Elizabethan Gardens

Amazing established gardens with 60 plus years of work! This place is tranquil and shaded for a reprieve on a hot, sunny day. Well worth the admission and also loaded with history of the flora and fauna as well as the people and events that shaped the gardens. There is a very nice waterfront overlooking the Sound. Also the greenhouse and nursery sells many plants to the public if you are interested. The staff has all the answers if you have questions about anything related to the gardens or history of the place. A must see for visitors and locals alike!

I would have rated my visit at 5 stars, but sadly I was there at the beginning of April when most things were not in bloom. The facility has some lovely grounds with loads of different trees, flowers, and plant species. The flowers that were in bloom were lovely and all the grounds were clean and tidy. I did enjoy the fact that they piped classical music around the grounds, giving a very upscale vibe.

I absolutely loved my walk through these fabulous gardens. Well designed (of course), well maintained and a joy to adventure through or just saunter and breathe. And a nice diversion from the beach - salt life. And I loved all the fountains & the faint fairy music playing along the trail.

First time here, we wanted to see the Christmas lights. It was great, even had a Santa. Also selling hot chocolate(with adult additives) beer & wine. Nice little gift shop. Can't wait to see it in the daytime come spring.

Great place to spend some time roaming around. Mature trees will keep you cool in the summer heat as you wander along the various pathways to the different garden areas. Many statues enhance the beauty of the gardens. We were there the end of October and they were lining some of the pathways for an evening childrens event. The Freedom Trail also begins across the parking lot from the garden entrance and is worth walking.

Such a beautiful garden and was worth the stop before we left town to visit! To just soak in all the beauty that this garden holds including the butterflies freely roaming! It makes you feel like it’s something out of a fantasy movie! Originally from Ohio but was on vacation to the Outer Banks and we drove past this and said “screw it let’s take a look” and it was well worth the side quest! 10/10 beautiful garden and will be visiting again🌹🌸💐🌺🌷🌻

Very beautiful experience. I was expecting more flowers per say rather than scrubs bushes trees or herbs but i did go in September so I cant complain. I dont know too much about plants in general besides that I cant keep them alive so I found it cool that a lot of things were labeled, some staff were out answering questions, and the map was helpful. It was amazing to see how big the garden was. I could have done without all the orb weaver spiders but luckily we survived. Even though I cam during an off season I still think it was a nice experience because I have never been anywhere like this before.

Pretty cool place! We went for plants and flowers and the garden is gorgeous, very diverse as well. We also saw a lot of really cool spiders and insects which for me was even better. I also liked the small area where they were growing plants and had them for sale!

I had a wonderful day at The Elizabethan Gardens! It was filled with beautiful flowers and butterflies! First passed through the store, they had unique hair clips, bags, jewelry, etc. Then on the trail we went. It was colorful and breathtaking! There are statues and fountains which adds even more charm. I could have stayed there all day. I saw frogs, squirrels, and garden spiders. Bathrooms were clean, parking ample. Prices were decent. We had a great time!

I would have rated my visit at 5 stars, but sadly I was there at the beginning of April when most things were not in bloom. The facility has some lovely grounds with loads of different trees, flowers, and plant species. The flowers that were in bloom were lovely and all the grounds were clean and tidy. I did enjoy the fact that they piped classical music around the grounds, giving a very upscale vibe.

Loved this! Didn't cost much and it was beautiful. Bathrooms on site. Nice views and foliage.

What a beautiful, peaceful place to spend an afternoon. Even in August in high season, it wasn't crowded at all. So much to see and such a beautiful layout. Add this to your list if you are coming to Manteo!

We've been coming here for over a decade. It is a gorgeous place to walk around. Full of lush plants, blooming flowers, and statues. As you walk you'll feel a cool breeze from the sound and hear birds as well as this beautiful instrumental music they play. We've come numerous times during spring and summer, and last year visited in December. Which was an otherworldly experience because they filled it with Christmas lights. Walking through while they played holiday music was a wonderful memory for my family and I. They also have a gift shop full of treasures and yard accessories. They even sell plants that they grow themselves! Overall, highly recommend and the employees are always very kind.

