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Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States
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Am
Review №1

The Tucson botanical gardens is a wonderful visit. Expect 2-3 hours. It is quite hot in the summer but there are specific areas that are much cooler in temperature considering the types of plants. The mint section is wonderful and fragrant and overall there are so many cool plants. There were two fall photo backdrop settings that were cute. Definitely bring bug spray or prepare to buy it from the gift shop. I would love to go again, especially in a different season to see more diversity.

Er
Review №2

I loved the history behind this quaint little garden. It was a very nice day trip, everyone was very nice when we asked questions. We sat down and had a picnic. We brought our own cooler with snacks and sandwiches. Had a great time!

Sa
Review №3

A fantastic hidden gem, which you might easily pass when driving by... Definitely worth of stopping at, especially considering its central location!During the Christmas season Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) sets up a wonderful display. -- There is nothing as exciting than wondering the paths of the garden, that has been lit up with luminaries, listening the Christmas songs on the background and taking the atmosphere in...It seems like behind every turn there is something new waiting; from a herb garden, to miniature railroad, local groups displays, not to mention the history of the TBG. Something for everyone, for sure!For 2020 Christmas display there were a number of beautiful fabric covered, illuminated statues from Korea. Definitely interesting to see.All this earns TBG, without a doubt, full five stars! However, if I was to look for something that left a little room for improvement, I would have to mention the souvenir shop. After a wonderful stroll in the garden that holds such an ample history -- and, obvious love and care that it takes to keep it going -- plastic Christmas decorations, albeit quirky, did not justify a $20 price tag... Understandably, the staff was eager to head home towards the end of the day, too, so that can be excused -- especially on a cold night like during my visit!

Sh
Review №4

Havent been here in many years. We went at night and thoroughly enjoyed the awesome La Calavera Catrina art display, the many other objet dart and the chrysalis & butterflies. Cant wait to return in the daytime.

An
Review №5

Such a lovely spot, beautiful foliage and sculptures. Lots of shady spots to just sit and be peaceful and enjoy the beautiful setting. Will be back

Li
Review №6

The Botanical Gardens is beautiful and always a great experience. Go after COVID precautions are lifted to see the amazing butterfly sanctuary complete with exotic moths and praying mantis.

Pa
Review №7

The lit areas designed for you to walk through were very small. And the dacor was of Day of the Dead, not Thanksgiving which is what we were expecting. We were only there about 45 minutes and we had seen it all. Dont think it was worth the price of the tickets.

ma
Review №8

Elaborate, winding gardens that host the best of desert plants from the US Southwest as well as other regions around the globe. Great art exhibition throughout the gardens as well. A wonderful place to visit whether a local or a tourist!

Ra
Review №9

Beautiful, I never knew there are over 2000 cactus. A must see while in Tucson.

Va
Review №10

The gardens were beautiful. The diversity within the ecosystem were wonderful as well. The butterflies around the area were gorgeous. They had lots of information of plants, bees, lizards, and even dinosaurs ( which talking about prehistoric vegetation). The lizard that inhabit the grounds added some entertainment as they scurried around. They even told you what animals/ insects pollinated wich plant. I would go to the gardens again, and I recommend coming here.

El
Review №11

These gardens are beautiful and peaceful. I appreciate the variety of plant life and the information about each. There are plenty of benches if you need to rest along the paths. Also, the gift shop is open for a limited number of guests and the cafe is reopening soon.

Fl
Review №12

Such a beautiful peaceful place and well maintained. Great collection of native plants and other things too. Almost always butterflies, birds, and lizards. Lots of educational exhibits, lots of beautiful arrangements. Always friendly and well kept. Lots of water and shade for hot days. Great covid procedures as well. Also very clean.

Bo
Review №13

This place is an oasis of beautiful native cacti, succulents, flowers, trees. There are also non native flora from other parts of the World here. The butterfly room is spectacular when open, many exotic butterflies. All of this attracts varieties of native birds and lizards. Educational and fun for children too with s miniature town with trains. Gift shop a lovely assortment of plants, art, jewelry, etc for sale.

