Not having had much experience of a desert environment, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the beauty and diversity of the plant life on exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden. Most plants are clearly marked with both the scientific and common name. You can wander through at your own pace, which can make for a truly delightful ramble. A must-see for anyone new to the area!

Started in 1939, this garden displays the biggest variety of cacti I have ever seen or even imagined. Add beautiful butterflies and birds and it makes for an enjoyable day. Its a shame many people hustle thru like they are hiking rather than absorbing the fantastic collection of plants. Great for families too. Nice restaurant and gift shop. Some trails are paved, some compacted mixture. Well worth the $15 admission.

I liked being able to walk around during covid, it gave me something to do. It doesnt seem like theres a ton of plants in season now though and about 1/3 of the exhibits are closed. I went on the free day so I cant complain!!

Wow, always wanted to do luminaries at botanical gardens for decades. This year finally made it. Was so worth it. Walking hand and hand through the paths lit up with all the beautiful luminaries, full moon was so magical. Really got us in the mood. Merry Christmas

Very nice walk and delicious local made popsicles. You will need to reserve ahead and masks are definitely required. Its favorite of ours! We go weekly and love the dog days too :)

This place is breathtaking! Must see... I loved the pops of color in their vast green beauty. It was well displayed and clean. Staff personnel were friendly and helpful. We also enjoyed the butterfly garden and it was fantastic. Tons of photo opportunities. Id go back everytime!

Desert Botanical Garden is the most beautiful Botanical garden I’ve ever seen and one of my favorite places in the world (not kidding)! There are several different trails that take you around the garden where you can see various desert vegetation, small animals, and birds. I used to visit the garden very often before quarantine and it’s always been such a pleasure coming here! I really like that they have different events every now and then, like chocolate festivals, the light show, scary garden for Halloween, plant sales, and so on. One time they even had ponies! So it never gets boring!If you visit the garden, make sure to check out the butterfly pavilion as well, you won’t be disappointed! Oh and as a bonus point, they have a nice restaurant that serves really good food. You can also always get a glass of wine and walk around the garden with it!

It was beautiful and well designed. So much to see and the plants are well placed for best effect yet natural in their surroundings. The gardens, paths and buildings are very well maintained. We arrived shortly before sunset and enjoyed watching as the sun set and the moon rose. Closing time was 8 p.m. so we were able to enjoy the gardens at night. Its just as gorgeous all lit up with the special lighting.

A must see spot! So beautiful and clean. 2 suggestions: 1. Heed the advice left from former visitors on Yelp, and website: Do not wear open-top shoes, nor sandals unless you like dust and pebbles between your toes; and 2. Make reservations in advance, as place gets sold out, including any exhibitions. Enjoy!

So happy this is open! It was easy to social distance without missing out on anything at the botanical garden. The art exhibit that is mixed in with the cactus is a great addition. Definitely go early, before it gets too hot. They have water refill stations and well placed shady spots for resting.

Very enriching experience. The gardens were beautiful and had a unique feeling of different for someone thats used to more of a lush and floral sort of feel. Borh day and night were interesting to walk through as the sun set and the lights on the trees turned on all across the garden. The fact there were more cacti and interesting desert plants made the actual desert feel a bit less boring now that I have a better idea of what I was driving in and near too. They also have a really cute little gift shop with interesting geodes, soaps, and kids toys for the younger ones. If youre unfamiliar with desert climates and flora I would suggest checking this place out on your way through even if youre only here for the day like me.

Nice place. I cant give more stars because events were sold out & sections were closed because of covid-19. A lady in line tried to give her bought tickets to a couple, but the clerk wouldnt accept it because no one registered online.

Whether you are a lover of cactus and all the subspecies, you will enjoy the beauty of this garden. 80 years in the growing and making of an incredible varietal mix. Plan at least 2 hours to walk the three loops including recreations of native Americans living in this environment 150 years ago. Well worth a visit, even though it was 100° today!

Pretty place offering lots of facts and information regarding the vegetation in Phoenix. One of the coolest parts is they offer a butterfly wonderland of sorts aka a covered area offering a wide arraignment of beautiful butterfly’s flying all over. In addition there are several nice gift shops and tours you can take.