My family and I came here while spending the day on the outer banks and it did not disappoint. They have a sunken garden, a gazebo, a statue of Queen Elizabeth I and a statue of Virginia Dare. The rose garden was beautiful! The butterflies were gorgeous! Reasonably priced. We walked around twice. This was a real treat! The lady in the gift shop was very friendly! They also have plants for sale! If you or someone you know is into botany, definitely make time to stop bye

The Elizabethan Gardens provide a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of the Coastal South. The gardens encompass over ten acres of Live Oak trees frocked with Spanish Moss. Within the area, you will find formal gardens, a rose garden, the Great Lawn, a butterfly garden, and winding trails with plants indigenous to the region. On our visit, the hydrangeas were in bloom. Earlier in the Spring the azaleas and flowering dogwoods were the stars. Plan to take time to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the garden. Heck, bring a book and have a wonderful afternoon!

A beautiful botanical garden worth a stop if you are in the area. Reasonably priced and a very friendly staff. If you look closely there are some big, amazing and colorful spiders minding their own business all over the gardens

The Elizabethan Gardens are located in Roanoke Island and has a large parking lot. 2021 is the 70th Anniversary of the gardens. Admission was $10 so not much to enjoy the beauty of the garden. The gardens are seasonal so different plants and flowers will be in bloom at different times of year. Restrooms are available once inside the garden. I was provided with a map of the gardens and it was easy to stroll around at my own pace to see the sculpture; trees; shrubs and flowers. You can buy plants from the greenhouses and there is a butterfly center but this was not the time of year for butterflies. It was nice to enjoy the tranquility and get away from the hecticness of life for a little while. The views are great here too.

The Elizabethan Gardens are located at Fort Raleigh. My mom and I have been to many gardens in our area, and if we hadn't gone to those, then I would have added a star onto this one. Although the gardens were very beautiful, we were expecting a little more. We did go in late September, so maybe that had something to do with it? The gift shop had a lot of cute things in it. I really love visiting gift shops at tourist attractions because they tend to have some cute and unique gifts. This one was no exception. What I did really appreciate was the gentleman hanging the Christmas lights told us the story of the Virginia Dare statue and how it traveled back to its home at the gardens. It was cool to hear it from him and have that interaction. The butterfly exhibit didn't have any butterflies in it. It was something to pass the time on Manteo.

I visited the Gardens earlier this week with guests ranging in age from 4-89. We enjoyed exploring the beautiful gardens and learning about the plants as well as some of the history of the area. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were relentless. It could be due to recent rain, or perhaps there is standing water they like. I would not return without some heavy duty insect repellant.

The gardens are absolutely beautiful. My son had such a great time. He loves throwing coins in to the fountain and following the fairy scavenger hunt. We signed up for a small butterfly release which was very interesting. Each participant was given a butterfly in a little cage and some food. We were able to release our butterflies and watch them each the food. The statues in the garden are very neat as well as the beautiful flowers. And I didn't get a chance to check out the greenhouse but next time I would totally buy some plants.

Very lovely! The gardens, located on Roanoke Island, are the perfect size to walk around, enjoy the paths, and get a glimpse of the ocean. The giftshop at the entrance is small, but offers several cute items including stationary, tea cups, and jewelry. Outside they even had some stone lawn ornaments for sale as well. We loved the statue of Queen Elizabeth and got some great pictures of her too! These gardens opened in 1960 by the Garden Club of North Carolina and is still maintained by them today. We appreciated that the gardens are open year round. We visited on a Saturday in November, so it wasn't crowded. We were able to walk around freely, but the tiny thatched roof house but the ocean walk was closed so we weren't able to get close to it or get inside. Otherwise, it was a great uninterrupted visit. Definitely would recommend and would return when in the Outer Banks.

This garden is a relaxing, serene place to spend an hour or two. It isn't large, but just right for a short visit. We really enjoyed the trees, flowers, statuary, and the view at the water's edge. We went in late May and the hydrangeas were in full bloom. So many varieties and colors. Well worth the $12. It was a foggy misty day, so not a great beach day, but a great garden day. Left with a turtle statue for my backyard, from the gift shop.

Definitely make sure to book your tickets at least a day in advance. We were visiting for Thanksgiving and thought we could just waltz in LOL. Not so fast, you need to reserve tickets and a timeslot on line (15min increments). I appreciate that they are enforcing capacity and also face masks. The lights are absolutely stunning but the place itself is smaller than I expected. Also there's not many interactive elements. Oh it's a walk in the park kind of situation rather than a drive through if you're more familiar with those. We'd been to one at Tangerwood Park so weren't sure if it was a similar situation. Do note parking can get quite crowded. There's a second smaller parking outside the roundabout parking right outside the park entrance. Last thing - there are two ways to exit the park, through the rose garden or through the interior with a ton of Christmas trees. You can do both if you'd like!