Ni
Review №14

Spur of the moment trip and had an amazing time even with our beautiful Arizona sun beating down. There are plenty of tucked away areas that provide an abundance of shade. Even though the butterfly pavilion was closed you can still see all the beautiful little guys from the viewing window and we got to see a new Swallowtail in the Chrysalis Exhibit. I would definitely put this on the list of a must see if visiting Tucson even with the COVID limitations. In regards to that, please treat the staff with kindness they are doing their part to provide a service to our community while keeping us safe.

Gr
Review №15

Cactus and succulent gardens are the best part. Lots of beautiful varieties. Train was not working. Butterfly garden closed sadly. Took us 1-1.5 hours to do all of it.

Jo
Review №16

A beautiful oasis in the middle of town!The history of the Porter Property is very interesting.My sister has lived here over 25 years and never been, she now has a season pass!

Ju
Review №17

Love coming here for the butterfly. However they dont have the butterflies exhibit open due to covid-19.

Jo
Review №18

Gorgeous loved it very much the art the plants and butterflies are amazing

Go
Review №19

A little expensive unless you have passes which are easily obtained at the library. Beauty everywhere you look. A tremendous place to visit.

Ja
Review №20

A wonderful place to visit. The design is great and interesting. Theres plenty of room to move around and see all the different gardens. So clean and staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Bathrooms are conviently located and the gift shop is great and fairly priced. The butterfly garden was an added bonus. Will definitely visit again.

Ke
Review №21

The Tucson Botanical Gardens is really such an unexpected joy on Alvernon. I feel so lucky to have a mini-getaway like this in my backyard. They had a live stream of the butterfly exhibit at one point last season...that was a great treat to enjoy from home.

As
Review №22

Beyond beautiful. The garden is huge and there are sections with different themed plants ranging from tropical to desert. Theres an adorable model old town with a train that is the absolute cutest. The butterfly exhibit was closed but I imagine that would not disappoint. Theres plenty of wildlife to see as well. Its very quiet and relaxing, and a great place to go to relieve stress or take a personal photo shoot.

De
Review №23

It was amazing how many types of cacti and plants that have. Very beautifully designed and lais out. Peaceful and so much to learn!

Ce
Review №24

I am very impressed with this place. I was not expecting to see that many plants in Tucson. It is well kept. I love the butterfly exhibition. I have never seen such beautiful butterflies. I like that I could be in the same room with them because I was able to touch. They are flying around and one of them lay on my arm and another one on my shoe. Hope they keep the exhibition longer or make it permanent. It was a great experience. It is worth the money you pay to get in. I also like that they have plants for sale. It would be nice if they offer all the plants in the garden for sale. I would not mind waiting some months to get a piece of those plants to have them at my home. I will recommend visiting this place.

Ka
Review №25

Loved coming here! Even though we came in winter and there was only one cactus blooming the garden is beautiful and peaceful. Its very well maintained, and is easy walking (though it is part gravel paths so wear the right shoes!). My husband and I loved visiting the butterfly garden and spent almost an hour in there enjoying all the butterflies! I cant wait to go back next time Im in Tucson. I love that the Botanical Garden has a great sense of humor and like my lewd cactus pics on my Instagram.

Ch
Review №26

Beautiful, cool, green escape from the hot, dry desert. It is one of my favorite places in Tucson! There is even a fun train display with moving trains, and sand trays that my kids love playing in. The kids also really enjoy the butterfly house. We come here all the time!

Do
Review №27

I went and had a nice time. The gift shop and admission building was nice with friendly staff. I then walked the grounds. There were many local and other plants brought in that do well in the Tucson area. I went to the butterfly and orchid building and there were so many beautiful things to see and photograph. Some of the other visitors had butterflies land on them. The staff there knowledgeable and friendly. Very nice for near the center of the city.