Calming and relaxing as always. Due to Covid19 everything is reduced, including the crowds. I am sure the reduction in lighting is due to budget considerations. Still a wonderful place to visit.

140 acres of desert bliss...I must have spent about 3-4 hours here just walking around in a euphoric daze. This place makes you forget about everything outside of it.There are five unique trails to enjoy. You can find art sculptures hidden all around that are perfect additions to the desert landscape. You can sit by a water feature and listen to the sound it makes while you relax and enjoy the scenery. Youll also find a gift shop filled with beautiful items and a cafe on property among more than 50,000 plants from around the world. Enjoy a tour given by a passionate & informative team member, stop by one of the many workshops and check out the seasonal exhibits that add even more beauty to this experience.Tips & details ~Wear comfortable shoesBring waterTake your time & admission is $22 per person*Free admission every second Tuesday of the month!If you enjoy nature, plants, trails, mountains, flowers & art, youll enjoy this unique desert paradise.

Absolutely love spending time in the Gardens. One of the few places in the city to find a haven of peace and contemplation. The recent safety measures have dampened things a bit, but I urge everyone to continue supporting wonderful places such as the Garden. I wish continued success and thank all the lovely staff for their hard work keeping the Garden beautiful and preserved!

Very beautiful and interesting desert gardens. Plus they have a butterfly pavilion with lots of beautiful butterflies. We made reservations one day in advance. It was not crowded on Thursday, November 19, 2020.

Beautiful, clean and well maintained. I stopped by for two hours on my way back to Texas and could have spent much more time here. Wildlife, many plants and pathways. I imagine its even more wonderful in normal (non-covid) times. Didnt get to try the restaurants.

I went when most of the blooms had already died. Still very spectacular. The butterfly exhibit was spectacular. Lo

The Botanical Garden is so beautiful and it never gets old to walk around and enjoy the surroundings time after time! I did not realize how many type of cacti and succulents there are until I came here. This is a must see destination for tourists and family members/friends from out of town.

This was my first botanical garden experience and it was so beautiful! So many beautiful desert plant species to see. Drink lots of water, wear a hat, wear sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Had a great experience visiting this place . Wide range of desert plants and great photography locations ... nice place to spend time with family ..

This is such a great place to come and relax and see everything that the desert has to offer. So much life! Also every so often there will be art displays. Love the current art work. Who would have thought that we could have penguins and bears here in Phoenix. Oh, and when its cooler you can come and see the butterflies. COVID-19 note - to ensure that social distancing occurs it is better to call ahead of time and make reservations. If you dont you may chance having to reschedule your visit.

I love this garden. We live in GA now, but got married at the garden in 2009, and whenever we visit Phoenix, we always walk through the garden early in the morning, when the quail and rabbits are out. Its a wonderful place to spend an hour or 2 any time of year.

The staff was incredible and accommodated our every need while we were there. I cant thank them enough. The gardens are beautiful and we will definitely be coming back!

The Desert Botanical Garden is an eccentric desert oasis nestled right in the intersection of the Phoenix-Tempe-Scottsdale area. It is a great addition to any day plans in the area, and there are tons of great photo ops. I recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time!There are also hiking and mountain/gravel bike trails in the surrounding area, Papago Park. The Hole in the Rock is quite literally a stones throw away, as well as the Phoenix Zoo, and the ASU baseball field!

Awh such a refreshing part of nature. Who woulda thought cactus can be so splendid!! The butterfly exhibit was great too.

Beautiful desert scenery with a surprising amount of wildlife! Quail, rabbits, and a road runner were all present.Also the butterfly garden is very nice.

What a great experience! It seems like a new place depending on the time of day or time of year... I cant wait until spring!!

Its a really nice dessert garden with butterflies around, awesome statues of animals and lots of beautiful different cactus to see. If your lucky you might see a lizard or bunny.

If youre visiting Phoenix this is a must see attraction. Youll walk close to 2 miles if you complete all the loops. I certainly have a greater appreciation for nature and botany specifically after leaving here

Beautifully laid out and very large! The night lighting is a treat. Wear closed toed shoes because some of the trails are dirt.

Went to a friends wedding. It was fabulous. Staff was friendly, masked and helpful. A truly wonderful experience.

Great for family adventures or date night. So many little nooks to find and paths to stroll. We became members this year and love it.

