Fall is in full swing in the triangle and we couldn’t be more excited!

While we’re typically talking about indoor plants here on the blog, we couldn’t help but daydream about all the beauty happening around us outside this time of year.

Raleigh and Durham are both busy cities, but there are several beautiful places in nature nearby for some respite.

Here’s our list of favorites in our area:

DUKE GARDENS

Duke Gardens is a beautiful place to visit year-round in North Carolina. It was founded in 1934 and is one of the top 10 public gardens in the United States. Unfortunately it is closed through the end of 2020 due to Covid, but we plan to visit just as soon as they’re able to safely re-open.

WILLIAM B. UMSTEAD STATE PARK

Umstead State Park is conveniently located, but makes you feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of city life. It boasts 20 miles of hiking trails varying from “day hikes” appropriate for families to more intense trails into the woods.

The park surrounds three manmade lakes: Big Lake, Sycamore Lake and Reed Creek Lake. Big Lake offers canoe and rowboat rentals, and fishing is welcome at all of the lakes and connecting tributaries.

ENO RIVER STATE PARK

From NC State’s Website: “The river’s waters roll past mature forests, historic mill and home sites and river bluffs covered with flowering shrubs and across fords used by early settlers. The park offers nearly 30 miles of trails along a swift, shallow stream that’s popular with anglers, photographers and sightseers.”

AMERICAN TOBACCO TRAIL

The American Tobacco Trail was once a railroad passageway and now encompasses 22+ miles around the triangle area. More so than the other areas on our list, this outdoor area is friendly for all sorts of activities, not just walking or running, but also biking and even hunting! The trail crosses through gamelands.

JORDAN LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA

Finally, we couldn’t leave out Jordan Lake! While the other places on our list are slightly more…dry, we love Jordan Lake for its beauty but also the varied recreational opportunities. You can hike along several different trails, go out on a boat, or go swimming in one of several beach accesses all in the same day! What’s not to love?

What’s your favorite outdoor area to soak up a little nature around the triangle? Let us know in the comments!