Desert Botanical Garden

"Phoenix offers a sunny winter destination with stunning desert landscapes and a wide array of outdoor activities." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeare

"The Sonoran Desert is often called the world’s most vibrant desert, and this garden’s 140 acres of wondrous plants show why. Sure, visitors know the Sonoran’s wavy-armed signature—the Saguaro cactus—but what about the dozens of other Seussian species: the organ pipe cactus, the barrel, the hedgehog? The house restaurant, Gertrude’s, is far better than any botanical garden eatery should be. Gertrude’s cooks higher-end seasonal dishes using local ingredients: House cocktails prioritize Arizona spirits, like Tucson whiskey smoked with mesquite and Sedona gin made with foraged juniper." - Chris Malloy

"What is this place all about? The Sonoran Desert is often called the world’s most vibrant desert, and this garden’s 140 acres of wondrous plants show why. Sure, visitors know the Sonoran’s wavy-armed signature, the Saguaro cactus, but what about the dozens of other Seussian species: the organ pipe cactus, the barrel, the hedgehog?  What will we see here? The winding paths carve past 4,400 species of plants and more than 50,000 plants total. Everything is compactly planted. You might walk by a wonder—like the soaring, sidewinding, wildly leafed boojum tree, which takes its name from a Lewis Carroll poem, and not even know. So keep your eyes open!  What did you make of the crowd? The paths tend to get busy, but never feel all that crowded.  What if we get hungry? The house restaurant, Gertrude’s, is far better than any botanical garden eatery should be. Gertrude’s cooks higher-end seasonal dishes using local ingredients. House cocktails use an Arizona spirit, like a Tucson whiskey smoked with mesquite and Sedona gin made with foraged juniper.  How much time will we need? Between an hour and a morning, depending on how long you want to indulge your fascination. If visiting between June and September, come early to avoid the heat." - Chris Malloy

"Sitting across from Papago Park, and next to the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden showcases the flora and fauna of the hottest parts of the world. Though some trails teach about the desert environments from around the world, most of them concentrate on the Sonoran Desert. In the spring, the Desert Wildflower Trail is bursting with color, displaying also a butterfly and hummingbird garden. By hiking uphill on the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail guests can get a slight workout, and on the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail they’ll gain insight into the lives of the people who called this desert home for thousands of years." - MATADOR_NETWORK

"Opened in 1939, the Desert Botanical Garden showcases the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, while providing insight into the lives and culture of the people who have called this arid area home for thousands of years. Walking the Plants and People of the Desert Trail, guests can visit ancient homes of Tohono O’odham, Western Apache, and Hispanic households, as well as learn about the plants locals used for food, medicine, and building material. Other trails include the Desert Wildflower Trail, bursting with color in spring and featuring a butterfly and hummingbird garden, and the Center for Desert Living Trail, showing ideas for efficient and sustainable living in the desert. Besides the outdoor trails, where the garden occasionally hosts great exhibits, it is where the Schilling Library is found, the home of over 9,000 books focusing on the desert’s native plants." - MATADOR_NETWORK