Once the site of the largest plantation in Wake Country, Mordecai Park is home to the Mordecai House, a registered historical landmark and local history museum. In addition to the house, the park includes other historic structures like the original birthplace of President Andrew Johnson, the Ellen Mordecai Garden, and St. Mark's Chapel. Visitors can enjoy trolley tours of the park, and hour-long guided tours of the grounds are offered from the visitor center.
The Raleigh Rose Garden displays dozens of varieties of roses, including all new roses presented by the All American Rose Society, on beautifully landscaped grounds just behind the Raleigh Little Theater. An outdoor theater with stone seating hosts theater and music performances from time to time, and a fountain and small stone shelter are the center of small private events and weddings. The roses bloom from late May until early fall in October and November; these times are best for visiting.
A former orphange converted into a park with several sports amenities and an amphitheater, Fred Fletcher Park is a green lung in the heart of Raleigh. Basketball and tennis courts, a softball field and a sand-filled playground for small children make it a perfect place to relax for the entire family. The water garden , the historic Borden building on the premises, the flower garden and the walking paths make for an interesting evening of exploration.
