Airlie Gardens
This historic coastal garden's lake and wetland areas hold gators that visitors regularly spot from the garden paths, especially in warmer months. It's primarily a botanical garden, so the gator sightings are a bonus alongside the azaleas and the famous Airlie Oak. Stay on the paths and keep a real distance from the lake edge if a gator is visible. There is an admission fee, and feeding wildlife is not allowed.
Know before you go
| Fee | Check operator site |
|---|---|
| Parking | Lot at the gardens entrance, Wilmington |
| Water | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Access | Garden paths around the lake and wetland areas |
| Surface | — |
| Hours | — |
| Operator | New Hanover County |
| Website | airliegardens.org |
Map
Nearby in North Carolina
Greenfield Lake Park
- Free
- Parking
8.6 km away
Hand-curated by Gator Atlas from public park and refuge operator information, not pulled from a database.
Last verified: July 21, 2026. See our methodology for how we check listings.