trail and it was awesome. All covered with a tree canopy the trail is well marked and maintained. It ranged from gravel to vines and rocks to bare dirt. Great scenery and very peaceful. There's enough room to pass other walkers and hikers. I really enjoyed this park. I want to explore it more if I'm in the area again as I had time constraints. I highly recommend this well maintained park and will visit again. Nothing quite like a good walk in nature. Enjoy!

Wonderful trails for biking, hiking, walking (and also some trails are sign-posted to allow…read morehorses). Not crowded. Miles & miles of trails. Picnic tables and pavilions. Creeks and streams. Lakes and ponds. Boating. BE AWARE of closed trails, bridges, etc...stop by the park office AND check the website for closures.

For years, Lake Benson has been my go to for outdoor activities. Walking the paved loop is about a…read moremile (small dirt trail goes past lake and detours off path)and you can cross Benson Road into White Deer park to easily get 3 miles. They also have a boat house with limited hours but the prices for renting kayaks, canoes and Jon Boats is minimal... $10 for two hours kayaking if you are a garner resident

We live in a neighboring town close but and bumped into this gem. Nice area to walk and plenty of…read moreroom for children

I've visited JC Raulston Arboretum many times. Sometimes I come for a stroll on my lunch break, but…read morethis occasion was for a friend's 40th Birthday celebration. She hosted a Harry Potter themed tea party at the White Garden. It was unseasonably hot for September, but thankfully there was plenty of shade at the location. It's a beautiful natural backdrop with trees and flowers. The white gazebo is quite lovely also. It's a beautiful place to walk around and it's also free entry. I haven't been to their Moonlight in the Garden event yet, but I'll keep trying to make it eventually.

Beautiful gardens with plenty of shade to explore. Loved what I could see of the rose gardens…read more Great spot for this wanting to get married there. Terrain wasn't too rough for anything who wants a casual stroll.

The Raleigh Rose Garden is one of the City of Raleigh Parks. It is a treasure in Raleigh, located…read morebehind the Raleigh Little Theatre. The garden was officially dedicated in 1951 and remains one of three accredited rose gardens in North Carolina. The area has a fascinating history. The sunken, oval-shaped space was a dirt race track back when the NC Fairgrounds was located there. Then, during World War I, the space was converted into a training ground for Camp Polk's combat tanks. The racehorse track and the combat tank training trench were reimagined into the space we get to enjoy today. The mud hole was drained, and the land was reshaped by volunteers. The tier-terraces were a way to keep the water from washing away the future flowers. The amphitheater was constructed first, and it took years for the rose garden, as there was no budget for it during World War II. Nurseries, community garden clubs and even private individuals donated the rose bushes and native trees, Normally, there is a free parking lot, but my visit today had the lot blocked off as a tree brought down power lines. So there was parking available on the streets surrounding the gardens. My visit today was short: it was 97 degrees out, and my phone overheated during my stroll. I realized I might be overheated, too and made my way back into the air conditioning. It is a stunning, historic oasis that is well worth the visit--just remember to bring a cold bottle of water on hot afternoons!

Thank You!!! ...to the volunteers that maintain this treasured garden with hundreds of rose…read morebushes....and thanks to the city for the upgrades recently made : ) Amazing spot that always brings a smile ; ) and such a wonderful asset in our city. FYI- Mother's Day is typically a good time to visit in the spring