Dorothea Dix Park

I'm glad to hear you had a good time! The unique touch of chairs made from trees and the excellent views must have added to the overall positive experience. It's the little details that often make a place memorable.

As of August 4, 2023, the sunflowers in Dorothea Dix park are past their peak bloom. We visited on August 4, 2023, and most sunflowers had already wilted.

Besides just the sunflowers, Dorothea Dix is still a wonderful park in Raleigh to see other flowers(Crepe Myrtles abound), be a part of the ongoing events such as movies on the lawn, yoga in the park, among others, or just explore the wonderful park.

On the Friday we visited, it was cloudy but we still managed to enjoy our stroll in the park after seeing the sunflowers. Port-a-johns were available for use as well.

Parking is available at various points depending on which area of the park you want to access. To see the sunflowers, the parking is located at 1800 Umstead Dr, Raleigh, and during off-peak hours, you should be able to find parking easily.

Overall, Dorothea Dix is a wonderful place in Raleigh to chill and get some exercise, while taking in some beautiful nature. I’d recommend allocating 1-2 hours for this park.

Beautiful park with endless things to do. Very unique place, there are several government buildings and North Carolina State University outreach buildings and programs. There is a fantastic sunflower park, as well as swings, picnic areas. Great place to visit!

Just beautiful that this sunflower field exists in NC! Be prepared to click these blooms till u drop! The sun goes in and out yet the blooms are here to stay. Center yourself to Hunts drive if by chance you enter on Umstead.

Enjoyed so many free public events in various locations around our central park's campus. The chapel has been a favorite in the hot summer months.

My girlfriend and I came for the 4th of July Fireworks event and it was amazing. There was a band, they had food trucks, and games that could be played. They also played Star Wars soundtrack music and classical music while the fireworks were happening. There were tons of colors, shapes, and sizes of fireworks. Make sure to get there in plenty of time because it can be a long walk to the big field if you have to park further away. Be sure to bring a quilt and plenty of water.

Was Hereford a dream, though festival?So much open?His face had so beautiful down there. Would go again next year!

Dorthea Dix is absolutely beautiful. With areas for all types of leisure and recreation as well as seasonal activities and big events. From their sunflowers at the end of summer to their dog park that is open year round, I love spending time in the park. It is beautiful and functional and the signage helps with navigation. If you are ever looking for a picnic spot or a place to bring your kids to play, this is it.

Really beautiful park! A very large space around 300 acres! Currently there are hammock groves, beautiful dafodils in the spring and huge sunflower fields in the summer. There are music festivals, 4th of July fireworks, and so many more special events. It makes Raleigh amazing!

I came out to see the sunflowers after much buzz about the blooms. Initially I wanted to arrive early to have a small crowd, however; coming out towards the evening when the sun wasn’t as active worked out pretty nice for me as it wasn’t as hot. There were lots of people, and limited parking. I came prepared with my photo stand and walking shoes. I am happy I came out.

Unika B. & Co.

The sunflower event is a must go. You have to track not to go too early or late. Trying going just a little ahead of the sunset and you can avoid the heat and also get the fiery sky in the background!

Went for a free fall festival, so glad we did because it was awesome! Really nice park with beautiful old growth trees lining each side of the road we came in on and bordering most of the park from what I could tell. Hoping to attend many more events in the future!

Dix Park is Raleigh's version of Central Park. Slowly but surely the City of Raleigh is working hard to convert the former mental hospital property into a primer world class park. The future is very bright, I cannot wait to see it flourish into a world class destination for people across North Carolina, America and the World. Currently there are beautiful open fields, hammock groves, tree groves, beautiful fields of flowers in the spring (those beautiful daffodils) and summer (those amazing sunflowers), music festival (J. Cole's Dreamville fest), running races, 4th of July fireworks, Holiday light displays during the holidays and so many more special events. Dix Park is slowy but surely becoming a destination park. Raleigh is very lucky to have 306 acres of open beautiful green space near its city center.

We came for the sunflowers! We waited a week or 2 after it looked like they were blooming so we got a full dose of sunflower goodness. I'd highly recommend this field for photographers, novice or professional. Such a lovely setting.

Dreamville Festival was the reason I was at this park. The country's best music festival by the way and this park is amazing. I've made lifetime memories here two years in a row. Plan on returning for 2025 also. Great Park 🏞

I came here for the Sunflower Field and I was stunned. The amount of work it must have taken to grow so many sunflowers and keep them healthy is breathtaking. I loved the sunflowers and will definitely be back for more events here in the future!

This is a great place to hangout for the compete family.
This year Christmas lights is a highlight.
Things to do for all ages.
Well maintained.
Don’t miss the sunflowers in summer.
People come from all over the state for this spectacle , on a landfill.

Great place for photography. Click click.

This park was such an amazing experience!!! It was my first time in North Carolina and it was nice to see the Museum of Art plus the beautiful park! It was so big and spacious and the weather was so lovely that day. I hope I can go back one day!

Awesome park. Went for the Fall festival and it did not disappoint. Tons of vendors, live music, and areas to explore. Brought our dog and he had. Great time as well

Great event at Dix Park. Fun, free ,Kid and dog friendly. So many food truck and local beer options. I love the area they have qith all the hammocks I'm the trees. It's a great place to come just to enjoy the outdoors.