Had a great time here, so much to see, water stations abundant, very clean restrooms and friendly staff.

WHAT A FABULOUS GARDEN FORKIDS OF ALL AGES TO ENJOY! IT HAS MANY BENEFITS.#1 ITS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO HIKE.#2 YOU CAN EDUCATE YOURSELFABOUT GORGEOUS SPECIES FROM ARID CLIMATES AROUNDTHE WORLD.#3 THEY HAVE SEASONAL SALESOF LOW-WATER-USE PLANTS,INCLUDING CACTI/ SUCCULENTS,SOME NATIVE TO ARIZONA ANDMEXICO/ BAJA.THIS LIVING MUSEUM IS ONE OF THE VALLEYS TRUE TREASURES!!YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER IFYOU CHOOSE, WITH INDIVIDUAL,FAMILY, OR ORGANIZATION PLANS THAT YOU CAN RENEWANNUALLY. ENJOY!!!

Its a very beautifully arranged enclosure it was very warm even so early in the day but as long as you have water and sunscreen its a perfect get away. I would highly recommend for kids when the interactive displays are live again. There are a ton of fun educational and beautiful things to see here.

My MIL bought my hubby and I tickets back in January. We should have gone in February when it was cooler outside, but we were dawdling about and didn’t get here. Then COVID happened and they closed down for a bit. As soon as they opened, we popped in the car and came for a visit! We came first thing in the morning, shortly after they opened, so that the weather would be a bit cooler. That was a smart decision! There are some shady areas, but not a ton.There are water fountains, bottle refill stations, and bathrooms throughout the garden.There are large plastic animals all over the gardens, which are lovely in helping you remember where you’ve been. They are a cute touch! Meerkats, an elephant, wolves, bunnies, penguins, etc.The trails are easy to follow and impossible to get off course as they are clearly marked.Most of the plants are labeled, but not all of them. We saw a wide variety of cacti and plants. We came in the beginning of July and there wasn’t much that was flowering, but still very pretty.We saw a lot of little lizards and bunnies. There were a few roadrunners, butterflies, hummingbirds, and pocket mice.The Plant Shop was in the Garden Shop when we were there. There was a very nice variety of things you could buy with a small variety of plants.Such a good experience and an enjoyable date! We definitely recommend to new Arizonans and those looking to experience the wilderness, wildlife, and plant life.

The visit is always wonderful. The colors and variety of the desert vegetation is remarkable! Go any time of year to see the ever evolving landscape. Then make reservations to have a meal at Gertrudes. Neither disappoint.

This place was pretty neat. Definitely want to be here earlier in the daytime. It can get pretty hot in the summer. I wanted to give a 5 star review, because I know this place has a lot to offer. But quite a few of the exhibits were closed to the public. Maybe well make our way back. This whole pandemic thing doesnt exactly help for tourism unfortunately.

One of the prettiest and most interesting parks I have ever visited. As someone coming from Germany, and mostly staying at the US East Coast this nearly feels like being on another planet.The staff was also extremely friendly!

I really enjoy visiting the botanical garden! I love seeing all the little critters running and jumping around. The best part of the botanical garden to me has to be the butterfly section. Be sure to wear nice comfortable shoes when visiting because there are certain areas that are like mini hiking!

Loved this place when i first visited a few years ago. do not waste your money going here during covid. this one cactus that we have a picture with that was huge and had many arms...well the trail to that one was closed. they also have all water fountains closed so make sure to hydrate yourself and stay cool. there was also no one there telling you about the area and the plants or native american history either like there was years ago which made it even more enjoyable. honestly, i think it was a waste of money during covid. would maybe pay $10. i did read that they were having dog days though which i love since the first time we visited we had our dog with us and he had to stay in the hotel wouldve loved to take him with as we have taken him to other gardens when they have dog days.

Literally the best botanical garden for desert lovers. It is a cactus paradise. Not only do they have incredible Arizona endemic specimens, but also other unique specimens from abroad (such as Pachypodium lamerei). They have water refilling stations to keep you alive in the heat.

Maybe you have been to other Botanical Gardens, probably none like Desert Botanical Garden work many cactus variety, aloe, agave and many other desert plants. So different. So cool. Even few animals roam the grounds. Over $60 save $7. Theres also some Chihuly glass art when you enter. We visited during butterfly pavilion and got some great photos and video.

