What are tremendous place to go to on a Sunday. Catching all the session all the plants and other cool sculptures. It has a very family friendly vibe. But at heart it is very relaxing and the chance to walk around without seeing any houses or buildings is very relaxing.

Came here while it was blistering hot during the middle of the day and had a great time. If youre looking to take great photos or even practice taking photos, look no further!Its free and I can see why people could spend hours here. When you arrive you just walk right in on the right hand side. Dont worry about going into any of the buildings, like the Administration building for instance. Check out the photos I was able to snap on my phone!Beautiful place!

Beautiful garden. Wells organize. Not crowded And free to visit. It was a nice stop for our beach trip in Wilminton. I will like to come back to visit and make a donation. A garden like this will benefit for everyone.

A hidden gem!!! This arboretum is very different than the ones Ive visited around the East Coast. Usually, the arboretum would have a lot if trees and little flowers and art. This arboretum is beautiful. It is smaller than I expected but perfect since I only have an hour before my 6 hour drive home. I like the children gardens. This arboretum is great for parents and bring your kids. It is colorful. There is a Japanese garden and house. My favorite is the ecosystem pond with huge koi fish that are so friendly. They came up to me... For food, Im sure . I bet this garden is even more beautiful in the spring and summer time with flowers blooming everywhere. Apparently there is a big snake on the property. Fortunately, I didnt see it. Look at for different types of birds. I spotted one hanging out in the pond on the dragon, and crane walking around. This arboretum is free to visit and there is a donation box. Please consider making a donation. They really did a great job maintaining this arboretum. The arboretum is also dogfriendly. My girls loved exploring the park. If Im in Wilmington again, I will definitely stop by.

Every year these gardens get more beautiful. Im amazed its still no charge to get in. Unfortunately its not a very large area but it is pretty and educational, a great place to go to get ideas for the yard

This place is gorgeous, and very well maintained. Its the perfect place to spend the afternoon walking around or just relaxing and reading a book. Best of all, its free! Go spend the day and appreciate the hard work these folks have put into making this area beautiful. You wont regret it.

Even in mid-February this was an amazing place to visit if youre a plant lover. The gardens may not be huge, but they are so well labeled and diverse. Plus, they are open seven days a week with no admission fee. You really cant go wrong.

This place for me is a haven heaven of a place! I come here and my stress and pain subsides. Im transferred to the garden of eden. Its a haven! I thank all who work so hard making this place magical for us all to enjoy! These pictures were from the plant sale.

This place is a hidden gem. Absolutely gorgeous architecture at every turn. Beautiful landscaping and fantastic flowers. We went during the Art in the Gardens and we had such a fantastic time. Loved experiencing the fall festivities and meeting so many wonderful artists in Wilmington. They had good food stands. We got hot dogs and donuts. I definitely recommend coming here with the kids so they can learn and discover new fantastic things about the world of animals and plants. The gift store has great take home items. Wish they would have had postcards. But thats alright I think they had general cards and Ill snag some next time I go! Staff are amazing by the way!

Beautiful place to visit. Very relaxing and kids would definitely enjoy. However, due to COVID we could not get to play area, but other areas were free to explore that were enjoyable! Pond area with fish was love. Wish I had known they had picnic table we would had lunch here️

Enjoyed walking the grounds to see what was here. Its a small place, but I do love that it is free! It would be a great place to bring the kids for a bit of learning, a bit of running around, then sit and have a picnic lunch. (I visited after the hurricane, which is probably not the best time to come.) Ill be back in the spring, to check it out again.

This place was beautiful! Perfectly quiet but there was still people there to help if you have any questions. Very peaceful and even has a Japanese tea house tucked back in the garden. Also features a small childrens area with musical instruments and books to read in the kids house. Has picnic tables to have lunch... totally worth a drive (completely free)

One of the most beautiful places in Wilmington, seasonal changes make each visit different. A short walking path through different flowers, trees and decor. There is a gift shop and classes offered. I feel like there is something for everyone. Another dog friendly place, so my fur kid and I go often. There is a large koi pond also, which offers a chance to feed the fish and turtles.

