Discovery Cottage
A Place for Kids
“A unique, educational place to climb, slide, dig, explore and learn!”
Alongside the John White Butterfly Center is a new area created just for young explorers- the Discovery Cottage. It features indoor and outdoor areas built to encourage and inspire young learners. The outdoor area is geared for children to learn through play. Children can climb aboard a large ship, slide down the ramp and then explore the Elizabethan play houses with living roofs. Kitchen gardens, dig areas and other features here are complimented with educational signs to invite child and parent to learn more about our Elizabethan heritage.
Inside the Discovery Cottage, children will be led through seasonal programs to explore life cycles of plants and bugs with hands-on activities, models, terrariums and microscopes in this laboratory of learning.
About The Discovery Cottage
The Elizabethan Gardens’ Discovery Cottage was established in memory of Charlie and Lucy Gaddy. The elder Gaddys lived in Raleigh and were well-known for their community involvement, leadership and generous charitable giving. Finn and Nancy Gaddy have brought this spirit of giving to their new home on the Outer Banks where they support programs and charities that keep the memory of Charlie and Lucy alive. Inspired by our Elizabethan history and built for educational play, the area is a popular place for families to visit.
