Explore the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

The Desert Botanical Garden:

One of the Top Phoenix Attractions

The Desert Botanical Garden is a place that pleases in its tranquility and its beauty.

It offers a peaceful escape from the city, while emersing one deep into the heart of what makes Scottsdale such a special destination. Amidst the acres of artistic and inspiring landscaping, it is here where we can earn a new appreciation for the life and magic of our beautiful Sonoran Desert.

With bi-seasonal rainfall, it is the most lush and diverse desert on the planet, and home to the magnificent Saguaro cactus (pronounced suh-wahr-oh). If you look close enough, you will see it is truly a fascinating wonder.

Walking the well groomed paths of the Desert Botanical Garden offers visitors a glimpse into the complex and highly adapted life that can be found here. It is educational, relaxing and a delight to the senses.

The Garden regularly hosts music and art exhibitions throughout the year. If you can make it during one of these events, I would highly recommend it. They offer a perfect combination of beauty and culture, and make the experience of being there, that much more enjoyable.

Pictures taken during the Chihuly: Nature of Glass Exhibit.

During the Chihuly: Nature of Glass event, my friends and I enjoyed the garden at sundown, gazing upon gorgeous art while enjoying a glass of wine and live jazz. To this day, it still one of my favorite events I've been to.

Before Visiting the Garden

Here are a few pieces of advice:

With over 145 total acres, expect to do a bit of walking. Ladies, wear comfy shoes.

During the warmer months, go at sundown. Trust me, you'll enjoy it more!

There is a cafe that offers beverages and simple fare, but it can be a little pricey. For the budget minded, eat ahead of time and bring a few bottles of water with you.

Do spend the few dollars and try the prickly pear iced tea. It's delicious and made from the fruit of prickly pear cactus that grow wild here.

The garden is wheelchair friendly, with easy access to pathways throughout. Wheelchairs can also be rented if needed.

Free admission is offered on the second Tuesday of every month after 1:00 PM. (If you aren't a fan of crowds, you might want to consider paying the admission and going on another day. The Garden is usually very busy on these free admission days!)

Bring your camera. There is a photo-op at almost every turn.

Getting to the Garden

Nestled among the gorgeous red buttes of Papago Park, the Botanical Garden is located between Scottsdale and Tempe. It's convenient and one of the top Phoenix attractions. Don't miss it!

Getting to the garden can be a little tricky, so map your route ahead of time as GPS is sometimes unreliable in that area. Here is some helpful information:

Address
1201 North Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008

GPS Coordinates

Degrees, Minutes: N 33 27.589 W 111 56.959
Decimal: 33.45982,-111.94931

(Just in case you want to give it a whirl.)

Visiting Hours

May-September: 7am - 8pm, daily

October-April: 8am - 8pm, daily

*The garden is open daily, rain or shine, except for July 4th, Thanksgiving Day & December 25th

Some Final Thoughts

The Desert Botanical Garden offers 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits, showcasing over 130 rare, endangered or threatened plant species from around the world. That can be a lot to take in...

For those who want a more in-depth experience, consider taking a docent-led tour. They are complimentary and, (depending on the guide), can be very interesting.

Lastly, make sure to check the calendar of events. There are always high quality events you will want to check out at the Desert Botanical Garden.

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