Beautiful place. Wish the tea house was open. A great place to eat lunch and take pictures

Its a beautiful and fun garden park to visit for all ages. And its free. Need an outing during covid... this is a great place to go.

Even during the winter time, it still had its charm and beauty all around you whether it was the pond, to the japanese style house scene, to the rose bushes circular pathway. All in all, I highly recommend Master Gardeners to go and see this place.

Beautifully kept grounds that I love to bring my children to. Feeding the fish is always their favorite, though I particularly enjoy the native pollinator garden full of bees and butterflies. The space has a beautiful flow for exploring, along with little mailboxes on the path full of handouts about the flora. A weekly family favorite

Love coming with family to feed the koi and walk around. The landscaping, gardens, minu playhouse, Japanese tea house, are all enjoyable to visit and its free!!

I absolutely love this place. So beautiful. Free. A treasure.

Such a beautiful place! The fish pond and Japanese garden was absolutely amazing. Will definitely be back!

Grand kids had a ball running around whole we enjoyed all the flowers.

Fantastic little garden thats extremely peaceful. In the spring time when the garden is filled with beautiful plants and flowers, it must be a joy to walk around the small garden.I went during the fall right after Hurricane Florence hit so there were a large area completely unrecovered from the damage of the hurricane that contained debris and the plants were just wiped out. They managed to recover some of the garden and they had some absolutely beautiful roses on display. The small water structure from the multiple ponds and water fountains also had some cool little bronze sculptures but they need to recycle and filter the standing water better. Was bit by mosquitoes so be careful.Overall considering the much larger Airlie gardens was still shut down from the damage as of the time Im writing this review, its still impressive they were able to get so much of it back up and running in such a short time. The greenhouse gardens also were running sales on plants which was a nice way to support the gardens while procuring some inexpensive plants for your house with knowledgeable representatives to navigate the wide variety and species.

Absolutely beautiful and FREE! Lots to see and learn.

This is a beautiful space that my family often enjoys. The name Arboretum may be a little misleading but it is certainly one of the areas finest gardens and will not disappoint for any lover of nature.

Beautiful place for a relaxing walk. The landscaping was beautiful and the coy pond was as well.

This is a beautiful little arboretum in the middle of Wilmington. It is a great educational walk.

I really enjoy the gardens. Each section has a different topic (vegetable, native NC plants, fruits, herbs, a tea garden, a childrens garden, and so on). The educational pamphlets are helpful. There is also a nice picnic area.

Its a lovely and magical place to visit! Free to the public and a great place for everyone. If you have a little ones remember your quarters! They have a amazing koi pond to sit by and enjoy plus feed ( during the warm months). You can bring your dog(s) and they have panic tables out for you to enjoy a little panic .

Beautiful and always very well kept! Pumpkin Palooza was very cool too!

Small and quaint. Very nice scenery. Cute place for a date.

I love this NC Extension facility. Its ideal for families and also weddings.

Arboretum is so beautiful and free entry! I love to bring quarters to feed the koi fish. Great place to take pictures and admire the flowers.

What a lovely, peaceful place to visit

Small but pretty and well taken care of. Spotless restrooms

Beautiful property, well taken care of. Difficult to cross most of the bridges as there was an 8th grade art class there and they were camped out on the bridges. Awesome fish pond.

I went in for a soil test and the people were very informative and pleasant. The grounds a beautifully maintained. I saw some ferns that looked like green fur I just wanted to touch but the sign said not so I didnt. Great place.

Beautiful plants and flowers.

