Living Like a Governor: A Visitor’s Guide to the Tryon Palace Gardens

Imagine strolling through manicured English gardens, the scent of boxwood hedges in the air, a fountain murmuring somewhere nearby — and the distinct feeling that you’ve accidentally stumbled into 18th-century colonial high society. That’s the Tryon Palace experience in a nutshell. And honestly? It suits you.

Tucked into the charming waterfront city of New Bern, North Carolina, Tryon Palace was once the grandest building in colonial America — the official residence of Royal Governor William Tryon and, later, the state’s first capitol building. Today, its restored grounds and spectacular gardens are one of the most underrated day-trip destinations on the East Coast. Whether you’re a history buff, a garden lover, or just someone who appreciates a good excuse to wear a sun hat, this Tryon Palace Gardens visitor guide has everything you need to plan the perfect visit.

What Are the Tryon Palace Gardens?

The Tryon Palace Gardens aren’t just one garden — they’re a collection of distinct outdoor spaces, each with its own personality and purpose. The grounds span roughly 16 acres and were designed to reflect the formal European garden traditions fashionable among the colonial elite of the 1760s.

Think symmetry. Think precision. Think “I employ a staff of gardeners and I want you to know it.”

The original landscape was recreated using period records, archaeological evidence, and horticultural research, making these gardens as historically authentic as they are beautiful. More than 60,000 flowering bulbs are planted each year, meaning the gardens put on a different show depending on when you visit.

The Must-See Gardens on the Grounds

The Maude Moore Latham Memorial Garden

This is the showstopper — a formal English-style garden laid out in geometric beds, filled with seasonal blooms and anchored by a long reflecting pool. In spring, it explodes with tulips and daffodils. In summer, roses take center stage. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop mid-step and just look.

It’s also the garden most frequently photographed by visitors, so arrive early if you want a peaceful moment with it to yourself.

The Green Garden

Adjacent to the Palace’s west wing, the Green Garden is a study in restraint — all clipped topiaries, emerald lawns, and pleached allées (that’s a fancy word for trees trained into a living archway, and yes, it’s as magical as it sounds). This is the garden equivalent of a well-tailored suit: understated, impeccable, impressive.

The Kitchen Garden

Here’s where things get wonderfully practical. The Kitchen Garden shows how the Palace staff actually fed the Governor’s household, with raised beds of herbs, vegetables, and medicinal plants typical of the 1770s. It’s the most hands-on and educational section of the grounds — especially great for kids who’ve been silently tolerating the formal gardens and need something a bit more interesting.

The Wilderness Garden

Beyond the formal spaces lies the Wilderness Garden — a more naturalistic landscape that follows the banks of Trent Creek. It’s lush and a little wild (hence the name), with native plantings, winding paths, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget there’s a parking lot somewhere nearby.

This is the garden for slow walkers, daydreamers, and anyone who brought a book.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

The honest answer: all four seasons offer something different, and none of them are bad.

• Spring (March–May) is peak garden season. Those 60,000+ bulbs bloom in waves, the weather is mild, and the grounds are at their most photogenic. This is the time to visit if gardens are your primary draw.
• Summer (June–August) brings heat, humidity, and the full glory of the rose and annual displays. Early morning visits are strongly recommended — both for cooler temperatures and for the light, which is extraordinary before 10 a.m.
• Fall (September–November) offers chrysanthemums, ornamental kale, and the gorgeous copper tones of maturing foliage. Crowds thin out and the pace slows to something deeply pleasant.
• Winter (December–February) is quieter, but don’t overlook it. The holiday season brings Tryon Palace’s Annual Holiday Celebration, which decorates the grounds and Palace interiors in 18th-century style — candlelight, period music, and greenery everywhere. It’s genuinely enchanting.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

Buy a combination ticket. The gardens are lovely on their own, but the full Tryon Palace experience includes tours of the restored Palace and several historic buildings nearby. The combo ticket is well worth it for history lovers.

Wear comfortable shoes. The grounds are well-maintained, but you’ll cover real distance if you explore thoroughly. Leave the good shoes in the car.

Allow at least two hours for the gardens alone. Three if you’re the type who reads every interpretive sign (no judgment — those signs are genuinely good).

Check the event calendar before you go. Tryon Palace hosts living history demonstrations, garden talks, seasonal festivals, and special tours throughout the year. Timing your visit around one of these adds a whole extra layer to the experience.

Don’t skip the gift shop. Located in the New Bern History Center, it carries a solid selection of books, plants, seeds, and locally made goods that make for far more meaningful souvenirs than a refrigerator magnet.

Getting There and Practical Information

Tryon Palace is located at 610 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28562, right in the heart of the historic district — which means you can easily combine your visit with a stroll through downtown New Bern’s galleries, restaurants, and waterfront.

Parking is available on-site and nearby. New Bern is roughly 90 minutes from Raleigh, 2 hours from Wilmington, and 2.5 hours from Charlotte — a genuinely easy day trip from most of eastern and central North Carolina.

For current hours, admission prices, and the full event calendar, visit the official site at tryonpalace.org.

The Takeaway

There’s something quietly remarkable about walking the same garden paths that once belonged to a colonial governor — paths now maintained with the same obsessive care and seasonal intention they were 250 years ago. The Tryon Palace Gardens aren’t a theme park recreation or a history lesson disguised as a garden. They’re the real thing: living, blooming, and completely worth your afternoon.

Pack some water, bring your curiosity, and go live like a governor for a day.

Planning a trip to New Bern? Tryon Palace is located at 610 Pollock Street. Visit tryonpalace.org for hours, admission, and the latest events.