Inside: Carolina parents share some of the most beautiful gardens in Charlotte, NC to explore with your family.
Looking for a garden in Charlotte, NC to explore and enjoy? The weather is looking magnificent for a pretty garden stroll with your family. Charlotte, North Carolina, and its surrounding areas boast a variety of beautiful gardens that offer visitors pretty paths to wander, diverse plants to enjoy, and lots of fresh garden air.
Many of the options on our list are completely free to visit.
Here are 6 gardens in Charlotte to explore.
1. Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
Established in 1927 by Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson, Wing Haven serves as a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. The garden features pools, fountains, and a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. Notably, it houses several champion trees, including a significant Tulip Poplar. The property also includes the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, the former home of the renowned garden writer and landscape architect.
Quick details:
📍 248 Ridgewood Avenue, Charlotte, NC
💰 Admission: $10 per person age 10 and up. Under age 10 is free.
Wing Haven Gardens participates in Museums for All,: “Present your SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or WIC card/voucher to the admissions team upon check-in to receive free general admission for a party of up to four people with children 10 and under free to Wing Haven’s gardens.”
🌿 Wing Haven Gardens Website
2. McGill Rose Garden
Looking for a free garden to visit in Charlotte? The McGill Rose Garden is a great choice! Once a coal and ice yard, this 1.4-acre garden was transformed by Helen McGill starting in 1950. Today, it showcases over a thousand rose bushes across more than 200 varieties, along with numerous annuals, perennials, and herbs. The garden is open to the public year-round without an admission fee, and there is a small cafe on site called Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden.
We visited this garden recently, and WOW was it pretty. Check out our full Kidding Around review of the McGill Rose Garden.
📍 940 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
💰 Admission: Free
🌿 McGill Rose Garden Website
3. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Another beautiful free garden to explore, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are located on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus. These 3 gardens feature diverse collections, including the indoor garden at the McMillan Greenhouse with its tropical plants and carnivorous species. Outdoors, enjoy the Ralph Van Landingham Glen with over 900 species of indigenous trees and wildflowers, and the Susie Harwood Garden, known for its dwarf conifers and Japanese maples.
📍 9090 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC
💰 Admission: Free
🌿 UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Website
4. Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve
Another free option, great for families with young kids, the Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve is an expansive 125-acre urban park that offers various recreational facilities, including sports courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Adjacent to the park is a 737-acre nature preserve with over ten miles of hiking trails, a nature center, and a certified Habitat Garden. The preserve also hosts the annual Hummingbird Festival, attracting numerous visitors.
📍 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC
💰 Admission: Free
🌿 Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Review and Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Website
5. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Situated in Belmont, just west of Charlotte, this 380-acre garden is one of the largest in the area. It offers themed gardens, a conservatory dedicated to tropical plants and orchids, and numerous fountains and walking trails. It’s a haven for plant enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat. The children’s play areas are totally amazing and well worth the visit!
Get our full story on Visiting the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens With Kids.
📍 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC
💰 Admission: Adults are $16.95, children ages 2 to 12 are $9.95, under age 2 are free, seniors over 60 are $14.95, Memberships available
🌿 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Website
6. Independence Park Garden
Established in 1924, Independence Park is Charlotte’s oldest public park, spanning 24 acres. It features winding paths, a rose garden, large trees, a reflecting pond, a gazebo, playgrounds, athletic fields, and the 300-seat Independence Park Stadium. There is a trail through the park that is just over 3/4 of a mile. Follow it through the lower part of the park to explore the rose gardens, pond, and gazebo areas.
📍 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC
💰 Admission: Free
🌿 Independence Park Garden Website
Bonus! Day Trip Gardens
Looking for more gardens to explore?
See Gardens Near Greenville and the Upstate! Hop over to our sister-site for a list 15 Beautiful Gardens Near Greenville.
North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is about a 2 hour drive from Charlotte, which makes it a reasonable day trip for such a beautiful place. The arboretum has garden exhibits, hiking, and biking trails, educational programs, and a cafe and gift shop. Some notable exhibits are the garden-scale model train that runs Saturdays and Sundays, a Stream Garden, a Quilt Garden, and a Bonsai Exhibit.
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
There is no admission fee, but parking is $20.
