Embark on a journey through Winston-Salem's rich history by exploring its historic and heirloom gardens. From the carefully preserved landscapes of Old Salem to the breathtaking beauty of Reynolda Gardens, these spaces offer a colorful peek into the city’s past. Whether you visit all or just a few, you'll leave enchanted, informed, and inspired to create your own garden adventure.

Discover the timeless beauty of Reynolda Gardens, a haven envisioned by Katharine Smith Reynolds in the early 20th century. Spanning 130 acres, this historic estate—owned and maintained by Wake Forest University—features a dazzling formal garden, a restored 1913 greenhouse, and scenic trails.

The estate’s paths range from leisurely strolls to moderate treks. The 1.7-mile Perimeter Trail loops the estate, winding past meadows, woodlands, and historic features. As part of the NC Birding Trail, Reynolda is a prime birdwatching spot. Adjacent Reynolda Village offers boutique shops and eateries.

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Formal Gardens: One of the city’s most beautiful backdrops, the four-acre Formal Gardens were designed by Thomas Sears, a protégé of Frederick Law Olmsted — the landscaping mastermind behind Biltmore and New York’s Central Park. A central pathway connects vibrant flower beds, ornamental plantings, and vegetable plots, creating an ever-changing display.

Historic Greenhouse: Reynolda’s iconic 1913 greenhouse has reopened after a year-long renovation. Now known as the Brown Family Conservatory, it serves as a showpiece and garden entrance portal. The restoration modernized the greenhouse while restoring its original glory, including reinstalling its distinctive curved glass roof. The reopening coincided with the opening of the Reynolda Welcome Center adjacent to the greenhouse, a retail space and visitor center.

Lake Katharine Wetlands: A serene waterfall feeds into wetlands teeming with wildlife, including owls, turtles, beavers, and foxes. The historic stone Lake Katharine Bridge spans the waterfall, offering an idyllic view and the entry point to the 0.25-mile Reynolda Walking Trail, which connects Reynolda to Wake Forest’s campus.

• IF YOU GO: Reynolda Gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset and the greenhouse operates daily until 4:30 p.m. (closed Mondays).  While the gardens are free to roam, tickets are required to tour the adjacent Reynolda House Museum of American Art (also a must-see).

Step into the past at Old Salem Museums & Gardens, where history isn’t just preserved—it’s alive. This 87-acre living history museum features over 100 meticulously restored buildings and lush, historic gardens. Founded in 1766, Salem was a hub of Moravian trade and community life. Today, visitors can stroll restored homes, watch skilled artisans, and explore gardens showcasing 18th- and 19th-century agricultural ingenuity. Stop by the Horticulture Center, home to Old Salem’s Seed Saving Lab, where over 250 heirloom vegetable, flower, and herb varieties are preserved—some available for visitors to take home.

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Salt Street Gardens: Eric Jackson, Director of Horticulture at Old Salem, says visitors often overlook one of his favorite sites. "Along Salt Street, between Walnut and West, there’s an area called Plants of Ecological Importance. We planted native shrubs here as part of a Burt’s Bees pollinator grant, and now they’re thriving."

Single Brothers’ Garden: Old Salem’s largest interpreted garden once fed the Single Brothers’ Choir. Heirloom vegetables, grains, and herbs thrive in its terraced squares, framed by apple and cherry trees.

Miksch Garden: Experience an 18th-century Moravian kitchen garden in action at the Miksch House and Garden. Costumed interpreters cook and preserve food grown here, while fruit trees, medicinal herbs, and heirloom vegetables highlight Moravian gardening traditions. Children especially enjoy this interactive space.

• IF YOU GO: Old Salem is open Wed to Sat, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Unlike the other gardens in this story, tickets are required to enter Old Salem's interpreted spaces, including its signature gardens. (Strolling through Old Salem is free, but for the full experience, admission is required.) See their website for ticket details, upcoming events, and more.

Nestled in the heart of Kernersville—10 minutes east of downtown Winston-Salem—the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden is a seven-acre haven featuring over 15 themed gardens. Visitors can explore spaces like the Moravian-style Kitchen Garden and the Discovery Garden, which supports local Monarch butterfly populations. The on-site Garden Shop offers locally made birdhouses, seasonal plants, and unique gifts. Families can enhance their visit with scavenger hunts available at the Welcome Center.

