JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, at 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, aims to introduce, display, and promote plants that diversify the American landscape, as well as educate visitors and provide a living laboratory for research.
The Arboretum is free to visit. Its hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Arboretum hosts many events and activities. Some are free and some have a cost associated with them. The cost for many events is low, $5, and free for Arboretum members. You can see all of the events on the calendar.
Upcoming Events
Please make sure to follow the links for more information, and to register if required.
Come & Grow: Fantastic Fungi
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Saturday, September 20, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free (no registration required)
All ages
Learn how fungi help plants grow, recycle nutrients, and even appear in some of our favorite foods through self-guided, family-friendly activities designed to spark curiosity and wonder. No need to arrive right at the program start time—families are welcome to come and “grow” as they please!
Take a Child Outside Week
September 24 to 30, 2025
All hours that the garden is open
Free (no registration required)
All ages
Raulston is celebrating TACO week this year with an “Unlocking the Arboretum” scavenger hunt! Participate in this self-guided scavenger hunt by scanning QR Codes throughout the Arboretum.
Start at the Visitor Center, where you ‘ll find the first QR code and instructions to begin your journey. Follow the clues to discover hidden gems across our gardens and learn something new along the way. By successfully completing the hunt and “unlocking” the Arboretum, you can earn a small prize. Make it a group thing and invite friends to meet you for your adventure! Pack a snack or picnic lunch and be sure to bring your water bottle. There is no cost for the activity, but please consider a donation to help support this program and others like them for everyone to enjoy. Contributions will support the JC Raulston Arboretum Children’s Program. A donation box will be set up to collect what you’re able to contribute.
Budding Explorers: Fun with Fungi
Saturday, September 27, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
$8 (register through above link)
Suggested for ages 8-10
Youth participants, accompanied by an adult, will discover how fungi grow and reproduce, learn about how yeast makes bread rise, and then mix up their very own single-serving pizza dough to take home and bake! We ‘ll also head out into the garden to search for mushrooms, lichen, and other fungi in their natural habitats.
You’ll also get an introduction to ecoEXPLORE, an incentive-based community science program developed by The North Carolina Arboretum. By making real-world observations and completing fun challenges, youth participants can earn badges and prizes throughout the year.
There is no need to have an ecoEXPLORE account prior to this program in order to participate. Program begins at the Visitor Center. Come dressed for the weather as this program will be held partly outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, activities will be moved inside.
The Midweek Program
Wednesdays from February 26 to December 17, 2025 (except November 26)
3 to 4 p.m.
Online
Free (register at above link)
Find topic of each week here.
Evening Garden Stroll
One Tuesday a month. See below
4 to 7:30 p.m.
Free
Tuesdays April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, 2025.
Take a break from your weekly grind and come out to the JC Raulston Arboretum to take advantage of this rare opportunity to stroll through the gardens after hours and enjoy our premiere collection of flowering trees, shrubs and perennials! The gardens will remain open until 7:30 pm, and a free public tour of the JCRA will depart from the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center at 5:30 pm.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
