Strolling through sunflowers has become a N.C. summer tradition for families, photographers and flower-lovers alike. These beautiful summer blossoms pop up in late June and bloom through August, so it’s the perfect time to plan a visit to a local sunflower field. There are many to choose from in the Triangle, and if you’re willing to drive, there are a few more farms just a short trip away.
North Carolina Museum of Art
NCMA’s 2.5-acre field was first planted in 2018 and features a mix of colorful sunflowers, cosmos and zinnias. Enjoy walk-through paths and a vibrant backdrop for photos. A second sunflower planting located below the Ellipse is new this year, so visitors can check out multiple fields in one visit.
Dorothea Dix Park
The five-acre sunflower field at Dix Park is back this year after closing last summer due to the pandemic. This beautiful field is not only a great photo opportunity, but an eco-friendly project for Raleigh. A city interdepartmental project between Raleigh Water; Office of Sustainability; and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, the flowers are harvested after the season for biofuel.
Hill Ridge Farms
Less than an hour away from Cary, Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville is hosting a Sunflower Festival all season long. The farm has food trucks, a play park, pick-your-own flowers, and fun for the whole family. Each paid admission includes a free sunflower and covered wagon ride to and from the patch. Tickets are $14 for ages 2-64 and $13 for ages 65 and older.
Lazy Hound Farm
Lazy Hound Farm in Zebulon is a small family farm with lots of summer fun! With two fields of sunflowers starting to bloom, they expect their patches to be ready in August. Visitors can enjoy a slide and playground, a kiddie barrel train, an animal barn and yard games included with admission, or add on a hayride for a little extra entertainment. Admission is $8 per person, but kiddos 2 and under can get in for free.
Odom Farming Company
Head east to Goldsboro for a trip to pick your own sunflowers at Odom Farming Company. The farm is open Wednesday through Sunday, and sunflowers are expected to bloom through mid-August. Admission is $5 per person and includes a trip to the fields, visiting the animals, playing on the playground, and picking one sunflower.
Biltmore
If you’re looking for a fun weekend trip idea, visit Biltmore for a chance to see some stunning summer flora. With sunflowers standing as tall as 8 feet, the field stretches for nearly one mile along the road from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village. The flowers are at peak bloom right now, but if you can’t make it this weekend, the next peak is expected around Labor Day.