It's possible that we simply visited in the wrong season, but there really wasn't mush to see here. A bit disappointing, although the peacefulness of the gardens was very relaxing.

Absolutely stunning! We love the gardens, flowers and simply exquisite. So we'll maintained and lovely!

Gorgeous facility with wonderful scenery. I'm surprised that they let dogs in though, despite being a dog-lover myself, as who knows how some customers "train" their pups??!! In fact, one bit me while we were there, which almost ruined the day.

My daughter wanted to get dressed up and go here. It's on Roanoke island. Very hot the day that we went. Loved the place, very cool items are in the area. They had amazing items to view. They had a QR code to scan on your phone and learn about the area. I enjoyed it, rather it been colder.

A treasured walk along this garden awaits everyone who ventures onto the island. We enjoyed so many of the sights and the scenery. The history, unique and well tended gardens added to our pleasure. Thank you.

They close at 5pm but stop admittance at 4pm. Huge bummer when you're visiting from out of town and you walk in just minutes after 4 and are turned away. Lady up front was very sarcastic. Huge letdown.

Visited in March, weather was perfect but the garden didn't have many flowers. I can imagine how wonderful it must look in the spring. Mask must be worn at all times. We purchased our tickets in advance but not necessary to do on off peak months. Make sure to pick up a map as you enter the gardens. There are markers throughout and a barcode to scan for an audio tour however the app was not working. This is a pet and kid friendly attraction which was great as we had our puppy. They offer an area for young kids to play and find fossils along with picnic tables. The gardens offer a green house and buttery center-due to covid both were closed. I enjoyed the shaded path and even surface trail. My favorite area was the overlook terrace where you can stand and admire the ocean. Definitely a must see attraction if you love gardens.

The gardens were a great place to walk around and a nice alternative to the beach. The gardens are very picturesque and would be a great place to eat lunch with a date (benches are everywhere). There is also a butterfly exhibit that I imagine is quite exciting when they are in the adult stage!

A+++++ Absolutely adored the Elizabethan Gardens. One of the highlights of our trip to the outer banks. They're dog friendly so we got to bring our pup too.

Haven't been to the Elizabethan Gardens in quite some time and this was a good reason to go! The gardens were beautiful. All the decorations were amazing! Everyone was wearing masks and practicing social distancing. It was chilly but not too cold. Very impressive! I definitely want to return to see the gardens during the day time.

How this place is rated 4 stars has me scratching my head. $12 entry fee and $3 for a dog! I wouldn't have minded about the fees if the gardens were well maintained. I couldn't believe that they charged an entry fee. They should let people in for free and charge them to exit because I would have paid any price to get out of that barnyard! The hedges weren't trimmed, roses needed to be pruned, weeds growing in every bed - basically, a mess. The ladies in the gift shop were pleasant and engaging, but they couldn't make up for the horror show we experienced. Maybe the gardens were well maintained at some point in the past, but this place is sad now. Worst money I've spent in a while.

Great place to spend a morning or afternoon. Be sure to visit the rose garden. Very interesting history. We will definitely be back!

Beautiful gardens! Only four stars because the price is a little steep and the price for anything in the shop is high. There are so many butterflies! The rose garden is a nice touch. Loved seeing the original entrance to the colony. With as high as the prices are, would be great to see the closed areas open back up for tourists (by the ocean). There are lots of beautiful fountains to see and statues to admire.

Not good value for money. It is a basic type of garden. There is minimal garden artwork, such as neatly trimmed bushes. The overall impression was a bit worn, wild and over grown. They said in the gift shop that the garden is 10 acres, which you can walk around quite fast. 30-45 minutes is probably plenty enough allocated time, if you do go against my advice and visit these gardens. There is a very small maze, a gazebo like structure from where you can see the water, statues of Queen Elizabeth I and Virginia Dare. The Queen statue was completely covered in cob web and dust by the upper part. Clearly the statue has not been cleaned for ages and the gardens are probably not that well kept in general. It all looks nice from outside by the gates (moved from the French Embassy) and when you first enter with colorful flowers, but after that the walk path is more like walking through a small wood trail. I had only one day to spend on Roanoke Island and Outer Banks and feel like I wasted a bit of time by coming here.

