Founded in 1934, The Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers 55 acres (22 hectares) of world-class gardens in the center of Duke University. More than five miles (eight kilometers) of pathways lead visitors on walks through four sections of beautifully landscaped terraces, gardens, and arboretums. The Duke Gardens host gardening, photography, and natural history classes, and a summer concert series. A cafe and a visitor center are on the grounds. Walking and trolley tours are given four days a week; reservations are recommended.
Pull up a bench and revel in nature's beauty in this eight-acre (three-hectare) garden wonderland. This outdoor laboratory for the Department of Horticulture at North Carolina State University is a delight for visitors and locals alike. Sit in the shade of trees from over 50 different countries, wander down the 450-foot (137-meter) long mosaic of the Perennial Garden, or bring a good book and relax in the Reading Garden. The Victorian gazebo in the Klein-Pringle White Garden is a popular choice for local brides and the Japanese and Paradise gardens are must-sees.
Lake Johnson Park offers visitors more than 5 miles (8 kilometers) of walking trails leading around a serene lake, past picnic shelters, a boardwalk, a public pool, and boat launches. Boat rentals are available through the park office. The park is a popular fishing destination, holds conference and event facilities, and hosts a public program of educational activities throughout the year.
The Duke Lemur Center is a sanctuary for rare and endangered prosimian primates – mostly lemurs – located a few miles from the Duke University campus. The sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the world, and houses nearly 250 non-primates across 21 species, on 85 acres. The center focuses on conservation, research, and outreach, but provides opportunities for guided tours seven days a week. Visitors can tour the grounds with a staff photographer, paint with lemurs, or experience a day in the shoes of a lemur caretaker. Tours are by appointment only, and should be reserved several weeks in advance.
Named after the family of industrialist James Duke, this private, independent research university sprawls over three campuses, and is an icon of research, culture, and education. The university attracts visitors for its Collegiate Gothic Architecture, the highlight of which is Duke Chapel, an active interdenominational chapel in the center of the school's campus. Other highlights include the Lemur Center–a rare and endangered prosimian primate sanctuary—a Medical Center, the Perkins Library, the Sarah B. Duke Gardens, and the Duke Forest and Golf Club. Student-led tours, and maps for self-guided tours, are available through the undergraduate admissions office.
Established in 1795, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill still stands today as the oldest public university in the country. This campus hosts a plethora of events throughout the year in the arts, academics, sports and more. Memorial Hall stages a breath-taking concerts, Kenan Memoral Stadium hosts stunning feats of athleticism and the Ackland Art Museum provides a quiet place to contemplate the visual arts.
Founded in 1934, The Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers 55 acres (22 hectares) of world-class gardens in the center of Duke University. More than five miles (eight kilometers) of pathways lead visitors on walks through four sections of beautifully landscaped terraces, gardens, and arboretums. The Duke Gardens host gardening, photography, and natural history classes, and a summer concert series. A cafe and a visitor center are on the grounds. Walking and trolley tours are given four days a week; reservations are recommended.
The St. Paul A.M.E. Church is a historic congregation established in 1884. Built in the Late Gothic Revival style, it has a brick and frame structure. This beautiful church is considered to be the very first African American church in the city and the oldest in county. The church is a part of the National Register of Historic Places and has also been listed as a Raleigh Historic Landmark. The church is open for services and other religious ceremonies.
Pull up a bench and revel in nature's beauty in this eight-acre (three-hectare) garden wonderland. This outdoor laboratory for the Department of Horticulture at North Carolina State University is a delight for visitors and locals alike. Sit in the shade of trees from over 50 different countries, wander down the 450-foot (137-meter) long mosaic of the Perennial Garden, or bring a good book and relax in the Reading Garden. The Victorian gazebo in the Klein-Pringle White Garden is a popular choice for local brides and the Japanese and Paradise gardens are must-sees.
Cedarock Historical Farm is a park that showcases 19th Century history. The park contains two farm and other remnants from its historic past. The farm gets it name from the rocky protrusions and the cedar trees in the area.
The Carolina Tiger Reserve was originally founded in 1973 as The Carnivore Evolutionary Research Institute. It is a non-profit sanctuary for wildcats like tigers, bobcats, lions, cougars and leopards. The sanctuary’s aim is to protect and conserve wildcats that that been bred in captivity and in their natural habitat. They protect these animals against poachers who want to trade these animals for money when they are on the brink of extinction.