Go on adventure with Duke Garden backpacks

Lots of families head out to Duke Gardens every year. But not many know about the gardens' family backpack adventures.

For a $5 fee and $5 deposit, families can check out one of seven backpacks from the desk at the Doris Duke Center, the main building at the entrance to the gardens, for several hours.

The backpacks are filled with five different activities that give families an opportunity to deepen their experience at the gardens. There are five activities in each of the backpacks. They include a look at the Duke ducks and a study of some of the flowers, for instance. The activities are geared to kids ages 5 to 12.