Do
Review №28

Nice stroll. Sat and listened to Birds. Peaceful and Relaxing. Bonus Oscar Weiner Mobile

Le
Review №29

We were trying to find things to do in Tucson and came across this beautiful place that some locals didnt even know existed. Please come out and visit. They have cactus from all over the world and a nice butterfly enclosure. Staff was very friendly, it was relaxing and worth the trip.

jo
Review №30

There is a good collection of cactus, and a area dedicated for medicinal plants. During this pandemic event is one of the few places still open. However the butterfly farm is closed, and try to go during the morning or the afternoon.

Pa
Review №31

I recently visited the Tucson Botanical Garden in the morning and had the opportunity to enjoy the Garden for the very first time. I must say that the most notable and enjoyable part of the visit was the butterfly exhibit. The butterfly exhibit included butterflies not native to the southwest. The enclosed exhibit was fairly small, full of active butterflies, and staffed with people at the entrance and interior knowledgeable about the butterflies and their habitats. Also, we walked all around the garden, which is divided into different sections that are based on either a theme of type of flora found in desert areas. It would be very easy to stay here for hours to learn about the different plants! The Garden also includes a cafe and nicely stocked gift shop. The Garden really is a Tucson gem and everyone should go there for an enjoyable and relaxing visit.

Ch
Review №32

Tucson botanical gardens has a variety of amazing programs through-out the year, including free days, plant sales, luminario nights, the butterfly garden. Along with these programs they are also a wonderful place to host a wedding, reception, or a memorial for a family member. I recently went to a memorial luncheon for a family friend which was catered through the botanical garden and they did an amazing job of providing a variety of food for a large group with diverse dietary needs, vegans, vegetarians, and at least one person who was gluten free. The tradition from memorial to luncheon was very quick and smooth. It was handled with care and was taken care of with sensitivity and kindness. I would highly recommend them for a quick putting or event. They also have a lovely gift shop and beautiful art exhibitions that change frequently. I would recommend the membership. The discounts at the gift shop, and the advanced access to the plant sales really make it worth the money.

Ma
Review №33

Went to La Calavera Catrina.Just delightful. Took out of state guests. A nice family activity.

Ka
Review №34

There was a part of the gardens patterned after Roberto Burle Marx work in Brazil as a Landscape Architect. This was very interesting. I also enjoyed the butterfly pavilion, the cactus garden, and everything else!!! The gardeners there do a great job labeling things so you can take ideas home. We went in February which i realized wasnt the best month to go. Everything was still lovely but some things hadnt waken up from winter yet.

Ja
Review №35

Had awesome time. This was my third time here, and they never disappoint. They had a local artists display of functional sculptures. I also finally got to tour the butterfly garden. For anyone who loves butterflys this is a must see. Most of the cactus was in bloom as well. If you are in the area it is a must see. The butterfly area is only open from October to May.

Mi
Review №36

Albeit every inch of the beautiful property is impeccably manicured, $15 pp for day of the dead exhibit that can be covered in 10 minutes left us feeling had. So, 5 stars for the property and -2 for the lack of value.

Ti
Review №37

Absolutely beautiful! A true oasis in the middle of the city. There is a wonderful butterfly display. You walk into an aviary with orchids and a small pond and many different butterflies. If youre lucky you can see a butterfly hatch. Knowledgeable volunteers are there to answer questions. Hundreds of plants and trees provide shade along the walking paths. Well worth the visit.

ec
Review №38

My wife, brother and I, visited on our latest trip to Tucson and found this little jewel hidden right in the heart of Tucson! The staff was extremely welcoming, informative and helpful. The grounds were spectacular. The entire place was exploding with gorgeous flowers in full bloom and some of the most beautiful and unusual cacti weve ever seen. There were many trees laden with fruit, and the bird and butterfly activity was fantastic. There are also 8-10 sculptures for sale, placed throughout the gardens. Even though the weather was hot that day (high 80s), the gardens were cool and shade can be found everywhere. The place was very sparsley populated (this was during the Covid Pandemic) so there were many very private, isolated spaces to sit and enjoy a nice picnic or snack. At this time Oct 2020 all the food and drink vendors were closed so take your own beverages and food. This place was just amazing and we plan to return often. We highly recommend this wonderful innercity space!

