Best Secret Garden Proposal Spots in the Triangle, North Carolina

Sarah P. Duke Gardens; Durham, NC

Secluded from the outside world amid 55 acres of gardens and preserved spaces, the Duke Gardens abound with intimate corners for a private proposal. For a truly fantastical element, plan to pop the question by the Blomquist Pavilion. Set on a tranquil pond, the Blomquist Pavilion feels like you’ve stepped into an Old World fairy garden. If your sweetheart is looking for that majestic fantasy proposal in Durham, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are an absolute must.

WRAL Azalea Gardens; Raleigh, NC

The WRAL Azalea Gardens, located off of Western Boulevard just south of downtown Raleigh, are most well-known for their bright and colorful azaleas. In shades of fuchsia, coral, and baby pink, the azaleas are the hallmark of spring’s arrival.

The gardens also feature small, winding paths and quiet benches. Even with this garden’s popularity, you’re sure to find a quiet nook where you can pop the question.

JC Raulston Arboretum; Raleigh, NC

The NCSU JC Raulston Arboretum is beautiful any time of year. With a number of themed gardens that showcase the beauty of the seasons, JC Raulston has the perfect spot for your proposal.

What makes JC Raulston stand out, though, is its winter garden. While most of the other gardens on this list are barren during the colder months, JC Raulston’s Winter Garden is still lush with winter magic. Green and gold evergreens, bright red berries, and winter irises remind us of the life we can still find November through March, when the rest of the gardens are dreary. Looking for a romantic holiday proposal? This Raleigh garden is the perfect proposal spot for Christmas magic.

North Carolina Botanical Garden; Chapel Hill, NC

Featuring an abundant collection of native plants, the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill is a serene escape. Across the 14 gardens, there are so many opportunities to explore the natural beauty of North Carolina.

Is your sweetheart a green thumb? Propose the last weekend of September to celebrate your engagement with a visit to the NC Botanical Garden’s Fall Native Plant Sale, the largest native plant sale in North Carolina.

Isabelle Bowen Henderson House & Gardens; Raleigh, NC

Saving the most exclusive on this list for last, the Isabelle Bowen Henderson Garden is the rarest of gardens. Only open one day per year, the historic home dates back to the late 1800s. Isabelle Bowen Henderson, a local artist and horticulturalist, added the back garden in the 1930s as her pride and joy. The house is located in Oberlin Village, a freedman’s village established outside of the original city limits of Raleigh.

The house and gardens open one day per year every spring, perfectly timed with the blossoming of the hyacinths. If you’re looking for the ultimate secret garden for your Raleigh proposal, you can’t do any better than this hidden Raleigh treasure.