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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Chapel Hill & Durham, North Carolina
A 60-acre Chapel Hill lavender estate that blooms mid-May through June, close to the free NC Botanical Garden, Duke Gardens and Eno River trails.
4 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Chapel Hill and Durham make up the western side of North Carolina's Triangle, with two university campuses, free gardens and river trails all within about 20 minutes of each other. Lavender Oaks Farm is a 60-acre estate less than five miles from downtown Chapel Hill, with nine lavender varieties, a boutique and two barns more than 100 years old.
The fields bloom from mid-May through June. They were closed to visitors in 2026, and the farm expects a strong bloom in 2027. The boutique stays open all year, Tuesday through Thursday, and fall brings ticketed candle-making workshops and candlelight dinners. Around the farm, the University of North Carolina's botanical garden and art museum are free, Durham adds Sarah P. Duke Gardens and the Bennett Place surrender site, and Eno River State Park and Jordan Lake offer hiking and summer eagle watching.
The lavender farms
- Lavender Oaks FarmLavender farm · Chapel Hill
mid-May through June
Boutique open year-round Tue-Thu 11-3; fields open in bloom (mid-May through June; closed for 2026); ticketed farm events; group lunch tours; weddings and barn rentals.
Best time to visit
Lavender Oaks Farm's fields bloom from mid-May through June; they were closed for the 2026 season, and the farm expects a strong bloom in 2027, so watch their website in spring. In fall 2026 the farm scheduled candlelight dinners on October 21 and November 22, candle-making workshops on October 25 and November 1, and a holiday sip-and-shop on December 6. Jordan Lake is one of the largest summer homes of the bald eagle, and it charges a vehicle fee on weekends in April, May and September and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Duke Gardens' main entrance stays open until 7 pm from March through October, and the NC Botanical Garden's Sculpture in the Garden show runs through December 6.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- North Carolina Botanical Garden🌷 Garden · Chapel Hill · about 2 mi, 5 min drive
UNC's free public garden of southeastern native plants, with the Piedmont Nature Trails and, on campus, the Coker Arboretum and Battle Park; the yearly Sculpture in the Garden show runs through December 6.
Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm; closed Mondays and university holidays
free
- Ackland Art Museum🏛️ Museum · Chapel Hill · about 1 mi, 5 min drive
UNC's art museum on South Columbia Street, with works ranging from a Mughal sandstone screen to Archibald Motley Jr.'s 1924 painting Mending Socks.
Wednesday to Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 1 to 5; second Fridays until 9
free
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens🌷 Garden · Durham · about 10 mi, 20 min drive
Free gardens on Duke's campus, from the historic terraces to the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants and the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, with a cafe open 10 to 4. Dogs are allowed only before 10 am.
Grounds daily 8 am to sunset; main entrance and parking 9 to 7 March-October, 9 to 5 November-February
free admission
- Bennett Place State Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · Durham · about 10 mi, 20 min drive
The Bennett family farm where Generals Johnston and Sherman signed surrender papers in April 1865, the largest troop surrender of the Civil War; the farmhouse, kitchen and smokehouse are reconstructed.
Tuesday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; tours at 9:45, 11 and 1
Free; guided tours $4 adults, $1 ages 3-17
- Eno River State Park🌳 State park · Durham · about 12 mi, 25 min drive
About 13 miles of trail at Fews Ford and more at other accesses along the river, including the rocky Cascades. Cole Mill Access is closed and Fews Ford is partly open, so check trail status first.
Fews Ford 7 am, closing 7 pm in winter to 10 pm in summer; visitor center daily 9 to 5
free day use
- Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area🌲 Preserve · Hillsborough · about 11 mi, 25 min drive
Three miles of trail through mountain laurel and rhododendron to a summit overlook known for sunsets, with two fishing ponds near the Eno River; leashed dogs are allowed.
8 am, closing 6 pm November-February to 9 pm May-August
free day use
- Historic Hillsborough🏘️ Town · Hillsborough · about 12 mi, 25 min drive
A town founded more than 250 years ago with over 100 historic homes and buildings. The Riverwalk greenway links downtown with West Hillsborough and passes the Occaneechi Replica Village near the Cameron Street entrance.
Visitor center at 150 East King Street
- Jordan Lake State Recreation Area🌳 State park · Apex · about 12 mi, 25 min drive
One of the largest summer homes of the bald eagle, with an observation platform, 15 miles of hiking trail, swim beaches and more than 1,000 campsites across several accesses.
Day use 8 am to 6 pm November-February, to 8 pm March-April and September-October, to 9 pm May-August
Vehicle fee on weekends in April, May and September and daily Memorial Day to Labor Day; free otherwise
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- La Farm BakeryBakery · Cary
Master baker Lionel Vatinet's French bakery and cafe, known for hand-shaped breads, croissants and the white chocolate mini baguette, with a shop in downtown Cary.
- The Rosemary HouseInn or B&B · Pittsboro
A historic mansion inn in downtown Pittsboro with six guest rooms, some with fireplaces and jetted tubs, and breakfast treats available around the clock.
- Arrowhead InnInn or B&B · Durham
A Durham inn on six landscaped acres marking its 250th anniversary, with a three-course breakfast and a garden cottage and log cabin.
- Chapel Hill Restaurant GroupRestaurant · Chapel Hill
The local group behind Spanky's, Squid's, 411 West and Mez, serving the Triangle for more than 35 years.
A one-day plan
- 9:30 AMNorth Carolina Botanical Garden · about 5 min drive
Walk the native plant gardens and the sculpture show; about an hour.
- 10:45 AMAckland Art Museum · about 10 min drive
A free look at the collection on campus; about 45 minutes.
- 11:45 AMLavender Oaks Farm · about 15 min drive
Check in at the main barn and shop the Lavender Boutique (Tuesday to Thursday, 11 to 3); about 45 minutes. In mid-May to June, look on their website for field visit dates.
- 1:00 PMLa Farm Bakery, Downtown Cary · about 35 min drive
About 35 minutes east to West Chatham Street. Lunch in the cafe; about an hour.
- 2:30 PMJordan Lake State Recreation Area · about 25 min drive
About 25 minutes west. Look for eagles from the observation platform or walk a lakeside trail; about an hour.
- 4:15 PMSarah P. Duke Gardens · about 40 min drive
About 40 minutes north. Walk the terraces and arboretum; about an hour.
- 5:45 PMArrowhead Inn · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes to Mason Road in north Durham for the night.
Tips
- Plan this day for a Wednesday or Thursday: the Lavender Oaks boutique opens only Tuesday through Thursday and the Ackland is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Lavender Oaks Farm does not allow pets or smoking, children must stay with an adult, and the pond area is closed to the public.
- Dogs are allowed in Duke Gardens only before 10 am.
- On UNC home football game days, the lot in front of Morehead Planetarium is reserved and campus parking fills early.
- Eno River's Cole Mill Access is closed and Fews Ford is partly open; check trail status before you hike.
- The Rosemary House has no phone line; reach the inn by email or through their website.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does the lavender bloom at Lavender Oaks Farm?
From mid-May through June. The fields were closed to visitors in 2026, and the farm expects a strong bloom in 2027.
Is the North Carolina Botanical Garden free?
Yes. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm, and closed Mondays and university holidays.
Can I bring my dog to Sarah P. Duke Gardens?
Only before 10 am. Outdoor admission is free.
How much are tours at Bennett Place?
The site is free. Guided tours are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and military and $1 for ages 3 to 17.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
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