Charming and whimsical gardens. Beautiful grounds and a wonderful place to find some peace, get some great pictures, and enjoy a sunny day

Used it as a venue today to take pictures of a couple it was a wonderful day. The Japanese house was a good place to take wonderful pictures with the fall I really wish the couple really enjoyed themselves and someone and I with them and we got really nice pictures. I was suggested to others the hours of operation for the Arboretum is 8 am in the morning till sundown. The only disappointment I had with it; there was only one bathroom available, and that bathroom in the front of the garden and with children and othersArboretum is in of needed another bathroom that had more than one stall in the back as well other than that was a great experience.

Very nice stop with lots of garden inspiration!

Great place to explore and its free! Im a photographer and brought a family here for a session and we had so much fun. There are sooooooo many creative possibilities here for anyone wanting to do any type of shoot.

Great place to visit for photos and an activity for the family! We recently shot an engagement session here and we couldnt be more happy with the diverse backdrops.

I absolutely love this place! Ive been to Wilmington many times and I always think about a visit to the garden. Its well maintained, creatively set up and a great photo spot. Theres a nice pond for doing reflections of the sculptures and plants nearby, even a little waterfall! Theres a great kids play area, and lots of Adirondack chairs for taking a rest. The gift shop has lots of nice goodies - Im wearing the bee t-shirt I bought there right now! Im not sure if the day I visited was a special volunteer day, but there were more volunteers working than visitors while I was there. If you love a nice garden, dont skip this one!

The Arboretum is lovely all year round. I visit all the time and its free to enter. There is a 25 cent koi food dispenser for the kids. Today I even saw a Heron pretty close up. Would recommend.

9 out of 10 people werent wearing masks ! No enforcement and no safety in a public place. Shameful!!

Went here to early vote& it wasnt crowded at all!

Beautiful structures and curation. My daughters love to walk and relax here.

Abundant offerings at their annual plant sale. Beautiful, well-manicured gardens! Such a nice outing that we shall return to visit. We were assisted graciously by their numerous volunteers and master gardeners. Thank you!

I just love this place!

Beautiful community gardens, free to go, donations accepted.

Nice free way to kill 30 mins or so in Wilmington. The gardens are always well kept. You often see volunteers working to keep everything pretty.

I really feel like this place is a Hidden Gem sometimes! There so many New Hanover County residents that either dont know this place exists or forgets. Plus its absolutely free and you can bring the whole family even your dog if leashed. Theres always something blooming year round

Absolutely Stunning Arrangement of nature and beautiful flowers. Everyone should visit this place. Its a wonderful place to take someone to just Relax and enjoy the scenery or eat on your lunch break. Dont forget to feed the fish

Beautiful and free. Definitely a place for kids to explore and adults.

I have visited 100 times and now I share these visits with my daughter and she loves it. Great for a picnic on a quiet evening.

Great place for a nature walk. Beautiful koi pond and interesting decor throughout the gardens.

An absolute gem! My family loved stopping by and smelling the literal roses. The expertly manicured grounds are an oasis of calm and tranquility. There is a childrens area that my daughter adored, and a small Japanese garden with tea house.This was, by far, the best use of a little free time during our trip to Wilmington.

A beautiful place to visit and its free! My 4 year old loves the fairy garden and tea house.

Great venue for prom pictures. We loved walking the grounds.

Beautiful for a walk, free, and a wonderful learning experience. The beautiful surroundings helpbring a sense of serenity. There is a Japanese tea House & garden does a nice place to sit and relax outside of the sun on a warm day. And the Rose garden is beautiful during the spring when the roses are in full bloom. and I love going during the fall so I can see all the different foods that theyre going to harvest that they donate to local shelters!

The kids loved it! They asked if they could come back in the spring when more flowers are in bloom. I have 2 9year olds and a 6 year old and they all fell in love with this place! I was so excited to see how excited they were! I love that this is a amazing free place to bring the kids

Beautiful specimens in incredibly designed setting.

A wonderful place to visit

Beautiful gardens with easily accessible walking paths and a stunning koi pond!

