Dorothea Dix Park

Dix Park sits on the hilltop campus of the former Dix Hill state psychiatric hospital, named for reformer Dorothea Dix, who campaigned for its creation in the 1840s. The hospital closed in 2012 and the City of Raleigh bought the land from the State of North Carolina in 2015 with the goal of building a great public park for everyone. A master plan adopted in 2019 is being phased in over many years, so expect some areas to look finished and others to still be open meadow or historic buildings awaiting new uses.

What makes the park special today is space. The rolling Big Field has one of the best open views of the downtown skyline, and it fills with picnics, kites, dogs and festival crowds. Gipson Play Plaza, opened in 2023, added a large playground, fountains and a café near the park’s Western Boulevard side.

Every summer the park plants a field of sunflowers that typically blooms for a couple of weeks in late June and July. It has become one of Raleigh’s most photographed sights and draws big weekend crowds. The park posts bloom updates on its official channels, so check before you go, arrive early in the morning for softer light and smaller crowds, and stay on the paths so the flowers last for everyone.

The park is free and open daily. Parking is available in designated lots across the campus, but large events such as concerts and festivals change access, so check dixpark.org before heading out. There is little shade on the Big Field — bring water, sunscreen and a blanket. Leashed dogs are welcome.