Reviews of Desert Botanical Garden (Museum)

Katy Janower

We loved the Botanical Gardens! Everything was beautiful, had great educational information, and was overall fun! There are water fountains and restrooms in many places throughout the gardens, which is great for out-of-towners like us who are trying to keep hydrated. There was a nice map of the area as well, and several volunteers throughout that had information about the local flora and fauna. The Butterfly Exhibit was particularly fun, but we also greatly enjoyed the trails. If you're visiting the Phoenix area, this is an awesome experience, and it's definitely worth visiting!

Trevor Hyatt

I love coming here. It’s free the second Tuesday of every month. The variety of cacti, succulents and other plants is absolutely mind blowing. You will see plenty of plants you never knew existed. It’s fairly sized so you can see everything all in one day if you want, or you can take your time and enjoy each section. There’s also always art being showcased around the area by different at different times. One of the must see locations in Phoenix.

Joseph Bernhardt

This was the first time myself and my kids were able to visit an arid desert region, so we were excited to see the variety of wildlife in the area. The Botanical Gardens were the perfect place for it! After spending half a day at the zoo, we hopped over to the gardens for a few hours before the sun set. Once it got dark, we were blown away by the light show! It was easily worth the cost of admission.

Koda Wagner

So beautiful! Very well kept and absolutely stunning. Gift shop items are well priced, didn't eat at the restaurant but must have been good because it was busy! The butterfly pavilion was so unique! The staff there were so kind and bubbly. Will definitely visit again.

Glen Morris

This is such a fun place to go by yourself, with a date, group of friends, or with whoever! It's doable in a day and if you're really into Cati, then you'll probably want to spend longer! They were set up for some light events while we were there and I think that would be really cool to see! Definitely worth a trip and maybe buying a anaul pass!

Ashly Romero

Beautiful garden with plants native to the US southwest! We learned a lot about cactus and other plants and animals in the area. The trails and plants are all outdoors, and there’s a lot of walking (which we enjoyed). There’s also a cool native culture education component! We really enjoyed this place! It’s probably best not to go in the summer when it’s extremely hot though. I would have preferred to go in a different season.

Luis Molero

Amazing place to wander, relax and enjoy while learning about the diverse flora of the valley. The events they organize are quite amazing, we visited the "Electric desert" performance, which was really stunning. The restaurant is also a nice option for a date night, even though it's a bit pricey

Ted McLeod

Well maintained, friendly staff, and great descriptions on the signs make this a pleasant and educational place. Bring a water bottle; as there’s plenty of fountains to fill it up throughout your tour!

Anita Hudson-Smith

We when on the second Tuesday of the month when it is free to the public. The volunteer woman was so friendly and helpful. I actually learn so of names of the brushes, plants tree we have at our house. A awesome place to visit with family.

Daniel Romero

Fantastic, we went late in the afternoon when the sun was setting and the heat was less intense. Late afternoon light over those desertic landscapes made them magic. Is incredible to see the amazing variety of species that live in those harsh conditions but still are a true reflection of nature's power and wisdom.

Michelle McBride

I'm new to the desert and I was happy to learn about local plants. All are well labeled and beautifully arranged. It was a very informative visit. I also met many friendly nature enthusiasts who were quick to point out owls and other wildlife.

Marisa Maestas

This place is amazing. Bring lots of water and don't wear jeans, cuz when uppit start sweating, it's gonna get uncomfortable. Great for all ages.

G Ambler

It’s OK place. I wouldn’t really waste time or pay that much of an admission fee to go see. But if you’re in Phoenix and you have nothing else to do or not going to other national parks or popular spots in AZ this is OK for family hangout w kids etc.

Carissa McFarland

It was beautiful. Everyone was very helpful and nice. Make sure to drink plenty of water. They do have water fountains scattered around the park. The butterfly exhibit was fabulous.

Tatsiana Greenberg

It was so amazing! Great place. There was so much to see and learn. I loved every minute of being there. I have never seen this many gorgeous plants in one place, and I never thought that I would love cacti this much. The Gould we took was very informative and interesting. I definitely will go there again when I am back in Phoenix Arizona

Joshua Tanner

We love coming here at different times of the year. Every time we come, there is something new I notice. Fun wildlife spotting for the kids as well. The price is a little high, but culture passes provide excellent opportunities to come here often.

Shauntreis Sproles

Very very relaxing. It's hot out so be sure to bring your hat, wear sunscreen and a water bottle. Newly updated so there's no paths to walk and arrangements of the desert plants. Go early so you can see more wildlife :)

Lauren Marek

Almost didn't go because of the ticket price but WOW SO WORTH IT! This place is beautiful. I couldn't stop smiling. We went in the morning and the light was perfect.

Chris Mandell

The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to learn about the desert plants and life. During the summer months they have flashlight tours, at your own pace. A must go to place for residents of Arizona and visiting families and friends.

