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Desert Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

Camelback East, Phoenix

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9.2^/10

998

ratings

Ranked #3 for exhibits in Phoenix
The experts at The Wall Street Journal and Phoenix New Times recommend this place
"Beautiful Walk...The Butterfly Exhibit was cool."(10 Tips)
"Luminarias exhibit featuring Chihuly"(4 Tips)
"Second Tuesday of every month get free admission from 1p-8p!"(6 Tips)
"Home to an assortment of succulents and cacti"(4 Tips)

141 Tips and reviews

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Ashley QuaileJune 11, 2016
This place is amazing! We saw a lot of wildlife and beautiful desert plants from all over the world. The grounds are petty large too! The butterfly exhibit is not open currently as they are remodeling
Ref LMay 17, 2015
It's pretty amazing. The abundance of desert Cactus and flowers. It's organized well and looks amazing. Top that off with all the wonderful smells of the leaves and flowers. A must visit.
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
PureWowJune 22, 2015
Rarely do we think of “botanical” and “desert” in the same phrase. For more than 70 years, the Desert Botanical Garden has shown the world the unique beauty of dry terrain. Read more
Brett SalisburyJuly 6, 2014
The Luminarias exhibit featuring Chihuly is a fantastic exhibit and one worth seeing at night during the special late night showings.
Brian BellAugust 19, 2019
What a fantastic way to see the desert landscape. They have rotating exhibits as well as really cool events on their calendar. Check out their website before you visit. Consider going @ 7a in summer.
KEApril 16, 2022
Beautiful, especially in the spring - desert blooms! Visit the butterfly pavilion, it opens @ 9:30am (time your visit around this to avoid lines.) Make a res online, go early, bring sun protection.
Ted SadlowskiDecember 24, 2015
Been here 10+ times
Everything...desert loop trail gives you a great view of downtown Phoenix...friendly and very helpful staff...Gertrudes has some excellent beer and wines to finish off your visit
Laura G AdamsJune 7, 2016
Fun to go to anytime of the year, but little known fact is that the second Tuesday of every month is free admission!
Eric VaughnAugust 11, 2017
The Sonoran life loop is the best for grabbing that saguaro photo. If you can put up with the heat, you can avoid the crowd.
Desiree GastonAugust 6, 2018
If you love the desert or just love nature, a visit to the botanical garden is a must. Fun for all ages, take a trip and do the Flashlight Tour!
Meghan NorrisNovember 12, 2018
Take a journey down numerous trails and experience the desert close up in its natural form. The garden opens everyday at 8am, but be sure to check their website for their list of upcoming events.
Cathy HammelMarch 22, 2016
Great place to experience natural flora and fauna of Arizona. Awesome trails to for walking, cute gift shop, and good views of the mountains.
Angela MitchellNovember 17, 2013
If you're new to the valley, this is a great way to see what AZ has to offer in botany. Go during the day to see it, but visit it at night during the holidays for Luminaries-fun place to walk around.
Jennifer HayeFebruary 12, 2013
I had the best experiences at the Desert Botanical Garden! You can take a walk through the garden, or have a nice lunch at the Patio Cafe, which has great food! The Butterfly Exhibit is a must-see!
Tracy SheltonAugust 5, 2013
This place is beautiful, a must see. It may cost a little to get in just to see some desert flowers, but it is worth it. The colors and the exhibits, but go at night, the flashlight tour, Great.
Kimberly QuinonezNovember 16, 2013
Gorgeous and magical at sunset. Enjoy & experience the beauty of the desert at this wonderful place. There is a great restaurant to grab dinner and a wonder gift shop to take a little piece with you.
Lindsay WalkerNovember 15, 2013
The butterfly exhibit is borderline magical -definitely go. The gardens are really well-maintained, especially when I went during the Chihuly exhibit. I'm not a huge fan of the desert but I enjoy it.
Matthew SwartzAugust 4, 2013
Be prepared to walk a little, but there are some beautiful plants and desert life, stuff u don't see in the city areas. Evening/dusk is perfect, especially once it's a little cooler. Worth a trip.
Joshua HNovember 18, 2013
One of the most unique places in the Tempe/Scottsdale area. You don't realize all the unique plant life in the desert until you visit. Some of the attractions are seasonal, Spring is best.
Richard RevillaJanuary 22, 2013
Great Place to spend the afternoon and really watch the desert come alive. Bring your camera and an imagination. Careful in the summer where the temperatures can be in the 100. Bring water.
The Ritz-CarltonSeptember 19, 2012
After enjoying a stroll round the Desert Garden, unlock your creativity with a class inspired by the magical surroundings. Take your pick from watercolours, oils, photography or jewellery making.
