When I think of a 'secret garden,' I think of a place that makes me feel as if I've fallen down the rabbit hole and been transported to another time and place. For North Carolina, the first destination that comes to my mind is Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo. Beautiful, historic, unique secret gardens in North Carolina, it's the perfect place to spend a day away from the world. You'll want to plan for at least an hour or two there, but more if you'd like to take your time and really take it all in.

During her reign, Queen Elizabeth I would keep elaborate, fanciful gardens as a way of entertainment. Today, the Elizabethan Gardens in North Carolina serve as a way to recreate that as well as a memorial for Sir Walter Raleigh and 'The Lost Colony' that inhabited this area 400 years ago.

In the 1950s, visitors of the Lost Colony site approached the Garden Club of North Carolina with an idea to develop a two-acre garden nearby as a tribute to Sir Walter Raleigh and the colonists.

Development of the gardens began on June 2, 1953, which was also the date Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England. On August 8th, 1960, the birthday of Virginia Dare, the best gardens in North Carolina opened.

Today, the gardens charge a small (but worth it) entrance fee to spend an afternoon immersed in nature. Guests enter through the gatehouse, which is a replica of a 1500s orangery, a greenhouse used to protect citrus plants from the harsh English weather.

Above the entrance is the Elizabeth I coat of arms; the gate itself was actually a gift to the US by the French Embassy. How cool is that?!

The gardens consist of a variety of different gardens with flowers that bloom throughout the year. So while spring is a beautiful time to visit, you really can't go wrong any time of the year.

You can stroll through the fragrant and beautiful Queen's Rose Garden, a cloistered area with bountiful rose blooms. There's also the woodland gardens, less formal, but reflecting its namesake.

Does it get more dreamy and enchanting than a gate to the ocean? We think not!

In his book, Did You See That?, North Carolina author and historian Joe Sledge describes one section of the gardens that has breathtaking views of the Roanoke Sound.

One central point of the gardens is the statue of Virginia Dare, the first child English child born on US soil and granddaughter to John White who led, then later discovered the disappearance of, the Lost Colony. The statue of Virginia Dare is so unique that it deserves its own article.

Even once the statue was completed, it still met an interesting journey until being placed in Elizabethan Gardens.It seemed the Virginia Dare statue was impressively adept at surviving near statue death time and time again. She finally found her home in the Elizabethan Gardens some many years later. Today, the beautiful statue sits tucked away beneath twirling tree branches and in a dense coastal forest environment. While many have seen the statue, few know the story behind both the actual Virginia Dare and her statue counterpart.

The statue of Elizabeth I is said to be one of the largest statues of her in the world, at an impressive 1.5 times life size.

The gardens are a beautiful place to spend a day while also feeling like royalty and learning the unique history of both the Lost Colony and all the various items that came to be and found their way here.

See for yourself why we think the Elizabethan Gardens are among the prettiest gardens to visit in North Carolina.

These secret gardens in North Carolina are amazing and exquisite! Have you visited here before? Tell us all about your experience in the comments section along with what you believe to be the best gardens in North Carolina.

While you're in the area, how about paying a visit to this beautiful yet notorious small town in North Carolina with insane paranormal activity?

For more fascinating North Carolina history, check out the book, Grandfather's Tales of North Carolina History by Richard Benbury Creecy.