Frolicking through sunflower fields has become pretty popular around Raleigh in the past couple years. So many people flocked to the hidden sunflower fields owned by the city a few years ago that they had to move them to a park so it was in a safe space to be enjoyed by all!
Luckily, that’s not the only sunflower fields in Raleigh! Check out our list of spots below where you can view the yellow beauties and take memorable family photos! Sunflower fields are usually at their peak from July through August, but check each field website for updates.
Dorothea Dix Park
Dix Park hosts the most famous and well-attended Sunflower field in the area. Previously located on the Neuse River trail, the City of Raleigh government created this 5 acre field at a public park so the beautiful flowers could be enjoyed safely and for FREE! After the bloom is over, Raleigh Water harvests the sunflower seeds for biofuel.
Know before you go:
- The Sunflower Field is located off Hunt Drive near the former soccer fields and the historic cemetery.
- Weekday Sunflower Parking is available in gravel lot off Hunt Drive and in the parking lot near the Magnolia Room off Umstead Drive.
- On weeknights and weekends, park visitors are welcome to use any paved lot.
- Sunflower Field is free to visit seven days-a-week, from dawn until dusk.
- To see the sunflowers up close, walking up and down hills, in grass and on uneven surfaces will be necessary.
- We recommend outdoor essentials like sunscreen, bug spray and close-toed shoes.
- Please stay on the paths in the field and keep children and pets from straying into the sunflowers.
- Pets must be kept on a leash and pick up after them.
- Please do not pick the flowers.
- Port-a-johns are located near the Sunflower Field and Magnolia Room.
- Indoor restrooms are available in the The Chapel during visitor hours: Tues. + Thurs. 6-9pm | Sat. 10am-4pm | Sun. 12-5pm
- NC Department of Health and Human Services employees work on the campus Monday -Friday. Please be respectful of their working environment and avoid all buildings and DHHS parking areas during business hours.
North Carolina Museum of Art
The NCMA’s 2.5-acre sunflower field, first planted in 2018, is located near the intersection of the Blue Loop and Meadow trails and includes a mix of colorful sunflowers, cosmos, and zinnias. The field features walk-through paths and makes a stunning backdrop in the Museum Park and is completely FREE To enjoy. New for 2021 the Museum Park has a second sunflower planting located below the Ellipse. The Museum offers a two-part outdoor workshop to teach nature photography in the sunflower field on July 20 and 27. There is a trail that connects the NCMA sunflower field to the Dix Park sunflower field, so take a hike and enjoy the flowers!
https://ncartmuseum.org/series/city-of-sunflowers/
Lazy Hound Farms
Lazy Hound Farms opened in August 2020 and has a variety of fun activities in addition to their sunflower field. No word yet on when their sunflowers will be ready for 2021, so keep an eye out on their website and facebook page for updates!
Spring/Summer Admission of $8 Includes:
- Big Slide and Playground
- Kiddie Barrel Train
- Animal Barn
- Picnic Tables and Shelters
- Yard Games
Additional Cost:
- Animal Feed
- Sunflower Hay Rides
https://www.lazyhoundfarm.com/
Hill Ridge Farms
The Hill Ridge Farms annual Sunflower Festival returns July 17 – August 22, 2021!
Hours are as follows:
- Saturday 10am-8pm
- Sunday 10am-8pm
- Wednesday – Friday 10am-8pm.
There will be Food Trucks, Music, and FREE Sunflower with each paid admission. Enjoy a covered wagon ride to and from the sunflower patch. Contact your favorite local photographers now to book your appointments.
Play park will be open and included with admission. They have a Splashpad, Waterslide, Barnyard Animals, Gem Stone Panning! All of your farm play land favorites will be available during your visit.
Admission
- ages 2-64: $14
- ages 65+: $13
- Military: $13
- Groups of 10 or more: $13 (one person must pay for entire group).
- Free parking
No advance tickets. Purchase upon arrival. If you would like to be a vendor for this event email us at funonthefarm@hillridgefarms.com Include dates you are interested in and details about your business.
http://www.hillridgefarms.com/
Phillips Farm of Cary
Sunflower fields will be open mid September to November 2021 with all of the other fun fall farm activities. Stay tuned for updates!
http://phillipsfarmsofcary.com/sunflowers/
Pace Family Farms
Keep an eye on their Facebook Page for upcoming sunflower days, the next being on July 10th! Guests will be allowed to cut flowers like last year, stems will be $1 each. Admission is free but you’ll want to bring some money to purchase their seasonal produce!
Vollmer Farms
U-Pick Blueberries, Blackberries, and Sunflowers are NOW OPEN! If you plan to cut flowers, please bring your own shears. Buckets will be provided.
- Wednesday – Friday 9am-6pm
- Saturday-Sunday 9am-4pm
- Monday-Tuesday Closed
Page Farms
In the Spring Page Farms has Strawberry picking, in the summer there’s Blackberry and Sunflower picking, and in the Fall they have Pumpkin picking and a Corn Maze! Their sunflower days started early this year so head on out to pick a few to take home!
http://www.pagefarmsraleigh.com/
Millstone Creek Orchards
The gardens at Millstone Creek are filled with zinnias and sunflowers of all shapes and sizes. Here you can pick the flowers to take home with you, and they also have lots of other U-pick fruit as well. Peaches are in season in July so you can do both during your visit!
**U-pick zinnias and black-eyed-susans are currently blooming and are ready for picking! Sunflowers will be ready later this year.
https://www.millstonecreekorchards.com/new-page-1
If you’re looking for more agritourism opportunities, August is also a great month for picking muscadine grapes!