Garden Explorer

Desert Botanical Garden

By Ramona Borkman, Magazine Editor

With thousands of plants, five walking trails, art displays, and a gourmet farm-to-table restaurant, Desert Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit during your vacation to Phoenix, Arizona. The garden focuses on living plants of the Sonoran desert, which includes the Southwestern U.S. Although plant life and conservation are the primary focus of these gardens, all visitors can appreciate the giant cacti, colorful wildflowers, and unique succulents displayed throughout the gardens.

When you visit the gardens, you can enjoy specialized tours, special events, seasonal exhibits, concerts, family activities, Gertrude's restaurant, Patio Café and the Garden's gift and plant shop. Other displays in the garden include rotating art pieces and an open-air butterfly exhibit with thousands of colorful Southwestern insects.

My husband and I went several years ago during a trip to visit his uncle. We chose to go in January because we longed for a reason to get out of the cold and snowy Utah weather. The weather was pleasant and mild and allowed us the opportunity to do many outdoor activities. In fact, visiting Desert Botanical Garden in the winter and early spring are probably some of the best times to visit.