eric bornemannDecember 27, 2020
A wonderful place to check out when in town. Beautiful plants and landscaping. Neat if crowded during the holiday lights.
The Wall Street JournalAugust 3, 2014
Home to an assortment of succulents and cacti so extravagantly formed, a visit feels like a stroll through the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. Read more
Anthony DuranAugust 17, 2016
A beautiful place that tries to educate the public about the rare and diverse desert life and tries to preserve it rather desertification and build mansions or cookie cutter homes on it. And the art!
NikiDecember 29, 2014
def worth the price to see the luminarias. absolutely beautiful to walk the paths at night, drink a warm beverage, and listen to the live music.
_November 2, 2015
Huge desert botanical garden! You'll spend a few hours here. Be sure to come here and catch the sunset. It's beautiful here!
Stephanie BendoraitisFebruary 12, 2013
The Botanical Garden has great events all year long. Get a Culture Pass at the library and you and 3 guests get in free. Or show them your student ID for a discount. My favorite spot: the herb garden
J AlnidawiJuly 11, 2018
In addition to the amazing display of native plants, there are beautiful display of wildlife. My favorite were the colorful hummingbirds.
Josh ANovember 22, 2016
Awesome place for a hike or just a nice afternoon. Beautiful grounds. Some chihuly glass. Everything is in wonderful condition. Beautiful sunset.
Alan LanaganOctober 29, 2012
Unbelievable how many flowers thrive in the desert, unexpected gem, be sure to check out the butterfly atrium. Staff of volunteers are truly knowledgeable and friendly.
SMay 17, 2023
VERY interesting collection of desert plants. A must go when ur in Phoenix!
Cleopatra MyersJanuary 19, 2014
Great place to visit while visiting AZ. It was so beautiful and peaceful. There was a brief sand storm, but it passed quickly w/no concerns.
Laughing SquidApril 2, 2012
This is a really amazing place esp. in the springtime when the Spring Butterfly Exhibit is open. Bring sunscreen and comfy shoes, there's plenty of sun and walking here. Read more
Shawn PahlApril 23, 2013
Become a member if you plan on going more than four times in a year… It's definitely worth the money!!
Mike SleepMay 18, 2017
beautiful destination for tourists and locals alike. lots of cool events like Ballet Arizona's "Topia." not to be missed!
Kris SobczakAugust 6, 2014
Beautiful to just walk around in. Seeing all the different cacti from all around the world is really cool to see. Never knew there were so many different types.
NatalieNovember 2, 2015
Stunning. During the summer is can get really warm so remember to drink plenty of water.
Tempe TourismFebruary 14, 2011
The desert comes alive at the Desert Botanical Garden. Walk garden paths and discover all the flora & fauna that makes Arizona unique. Enjoy special exhibits, music concerts, wine tastings and more!
JK GrenceDecember 3, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Coming for Noches de las Luminarias? Arrive as close to opening as you can, and drink it all in as slowly as possible. Dare to put away your camera, and enjoy the moment for what it is.
Doug CaldwellMay 21, 2011
A desert is not just a desert. More diversity than expected. Easy brick or dirt walking trails. Many shaded spots with water fountains. Hot day in May still many birds & ground animals out.
USA TODAYNovember 22, 2010
This is one of the best places to see desert plants, including cacti and succulents. The collection includes 140 plants that are rare, endangered or threatened. Read more
mike b.November 28, 2015
Absolutely beautiful. Don't miss it if you're in PHX and have a free afternoon!
Colin MusselmanSeptember 7, 2014
Best public bathrooms ever. They keep it freezing cold and clean. Stop by for a break to cool off while walking around.
The Ritz-CarltonAugust 23, 2013
Discover the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert with a trip to the nearby Desert Botanical Garden where more than 50,000 arid-land plants live.
Glenn MeltonOctober 29, 2011
Beautiful for an early Sunday morning stroll through the best desert botanical garden in the world. Soon it will be time for Christmas at the Garden with thousands of luminarias and live music.
Ryan SvobodaJanuary 13, 2017
While fun during the year, I highly recommend going during the luminaria display. Beautiful!
Jacqueline HannaFebruary 12, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Second Tuesday of every month get free admission from 1p-8p! Cost of regular admission is $18 so this is a great deal!
Ben BoydNovember 11, 2010
A great place to enjoy the outdoors and view the different exhibits of plant species offered in our desert climate. Check for special tours like nightime flashlight tours or butterfly exhibits.
Sam GrundmanMarch 6, 2021
You will need a reservation to get in, with COVID-19 you know.
Daniel LyuFebruary 17
Desert Botanical Garden at 15 minutes drive to the north of Tempe dentist Cereus Dental Cae

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