Gorgeous serene place! Always fun to visit.

The Desert Botanical Garden is easily one of the best places to get married in Arizona. As a wedding photographer its hard not to love all of the beautiful scenery. But on top of that, the staff at the garden are so amazing and friendly. Whether its for an engagement session or a wedding, not one of my clients has been anything less than blown away by how much theyve loved their experience there.

Very well maintained. Excellent signage! New trail opened since my last visit 4 years ago. Looks like many new attractions in the works.

Nicely manicured gardens. Phoenix takes a lot of pride in this place. My only problem was the cost to get in - $25. A little steep to look at cactus.

Give yourself at least 2 hours if you plan to take pictures while here. Plenty of beautiful spots with towering cacti!

Beautiful place to visit, lots to see, can spend several hours here. Definitely recommend checking it out!

It used to be a wonderful place to walk and look at plants and learn about the desert plants. Unfortunately they have been building a lot in the past few years so the trails are shorter with fewer plants and more structures. I was a long time member but dropped out last year because they just dont seem to understand a botanical garden is about plants, not stone walls and buildings

It was our first time here as a family n we enjoy the garden n including the butterfly exhibit.

I visited during the month of August 2020, and a few paths were blocked due to Covid but there was still so much to see. There are 2 sessions. Morning and early evening. I visited around 7p, when the sun was setting and the picture back drops were beautiful. I would definitely visit again once the world is back to normal. There was so much more to see.

It is a great way to spend time into the desert and learning about the life that the sonoran desert has to offer. I suggest to visit this wonderful peace of Nature. Oh! Dont forget to view the butterfly tend, just remember that butterflies like the heat to fly.

Great being outside seeing so many cacti variety. We highly recommend a visit!

The variety of plants is impressive. Although, I thought the labeling could have been much better. And shade was way too sparse. Several areas were closed as well, including the popular restaurant. Overall, I think the Tucson Botanical Garden is more inviting, and although smaller, you feel more immersed and well informed by the end of the walk.

Whats great about this garden is that while the cacti dont change, the art incorporated into the landscape does. Ive been here four times now and still enjoy going.

Always an excellent walk and beautiful scenery. Fishook Barrell Cactus growing fruit. Zipped through today in about 90 minutes. Reservations amd masks are required.

The number one tourist attraction in Phoenix. Lots of beautiful dessert plants.

Amazing plants, critters, and sights to capture on camera and video. They do a light show as well certain months of the year. It is super cool and romantic so hopefully you can find a date if you don’t have one already. If you go alone it’s fine but there’s couples everywhere so you may cry to yourself on the ride home to feel better about the empty void inside you. And stop at Walmart for chocolate. Google the Walmart too because you could end up in the ghetto if you are new to the area or just visiting.

Theyve done a great job with this park, though I would love to see more placards giving the name of the plants they have on display. The butterfly exhibit is cool too.

Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. Visitors can stroll through five thematic trails to explore the fascinating beauty of Sonoran Desert plant life, from towering cacti and alluring succulents to brilliant wildflowers and lush trees. Delve deeper to learn more about desert landscaping, nature art, cooking and wellness and more through the Garden’s various lectures and workshops. Enjoy specialized tours, special events, seasonal exhibits, concerts, family activities, dining options and the Gardens gift and plant shop.

Such a gem in the desert! We did a self-guided night tour of the Wild Rising installation. It was such a cool element to the gardens! Highly recommend visiting the the DBG anytime but especially for one of the installations

BrilliantEveryone wears a mask, respectful.Great place to be

Very pretty garden! I loved seeing so many desert plants. The gift shop had a lot of unique items! I bought a gorgeous hand painted ornament.

Went a night. Not a great experience. Only a couple areas had good lighting and many of the trails were closed for some reason. Probably best to go in the day time

Worth the stop to see all the plants and some wild life. Not all the areas are open but there is still a lot to see. They have some animal lights setup so it might be a neat stop at dust.

Amazing way to see desert plants up close. At the time we went a good amount was closed. It will be even better once its completely open. Make sure you reserve your tickets to the butterfly exhibit, they are free but you still need a ticket.

Wonderfully maintained garden with very interesting information available and excellent exhibits. I greatly enjoy the classes they offer as well.

