Enjoy a stroll around the gardens without the crowds while we see what's flying!  We will look for resident and migrating birds and learn basic birding skills.  No experience necessary, all are welcome.  Binoculars are available on a first come, first serve basis.  Bird walks are co-hosted with our partner, Jill Peleuses from Wild Bird & Garden, and confounder of the Cape Fear Bird Observatory. 

Tickets:

• Free for Airlie Members
• Pre-Registration Required
• Registration includes Garden Admission
• Recommended for ages 12 & up

Airlie Member Tickets: Member tickets must be reserved in advance. To receive membership discount sign-in in the upper right hand corner of this page and then choose the "Member Ticket" option at bottom of page.  If you have not yet registered for an online account, select REGISTER at the top of page. Information on registration must match your membership card. For questions, please contact us at 910-798-7700.

*Members scroll down and choose "Member Ticket" option. Discount will appear in the shopping cart.

Airlie Gardens invites friends and family of the Gardens to enjoy an oyster feast along the banks of Bradley Creek, a tradition rooted in Airlie’s history. Beginning around 1905, extravagant oyster roasts were hosted on the property. Guests came from far and near to enjoy the warm southern climate and celebrate a local delicacy. This tradition was revived in 2000 and has become our most important annual fundraising event for Airlie’s Environmental Education Programs.

• Advance Tickets Only
• Ticket includes on-site parking, food & fixings, two drink tickets, and live entertainment
• Gates open at 5:45PM
• Cash bar available

NHC Resident Free Day admission includes: parking, access to the grounds during regular garden hours and seasonal exhibits (Art Exhibit, Native Wildlife Exhibit, and Butterfly House). A valid New Hanover County ID is required to be shown at check-in. 

Photography Reservation

We are happy to offer a unique backdrop for both amateur and professional photography. Our photography fee provides ongoing fundraising to help maintain the beauty of the gardens and its services. Photography fee covers admission for everyone involved in the reservation.  

In the event of rain or inclement weather, a reservation can be rescheduled or canceled with a full refund. We ask that these decisions be made at least one hour prior to a scheduled reservation.

Enter 1 as the quantity before selecting the "Register” button below.

ELOPEMENT REMINDERS:

Guests: The maximum number of guests for an elopement ceremony is 10. Parking, admission and restroom facilities are available to your guests at no additional cost.

Smoking: Airlie Gardens does not allow smoking in the gardens.

Pets: Pets are not allowed on the grounds, though service animals are permitted. Service animals be kept on a leash and waste be picked up and disposed of in a trash can. Please inform Airlie staff if you are expecting service animals at your ceremony, as this will help us inform others and reduce questioning of service animal status.

Decorations & Rentals: Tents, tables, chairs, lighting and décor may not be brought in for elopement ceremonies.

Please enter 1 as the quantity before selecting "Register"

Enjoy a brew and join Airlie Educators on a guided tour through the Gardens. Program is held outdoors.

Featured Brewery: Mad Mole 

• Gates open at 5:30PM
• Beer available to purchase from featured brewery
• Talk begins at 6:00PM

Airlie Member Discount: Member tickets must be reserved in advance. To receive membership discount sign-in in the upper right hand corner of this page. If you have not yet registered for an online account, select REGISTER at the top of page. Information on registration must match your membership card. For questions, please contact us at 910-798-7700.

*Members Discount will appear on next screen! 

Join our educators and Jill from Wild Bird and Garden for a guided tram ride around the gardens to some of our bird hotspots! This program is ideal for birders of any experience level who may not have the mobility to walk for extended periods of time, who can board and exit our tram. Space is limited, pre-registration is required.

Airlie Member Tickets: Member tickets must be reserved in advance. To receive membership discount sign-in in the upper right hand corner of this page and then choose the "Member Ticket" option at bottom of page.  If you have not yet registered for an online account, select REGISTER at the top of page. Information on registration must match your membership card. For questions, please contact us at 910-798-7700.

*Members scroll down and choose "Member Ticket" option. Discount will appear on next screen! 

Dive into the rich history, horticulture, and ecology of Airlie Gardens on a walking tour of the grounds. Tours are approximately one mile of leisurely walking with frequent stops.  Advance registration is required.

This program is included Garden Membership - Airlie Member Tickets: Member tickets must be reserved in advance. To receive membership discount sign-in in the upper right hand corner of this page and then choose the "Member Ticket" option at bottom of page.  If you have not yet registered for an online account, select REGISTER at the top of page. Information on registration must match your membership card. For questions, please contact us at 910-798-7700.

*Members scroll down and choose "Member Ticket" option. Discount will appear on next screen! 

Hands-on, standard based programs to get your homeschool students excited about the outdoors! Designed for students ages 9 to 13 years old, parent or guardian participation required.  Participate in activities about plant anatomy, growth, and reproduction. Look at a soil samples up close to learn about the ingredients of soil, different soil particles, and the decomposers that help break down organic matter into soil.

Program will be held outdoors and indoors. Space is limited & pre-registration is required. 

Join our educators for an evening of birding!  Fall is an excellent time for birding and a great time to look for Owls!  Owls perch and prep for hunting and can be heard calling in the evening.  Hopefully with a little luck, we will spot or hear them as they begin their search for food.  Although there is never a guarantee to see owls, the Airlie Lake is a sight to see in the evening as birds begin to roost for the night.  Program is appropriate for ages 8 & up.  

Tickets:

• $10/Adults (age 13+), $5/New Hanover County residents & military (with valid ID), $3/Children ages 8-12
• Free for Airlie Members
• Pre-Registration Required
• Registration includes Garden Admission

Airlie Member Tickets: Member tickets must be reserved in advance. To receive membership discount sign-in in the upper right hand corner of this page and then choose the "Member Ticket" option at bottom of page.  If you have not yet registered for an online account, select REGISTER at the top of page. Information on registration must match your membership card. For questions, please contact us at 910-798-7700.

*Members scroll down and choose "Member Ticket" option. Discount will appear in the shopping cart.

Join an environmental educator in the classroom to meet one of our ambassador animals!  We will learn about native reptile species, their characteristics, and even watch them eat!  

• Pre-registration required.
• Free for Members
• Registration includes garden admission

Airlie Member Tickets: Member tickets must be reserved in advance. To receive membership discount sign-in in the upper right hand corner of this page and then choose the "Member Ticket" option at bottom of page.  If you have not yet registered for an online account, select REGISTER at the top of page. Information on registration must match your membership card. For questions, please contact us at 910-798-7700.

*Members scroll down and choose "Member Ticket" option. Discount will appear in the shopping cart.

Program related to the Annual Art Exhibit 

• Pre-registration required.
• Free for Members
• Registration includes garden admission