By Caitlin Conner, Marketing + Communications Manager
When you picture a visit to Daniel Stowe Conservancy, a few iconic views might come to mind: the top of the Canal Garden, the air plant arches of the Williamson Conservatory, the splash of the Tunnel Fountain, Spot the Disco Dog statue at the Village entrance and, of course, our newest addition, the Prairie Castle Playground. The list goes on.
But when you have 380 acres at your fingertips, there are countless other hidden gem spots around the property that are often overlooked. Next time you visit Stowe, I encourage you to seek out these tucked-away spots, take the path less travelled and maybe even get a little lost. (don’t worry – you can always find your way back with an online map).
The Williamson Conservatory Patio
Everyone knows and loves the breathtaking tropical plants of the Williamson Conservatory. However, I’ve noticed that most people make a beeline for the entrance to the Conservatory and don’t notice how pretty the surrounding patio is. It’s particularly lovely in spring, with vibrant pops of colorful snapdragons amongst succulents, cacti and palm trees. There are several seating areas, making it a great spot to take a break, relax and enjoy the view in the shade.
Many people also don’t know that the Williamson Conservatory Patio is available for event rentals! It makes a scenic backdrop for birthday parties, small receptions and more.
Meadowood Walk
Did you know there’s a hiking trail right next to the Prairie Castle Playground? Meadowood Walk is just under a mile and circles our scenic savanna grasslands that brush up against the lakefront (more on that shortly). People typically think of Africa when they hear the word savanna, but Meadowood Walk is, indeed, a savanna right here at Stowe! A savanna is a mix of grassland and widely-spaced trees – making “Meadowood Walk” quite a fitting name, as it’s a mix of meadow (prairie grasslands) and woods. You won’t feel like you’re walking through a forest, since the trees are not dense. They are far apart enough for sunlight to reach the prairie ecosystem below. It’s a truly unique walk and the perfect family-friendly hike to tack on to your visit to Stowe. During the summer and spring, you’ll enjoy colorful, native flowers and in the late fall and winter you can spot the Lake Wylie shoreline after the deciduous trees have dropped their leaves. Keep an eye out for birds like the Brown-headed Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker or Eastern Bluebird. Its two entrances are conveniently close to the Prairie Canteen and restrooms so you can rest and refuel after your walk.
Two ways to enter the Meadowood Walk loop; one just before the Prairie Castle Playground and one just beyond the end of the Conifer Garden.
Access to Lake Wylie Lakefront via Stowe Connector Trail
As mentioned above, you can spot Lake Wylie from Meadowview Walk during the colder seasons, but did you know that you can walk right up to the water and dip your feet in from one of Stowe’s trails? Many people don’t realize that the Stowe Connector Trail that starts right by The Trailhead Store takes you to the Duke Kimbrell Trail, which provides miles of lakefront access and picturesque views.
The White Garden
It feels wrong to call The White Garden a hidden gem because it’s such an iconic wedding backdrop, but if you don’t know to look for it during a visit to Stowe, you might miss it! It’s tucked away to the right of the Levine Pavilion at the beginning of The Gardens, but I implore you to check it out next time you visit; it’s a serene, quiet escape in nature. The space is surrounded by beautifully-curated blooms and the elegant foliage transports you to the English countryside. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, take a deep breath and seek a peaceful moment in your day.
The Secret Room
There’s been a lot of buzz about The Secret Room lately with the publication of The Guardian of Lost Hollow children’s book, as it’s about Willow, the dragon who lives in The Secret Room. I’m including it on the list, though, because a lot of people don’t know where to find it! It is the fifth “room” on the Adventure Trail just beyond the Prairie Castle. It doesn’t have an obvious room sign like the rest because it’s, well, a secret! Continue your journey down the Adventure Trail and you’ll find a path leading to a clearing containing a swing, castle ruins and the sleeping spine of Willow the dragon.
Want to learn more about Willow? Stowe CEO and The Guardian of Lost Hollow author John Searby is doing a reading on Saturday, May 23 at 11 a.m. in the Lost Hollow amphitheater to celebrate the book launch. Join for the reading to be one of the first to hear Willow’s story and meet John and Brett Blumenthal, the illustrator of the book. The reading is included in your daily admission or membership.
The Native Prairie Garden Steps
Just beyond the grand Canal Garden, you’ll reach the steps that guide you through the Piedmont Prairie to the Prairie Castle Playground. Look around next time you reach the top of the steps because you are in Stowe’s Native Prairie Garden! All the flowers running down the steps are native to the Piedmont region of North Carolina and attract pollinators like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to enhance the ecosystem and wildlife of the prairie. Many of the plants present in the Native Prairie Garden are available for purchase at the Farmhouse Garden Center or Big Leaf Café, so you can turn your backyard or patio into your own native garden!
The Conifer Garden
The Conifer Garden is at the very end of the Perennial Gardens just before you reach the Prairie Castle. There are several tall conifer trees planted lining the pathway that provide a serene, shady place to rest after wrapping up your walk in the Perennial Gardens. But just beyond the tall conifers are around 15 small ones that our Horticulture team recently planted. These conifers were actually donated by members of our community as part of our “Adopt-a-Conifer” campaign this past holiday season. If you visited during Holidays at the Garden, you saw these conifers planted by the front entrance! Since then, we’ve moved them to their permanent home in the Conifer Garden, where they will grow to reach the heights of the original conifers, providing more shade near the Prairie Canteen.
The next time you visit Stowe, let your path to nature wander and take the time to explore a space that’s new to you. When you have 380 acres at your fingertips, we can almost guarantee moments of discovery, awe and wonder as you uncover exciting experiences.
