Delaware Botanic Gardens
A young coastal garden with a world-famous meadow — acres of naturalistic planting along Pepper Creek, near the beaches.
30220 Piney Neck Rd, Dagsboro, DE 19939 · About 2 hours
Hours
9 AM – 4 PM
Show the week Hide the week
| Fri | 9 AM – 4 PM |
|---|---|
| Sat | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Sun | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Mon | 9 AM – 4 PM |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | 9 AM – 4 PM |
Last checked 2026-09-22
- Cost
- $15 (ages 16+) adult · Free (under 16) child
- Best for
- All ages
- Indoor / outdoor
- Outdoor
- Typical visit
- 1–1.5 hours
Meadow and woodland gardens with wide accessible paths and restrooms; children enter free, but running and ball play are not allowed.
The Quick Version
- • A public garden in Dagsboro (near the beaches) built around a meadow designed by Piet Oudolf — the Dutch designer behind New York's High Line.
- • Also a woodland garden along Pepper Creek and a sculptural 'Folly'; open Thursday–Monday from mid-March through early December (December 5 in 2026).
- • $15 for ages 16 and up; kids under 16 and members get in free. A calm, pretty wander — more about looking than playing.
- • About 2 hours from Wilmington; a natural pair with a beach trip, and best timed for the fall meadow.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
1–1.5 hours
Adults
$15 (ages 16+)
Kids
Free (under 16)
What to Expect
Delaware Botanic Gardens is a young public garden — it opened in 2019 — on a wooded site along Pepper Creek near Dagsboro, and its headline is the meadow garden designed by Piet Oudolf, the Dutch plantsman behind New York's High Line and Chicago's Lurie Garden. The meadow is a sweep of naturalistic grasses and perennials that peaks from late summer into fall.
Around it are a shaded woodland garden running down toward Pepper Creek and a sculptural 'Folly.' For families, it's a calm, pretty wander rather than a play destination — much like Mt. Cuba. Little kids enjoy the open meadow, the paths, and the water; older, nature-curious kids get the plantings and the design.
Set expectations: there's no playground and no animals, so it's a place to look and stroll, not run wild — the gardens ask everyone to stay on the trails and paths. Kids can pick up a scavenger hunt for the 13 woodland sculptures made from natural materials. It's open Thursday–Monday from mid-March to early December, $15 for adults (kids under 16 free), and about two hours from Wilmington — a natural add-on to a beach trip. Time it for the fall meadow if you can.
Who It's Best For
Like Mt. Cuba up north, it's a garden, not a playground — best for kids who'll wander. Little ones enjoy the open meadow, the paths, and the water; older, nature-curious kids get the plantings and the design. There's no playground and no animals, so set expectations.
Highlights
The Oudolf meadow garden
All agesA world-class naturalistic meadow by Piet Oudolf — sweeps of grasses and perennials, spectacular late summer into fall.
The woodland garden & Pepper Creek
All agesShaded paths winding down toward the creek — a cool contrast to the open meadow.
Woodland sculpture scavenger hunt
Ages 4+Ask for the kids' scavenger hunt: a list of the 13 sculptures hidden in the woodland, all made from natural materials. Plenty of adults try to find them all too.
The Folly
All agesA sculptural garden structure that kids gravitate to — a fun focal point mid-stroll.
Seasonal peak color
All agesThe meadow changes dramatically across the season, so repeat visits don't feel the same.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Expecting a playground or animals — it's a garden to wander, not a play space.
- • Tuesdays and Wednesdays — it's closed (and the season ends in early December).
- • Midday in the open meadow without sun cover.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
$15 (ages 16+)
Kids
Free (under 16)
Under
Free
General admission is $15 for ages 16 and up; youth under 16 and members get in free. Buy tickets online or at the gate. Open through December 5 in 2026.
Membership tip: Members visit free; if you'll come back more than once in a season, a membership pays off. (There's no reciprocal membership with Mt. Cuba Center.)
Getting There
Parking
Free on-site parking lot.
Easy parking; busier on peak fall weekends and event days.
Entrance
Enter off Piney Neck Road in Dagsboro and check in at the visitor entrance.
Parent Logistics
It's a newer garden built with access in mind — the main paths are stroller-friendly; some woodland and meadow paths are mulch or gravel.
Restrooms at the visitor area.
Yes — a diaper changing station in the single-stall bathroom next to the women's restroom.
The woodland garden is shaded; the meadow is open and sunny, so bring hats and sun cover.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No café, but the gift shop now sells drinks and light snacks (apple juice, pita and hummus, sweet potato chips and the like) — enough to hold off hungry bellies. The coastal towns nearby have real meals.
Snack strategy: The gift shop has drinks and light snacks; bring water anyway, and plan lunch or dinner in Bethany or the nearby coastal towns.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Time it for late summer or fall, when the Oudolf meadow is at its peak.
- ✓ Go late in the day for lovely light in the meadow.
- ✓ Pair it with a beach day, or with Mt. Cuba Center on a 'Delaware gardens' theme.
- ✓ Pick up the kids' scavenger hunt for the 13 woodland sculptures — it turns the stroll into a mission.
- ✓ Stay on the trails and paths; it's a garden, not a play space, and the staff appreciate it.
- ✓ Members visit free — worth it if you'll come back more than once in a season.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
The Oudolf meadow peaks late summer into fall (grasses and perennials); spring brings early blooms. Open Thursday–Monday: Thursdays 9 AM until sunset, Friday–Monday 9 AM–4 PM. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Seasonal Notes
Open Thursday March 19 through Saturday December 5, 2026, Thursday–Monday: Thursdays 9 AM until sunset, Friday–Monday 9 AM–4 PM; last admission 30 minutes before close. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The meadow is most spectacular late summer through fall.
Rainy Day?
An outdoor garden — save it for decent weather.
While You're in the Area
Bethany Beach and the southern Delaware beaches are close; James Farm Ecological Preserve and Holts Landing (bay nature) are nearby too.
Upcoming Events
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