Rick R

Awesome spot to have a nice, relaxing walk. Very scenic and fantastically located near the center of the Phoenix area. Highly recommend for those who enjoy the outdoor. Dont forget to bring a water bottle!

shane mcclure

Great place! A little pricey to take the family, but we all found it relaxing, and enjoyable. Did a little more walking than I wanted to, but saw several different types of, well everything. I enjoyed the many Century plants, aguave and the aloe. My wife enjoyed the many different blooms, and the desert plants.

Josh Karczewski

Seriously....who knew the desert was so BEAUTIFUL?? This is a real eye opener and great way to appreciate the flora and fauna of the region. Truly impressed with the layout, features and staff. Close to Hole in The Rock and the Zoo, many attractions in one area. Definitely a better perspective of AZ then Phoenix tends to provide (no offense)

Emily Saxe

I absolutely love coming here. It’s well maintained and I always see people of all ages enjoying themselves when I go. They have a good mix of art and educational info dispersed around. Sometimes I see cool birds and chipmunks there too, which is fun.

pat flynn

A very beautiful place. Get a feeling of the desert without going into the desert. Your out in the open so plan on drinking water.

Jaina Mistry

Beautiful botanical garden. There's so much to see and learn. The flashlight tour is really interesting - a few different activities and exhibits for kids and adults. Well worth doing, but bring a flashlight!

Khadija Mehter

Absolutely beautiful! Teeming with little lizards, butterflies and birds! And the cacti were beautiful. But it was blazing hot. Be sure to bring lots of water, and sunglasses and a hat!

Amanda Greenwood

The butterfly exhibit is amazing! It's a beautiful place to walk through

andrew liev

Very neat place to go. If you go during the summer wear sunscreen, and bring a water bottle (they have refrigerated refill stations). Many interesting plants and animals.

Dianna Hobbs

This place is so beautiful! The wildlife is all very calm and approachable, which was super cool! Really beautifully landscaped garden, with an interactive portion on one of the walking routes. Really loved the animals though they were all chubby!!!

Heather DeYoung

What a beautifully curated collection of desert plants! You can easily spend a whole day here looking at so many different things. All of the walking paths are kept clean and free of rocks, it's great for kids and older people as well. They have many volunteers to help guide you, answer a question, or teach you something new about desert life.

Sanket Bacchuwar

The garden is good and well maintained, but I genuinely felt that I did a major mistake in spending $25 to see this garden. I live in a place where I see lots of Cacti everywhere, and may be that's why I didn't like the garden. I feel it's a bit overrated, since there are not many places of attractions in and around Phoenix, so every one who is visiting the valley makes the point to visit it. But, I would never ever recommend any of my friend to visit the place, just a waste of hard earned money.

Sally-Jo Walters

This is a place to experience self-renewal. I particularly like to go when they're having special shows. You can learn as much or as little as you'd like. Just being there is restorative. The food there is very satisfying whether you like snack food from a stand or enjoy a lovely sit-down meal in a restaurant. You will likely leave relaxed and refreshed.

Sally Harland

Always fun to see the different things that are blooming each time we go. The park guides are so friendly and knowledgeable! We learn something new each time we visit. It is a great place for family, friends, and school field trips too!

Benjalyn Barnett

We went at 5:00 for the reduced rate. This is the best place to watch the sunset while listening to the sounds of the desert. Good variety of well marked plantings and interesting gift shop.

Veronica Wright

This is such an awesome place. The desert plants are so beautiful and the gift shop has some really great stuff. The staff that work here are so helpful and friendly. I would definitely recommend checking this place out if you are in Scottsdale/Phoenix area.

Stephanie Onopa

Gorgeous place! This is place a must to visit while in the Phoenix area. The garden is very well taken care of and the staff is very friendly. It is very relaxing to walk around here and just appreciate nature.

Jake Jepsen

Get there when it opens to avoid the crowds. You're going to walk a bit, so consider what shoes to wear. If going in the summer, bring water because the desert is hot. Aside from those essential tips, all I can say is that this place is amazing (assuming you like nature, specifically plants). Definitely worth checking out.

unknown eyes

Oh man. I love this place. Tons of nature, really peaceful. You see so many neat plants, animals, and insects. The views are amazing. Such a beautiful place. It has convenient water fountains placed around, but bringing water is still good. Tons of seats around places to just sit, relax, and enjoy the view. Also fun to being a camera. If I could show every picture, I would.

Juan Hickman

Who goes to Phoenix for vacation in August? Well, we did. One of the highlights was the flash light tour offered on Saturday evenings. We paid a discounted price, and enjoyed cooler weather, and some fantastic views of the garden. There was some lighting, but flash lights were encouraged--and using them made the experience fun and individual. Highly recommend!

Adam Barnes

This place is amazing! We got here early on a Saturday morning. The weather was beautiful. Scottsdale has gotten more rain than usual so everything is bursting with color. I didn't know cactus could be purple in the spring! I bet we took over 200 pictures! We probably spent an hour in the butterfly tent. It was truly magical.I'm an artist and I got lots of great material to draw from. The gardens are well cared for and thought out. My friend and I are members of the Botanic Gardens in Tulsa and we told them upon ticket purchase and we got in free as our membership is reciprocal in many places. So that is something to keep in mind!

