Spend Quality Time with Your Kids
Explore Airlie Gardens with your kids. Walk the trails, enjoy a picnic, watch the swans, see the gardens and have a great time, all at your own pace. The gardens' regular season hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Begin at the Visitors Center
Start your tour at the Visitors Center, which is right beside the parking area. Pay your Airle Gardens admission fee, get a map of the park and visit the gift shop. The only restrooms in the park are located at the Visitors Center. Drink machines also are available here.
Look for Animals
Do your kids like animals? Keep your eyes open for the osprey nest near Bradley Creek, the geese that waddle across the entire park and the swans that swim in the freshwater lake. You may also see fish, insects and other waterfowl.
Hit the Trails
A number of trails, both paved and unpaved, wind around the gardens. My son and I especially enjoy playing hide-and-seek along the trails in the camellia garden.
Picnic in the Park
There are a number of great places to picnic at Airlie Gardens, but under the Airlie Oak has to be one of the best locations anywhere.
The Azaleas, My Son and Me
