Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

I have been to the Botanical Gardens on several ocassions and it has always been fun. It's great just to walk around and see all the cool plants but they also have lot of fun special events throughout the year. I recommend going in November and December for Noche de las Luminarias. They have luminarias lining the walkways, live music, and food. It's a very calm yet festive atmosphere. The butterfly pavillion in the spring is also really cool. You get to see the butterflies up close and personal. In October we went for a pumpkin patch and hayrides. The kids each got a free pumpkin. They also had a train exhibit that my two year old was fascinated with. They post all of the events on their website so check it out, find something that interests you and go!

We spent the day at the incredible Desert Botanical Gardens. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not. Spring when the cacti are in bloom is best and the temperature is a manageable 80s. Also this is the best time to see the stunning Butterfly Enclosure. Filled with thousands of butterflies you and your family will have hours of fun with the little guys alighting on your clothing, hair and heads. The staff provides a "bingo" card for you to try your luck at identifying the little guys and they check you on your way out to ensure none of them make their way out into the world at large. The trails through the botanical garden and a little confusing but full of items the kids will find fun, such as native american dwellings and hands on displays where they get to crush seeds and make flour etc. Eat before you go though because the cafe is over priced and awful (as they usually are at places likes this.) Also keep your eyes open for the wildlife. Many lizards and birds inhabit the gardens and they are fun to spot and watch. The woodpeckers and quails dominate the park with gecko's running in the leaves. The desert oasis also has a rich variety of frogs. Lastly don't miss the sculpture display and wildflower trail near the entrance. Stunning flowers and weird sculptures made fromm natural ingrediants. Very nicely done.

The gardens were absolutely beautiful. I wish we would have been there in April or May when the wild flowers are in bloom. Also the butterfly exhibit does not open until the first of March.

I've lived in the Valley now for almost 10 years and the Desert Botanical Gardens is the one place I must bring friends who come to visit from out of town. No other tourist or cultural attraction is so uniquely Phoenix and so proudly so. There are many other great attractions that are similar to attractions found in other states. The Desert Botanical Gardens is completely different and so well designed that it always fills you with awe and smiles. There are many special events and evenings of culture and fun. It defines what this city is all about.

Loved the plants, it did seem just a little crowded together. The little lizards and partridges running around were just too cute for words. I would have liked a few more places to just sit and admire. The shops were not pushy and let you browse without feeling uncomfortable(nice. When we were there they had no plants for sale( a large disappointment as I collect cacti) All around a different and very good experience and as I said, we are making an effort to go back again this year.

We found out that the DBG kills rabbits that enter the garden by way of fumigation. This practice is very cruel, and has no place in a museum dedicated to so called "nature conservation". Part of the reason we go to an outdoor nature environment is to see wildlife. We also found out that they do not bother to recycle. What a joke. I guess the electrical car chargers are really just there for show.

My husband and I left the kids at the hotel kid's camp for this one because of the heat. DEFINITELY rent an umbrella and bring plenty of water. We saw lots of wild life (squirrels, lizards, quail, and even a bull frog). The displays of how native people lived and survived in this extreme climate were really cool. Some areas were closed off for renovation so that was a little disappointing. We're from Vegas so we can tolerate a bit of heat, but I know my kids would have complained the entire time.

We spent about 3 hours here - cacti of every shape and size from all over the world. The did a great job of intertwining environment and past cultures as well. They even had different hands on activities for kids. One of the paths was closed which was a little disappointing, but they did have a very nice special butterfly exhibit going on. It was about 85 degrees the day we were there. It was comfortable temp too much higher would not have been so enjoyable.

Wonderful place for wildlife viewing and desert plants which are blooming with vibrant colors. We're there after 4pm so not so hot/warm and the place closes at 8pm enough time to roam. Just wish the people at entrance would have told us that the butterflies exhibit closes at 430pm, which we miss. Saw lots of cactus wrens, verdins, gila woodpeckers, quails and rabbits and the desert spiny lizards with its striking black collar on its neck. definitely a place to visit if you're in the area and it's rigth in the middle of the city so no long driving required. And great sunset too with the peaks in silhoutte.

Very interesting and fun! You can walk the different paths at your own pace and enjoy interesting facts about the desert! We visited in February and the weather was great. We enjoyed having lunch on the outdoor patio while watching the wildlife. I would highly recommend touring the Botanical Gardens!