DestinationFAY

WORTH A VISIT A trip down the garden path Explore the grounds at Cape Fear Botanical Garden W ith more than 80 acres covered in flowers, gardens and trails overlooking the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek, Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers a quick getaway to recharge or the perfect place to spend the day. Visitors may check out the Butterfly Garden and Children's Garden. Consider bringing a picnic with either a blanket for the green in front of the cypress pond or a table on the patio. A stroll along the river trail makes for an amazing day. e garden hosts special events throughout the year, including scavenger hunts, Gardenmania, outdoor concerts, Pondamania, Dog Day in the Garden, the Halloween celebration Boo-tanical in the Garden, and Holiday Lights. e holiday show — with Santa, smores, carolers and more than 1.5 million lights — has become a Christmas tradition for many in the area. e garden also offers an educational component for children. It hosts weekly classes for home-school groups and preschoolers, as well as aerschool classes. Topics include gardening, nature, ecosystems and animals with stories, hands-on activities and cras. Field trips, day camps and tours are also available. e Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex hosts numerous events each year, including weddings, business and military functions, workshops, concerts and more. Admission fees are $10 for the general public; $9 for military members with ID and adults 65 and older; $5 for children ages 6-12; and free for children 5 and younger. Members are allowed unlimited daily admission. Memberships are $50 for individuals, $70 for dual adults in the same household, and $90 for a family with two adults and as many as five children under 18. Members also receive 10% discounts in the Garden Gi Shop and with private facility rentals; preferred ticket pricing for special events, including Holiday Lights, summer camps, workshops and fitness classes; free or reduced admission to more than 300 botanical gardens nationwide; and magazine subscriptions. Corporate sponsorships are also available. Summer garden hours, March 13-Nov. 6, are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. ursday; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Winter hours, Nov. 7-March 12, are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon- 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, go to capefearbg.org. e garden is at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. PHOTO BY MELISSA SUE GERRITS CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 21 DestinationFAY 2022-2023

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