Duke University Botanical Gardens or Sarah P Duke Gardens is a great place to visit any time of the year. However, spring and early summer are some of the best times, when the flowers are blooming at their peak. This beautiful place is located in Durham city and at the heart of Duke University in North Carolina.
Things to do at Duke University Botanical Gardens
Spread over fifty-five acres, these gorgeous and elegant gardens with many flowering plants and trees are truly a photographer's heaven. It has many scenic locations and backdrops to shoot photographs. You will find many breathtaking and pretty flowering plants. There are colorful tulips, roses, cherry blossoms, dahlias, iris, lilies, and many more varieties and species of flowering plants.
There is a lot to cover and miles to walk, as the gardens are spread over acres. We were able to cover most of it in our first visit but not the entire garden as we did not want to rush. However, you could cover it all if you plan to spend a whole day there. There are small windy trails and steps and it is a good place for a picnic with family or a group of friends.
If you feel the need to reconnect with nature and relax in the scenic surroundings, this is the right place to visit. There are many comfortable benches, large rocks, and lush green grass to rest and overlook the scenery. The pond with turtles and ducks is very amazing. They also have fish ponds, fountains, a butterfly garden, a memorial garden, a Japanese garden, a tea house, a beautiful arched bridge, and even a visitor information center. The admission is free but there is a parking fee.
Visiting this breathtaking place was quite a wonderful experience and left us longing for more, to go back and experience it all again. Nature sure does have that phenomenal effect on us . Concluding this post with beautiful thoughts on nature, how we are a part of it, and the simple pleasures of just being in nature.
“We often forget that WE ARE NATURE. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say that we have lost our connection to nature, we’ve lost our connection to ourselves.” - Andy Goldsworthy
"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring -these are some of the rewards of the simple life. " - John Burroughs
Pin Me!
The pictures are stunning........................Thanks for sharing such a beautiful experience.
Thank you so much for the kind comments!
Oh my goodness. I am in awe of these photos you've shared. What a magical place! I'd *love* to have a walk through there, even if there's no way to really cover it all. Wow. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see it, even if it's not nearly the same as being in person.
Thank you so much for the wonderful comments, appreciate it . Glad to hear you loved it. It is indeed a great place to visit and spend some quality time.
So beautiful Nisha!!!
Thank you so much, appreciate it!
Absolutely magical. I can practically smell the fresh flowers and feel the breeze from here!
Thank you so much, the pictures sure does have that effect 🙂
WOW.. Such gorgeous photos! Loved them all! ❤️
Thank you so much!
I loved that quote by Andy Goldsworthy too. What a wonderful place to spend a few hours, or a day, or a week. And so pleased it’s free.
Glad you loved it Chris. It sure is a great place to spend quality time and just absorb it all . They only have parking fees but is worth it!
Andy Goldsworthy's quote is so apt.
Your beautiful pictures are showing that you were in the paradise of flowers... and thank you for making us join here through your awesome picture gallery!
I agree and love the quote as well. Happy to hear you loved the flowers .It is my pleasure to share. Thank you so much!
It is so nice to see such beautiful flowers in varied hues. Thanks for the wonderful share.
Magnificent! Such vibrant hues of nature!
Yes indeed Smitha, vibrant hues enough to brighten up your day . Thank you so much!
Thank you so much Megala, glad to hear you loved the flowers!
What beautiful flowers! That yellow tulip...love it! I can't wait for my peonies to bloom!
Happy to hear you loved the flowers Diane .I love them too and can't get enough of taking pictures and admire their beauty.Ah I'm pretty sure you are waiting for them to bloom .This is the best time of the year for flowers !
I have had my crocus and daffodils bloom so far.
oh wow, they are indeed a pretty sight , enjoy!
We have a Durham city in the UK, too!
Over 55 acres, wow. Such a beautiful place, definitely sounds & looks like it’s worth visiting if you’re in N.Carolina. I especially like the sound of the Japanese garden. I'd also want to spend a lot of time here so as not to rush it, there's a lot to cover. You have such gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing!
Caz xx
Thank you Caz, glad you liked it! It's definitely a place worth visiting if you visit NC. Nice to know you have a Durham city there as well. Yes indeed ,loved spending time there and it's better to not to rush just for the heck of covering the whole place so that one can enjoy nature and soak it in.