Ll
Review №39

Went down for the Los Muertos day of the dead display, very nice place, have a butterfly exhibit but it was closed at night...well worth visiting!!!

Sk
Review №40

Beautiful botanical gardens with a fantastic amount of cactus and succulents as well as many other plants and flowers

Ja
Review №41

Simply beautiful. Well layed out. The variety of species is astonishing for a small footprint. Lizards darting this way and that. Butterflies and orchids were gorgeous; this exhibit is very warm and humid, be sure youre hydrated. Bring water. Shaded seating is abundant should a break be needed. Follow the map, this helps you see all they have to offer.

th
Review №42

Always peaceful and rejuvenating and I shopped in their pleasant gift shop

Br
Review №43

Delightful place to visit! We had so much fun wandering the gardens.

Aa
Review №44

What a great place to visit in the middle of the city. Beautiful flowers and lots of fun activities to do. Go visit the chickens! Take a walk through the butterfly house! My son was hoping for more dinosaurs, but they had one to look at, at least! Ill for sure be making a trip back here. The staff is very friendly and helpful. And the whole place is very well taken care of.

Jo
Review №45

The Butterfly Sanctuary is awesome! The gardens were peaceful. The pagodas provided shaded rest spots throughout the gardens. Must see if you visit Tucson for a week...here is an idea...visit The Tucson Botanical Gardens on the designated day of rest between mountain hikes!

Ke
Review №46

Beautiful but a bit pricey for adults. Wish the kids area was more kept up. Absolutely loved the butterfly garden

sw
Review №47

This place is an excellent value for $15, or $13 for military. The butterfly exhibit is great, as well as the cactus section. The staff was really friendly and informative as well. Its very quiet considering its in the middle of the city.

Te
Review №48

Awesome place! I have lived in Tucson for 8 years now and have never been here. As I was walking through and checking everything out I was amazed I had never thought about coming here before.

Ad
Review №49

So nice to visit on an August day. Places to get away from the crowds, and so beautiful. Butterflies and hummingbirds adorn the place, whiles native birds and cicadas sing to you

Wy
Review №50

Awesome place. So many cool cacti and other various flora.

Ti
Review №51

Beautiful!! Worth the trip. Meticulous love & attention to the grounds & all the staff were super friendly & welcoming. Great place for kids to explore as well

Be
Review №52

Safe with everyone wearing masks enjoying the tranquility of the gardens. Lovely

Ma
Review №53

I absolutely enjoyed my experience at the Tucson Botanical Gardens! Not only did it have so many gorgeous plants, but the cafe was like none other. You wouldn’t expect a tourist attraction to have such amazing food. But this place does! The cafes food was made fresh and natural using resources from the garden which I loved. As you walk around you’ll notice various edible plants such as orange, and lemon trees. I got a drink where there was an orange slice in the drink and it was phenomenal! The food was amazing I 10/10 recommend for anyone. As for the garden itself you would be surprised in how large it actually is. There are so many areas and exhibits to see. There everything from a cactus garden, to flowers, fountains, native plants, to plants from Australia! One thing I thought was gorgeous was how at night there are lots of lights everywhere strung from trees and plants. It’s so pretty to look at enjoying dinner outside in beautiful Tucson at night. I would come back here for a relaxing afternoon, or party!

Al
Review №54

We enjoyed the La Calavera Catrina art exibit at night!!!

Ke
Review №55

Spectacular arrangement of plants & flowers, both native & exotic. Butterflies and lizards abound. Beautiful way to spend a morning. (Bit over-priced, but to some, well worth it).

