The Bog Garden on Hobbs Road

Half-mile boardwalk loop at 1101 Hobbs Road. Free, open dawn to dusk, stroller-friendly. A wetland garden with elevated boardwalks over swamp, and one of the better free things to do in the Piedmont.

Great blue herons in the shallows. Kingfishers rattling between branches. Wood ducks nesting in spring — watching the ducklings follow their mother across lily pads is genuinely entertaining and costs nothing. The canopy closes overhead in places and the light goes green and filtered.

Late March through May is prime time. Fall brings migrating warblers. Not a workout — more of a thinking walk. Bring binoculars if you have them.