We've been to several gardens and when we heard there was one near by, we went directly not expecting much. We were pleasantly surprised how well the this garden was laid out and presented. It was a good place to be just for a different perspective of what is already a beautiful North Carolina natural setting. Visit when you can. Recommended!

As I walked in the front of the gift shop, there was three people standing around talking. No one was behind the counter. I had no idea if there was an admission for the garden or not. I was not greeted with a "hello", or a "welcome to the gardens". I assumed that since no one cared to greet me, that there was nothing needed of me. So after about a minute or two. I tried to walk through the open doorway to the gardens. Before I even took two steps to the door, one of the ladies that had been chatting along with two other people stopped me in my tracks by putting her hand up and said quickly "There's an admission to the gardens". Then she continued to talk to the other people so I walked out. There was no one at the counter to take my money. The lady was just chatting about. The garden itself isn't great. The sunken garden portion is pretty, but that's about 10% of the garden itself. It's mostly woods and trees and a large grassy lawn in the middle. For 9$ I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you feel you must see it. I came here a few years ago and it was closed. So I was excited to be able to finally see the gardens in this trip. The employees were cold and the gardens were not much to look at. I was thoroughly disappointed.

This park gets three stars because the grounds are beautiful, but, for the ticket prices, a bit limited in true English garden diversity. If it weren't for the charm of the gardens, I'd rate this experience as a Two Star. The cashiers in the gift shop were condescendingly rude. When we asked about the history of the area (Dare County, NC) , Sir Cashier of Arrogance told us do our research and/ or get answers at The Lost Colony. My husband had to escort me out of the door before I "Bless-your-hearted" the sardonic twit to his knees.

Beautiful gardens, in a peaceful setting! I'm a gardener, who appreciates a lovely garden, this one did not disappoint. If you're in the area stop in!

We definitely went at the right time ! There were a lot of flowers in bloom. Very peaceful. Map was fairly easy to follow. I would love to go back earlier on the spring!

These gardens were amazing. The staff takes great pride in not only the flowers but in their knowledge of the flowers, butterflies and immediate area. The gardens seemed to have an individuality associated with each section. It was almost like you could imagine each area existing in England hundreds of years ago. Definitely enjoyed it.

I've been going to Elizabethan Gardens for years now during their winter light festival. I'm a local to the area and me and my family always go on Christmas Eve Eve (23rd). On the websit, it says tickets are sold online for time slots, and absolutely nothing about walk ins, therefore I assumed we could get tickets when we got there (as we always do). I asked the two women if we could buy tickets and one of the lady's ( she had glasses) was very rude. She told us that selling time closed at 8:15 therefore we could not get any tickets, even though we would have had ample time to buy them online (because it was 8:10) . I understand that closing time is closing time, but she was unkind and led us in the wrong direction. Very disappointed to say the least.

Lovely Botanical Gardens...British Style...We were there on a Saturday morning around 11 am. This is a beautiful British Style garden with statues and sunken gardens within it. It is not very big and you will need an hour or 90 minutes at most to see all of it. It pays to pause and read plaques that denote different plant species. The Gift shop is pretty and has lovely smelling candles. We bought one after asking the very helpful lady at the counter what the smell was that was wafting through the gift shop! Very nice and would come again - may be earlier or later in the evening when it is not that hot!

I like this place but to an extent. I walked into this place not knowing what to expect, but was suddenly and coldly greeted by the lady at the front desk. I didn't receive a "hi welcome to the gardens. Is this your first time here? Let me tell you about us." Nope none of that. She gave it to us straight and told us the price of admissions to the gardens, a whopping $9 each plus tax! There was so much negativity going in, I didn't think it could get much better. But it did. What a pretty place and a pleasant surprise. Goodness. The gardens are pretty, I can't lie about that. The big over arching trees that provide shade cover you while you walk the path the former queen once did-may she Rest In Peace. The flowers smell so good. It's a beautiful and sweet walk. When you reach the view of the sound, you'll let out a sigh of relief. What a journey! If only the workers there had been kind, welcoming, and friendly. And if I had better warmer weather.. They say you win some and you lose some, but I say I honestly can't tell if I lost or won with this place... until next time. Or will there be a next time..

A lovely place to stroll and learn about history, art, and plants. The many trees provide shade from the bright sun. I very much enjoyed my time at the gardens.