Do
Review №56

Pet friendly! Nice place to get some quiet and maybe read. The flora is quite beautiful. Would definitely come more often if I lived in the city.

Li
Review №57

Beautiful, intimate garden, divided into areas that showcase the range of Tucson’s flora. Their butterfly garden (open from October until mid-spring) is wonderful; it’s a whole room, essentially, filled with the little creatures. The restaurant on the property is delightful too: they serve food grown from the gardens, so their meals are always unique but incredibly fresh. Come to this place if you want a little touch of green right in the heart of the desert.

do
Review №58

Had a wonderful time the place is beautiful the staff are really nice the information was amazing

S
Review №59

Small but nice. If you like plants, flowers of butterflies (there is a small pavilion with these little creetters there), this is certainly a place you will enjoy. It took me about an hour for full walk around.

Da
Review №60

If you love to spend some time with the nature and see different species please visit this place.

Ma
Review №61

A beautiful retreat in the heart of Tucson. Even on the warmest days, the old growth trees provide all the shade you need. An impressive collection of plants, trees, cacti and succulents. I highly recommend visiting this gem in Tucson.

Do
Review №62

Tucson Botanical Gardens is truly a desert oasis. The structure of the different garden sections, abounding bird, insect and amphibious wildlife viewings, garden stuctures and etc are truly amazing. The cafe had a very delightful menu and the server did an amazing job in taking care of our needs. This entire experience far exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend this to residents and travelers.

Fi
Review №63

Such a beautiful oasis in the busy city. I left feeling refreshed and renewed. It was a perfect hour-long vacation.

An
Review №64

Beautiful Arizona desert life!

Ja
Review №65

What a magical spot. The sound of water and birds and the smell of herbs and flowers and trees. An oasis.

Ri
Review №66

WOW, What a treasure! I have never been happier to write a review. The variety of cacti, trees and other plants was incredible. In addition to great service the volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely visit again!

Sa
Review №67

Wonderful experience! Never expected to see such a variety of succulents and cactus. The whole garden and buildings are immaculate and well laid out. Exceptional gift shop and the restaurant well I had a clean plate at the end of the meal. Definitely recommend it for adults, children and seniors. My 86 yr old Mom loved the butterfly room!

Sh
Review №68

Parking is horrible here but after that major stressor, this garden is very calming and peaceful. The childrens area is unique. The butterfly house is stunning. Hunting for the dinosaur is fun and stumbling upon the chicken and puppet show spot make this garden very interactive for the kids. I cant say that Im a fan of the cost-its really pricey. At least there were picnic tables so we could enjoy a packed lunch without having to spend more money inside.

Pa
Review №69

What a treat! For us this garden was a very nice stop on our way from Phoenix to Texas. The gift shop is very nice with interesting items. Thank you for operating such a nice facility.

Ch
Review №70

Beautiful little park. It was easy to spend a couple hours wandering and enjoying the plants and displays. The butterfly and orchids exhibit was a beautiful experience!

Su
Review №71

Lots of cactus and succulents, but other nice plant material as well. And the butterfly exhibit brings the child out of the adult!

Ch
Review №72

A little overwhelming because there was so much to see! Who knew there were that many varities of ocotillo!!

Da
Review №73

A beautiful, peaceful place to be one with nature & enjoy all the wonderful plants! Great for entire family!

Ch
Review №74

What a fabulous place to have spent Easter afternoon! Live those butterflies, but also everything else the Gardens has to offer!

Wi
Review №75

Butterfly exhibit was closed! Too much desert garbage. Needs more water and less cactus.

Re
Review №76

What an oasis in the desert. The butterfly sanctuary is magical and the staff do a great job of educating and making sure there are no hitchhiking butterflies. The rest of the gardens are beautiful and serene. There are also lots of quality play opportunities for toddlers and young children, one could easily spend 3-4 hours here. Don’t miss the model train village in the middle of the garden!

