Dare County Arboretum and Teaching Garden

The Dare County Arboretum and Teaching Garden in Kill Devil Hills is one of those quiet, genuinely educational gems that most OBX visitors drive past without realizing it's there. Operated by the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, this free outdoor space is designed to showcase coastal North Carolina native plants, demonstrate sustainable gardening practices, and serve as an outdoor classroom for visitors of all ages.

For families, it's a pleasant, unhurried 30-60 minute stop that pairs well with the Wright Brothers National Memorial (about 10 minutes away) for a full Kill Devil Hills morning. The arboretum displays native trees, shrubs, and perennials labeled with information about their ecological role and garden uses. The teaching garden portion includes demonstration beds showing how to grow vegetables and herbs in coastal NC's sandy soils — information that school-age kids find genuinely interesting when presented in a hands-on setting.

The scale is human-sized and approachable for young children — this isn't a grand formal garden that intimidates or overwhelms. Kids can move freely through the labeled paths, and the relatively intimate size keeps them engaged rather than bored. For families with budding naturalists or kids who've been learning about plant life in school, the labeled plant collections provide real learning opportunities.

Important note: the arboretum is open Monday through Friday only (8AM-5PM) and is closed on weekends and state holidays. There are no restrooms on-site, so plan accordingly. The experience is entirely free.