Norman Davis

The light show at night was outrageously good! They made it very interactive and interesting to travel around the garden to different stations. The spectacular selection and variety of cacti seems incalculable and incomparable. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit! The gift shop staff were great and we found some cool take-home treasures.

Emilie Allen

Had a great time viewing the gardens. I never knew that there were so many different type cactus. Trails take you through the gardens. Some are concrete and some are packed dirt. Pretty easy to navigate. One trail has some vertical changes but there is a warning sign at the start. All side trails come back to the central trail so you can't get lost. I was there on Wednesday 6/19. I knew it was going to be hot so I was there when they opened at 7:00 am. It was pretty warm and got hot quickly. I probably didn't see more than 8 or 9 people on the trails but I was told that during the busy season, there are thousands of people there every day. Probably would avoid that if I could. With no crowds, I saw the whole gardens in 2 hours.

Virginia Herd

Did the night walk flashlight self tour. A lot of fun! The little stations that were set up provided so much knowledge and the volunteers are the best! Take your family!!

Leon Brown

Went in September in the evening and found it more enjoyable after the sun set and the temperature dipped. The hummingbird and butterfly gardens were a hit with my kids. I enjoyed the hilltop views out to Red Mountain and Scottsdale at night. Really good gift shop if you like cactus and desert plants.

Kirk Pope

100% a must do when traveling to PHX and/or Scottsdale. Beauty abounds. Photo ops everywhere. Take your H2O, your DSLR and your Nike’s.

Marina Zhuravleva

I had just 30 to 40 minutes to see the gardens before my flight, but even that was enough to see great species of succulents and learn about them. I suggested coming early right when they open (around 7am) because it is still empty and not hot. Plus great light for photographs.

Renee Sonne

Loved going here in the spring. The plants in each section of the gardens are so inspirational. Beautifully cared for and peaceful. Lovely. There's always something wonderful to snap a picture of.

Sammie1053

Probably the best part of my trip to Phoenix. The garden is absolutely gorgeous and in the off season it's practically deserted, making it a serene experience.

David Shiner

Amazing place. If you have time and enjoy plants, flowers, or the outdoors you should definitely stop by.

Amanda Oberlee-Clouse

It was so disappointing! I was so excited and talked about it our whole trip only to end up there for a hour and miserable. We went after 5p for the twilight rate and it was still overpriced. Nowhere on the website did it say everything was closed (the cafe, the butterfly garden/house, etc) and we were not told that things were closed when we bought our tickets. Don’t go in the summer, we walked around our condo and saw just about everything the garden can offer.

Mary Cartagena

Tons of entertaining trails and beautiful gardens. Great for a Sunday walk with family.

Antonio Silva

Very interesting. An incredible variety of trees, plants and bushes with detailed explanations. Hydration points are disseminated along the trails, but if you need your drink to be cold bring it in your thermal bottle.

Kim Minors

Excellent experience and educational. Went to the after dark event and took the self guided tour. Very happy with the experience. Saw many desert plants, and got a chance to ask the employees there questions about the plants. Highly recommended visit when in the Phoenix area.

Jaye Blue

It was a little hot today but loved every minute of it. It cool down a bit after 6 pm. Some cactus was in bloom and you can see that others already flowered. Trail was very informative about the living and the use of the trees. Amazing species of cactus.

Alicia Bartz

Always beautiful here and THE best place for a good long walk! The Herb Garden was good enough to eat, smelled incredible.

Nancy Ordonez

Do not leave the Phoenix area without visiting! A balm for your soul anytime. So many great events, like the Desert Lights. Butterflies, hummingbirds, roadrunners, quails, so many birds!!! Incredible desert plants, cacti, trees. Great gift shop and two really good food stops - we sampled the Grill. Very interesting depictions of historic native use of desert Flora and Fauna.

Russel H

Go there and smell the fresh air! All the nutrients that air gives me is like an herbal remedy! Great!!!

Amber Mani

A beautiful and Serene landscape where you can learn a lot about our local plants. It's an absolute pleasure to walk around and enjoy these Gardens. A little toasty in the summertime so remember to bring a water bottle, they provide cold refilling stations throughout Garden.

Danielle Burke

What a beautiful place. So many different species of cacti and animals. It was truly wonderful. I don't think I spent nearly enough time there, but there was just so much to look at. This was our first activity fresh off the plane in Phoenix for our honeymoon and what a great choice it was.

Sara Ortlieb

We visited here for the electric desert exhibit on a quick winter trip and I loved it. I can only imagine this place being way more impressive in the spring/summer. Some of cacti are truly enormous and their collection is huge. The electric exhibit itself is tuned to music making it more interesting than just lights on plants. If I ever make it back to Phoenix I would gladly stop here again.

