The best parks in Raleigh are just minutes away from the StateView Hotel. Whether you’re visiting the area with friends, family, or your significant other, Raleigh has public parks with wide-open spaces, historic landmarks, and gorgeous nature views. Follow our complete guide to the best parks in Raleigh:
Pullen Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 2.4 miles
Location: 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
Contact: 919-996-6472
Highlights:
- Amusement rides for kids
- Aquatic center
- Outdoor playgrounds
Pullen Park is North Carolina’s first public park and the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States! Just a 7-minute drive from the StateView Hotel, families with young children will appreciate all this park has to offer, including a nationally renowned carousel, train rides, and several playgrounds suitable for children of most ages.
Pullen Park also has an aquatic center that offers recreational swimming, several athletic fields and tennis courts, and a cafe that uses local ingredients to prepare mouth-watering bites. Admission to Pullen Park is free. Tickets are required for amusement rides and can be purchased at the park.
Dorothea Dix Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 2.5 miles
Location: 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh
Contact: 919-996-3255
Highlights:
- Sunflower garden
- Wide-open spaces
- Free weekly events and programs
You’ll have no problem finding space to play and relax at Dorothea Dix Park. The Big Field is a 35-acre open meadow that is typically used for large festivals but is also popular for picnics, playing games, and flying kites. The Grove is home to shaded hillsides and terrific views of downtown Raleigh. And in July, the sunflowers at the Sunflower Field are in full bloom.
Dorothea Dix Park also hosts several free weekly and daily events throughout the year, including yoga, tai chi, and children’s programs.
For more downtown Raleigh attractions, see our things to do in downtown Raleigh guide.
Raleigh Rose Garden
Distance from StateView Hotel: 3.4 miles
Location: 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
Highlights:
- Vibrant flower garden free to the public
- Open year-round
Open from dawn till dusk 365 days a year, the Raleigh Rose Garden may be one of the most colorful parks in Raleigh. The garden is home to sixty rose beds and a variety of vibrant antique roses, hybrid teas, and miniatures, just to name a few. The roses are typically in bloom between Mother’s Day and mid-November. Anyone can visit and enjoy the gardens free of charge.
Fred Fletcher Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 3.7 miles
Location: 820 Clay Street, Raleigh
Highlights:
- Water garden and wetland
- Walking paths
- Manicured lawns
Fred Fletcher Park has its own water garden and wetland area for plant and wildlife viewing. Here, you’ll find an ecosystem of evergreen and perennial plants, butterflies, frogs, dragonflies, and many other plant and animal species. The park is adorned with walking trails and manicured lawns for strolling and relaxing. You’ll also find athletic courts and fields, and a playground for ages 2 to 12. The park is free to anyone that wants to visit.
JC Raulston Arboretum
Distance from StateView Hotel: 3.8 miles
Location: 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh
Contact: 919-515-3132
Highlights:
- World-famous plant collection
- Free weekly and daily events
Located just off NC State University’s main campus, the JC Raulston Arboretum is a large arboretum and botanical garden. The gardens are home to a large and diverse collection of landscape plants adapted for landscape use in the Southeast. Visitors can stroll through eighteen different gardens, including a butterfly garden, a Japanese garden, and a winter garden. Admission to JC Raulston Arboretum is free.
Lake Johnson Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 4.1 miles
Location: 4601 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh
Contact: (919) 996-3141
Highlights:
- Hiking trails with a variety of terrains
- Dog friendly
- Fishing allowed from boardwalk, pier, designated bank fishing area, and personal paddle craft
Lake Johnson Park offers a beautiful outdoor space for Raleigh citizens and visitors to explore. There is a paved greenway around the lake, natural surface trails throughout the park, a seasonal outdoor pool, interpretive garden, picnic shelters, and more. Lake Johnson Park doubles as a metro park and a nature preserve, blending recreation and preservation into one of Raleigh’s best parks.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 4.5 miles
Location: 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh
Contact: (919) 856-6675
The Historic Yates Mill is a fully restored circa 1756 gristmill just five miles south of downtown Raleigh. The 174-acre park surrounding the mill offers hiking and walking trails, fishing, and educational programs for visitors. Historic Yates Mill County Park is home to three hiking trails, ranging from .8 miles to 2 miles long, and two gardens: the Piedmont Prairie Garden and the Pollinator Garden.
Mordecai Historic Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 4.6 miles
Location: 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh
Contact: 919-996-4364
Highlights:
- Historic homes, structures, and gardens in downtown Raleigh
- The oldest house in Raleigh in its original location
- Public tours offered
Visitors will feel like they stepped back in time at Mordecai Historic Park. The park’s major landmarks are the Mordecai House ca. 1785, the oldest house in Raleigh in its original location, and the Birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States.
Other structures include St. Mark’s Chapel ca. 1847, Ellen Mordecai Garden ca. 1842, and the Plantation Office ca. 1840. Guided tours are offered for a small fee.
For more Raleigh attractions that will satisfy any history buff, see our guide to museums in Raleigh, NC.
William B. Umstead State Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 20.3 miles
Location: 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Contact: 919-707-9300
Highlights:
- Eight hiking trails
- Canoe rentals
- Wildlife viewing
Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring William B. Umstead State Park. This state park is home to over 20 miles of hiking trails, dozens of picnic tables, and three manmade lakes where you can fish or rent a canoe from the visitor center. During your time at William B. Umstead State Park, be on the lookout for deer, beavers, and a colorful assortment of birds native to North Carolina. The park has eight trails ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate, perfect for families traveling with young children.
Enjoy the great outdoors with our complete guide to Raleigh outdoor activities.
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 7.5 miles
Location: 5229 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
Contact: 919-996-7856
Highlights:
- Nature trails through wooded areas
- Scenic overlooks
- Wildlife viewing
This 155-acre park offers a tranquil escape with its wooded trails and scenic overlooks. It’s a great spot for hiking, bird-watching, and enjoying nature. The park has trails suited for various skill levels and provides a peaceful retreat from the city.
Raleigh City Farm
Distance from StateView Hotel: 3.3 miles
Location: 800 N Blount Street, Raleigh
Contact: 919-828-3621
Highlights:
- Urban farm with community gardens
- Seasonal farmer’s market
- Educational programs
Raleigh City Farm is a unique urban park that combines agriculture with community engagement. Visitors can explore the community gardens, attend workshops, or visit the seasonal farmer’s market to support local produce and crafts.
Shelley Lake Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 6.2 miles
Location: 1400 W Millbrook Road, Raleigh
Contact: 919-420-2331
Highlights:
- Paved and natural trails
- Fishing and canoeing on Shelley Lake
- Birdwatching
Shelley Lake Park features a serene lake surrounded by walking and biking trails. It’s a great spot for leisurely strolls, fishing, or simply enjoying a peaceful afternoon by the water.
Historic Oak View County Park
Distance from StateView Hotel: 7.7 miles
Location: 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh
Contact: 919-250-1013
Highlights:
- Historic farm buildings and gardens
- Educational programs and events
- Picnic areas
Historic Oak View County Park offers a glimpse into Raleigh’s agricultural past with its preserved farm buildings and historical exhibits. It’s a wonderful place to learn about local history, enjoy a picnic, or participate in one of the park’s educational programs.
If you’re looking for even more to explore in Raleigh, check out our comprehensive area guide to help navigate the City of Oaks.