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PLEASE NOTE: Our online booking form only displays photo shoot dates beginning 10 days from today's date. We are unable to accommodate last-minute requests or make exceptions for unavailable dates. If you don't see your preferred date, please choose another available date.

ATENCIÓN: El formulario solo muestra fechas de sesiones fotográficas con un mínimo de 10 días de anticipación a partir de la fecha actual. No podemos atender solicitudes de última hora ni hacer excepciones con fechas no disponibles. Si no encuentra la fecha que prefiere, elija otra fecha disponible.

Please contact marica.julien@duke.edu with questions about photography permits.

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We're pleased to announce that the Garden Gateway project will open to the public on Wednesday, April 8.

If you plan to visit before the Garden Gateway project opens on April 8, please note these important construction-related changes that will impact your visit:

* No visitor parking Monday-Friday.
We strongly recommend using alternative transport options to get here on weekdays.

* Limited parking is available on Saturday & Sunday in the Duke University H lot,
located next to the temporary Gardens pedestrian entrance at 2000 Lewis St.

* Dogs are only permitted before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

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During construction of the Garden Gateway (Feb. 2025-spring 2026), the outdoor areas of Duke Gardens will remain open, but the main entrance, visitor center and parking lots are closed. Visitors may enter the Gardens through a temporary pedestrian entrance located at 2000 Lewis St., one block north of the main entrance.

Importantly, there is no visitor parking on Monday through Friday. Parking is available to visitors on weekends only in the Duke University H lot, which is adjacent to the new pedestrian entrance on Lewis St. We encourage visitors to use alternative transportation whenever possible or visit on the weekends when parking is available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete these much-needed upgrades.

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The Garden Gateway project will open to the public on Wednesday, April 8. At that time, the Duke Gardens public parking lot, which features accessible parking spaces, will open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (March-October) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (November-February), seven days a week.

Until April 8, there is no visitor parking on Monday through Friday. Parking is available to visitors on weekends only in the Duke University H lot, which is adjacent to the new temporary pedestrian entrance on Lewis St. We encourage visitors to use alternative transportation whenever possible. Learn more on this page.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete these much-needed upgrades.

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NEW DOG HOURS
Dogs are only allowed in the gardens before 10 a.m. Dogs are no longer permitted in the gardens after 5 p.m.*

Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash that is 6 feet or shorter at all times. Additionally, dogs are not permitted in the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, buildings and posted areas at any time. No other pets are permitted.

*Service dogs trained to perform tasks for a person with disabilities are permitted in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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Duke Gardens is currently welcoming registered self-guided groups.

Guided field trips are not available in spring 2026 while we unpack and set up our new classroom space. We are excited to welcome students back to the Gardens for guided field trips in the 2026-2027 school year. Registration will become available after Labor Day 2026.

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The Gardens Café in Reiffel-Kefer Café Pavilion will open to the public on Wednesday, April 8, in conjunction with the opening of the Garden Gateway project.

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We currently are not accepting reservations for weddings, private events and meetings, as the Doris Duke Center will be closed for construction of the Garden Gateway. You can sign up here to receive the latest news and updates about the Garden Gateway, including when reservations resume for special events.

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Events for April 9, 2026

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10:00 am

A group of children and parents sit on logs around the Story Circle and watch someone read a book to them

Discovery Drop-In & Storytime

April 9 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Duke Gardens - Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden 420 Anderson Street, Durham

Join us for a story time and some self-guided activities at the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden. Story times will begin at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. each Thursday morning from April 9 to May 28 in the Story Circle in the Discovery Garden. Activities for caregivers to enjoy with their youngsters will be available on the picnic tables in the same garden area. Free; parking fees apply. No registration required.

Free

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