Joan Song

The gardens were wonderful and had a wide variety of plants and experiences! I loved seeing all the animals there as well. All of the reviews are really positive and I agree with them, but for the sake of not being repetitive here are some tips I noticed might have been helpful! 1. Bring your own water (this one's pretty obvious) 2. Don't eat at the restaurant - it's overpriced! Eat before/after you come or bring snacks. 3. Youth is 3 - 17. We didn't notice this at first and just assumed that youth ended at 12, so we almost got charged $20 extra! 4. Comfy shoes - it's a lot of walking. I know these probably are all really obvious but I just thought it would be helpful to share! The gardens are really beautiful and it was a great experience.

Geneva Capers

Was a nice walk with beautiful surroundings just research and find the best time to go when things are in full bloom

Emma DuBose

My favorite place in the valley! I love exploring this desert oasis, studying all the details and memorizing names of the plants, and watching the wildlife. Getting a picture of a roadrunner is my ultimate goal! It's a great place to get some light exercise, find your happy place, and to learn about the desert ecosystem in a breathtakingly beautiful setting.

Harley Dixon

Went to see the Electric Desert display on mother's day. Have also been to the Luminaries at Christmas several times. Nice break from the routine of the rest of Tempe.

Lauren Harkins

We had so much fun exploring the garden at night during the Electric Desert! The classes they offer at the botanical garden are also well done. We have been members for about two years and enjoy the garden year round. Helpful Hint: Ask the front for bingo sheets for kids to complete and turn in for a little prize. It’s nothing big but it helps keep the kids actively exploring during their visits!

unforgettable one!

I love it! Went to the flashlight night tonight and it was so beautiful. Can't wait to go back again!

Rut Brea

I visited the Botanical gardens about five years ago with my sister and later in 2017 with a friend. It's a beautiful place to visit. Especially at night. They have have candles light all over the area and it gives the viewer an impressive delight. I enjoyed these visits very much and I am thinking on visiting next fall.

Annette Braier

Just a peaceful place to unwind. Very informational too about the history of this area . Another wonderfull place is the butterfly tent, where ( if you are lucky to be at the right time) you can help release butterflies from little paper envelopes. Just wonderfull. It Made my day!

glen gardner

A must-see if you are in the Phoenix area. Great paths along with views of the Papagos. Good food at the restaurant on the grounds.

Dallas Rogers

I WANT TO LIVE THERE! Oh man, it’s so gorgeous. I recommend buying tickets in advance, just for ease of entry in the case of a line. Although it gets hot this summer, on the winter it is so gorgeous. A top place to stop in Arizona, hands down. Also, their prickly pear jelly is SO delicious; it’s THE best with peanut butter and bread! :) Easy to navigate. Make sure to pack water.

Robin Spisak

So beautiful, well worth taking time to seeing the gardens. Very peaceful

Gary Knutson

Just bought a membership this week and so glad I finally did. One of my favorite places to go. There is so much to see. They have a couple restaurants, and a very nice gift shop as well. Members can get in an hour early two days a week. Discounts are another perk. I can take another person with me for free, and also two guest passes each year. This is a great place to get out and walk especially if you live close. I highly recommend a visit.... summer heat you don't want to go in the middle of the day but early morning would still give you time for a visit. For people that live here a membership is a great deal.

Sue Davis

A MUST GO attraction if you are in the Phoenix area. Gorgeous desert garden, with various plants & cacti blooming. Very interesting & educational to learn about an entirely different ecosystem. Lunch at the cafe was delightful w/ delicious salads, etc. & great service. Look for the Chihuly art glass installations in the garden around cafe. Be sure to go early, take hats, sunblock & water if there during heat.

Keli Blevins

The desert botanical garden is very nice and there where a lot trails with great scenic views. The butterfly exhibit was nice and the light show was cool, but the music too loud (for me anyways) They were serving drinks and I think there was a gift shop. Bathrooms were clean and employees were nice.

Steffy Hristova

We love visiting and admiring the beauty of the garden, the stunning views of the valley, the colors of sunsets. We enjoy seeing desert plants and reading the informative and entertaining descriptions posted throughout the garden. I enjoy the garden every season - summer evening with their flashlight tours, winters with the art installations and events. There is so much to see and enjoy!

Kaan Genç

They have a student discount, which is not advertised on their website. It was pretty fun. They have a bunch of informative stuff about the native people, and how they lived in the desert. It was extremely hot though (in July, which is not surprising). Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle.

Samantha Sargent

Cacti, oh my! This place is amazing. For when its 110° here, they have water stations throughout the trails so you cant go thirsty. On the 1st Tuesday of the month, admission is free. The rest of the week for adults it's $14 (not so sure about children). Perfect Instagram worthy photos aren't a hard feet here. Try not to touch the cacti!

Zach Sherborne

Came here for the Saturday Night Flashlight tour. Such a cool experience! I don't live in AZ, but came here many years ago and really wanted to return. We didn't have time in our tight schedule to come during the day, but were able to squeeze in at night the day we arrived. My wife had never been before, but she really enjoyed the experience as well. I look forward to visiting again the next time I'm in town, but hopefully, it will be during a cooler time of year.