Each spring, the garden presents its Spectacular Tulip Bloom, the largest tulip and daffodil display in the North Carolina Piedmont. From mid-March through early May, 25,000 to 30,000 bulbs burst into color. Peak bloom times vary annually due to weather; visitors can follow social media for updates.

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Dancing Cranes: Added in 2023, this dazzling bronze sculpture by Lloyd LeBlanc is the focal point of the tranquil Rill & Reflecting Pool. One of the areas most Instagram-able spots, the reflective water enhances the sculpture’s graceful movement, creating a serene, picture-worthy escape.

Pattern Garden: Inspired by French classical gardens, the whimsical Pattern Garden is a striking formal parterre designed by renowned landscape architect Chip Callaway. Ten varieties of boxwood shrubs form elegant curving patterns. Seasonal plantings ensure a dynamic display, with vibrant spring bulbs and colorful summer annuals.

Japanese Garden: Tucked in the back corner, this peaceful retreat reflects founder Paul J. Ciener’s love for Japanese garden design. It features more than 60 varieties of Japanese maples, showcasing unique foliage, stunning seasonal color, and intricate bark textures.

• IF YOU GO: Ciener Botanical Garden is open daily from dawn to dusk, year-round. The Welcome Center and Garden Shop operate weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are available by appointment on weekdays before 3 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are welcomed.

Nestled within the 1,100-acre Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, the Tanglewood Arboretum is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Behind the historic 1921 Manor House, this 3.1-acre arboretum features 26 distinct gardens connected by a brick walkway, showcasing seasonal flowers and ornamental shrubs year-round.

Managed by the NC Cooperative Extension and maintained by Master Gardener volunteers, the Arboretum serves as a living demonstration of plants that thrive in Forsyth County. Visitors can engage their senses—tasting fresh produce in the vegetable garden or listening to melodic chimes in the sound garden. Beyond its beauty, the Arboretum offers educational programs throughout the year.

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Children’s Garden: A favorite for families, the Children’s Garden encourages exploration through all five senses. Kids can smell fragrant herbs, feel textured plants, and play chimes to engage their hearing. The highlight is the Lil’ Library, a charming playhouse where children can come inside and enjoy a selection of books.

Bog Garden: Within the Children’s Garden, this small-but-fascinating space features native carnivorous plants, including pitcher plants, Venus flytraps, and sundews. In spring, pitcher plants bloom with delicate flowers before growing their signature tubes, which last through fall, offering a rare chance to see them up close.

Wildflower Garden. Tucked at the bottom of a hill in the wooded back corner of the Arboretum, this serene, shaded garden is easy to miss but worth finding. It features a diverse collection of native wildflowers, with spring being the best time to catch the delicate, short-lived blooms.

• IF YOU GO: The Arboretum at Tanglewood Park is open daily during normal park hours. While the gardens are free, a $2 entry fee per vehicle is required to enter Tanglewood Park, payable at the entrance gate. The Arboretum is located behind the Tanglewood Manor House, about a mile after the entrance gate.

Visually speaking, the gardens at Historic Bethabara Park may not be as spectacular as others in the city, but they are certainly the most significant. As part of Winston-Salem’s first Moravian settlement, these gardens date back to 1753, offering a glimpse into 18th-century horticultural practices. 

Bethabara is home to two historic gardens: the Medicinal Garden (Hortus Medicus), the nation’s oldest known medicinal herb garden, and the 1759 Community Garden, the only well-documented colonial community garden in the U.S. Both have been carefully reconstructed, showcasing plants once used by Moravians for sustenance and healing.  Meanwhile, Bethabara’s Pollinator Garden features native blooms and plenty of butterflies.  

Beyond its historic gardens, Bethabara offers plenty to explore. This 183-acre park and nature preserve features archaeological ruins, a reconstructed village and fort, a visitor center with interactive exhibits, and miles of nature trails. The park grounds are open year-round from dawn to dusk with free admission. Guided tours of the grounds are available during Visitor Center hours for walk-in visitors.

Outdoor adventure is an art form in Winston-Salem. With an unexpected abundance of natural beauty, Winston-Salem invites you to step outside and explore. Stroll scenic walking trails, chase high-flying thrills, sip your way through picturesque vineyards, or tee off on championship golf courses. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely escape or an adrenaline rush, you’ll find it here. Start planning your fresh-air itinerary today by visiting the Outdoor Adventures section of our website. Happy trails!