Airlie Gardens

Airlie Gardens is a historic public garden spanning more than 67 acres near Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, North Carolina. A coastal oasis of formal gardens, seasonal blooms, mighty live oaks, walking trails, and historic structures, the grounds are anchored by the Airlie Oak, a 500-year-old southern live oak draped in Spanish moss and resurrection fern. Winding paths lead past water features, permanent art installations, a seasonal Butterfly House, and the Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel, a sculpture of colored bottles honoring the self-taught Wilmington artist. For weddings and private events, the gardens offer several outdoor ceremony and reception settings, from the Oak Lawn beneath the ancient live oak to the Bradley Creek Lawn with its water views and the Pergola Garden's seasonal blooms. Celebrations of up to 300 guests are welcome, and the grounds are available for rental from March through mid-October. Recognized on the North Carolina Birding Trail, Airlie Gardens pairs its horticultural setting with a strong sense of place well suited to outdoor gatherings.