Rihanat A. Carmen A. Adebiyi

I love the serenity of the gardens. Even with numerous people and groups visiting at the same time, you can find a peaceful spot to yourself or, if you so desire, engage in conversation with complete strangers in a relatively safe environment. The post signs on each exhibit are highly informative if you take the time to read them. Keep hydrated and wear protective headgear because it gets hot!!

Harold Roach

Free day every second Tuesday of the month! Great for large families! It's a great learning experience but you can also just walk around and enjoy the beauty.

Debbie Pelfrey

Beautiful area for walking or hiking. Informative about local Flora and wildlife...peaceful, accessible, and child friendly.

Twanna Anderson

Always a great place to visit. Now that the weather is changing in the Valley, you're able to take the time to take everything in.

Robert Crook

Awesome. If your in Phoenix area and have any interest in the outdoors, this is a must! I spent a good 4 hours there (I’m sure I could have done it in 2 but wanted to slow down some- could have spent longer). Such a larger variety(I was not aware there was so much plant life in the desert). Also some good history. Restaurant was too pricy for me, so I can’t speak for it (looked good).

Alice Daniels

What a magical place. It's absolutely lavish and lush for being in the desert. It's so well maintained and just a journey waiting for the next turn. I wanted to visit the butterfly pavilion but it is closed for the summer.

Becky Leffler

Despite rising desert temperatures, it was a lovely place to see and explore. Special exhibit "Wild Rising " by Cracking Art Studio in Milan Italy was being installed

Sean

Wow is all I can say! The desert botanical gardens were one of our top high lights when visiting Phoenix, really good value for money and easy to get to, We got there late afternoon and walked around and took it all in and stay around for the light show! Again wow!!!.... What a wonderfully different experience! Plus they serve beer and wine so you can walk around with a drink in hand (big plus if you're like me) this is a great place for all members of the family and a must-do!

inzaratha

Repeat visitor, bringing relatives from out of state. Butterfly pavilion and bee gardens are pretty. They have a huge variety of cactus and succulents.

Patricia Pieton

Beautiful collection of gardens and what a wonderful way to experience all sorts of cactus, florals, and desert nature in abundance in a setting that is extraordinary! We are so fortunate to have this in our city. Their website is a great introduction to all their current events and also what is being show cased throughout the year.

Donna Richardson

This is one of many jewels in Phoenix/Scottsdale. Beautiful representation of all that is beautiful in this area

Jinhui Chen

Every season, the Desert Botanical Garden has different things offering to the visitors. My latest visit, which was yesterday, saw a lot of differences in this late spring. A new butterfly garden is open with an amazing number of butterfly varieties. Searching for the cactus flowers on the trails, you will see some unusual and unexpected species. Even a heron paid a visit to the garden. Too much to explore, take a visit!

Dawn E Scire

Gorggggggeous! Went at 6pm hoping to catch a talk about desert plants' healing properties but never made it-- I was so enamored by the gardens and thoughtful displays, I stayed until full-dark taking pics. Fabulous shots at/after sunset, too. Tips: Go after 5pm to save $10 off the $25 entry; Wear comfy, weather-appropriate shoes and clothing bc you'll be walking, outdoors, from 0.3 - 1+ miles depending on your routes; Bring ice in a double-walled stainless cup / bottle and use their free filtered water stations to fill up & stay hydrated.

Alexandra Dékány

I’m definitely not a cactus person but this place is absolutely incredible. There are so many different types of cactuses and also many other different plants like exotic flowers, etc. There are thematic gardens and beautiful sitting areas and filtered water is available in the entirety territory of the park.

Rita Margarita

came here a few times. Very informative on the dessert flowers and cacti, tons of interesting facts I did not know were explained. Coming back? probably not, not much changes over time in my opinion, but definitely a must see for anyone that has never been.

Kenneth Babcock

The light show with music I saw here was absolutely incredible. One of the coolest places I've seen

Kayleigh Falconio

Wow wow wow!!!!!!! I was amazed by how gigantic this place actually was! I could spend an entire morning/afternoon just looking at all the beautiful gardens. We even saw some wildlife like quail and cranes. It was so magnificent to be a part of this and learn so much about the flora and fauna of Arizona. I highly recommend making this your stop, you will be astounded by all the beauty! (Not pictured: the 1,000 more species of cactuses, flowers, and other gardens inside the garden

peter mclorg

Nice botanical gardens near Central Phoenix. Nicer on a cooler day.

Michael Armao

Back to the Botanical Garden. At night there is a neon light show. It was very nice and family friendly. I enjoyed the lights dancing to the music. Highly recommend going out because it is cool after the hot sun

M. Colon

During the day may be crucial because of the heat,but the night was awesome. Especially when the STARS came out. Two thumbs up Children or just adults can not go wrong. Drinks@night when walking the path or there's a restaurant available that was very classy So take a moment if you are in Phoenix & enjoy the Botanical Garden in Phoenix but ,remember the DAY IS HOT the night is the best time. 7pm till 9:30pm Saturday during the week i believe to 8:30pm

Bobby and Sally Bobby and Sally

Very nice, very close to the zoo. They have very nice gift shops where you can get out of the heat. There are also water fountains along the trail where you can fill up a bottle. You can easily do the desert botanical garden and the zoo in the same day.