Lot of wild life here. More than a forest lol. If you have a military ID you get in for free

Beautiful place. Very informative. Spent all afternoon here

A beautiful place to go walk around and experience nature, right in the heart of the city. They have beautiful plants from all of the deserts of the world.

I love this place! Lots of desert plants and trails.

Love this place! Glad I became a member this year so I can enjoy these events!

I always love this place. We went in the evening. The Giant Saguaros were beautifully silhouetted against the night. My favorite spot is the little sun shelter on the Sonoran Desert Loop.

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.

My wife and I made the mistake of going at night time. It was still an amazing g visit but if we could do 1 thing different we would have went during the day.

The staff is really nice. The gardens were practically empty so it was nice to explore without anyone getting in the way. You do have to get your tickets online and reserve a time but during Covid its expected. I had a great time. Very nice to be outdoors.

Definitely needs to be on your to-do list in Phoenix area. Great place to get your feet wet with some desert hiking without getting to far from civilization.

Enlightening check out the butterflies you have to have an appointment

Just spent 3 weeks exploring the wilderness In North Arizona and South Utah. Last thing I wanted to see was another cactus. However, I caved in and I have a new found appreciation for cactus. Extremely clean location and the staff was extremely knowledgeable and polite.

Awesome variety of plans and a lot of local historical information. Many pretty views. Only the bottle stations are operational, not the water fountains. Make sure to bring a big water bottle if its hot out!

A beautiful desert oasis. Staffed by very friendly volunteers, full of information, the botanical gardens is a great place to take your family or visit with your friends. It gets very hot here so I highly recommend bringing water with you and drinking a lot. The cacti look amazing and if you go slow and pay attention you can find a lot of natural wildlife!

What a great place to mosey around. Butterfly exhibit is best viewed when sun has warmed them up.

I was pleasantly surprised with this botanical garden. It is a huge place that you can definitely spend a whole day at. It amazing how big some of the cactus gets. Also liked the butterfly garden and the other speciality gardens. There is so much to see youll be glad you stopped to visit.

Amazing, massive botanical garden that can keep you preoccupied for hours - especially if you love nature and photography!The volunteers and staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, which makes the visit way worthwhile.If you are traveling like we were, this is one good sightseeing place to go.

Amazing! Condensed trip to the desert. Wonderful plantings in common areas and asking the trips you felt as though you were in the desert. Thanks.

One of my favourite places to visit whenever I go to Phoenix. I love the botanical plants for viewing and admiration. Staff is friendly and positive.I visited in December 2018 where the scenery was much more lively. This time it’s quieter but fantastically enjoyable. I haven’t tried their restaurants. Their gift shop and plant shop are available for browsing.

What an amazing botanic gardens! So much to learn about the native plants and some great educational exhibits on the people who used to depend on the desert plants everyday to survive. Ive heard that its beautiful at Christmas and would love to return to see it.

Its really beautiful! I enjoyed the different plants and the rest/sitting areas its a fun place to walk threw to get some sun and exercise early there is water stations all around with rest rooms.Also ask for a Signor discount thanks Michael

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 dont 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!

Wow! The crazy amount of plant life you never thought would be in the desert. Amazing plants, hummingbirds, bees, Monarch Butterflies, so much to see. An excellent way to spend the day.

Spectacular display of plant collections. Nice walking paths and very accessible for all mobility levels. By the way, the cafe has great coffee! Im a member and visit often, year round. It amazes me that theres always something blooming. I enjoy every visit.

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 ones pretty obvious)2. Dont eat at the restaurant - its overpriced! Eat before/after you come or bring snacks.3. Youth is 3 - 17. We didnt notice this at first and just assumed that youth ended at 12, so we almost got charged $20 extra!4. Comfy shoes - its 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.

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

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.

Raw nature. Thank you. I appreciate this place more than the manicured gardens out there. This really does a beautiful job of guiding you into a select area of raw nature settings, where you can experience sitting or walking tours or by yourself, the way nature was intended within theses small settings. While some are unnatural to this region, it allows you to have a more natural experience than say the Huntington. Overall, Descanso is the gem of the garden world in AZ

It was beautiful and well designed. So much to see and the plants are well placed for best effect yet natural in their surroundings.