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Walking through a garden, seeing the array of flowers and plants, and experiencing nature’s peace is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. We are fortunate to have so many spectacular gardens, some historic, in and around Winston-Salem. Spending some spring and summer days visiting them would be a worthwhile activity. We have provided information about each of these gardens below. Take a look, then go enjoy their beauty.
Reynolda Gardens
Reynolda House has the best-known gardens in Winston-Salem. More than 120 years old, now known as Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University, it is a 134-acre outdoor horticultural oasis open to the public from dusk to dawn all year. The Formal Gardens connect to the ornamental and vegetable garden and are divided into 4 “rooms” known as Pink & White Garden, West Rose Garden, East Rose Garden, and Blue & Yellow Garden. You will find Japanese-style tea houses, pergolas, and fountains within the gardens. The best time to see spring flowers is from late April to mid-May, but you will find colorful gardens anytime you go. The Brown Family Conservatory, completely restored and reopened in October 2024, is the entrance to the formal gardens. Visitors can see seasonal displays and a selection of plants worldwide. The Orangery features five distinct Mediterranean regions. You will also find a palm room and a tropical room. Plants are available for purchase in The Welcome Center connected to the greenhouse. Note: The welcome center is cashless. Also, on Reynolda’s grounds are two miles of trails featuring wetlands, woodlands, meadows, and a waterfall if you are inclined to walk.
- Reynolda Gardens Website
- 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC
- Hours: Daily, Dawn-Dusk
- Admission: Free
Old Salem Historic Gardens
Old Salem Museum and Gardens is a fascinating place to visit. If you have not purchased a ticket to tour there yet, you should do so. The history you absorb from visiting the houses and hearing the guide’s information is impressive. The gardens at Old Salem have historic value too. They have been essential to the Moravians since the town was established in 1766. Every Moravian home had a garden with vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Grapes and fruit trees might be grown along the rear fence. Old Salem has reconstructed some of these gardens, planting only those things believed to have been grown in Salem or the area before 1850. These open-pollinated heirlooms supply seeds for the important seed-saving program at Old Salem. These are kept at the Horticultural Education Center, housed in The Single Brothers House., which requires a ticket. You can walk around Old Salem for free and see many of the gardens, but to enjoy demonstrations and explanations of their use, especially for the Single Brothers House and Miksch House, you must purchase a ticket. The Single Brothers House Garden – is planted with an example of what the brothers would have grown in their kitchen garden, as well as their field crops, heirloom vegetables, and grains, including peas, turnips, melons, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. Heirloom herbs are also grown, and apple and cherry trees, grapes, and gourds grow near the fence. The Miksch Garden – displays the garden’s central role in the early Moravian household. The Miksch Home was the first privately owned home in Salem in 1771, and the garden today is planted with the vegetables the family would have needed. As well as medicinal and culinary herbs and flowers, apple, pear, and peach trees are also grown. An interactive experience with costumed interpreters cooking and preserving food from the garden is included with a ticket. The Family Gardens of Salt Street – have been recreated in what is believed to be the style of the backyard gardens of Salem before 1850. You will find the Cape Fear Bank Garden, Leinbach Garden, and Levering Garden. Fruit orchards are also featured along Salt Street. Vacant lots were often used as orchards until they were needed for building purposes.
- Old Salem Horticulture Website | Old Salem Website
- 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- Hours: Open Year Round, except January; Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm; You can walk through Old Salem at anytime
- Admission: Tickets are $30 for adults, $16 for students/children, plus tax; free entry to children 0-3 years old. Tickets give access to all open venues and demonstrations, the Frank L Horton Museum Center, and the Old Salem Gardens. They are available at the Visitor’s Center or the Old Salem Website.
Bethabara Gardens
The Bethabara Gardens, located in Bathabara Park, are historic and beautiful. They were established when the Moravians settled Bethabara in the early 1750s. The Community Garden, which was considered the Kitchen Garden, was worked by everyone to produce food for the community. They also cooked and ate meals together in their “choirs” or groups based on age, sex, and marital status. Today, the garden is worked by over 20 gardeners who are preserving the tradition of communal gardening. The Medicinal Garden (Hortus Medicus), established by Dr Kalberlahn in 1756, is the first European Medicinal Garden planted in America. It contained plants to treat common ailments in the 18th century. You will also find The Pollinator Garden, though not planted by the Moravians. Still, it preserves the spirit of their relationship with their environment by helping to revive the population and health of pollinators. There are nature trails to walk in the park as well.
- Bethabara Gardens Website | Historic Bethabara Park Website
- 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC
- Hours: Park grounds are always open Dawn-Dusk; Visitors Center: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30am-4:30pm, Sunday, 1:30pm-4:30pm
- Admission: Park grounds are free; Tours of buildings are available: $4 for adults; $1 for children over 3
Paul J Ciener Botanical Gardens
Ciener Botanical Gardens, a 7-acre natural retreat, is located in Kernersville, only 10 minutes from Winston-Salem. Beautiful in any season, the space features a variety of themed gardens, including the colorful and lovely design of the Pattern Garden, the gorgeous flowers during each season of the Perennial Garden, and the Rill and Reflecting Pool, a newer addition, featuring a striking “Dancing Crane” sculpture that’s movement is reflected in the water. A welcome center and garden shop are also on the premises, and children can participate in scavenger hunts. Print out pages here. Some upcoming events at the Gardens: The spectacular Tulip Bloom begins in late March and continues through April. A Spring Plant Sale will be held Saturday, April 12, 8am-12pm. A list of available plants will be published on March 28. Follow Ciener Botanical Gardens on social media for updates.
- Paul J Ciener Botanical Gardens Website | Ciener Botanical Gardens Facebook Page | Ciener Botanical Gardens Instagram
- 215 S Main Street, Kernersville, NC
- Hours: Gardens open Dawn-Dusk; Welcome Center: Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Garden Shop: Tues-Fri, 10am-4pm
- Admission: Free, $4 suggested donation per adult
Tanglewood Arboretum And Gardens
Tanglewood Arboretum and Gardens are located in Tanglewood Park in Clemmons. It is an excellent place for families to visit, with various gardens to explore, including The Wildflower Garden, The Fragrance Garden, The Bog Garden, and The Children’s Garden. The Bog Garden has carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap and pitcher plants. The wildflower garden has NC native plants growing in it. The children’s garden has chimes to play with and the Little Library, where children can go inside and read books. Spring and summer are the best times to visit the Arboretum and gardens to see vibrant blooms and blossoms, while fall will feature foliage displays. Monthly educational classes are offered at the Arboretum.
- Tanglewood Arboretum and Gardens Website | Tanglewood Arboretum and Gardens Brochure (PDF)
- Enter through the main park entrance of US 158
- Hours: Change with the season, See this page for hours
- Admission to park: $2 per personal vehicle
Finding Nature On The Trails In Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem has an abundance of trails for all sorts of activities. Whether you are seeking a relaxing walk, a peaceful hike, a rousing run, or a place to cycle, you will find the trails here in the city. See our article about the trails in Winston-Salem.
Have you visited any of the gardens we listed? Tell us about it in the comments.