Christina

Well I have to say I was a bit spoiled on my first trip to the garden. All the cacti were in bloom and they were beautiful. The grounds are so we'll maintained. I love quails and for the first time I saw a male and female quail with what looked like 12 babies!! I went around memorial weekend if that helps.

Chaim Seligman

Great explanations amd signs help you understand what each plant is. There was a ton of wildlife throughout the garden which made things even more interesting. Unique experience overall

Andy Suarez

Best experience of my life. Beautiful. The electric desert was mesmerizing. I purchased the all day pass. So I was able to to do both things. Both day and night ambience was amazing. Definitely worth checking out. Please go and enjoy it.

Jaylin Brown

One of my favorite places in Phoenix! We spent hours here walking around. Beautiful!

Ali Al-Asady Realtor,Instructor,Green

A must visit for anyone living or visiting Arizona. You will find nativeplants plus thousands of plants from around the world that is drought resistant. While there you may spot cactus wren, hummingbirds, rabbits or other Arizona's species. I highly recommend purchasing annual membership to visit multiple times.

Jamie Roberts

What an amazing place! A perfect end to our vacation! I really enjoyed ambling around the trails and learning about the desert plants. We saw all kinds of animals... hummingbirds, chipmunks, some FAT squirrels, road runner, quail The butterfly house is wonderful!! I can't wait to go back to AZ ....and see it in a different season!

Michael Turner

Went with friends for lunch. We all enjoyed our meals. If it was a lunch menu, the prices and some of the selections appeared to be dinner level. However, there was good selections for lunch or you can cobble some of the smaller extra for lunch. Food was as good as reputation suggests. No need to pay entry fee to eat in the restaurant. Food came promptly. Staff was friendly and attentive. I'd be happy to return when in the area.

Milton Barr

You have always heard of having a "hot" time or a "cool" time as being very enjoyable ....well that applies to the DBG...we had a very cool time but it was a hot time too In other words "a great time"...it is the premier venue for anyone who desires to see first hand most all of the flora of the Desert. An amazing garden full of the life of the desert...but not for the feint of heart and body in the Summer heat. We went at the 7am opening and by 10am it was 100 degrees and so were we...but very happy to have the DBG experience. Highly recommended!

Ken and Phyllis Newkirk

We have visited many botanical gardens in a number of countries including various desert botanical gardens, but the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden really sets a high standard. It is an extravaganza of cacti, agave, and other succulents from all over the world. It is fairly compact, so no need to walk for miles. It is very densely packed with plantings which is mostly good. Interpretative signs are informative and relevant. Park is clean and well maintained. Gertrude's restaurant has good food and service. The menu is somewhat limited and prices are high for what you get, but if you view the cost partially as a donation, then all is fine. Make a reservation immediately upon entry to the park! Currently they have a night program called Electric Desert that is a huge draw. The concept is enormous and the result is impressive, even stunning at times. If we resided in Phoenix for 3 or more months a year we would definitely buy memberships.

Kyle Wichtendahl

We weren't sure about paying the admission here, but wanted to make the most of our opportunity to visit Arizona. It was 100% money well spent and an enthralling experience for people from the east coast. An absolute not miss if you are in the area. Abounding with beautiful cacti, animals, birds, and history too

Kevin Delvalle

Excellent experience and educational. Went to the after dark event and took the self guided tour. Very happy with the experience. Saw many desert plants, and got a chance to ask the employees there questions about the plants. Highly recommended visit when in the Phoenix area. We enjoy the Botanical Garden and on this particular day we came to see the butterflies. The Docent was so knowledgeable and shared many interesting facts. We topped our visit off with a trip to the gift shop. They always have the most interesting items.

Stacey McCarthy

This place is so very peaceful and tranquil. little bitty squirrels running around little birds and quails all over. The assortment of cactus and cacti is incredible. I highly recommend it.

Nicole Hoefferle

I came for the night show and decided I loved it, I'm very sad they wouldn't grant me a day pass for the morning... If I came in the morning I would have been able to upgrade to the evening

Michael Torbert

Wow. You will learn there are A LOT of types of cactus. There are so many beautiful and photo worthy spots, so make sure to bring your camera. It gets hot, but there are some shaded areas along the easy trail.

Anthony Merola

Amazing exhibits of southwestern US desert plant life! Visit as early as possible, as it gets HOT in mid-summer. Bring plenty of cold water, sunscreen, wear a long sleeved shirt and a wide brimmed hat.

Christine Duncan

Beautiful! Clean and well laid out walking paths. There were lots of interesting signs identifying each plant. Lots of cute lizards and birds everywhere too. Clean restrooms and water stations conveniently located to fill up your reusable water bottle. Loved it!

K Humble

I have a membership here. Love to visit! The desert lights show at night was phenomenal! The place is always packed! I do find that there are only a few freebies added into the membership as most events are just discounted. Otherwise the place is very expensive! Gift shop pricing is way over the top. I can typically find the items they sell on Amazon for a fraction of the price they charge. So I won't renew my membership but will enjoy a single visit per year. Employees bare typically very friendly and knowledgeable. They seem to really enjoy their jobs!