Ch
Review №77

Very nice place to visit. Peaceful and serene. Many ideas for home to make some changes to better suit this climate. Wonderful butterfly display.

Pa
Review №78

A delightful way to spend a couple hours.

Jo
Review №79

Sweet old Rancho, garden space, with some history...

Sh
Review №80

Love taking my patients here! They are very knowledgeable and friendly. We had a wonderful time and absolutely love the butterfly exhibit

Ra
Review №81

Its a beautiful place. Truly magical in the evening.

An
Review №82

Awesome place! Very peaceful place-

Je
Review №83

I like being able to take the puppies and there were some neat cacti. But it was kinda small for the cost of admission ($15 plus $5 for dogs)

Ma
Review №84

Its small, but they tuck a lot of variety into the grounds. The butterfly house is particularly awesome and I also enjoyed the cactus garden, plants of the Tohono Oodham path and the zen garden. The art on display in the Porter house was a joy to see, and the clever lay out of the garden kept everything interesting without feeling crowdedThe cafe has a great meal selection the food tastes good, is reasonably priced and the produce used is locally sourced.

Ja
Review №85

Beautiful and informative botanical display of plants from around the world. Friendly staff. Awesome way to spend a spring day

Na
Review №86

Loved butterfly exhibit. Nice horticulture.

da
Review №87

This place is really awesome! They have so much interesting nature, both local and from all over the world. The butterfly sanctuary is so cool. Theyve got species from all over the world flying all over the place. If youre lucky theyll even land on you. Just make sure youre careful and watch your step!

Ad
Review №88

What a fantastic way to spend a morning. The cactus collection is definitely worth your time and the butterfly house is also amazing.

Pa
Review №89

Walked through all kinds of plants and trees. Saw tons of different cacti. Best part was the butterfly house. Awesome!

Me
Review №90

Beautiful grounds with lots to see and photograph. Was the perfect anniversary date!

Li
Review №91

Wonderful time! Cant wait to go again when I am in Tucson. Pricklypear margarita mix I bought was amazing. Wonderful friendly staff. A must go when in Tucson

Ja
Review №92

The butterfly exhibit is quite lovely. The rest of the botanical gardens is very small for the price that it cost. Its something you can walk through in 20 minutes and be done.

Pa
Review №93

I do so enjoy this place! From the butterflys to the wonderful little restaurant. You will not be disappointed! Do list!

Al
Review №94

Cant see plants at night they need proper lighting not well maintained they need new management an embarassment to arizona dont waste your money at night

Jo
Review №95

Well marked exhibits. Smooth easy to navigate paths. Great butterfly exhibit. Cafe food is very good.

ma
Review №96

Even in the winter, this place is cool. So many beautiful plants and art work. Gift shop is standard fare, not impressed. The butterflies were amazing! A must see. Get free tickets from the main library with your Pima County Library card.

Or
Review №97

The plants are beautiful! There is a nice gift shop, and there is a garden for kids to play in. The butterfly magic exhibit is amazing!

Te
Review №98

Excellent place to go and relaxMany photo opportunitiesMust see the butterfly exhibit and the chickensThe little cafe should be tried and there is a great little gift shop

Yi
Review №99

Beautiful. lots of interesting different little garden areas featuring desert plants and fruit plants and things from all over the world and a delicious herb garden.

Sa
Review №100

Very good. Great place to learn about desert plants. Amazing butterflies.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States
  • Site:http://tucsonbotanical.org/
  • Phone:+1 520-326-9686
Categories
  • Tourist attraction
  • Botanical garden
Working hours
  • Monday:8:30am–4:30pm
  • Tuesday:8:30am–4:30pm
  • Wednesday:8:30am–4:30pm
  • Thursday:8:30am–4:30pm
  • Friday:8:30am–4:30pm
  • Saturday:8:30am–4:30pm
  • Sunday:8:30am–4:30pm
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
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