It is a beautiful place to pass a idle evening

Beautiful. Cant wait for spring!

This is a great little piece of nature in Wilmington. Well taken care of and very diverse variety of plants. Was peaceful to walk around.

A very nice place to stop and smell the flowers.

It was very pretty and pleasant.

Beautiful atmosphere and well maintained. I am a photographer and 3 of my clients have chosen this place for portrait, couples and most recently a wedding party photo session. I always recommend this venue for a peaceful experience as a photographer

Wonderful free arboretum featuring native and non-native plants, shrubs and trees. We were there in mid April. It was great to see the late spring color, but it is obviously designed to provide multi season interest. I particularly like the large section dedicated to local butterfly plants which should also support the local bee population.

This is the most beautiful place in Wilmington in my opinion. I would live here if I could!

Is a really cool place to spend time with family and I saw some people doing photos session wich I think is a perfect idea in the perfect place to do so. Definitely would come back to visit again.

Bring koi fish food for the pond. Its our favorite!

Very cool little hidden park with one of the most unique playgrounds out there. Great place to bring the kids to let their imaginations run wild! With everything from a little village to the dragon scultpute in the lake! Worth checking out at least once if you have little people in your life!

Excited to come back in spring/summer but still very pretty and peaceful.

The arboretum is the most beautiful garden in Wilmington. It has an incredible water feature. It has a vegetable garden. It even has a labyrinth. It really is the most spectacular garden in Wilmington. It is free and open to the public.

I thought it was amazing. My 14 month old thought even higher of it. The koi fish are so cool and beautiful and the babies are in this year, theyre a cute addition.

Very restful with pond and rocks and mini waterfalls. Benches and seating to sit and relax. also had mini library. Wonderful gardens.

Very cute, small place to stroll through

Easy access to beautiful gardens full of a wide variety of flowers, bushes, and trees, all accessible by paved pathways.

Beautiful garden space and free for the public to visit. Perfect for taking a lunch outside or a quick stroll around.

Great place to visit and see plants on display that will grow well in SE NC.

I love the New Hanover Arboretum as a location for photographs. I am a photographer, so I appreciate the fact that it is free to visit the Arboretum and you can tell that the people who tend to the flowers and grounds truly care about having a beautiful place to share with the community. There are winding walkways, a huge koi pond, a really pretty red bridge and one of the most beautiful gazebos Ive ever seen! There is also a kids play area and plenty of great spots for a picnic.

Fabulous demonstration garden!

The beautiful variety of plants and structures make a great setting for special events. Weddings, plant sales, art shows and just kid friendly walks make this a good place to visit.

If you are in Wilmington, go and visit. Its free. Nice spot for a picnic lunch.

It was peaceful, lovely and informative. Nice gift shop.

Such a cute place and great for kids!

This garden is historical as well as beautiful. Time may have gotten ahold of the place, but it is still a wonderful place for a picnic lunch or a simple stroll. And their flower beds are something to truly admire.

So beautiful! Well taken care of. So many wonderful plants, trees, and decor.

Beautiful place!Not your usual Arboretum. Pleasantly surprised. Something for everyone; any age

A friend took me here. (Of course its the beginning of February, soo...) not much were in bloom but it was still very nice!There were some camellias in bloom that were nice. The large lake with sculptures was very relaxing. There are places to sit and relax to take in the views around you. (Including various small houses around the park) The Japanese garden was really nice.

Beautiful way to spend a hour or two with children. Very enjoyable and free

A nice garden with free admission. Lots of fun events for the family as well.

Gorgeous gardens with tons of educational info. Free admission too! Definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful grounds meticulously cared for. I love that I can ask all my gardening and landscaping questions here. Truly a gem for Wilmington.

This is a wonderful little set of gardens in Wilmington. They are very well maintained, and the facility is free.

Free gardens, fountains, and decorative buildings to explore. Great way to spend an afternoon!

Poke stops hit different here...