The gardens are extensive but manageable on a two hour visit. The paths are well maintained and easy to walk in your tennis shoes. The native garden is clearly beautiful in all seasons since we were there in the fall and even though the flowering plants were at a minimum we enjoyed the shrubs, the moss on the ponds, the winterberry holly and much more. Don’t miss the Japanese garden. There is also a easy exit from the garden to visit the Duke Chapel.

In early April, the tulip, iris, peony, anemone & azalea are blooming. The koi fish are nearby. Can fill your water bottle in visitors center. Very popular place so closest parking lot was full.

Love love love this place. Prepare for a lot of walking. The newer areas are coming along very nicely! Just slightly past peak for spring flowers but still gorgeous place!

I've been to Duke Gardens many many moons ago, but this trip was for a fieldtrip for one of my children. The kids were split up into groups and the staff at the gardens took us on a walking tour of different parts of the gardens with activities of what the children were to look out for or find. It was highly interactive and engaging. Even though we were there in February and nothing had quite bloomed yet, it was still gorgeous and a delightful morning.

This is way more expansive than expected, prepare to walk for a few hours if you want to cover most of it. There are often a few gardens within each area so meander in your favorite section(s) and breeze through others if you are short on time. We've been to a few gardens in other states and this is definitely one with a great variety of plants with an impressive grounds design to match. It is must-visit if you are visiting Duke or the surrounding area. If the gardens parking lot is full or want to avoid paid parking try the Alumni & Visitor lot on Duke University Rd.