Matt Park

Such a beautiful place. Gives you the desert feel that we were looking for on a short weekend trip

Matt Sheard

We did the evening flashlight tour with our girl scout troop. This what a great event for the whole family. I would recommend it for anyone who likes to learn about the desert whether you live here or are visiting. The hands on activities were great for the kids but the content was engaging for the adults.

Shirley Hatfield

Went for Christmas lights beautiful but dangerous in dark you can walk off sidewalks edge. Many folks with dogs. No objection to dogs but not the place for such crowds and as dark.

Jessica Clarkson

Love this place! There are a good amount of trails and a lot of different types of plants. Also, there was a good amount of little wildlife - we saw lizards, a squirrel, rabbits, a humming bird, quail, a toad, bees, and butterflies! Beautifully designed trails with both dirt and paved paths - there's lots of places to sit and rest, enjoy the scenery, or eat.

Sugoi Harris

My husband proposed to me here 12 years ago at sunset. It was super romantic. We bring our iids back here to wander and explore on their monthly free days. Its so beautiful and peaceful here.

Susan Bryant

Absolutely worth your time! Beautiful and very interesting. Very nice customer service as well.

Just Tammy

Although the desert heat is unbearable, this garden has some of the most amazing plant life! And there is some respite from the sun under the trees and the art installations. Bring a water bottle, sun screen and an umbrella! Staff are super friendly and helpful!

Natalie Warren

Amazing experience!!!!! I can’t believe it took me 3 years living here to finally visit the desert botanical gardens. I went with a friend with the cultural pass from the Phoenix library, and we had the best time. I especially liked the butterfly garden and the herb garden, as well as the exhibit detailing the lives of the people native to AZ. It was such a great experience. I didn’t get a chance to visit the electric garden but I would love to go back for that as well.

cody jackson

Extremely welcoming and friendly staff! Saw lots of wildlife and lots of information about the plants and animals of the desert. Ill definitely be coming back in the fall!

am dg

Wonderful place to visit. There's so much to see and to explore! Everything is well described and explained. Bring enough time to visit (more than 3-4 hours).

Chui Ming Tang

It is free on the second Tues of every month! I didn’t realize this and bought a twilight ticket ($15) beforehand but thought it was worth it. A beautiful, relaxing place to walk around with clearly marked “trails” and lots of great facts / tidbits about the plants, animals and Native American tribes. I thought the twilight price was great also because it’s less hot at that time, but even if it’s hot, there are water fountains stationed in many spots along the garden. Seems great for solo tourists, friends and dates...

Karen Binder

Love Community Day and recyclable Wildly Unexpected displays peeping from among the cacti.

Lisa Colby

We have been there a few times and always love it. Yesterday though I had some difficulty with the heat and nearly passed out. The staff was wonderful and rescued me quickly. Thank you for being so kind and caring.

Alexandra Levinson

This is such a wonderful place to bring out of town guests. I also just love the concerts on a cool night!

DeLynn Hodges

A good place to learn about the various plants and cacti located in Arizona. Guided tours are also an option if you want in depth information.

Ace TatorTot

What a beautiful place to visit. The many native rare and unique plants and cacti are breathtaking. The mix of high quality landscape design sprinkled with beautiful artwork and art pieces make for an awe inspired visit.

Kevin Charles

I've been to a few botanical gardens. This one is unique because it focuses on dessert plants. I visited while many of the cacti were in bloom. A rare treat for me. Lots to see. It includes a very nice butterfly house. A tad pricey but well worth the visit.

Sarah and Allan Hart

Beautiful gardens and displays. Very interesting and educational information throughout the garden. We attended the nighttime light display, however we did arrive early enough view some of the garden during the daylight and would highly recommend this. We wish we would have viewed the entire Garden in the daylight prior to attending the night light display as I think it would have made the light display more meaningful. The on-site restaurant has excellent food including numerous gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. I had the Beet goat cheesecake and it was fabulous. See attached photos.

Aaron Zehe

A place to see if visiting Phoenix or if living here and never been to. This is a place that will let you appreciate how beautiful and diverse desert wildlife is. Special events are worth looking for but a quiet garden is also special.

Nicole LeBeau Fomin

A beautiful place to stroll through and view the surprising variety of life that thrives in the desert! Parking is free, and there is plenty of space. Also, keep an eye out for desert fauna that make their home there, too! A great place for people of all ages.

debjani singha

This place deserves a big kudos. It's a must place for any visitor to visit this place. If you have kids please make sure to bring them in. We loved it

Ashli Guice

The place was amazing! So much to see. The staff were really friendly and made sure everyone knew where water was to stay hydrated. And the food at Gertrude's was delicious!

Molly Kohrman

Attended a wedding here and it was gorgeous. Beautiful grounds with lots of cool desert plants, interspersed with glass sculptures. The hills are lit up late at night and the cacti look so cool against the night sky. I can't wait to go back!

