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.
Garden Storytime
Friday, May 2, 2025
Friday, May 16, 2025
Friday, May 30, 2025
10 to 11 a.m.
$5 per child
Bring your family and join us for a morning of outdoor garden fun!
Garden Storytimes are a great way for families with preschool children to experience the garden. You’ll start with a stroll through the garden with the Children’s Program staff and volunteers to see what’s happening in the gardens, read a few children’s books with a garden twist, and go home with a garden themed craft created by your little one.
Parents and caregivers stay and participate with their children in the activities.
Program begins at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center. Come dressed for the weather as this program is held outdoors. Activities are moved to a sheltered location in the event of rain. Don’t forget your blanket to sit on for listening to the stories!
Plant-lover’s Tour: “Follow Your Nose”
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
9 to 10 a.m.
$5 for non-members; free for members
Love plants? So do we! This month’s Plant-lover’s Tour invites you on a guided journey through the garden’s most delightfully fragrant flora. From blooming flowers to fragrant foliage and even the occasional perfumed bark, this tour highlights the plants that delight the nose as much as the eyes. Our Horticulturist Extraordinaire, Tim Alderton, will lead the way, sharing fun facts and expert insights about the fragrant wonders tucked throughout the garden. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast, a curious newcomer, or just someone who wants to stick their snoot in some pretty-smelling plants, there’s something here for everyone. Come ready to breathe it all in—your nose will thank you!
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.
Garden Story Walk
May 3 to May 11, 2025
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free
Come out to the gardens for a Garden Story Walk. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful gardens and read a good story at the same time!
This story will be out in the gardens from Saturday, April 5 until Sunday, April 13 during garden open hours.
Not familiar with Story Walks? Story Walks are self-guided experiences where pages of a book are displayed in the garden. Information about where to find the title page is posted at the Visitor Center. Once you find the first page of the story in the garden, you’ll see the next page and be able to follow the story as you stroll through the gardens. There is no set time to start this experience and can be done at your own pace. Most stories can be experienced in about half an hour to an hour.
The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
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, 14, 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:
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