Here in North Carolina, the winters are mild enough for folks to play outdoor chess year-round, making it a fun activity for everyone.
If you’re looking to get a game going on an outdoor board, here are some places from west to east in NC that you can “check” out:
Pritchard Park, Asheville – stone tables, bring your own pieces
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Bostic – covered giant chess set in lawn area of campground
Atherton Mill, Charlotte – giant outdoor chess set
Country Place Park, Matthews – three tables with chess boards, bring your own pieces
Winston Square Park, Winston-Salem – sculptural metal table called “Lateral Thinking”, bring your own pieces
LeBauer Park, Greensboro – regular “Chess in the Park” events
NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill – giant metal chess set at landmark G on this map
Church Street Park, Morrisville – concrete chess tables, bring your own pieces
Downtown Park, Cary – chess tables in the Park Street Courts area, bring your own pieces. Chess is also part of events like Board Game Social, Teen Game Night, and Playtime in the Park.
Fenton mixed use community, Cary – giant chess in the Backyard
SAS, Headquarters, Cary – giant outdoor chess set
Duke Tower Hotel & Condominiums, Durham – giant outdoor chess set
Fayetteville Street, Raleigh – stone chess tables, bring your own pieces
Moore Square Park, Raleigh – view the Moore Square Programs and Events Calendar and look for the regularly scheduled 10am – 5pm “Game On!” events which include giant and regular chess
Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh – giant chess inside museum, admission required. Chess is also offered as part of the Guest Stars program.
Eastgate Park, Raleigh – chess table in the playground area, bring your own pieces
Artsplosure, Raleigh – giant chess set provided by Moncure Chessworks
Vick Park, Selma – outdoor chess tables, ask staff for board and pieces
Town Common Park, Greenville – outdoor chess tables, bring your own pieces or check out a set at the Sheppard Memorial Library
Sheppard Memorial Library, Greenville – keys to the giant chess set are available at the library front desk
Story Park at Main Library, Wilmington – giant outdoor chess set
Harbor Station Townhomes, Wilmington – giant outdoor chess set in the amenity center
Waterfront Pop-up Park, Morehead City – one of many pop-up parks sponsored by the city, “City Chess, Checkers, and Chalk” was offered in the Fall of 2025 along the waterfront at the 3rd Street Public Parking Lot.
Dowdy Park, Nags Head – outdoor chess tables, bring your own pieces
There is also a chess park proposed for Mebane.
Please let us know about any other outdoor chess spaces in NC, and we’ll update this article.
Indermaur Chess Foundation 