Reviews of gardens are always tough to write. After all, getting a good picture on what a garden is like depends on so much. Time of the year. What's in bloom. How busy it is on tha the day you visit. And so on. That said, the Elizabethan Gardens were great when we visited. Really cool entrance. Very pretty gardens. Price is a little steep (and I'm from the land of expensive gardens--you don't know how pricey a garden visit can be until you've visited the Huntington Library). That about sums this place up. So we arrive, walk around the park a little, and see the variety of pretty trees and man-made installations. Very calm and very serene, especially near the water. I'll definitely be back next time we make our way to the Outer Banks.

Had a great time. Most of the Gardens is shaded and even though it was extremely hot, the sun was hardly on us. The flowers were beautiful and the trees were un-be-liev-able!!! We will go back!

These gardens are absolutely gorgeous. I could see getting married here honestly. I would recommend anyone going to the outer banks to visit here!

This small romantic English garden is perfect for a casual afternoon stroll. I went over Memorial Day when the hydrangeas were in bloom, but we were a smidge early for the roses and other flowers. I enjoyed the garden because it was fantastic for getting lost and exploring. There is a gazebo that over looks the sound, a gravel pit for "fossil digs", countless statues, and hidden nooks. There are at least two fields that can be set up for weddings (an officer was getting ready for his vows when we walked by!) and the reception can be held at the hall. The gift shop is also one of the best I've seen for a garden, with great items to bring home as souveniers. Do note that the paths are narrow, not always level, and are not paved, so this may pose issues if you're travelling with a stroller or those who have trouble walking. Also, the narrow leafy paths do contain a fair amount of mosquitos, so bring the repellent.

We went at the end of May and didn't think the gardens were very well maintained. The lady who sold us tickets showed no enthusiasm and volunteered no information about the gardens which was a little discouraging. I personally think the Sarah P. Duke gardens in Durham (free as opposed to the $9 here) are more expansive and impressive. Forgot to add this earlier: there were lots of MOSQUITOES inside. Had we been warned we would've carried bug spray.

Beautiful garden with lots of beautiful greenery and statues. Saw many butterflies in the butterfly greenhouse. Wonderful experience.

One of my favorite places to visit while in Manteo. These gardens are absolutely serene! Whether visiting in the summer when everything is in bloom or in the winter when they have everything decorated in Christmas lights, this place is just breathtaking and beautiful!

First let me start by saying this is NOT a botanical garden, it is an English garden. There is a difference. If you want botanical, you will be disappointed. If you want an English garden it is pretty good. It is a bit pricey at $9 per person. The grounds were very relaxing and peaceful. It reminded me of the Secret Garden. The hydrangeas were gorgeous. Butterflies all around. Quaint gift shop. Some stunning statues, although a few need repair. The sunken garden is the treasure of this place.

If you have interest in viewing a European like, manicured garden with local fauna, consider spending the admission fee ($9 adults, $6 kids (6-17yrs), $2 (under 5), $3 dogs with leash and clean up). From the parking lot, you walk up the tree lined path to the castle like brick structure and pay your admission fee and grab a map. I highly recommend using the free mobile phone audio tour. Dial into the number and the audio tour gives a great overview of the site, the local fauna, and history of the area. It also guides you along the shaded path. We visited in late March when the temperature was starting to warm up so our dogs enjoyed the tour too. The famous camellias were not yet in bloom, but the buds were present that meaning in a few weeks, the garden will be blooming! Some of the highlights of the tour were a statue Queen Elizabeth, European like maze garden, and statue of what the baby daughter of the lost colony would look like grown up, a live oak believed to have been around when Fort Raleigh was established in the 1580s. At the end of the tour is a nursery where you can purchase some of the plants that you saw in the gardens. A good compliment to a visit to Fort Raleigh next door. Recommend allocating about an hour or two, dependent upon how slowly you tour the garden.

Really lovely gardens, although there wasn't a lot in bloom when we visited in early August. Nice mix of traditional manicured English gardens with short hedges as borders, carved statues, open lawn area, and more natural paths to wander around. Don't miss the antique ornate hand forged iron gate that used to be at the French Embassy in Washington D.C. There was a light rain the day we visited, so we had it almost to ourselves. It was built near Fort Raleigh as a memorial to the Lost Colony. There is a lot of wonderful history on their website. The upper part borders the Roanoke Sound. They have weddings and other events.