Walter Arenstein

Excellent garden of desert plants and animals. Staff is very helpful. Had a good time even.with the 106 temperature. Bring a hat and water bottle, they have h2o filling stations.

Nicholai Fomin

Great Botanical garden featuring a fantastic assortment of southwest flora in thoughtful arrangements designed to dazzle. A ton of winding footpaths going every which way virtually guarantee you don't see a lot of other people as you stroll through the grounds. Great for photographs and even better for unwinding from the hubub of the city. I had no idea there was so much variation and color in native southwest plants!

Naptural Beauty

Very cool and family friendly. It is huge and has a lot to offer from the beautiful desert life to the gift shop, range of exhibits, food & drinks! At night the garden glows and it is the coolest light show on the planet! A must go but 1 downside some parts close kind of early, which sucks because admission is pricey!

Andrew Jenkins

This is a must see for anyone that can appreciate the beauty and complexity of cactus and succulents. It's well organized and gives visitors an up close look at plants they've likely never seen before. Their special events are excellent, with the current (but ending soon) Klip Collective night display.

James Smith

Absolutely recommend going here whenever of the year (avoid rainy days not surprisingly! ). I finally had reached see the Holiday Work out Show in December but it was stunning! The skills on display with how much detail in the models is actually mind boggling. Worth every penny to provide some cheer to ones own holidays!

Aric Overton

Very beautiful and great walking, also had the night low glow where they light up the ground and flowers, super pretty! Very nice spot to grab a drink and walk around in nature. Also they have a few restaurants and have some delicious food!

Brenna Bucklin

One of my favorite places to visit in Phoenix. They gave so many blooms this year and the butterfly pavilion is so amazing. I always take such fantastic photos and I feel so at ease here. You can smell the blooms of all the different plants all around the garden.

Marshall Silberstein

It does not get much better than this. Two visits needed. One, during the daytime. The second at night when they have their sight & sound experience. Both stimulating and rewarding!

Travis Simonson

absolutely stunning collection of desert plants, succulents and cactus. the gardens are extensive so plan to spend some time there if you'd like to see everything - and it is well worth your while. I go at least once a year and always find something I've never seen before. it can be hot during the summer months so plan for that.

Javier Carlos

Desert botanical gardens wonderful place to go if you were on vacation or if you’re visiting from Arizona. I am a local Arizona resident and I went for the second time today the first time I ever went was for a wedding. I’m very glad that I went today to discard it because I discovered many species of cactus from around the Americas. Cactus are my favorite species of plant. I love succulents I definitely had a wonderful morning here at the garden. Do you plan to bring a water bottle and probably an umbrella maybe some sunscreen too if you’re one of those people that get chapped pretty easily. I’m not though. My skin is darker so I don’t really get that way. Garden is good though. Pretty green too.

L. Field

Beautiful grounds and clean facilities. If you're in the area, I highly recommend visiting. The butterfly garden is a fun place to bring children as well.

James Wheeler

This could be considered a "hidden gem," we've lived in Arizona for 10 years and only just went. The walk is amazing, with plants from all over Arizona and the surrounding areas that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. If you go earlier or later in the day there are more bees and butterflies than midday. Don't forget to make a stop in the butterfly building, it is awesome... From caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly, the entire life cycle on display... So educational and still fun!

Kathleen Mckenzie

An oasis in in the middle of Phoenix. I can feel my blood pressure drop just walking into this magnificent garden. An extensive amount of cactus and agaves. Be sure to relax in the herb garden. Water features, sundial, topiaries give inspiration for your own garden. Art sculptures blend with the natural landscape to give you such a unique experience. Lots of special events are scheduled throughout the year also. Love love love the Desert Botanical Garden!

Loric Harding

I love this place. It has been updated a lot. Most of the main trails are well maintained or paved with brick now. There are water fountains and restrooms enough for everyone now. My only wish is that there was more employees around to ask questions to without going on a tour.

Terri Bailey

Fantastic mile and a half walk through the desert. Lots of info if you want to read the signs. Looks like the cacti will be in bloom soon, there were so many buds (some flowers now too!). Take water because it is warm in the desert. We went today because of the butterfly exhibit. Looks like they have a lot of activities out there.

Kathy Miller

A wonderful place. My sister and I so enjoyed it. She is visiting from Minnesota and couldn't imagine the variety of desert fauna. A very impressive collection. Do take the time to explore and enjoy. And please note that wheelchairs are FREE to borrow. How wonderful is that?

Tabitha Campbell

My son and I had a great time! Trails are easy to walk with great views and picture opportunities. Its really a delight to see all the beauty AZ has to offer that we often overlook.

Kendra Crispin

Went with a friend before I left town. We enjoyed looking at the flora. At the right time you can see lots of butterflies and hummingbirds. And we only saw a small fraction of the place. Saw people going for walks there, with water bottles. Check it out!

cerasela baban

Extremely beautiful! Very clean and well maintained. You see everything new and amazing at every turn. Friendly staff. The most intriguing gardens I've seen, beauty is where you least expect it. God is so wonderful in all He does!