Desert Botanical Garden — Attraction in Phoenix

I love the botanical gardens! If you like desert plants/want to learn more about our desert, you really should visit the DBG! I really enjoyed wandering around the whole place (the trails are all pretty short), and taking my time to read placards, and then trying to identify plants as I walked further through the gardens! When we visited, there were also some tables set up for people to ask gardening questions, which I think is awesome! Be sure to check out the pollinator garden area, and stop to see some hummingbirds if you're not from around here! I also think this would be a great place to take kids, as previously mentioned, the trails are pretty short, and they have some stuff I know I would have loved as a kid, like the butterfly pavilion. If you're reading this before May 11, 2025, check out the orchid fever exhibit! I would say it's about 60% phalenopsis orchids and 40% other types, so if you are new to orchids, it's a great opportunity to see something more than your standard fare! If you have a ton of experience with orchids, you might not see anything new, but I still think it's worth a visit as it is a rather visually stunning exhibition, and there are a lot of orchids interspersed with succulents and some cactus bones. Also there is a small section about conservation work being done for a terrestrial orchid local to AZ, which I thought was very cool! As for the logistics: for safety, as it's warming up out here, be sure to bring a water bottle and sun protection (hat and sunscreen at the very least!). They do have several water filling stations so be on the lookout for those when you visit! Parking can get a little crowded, but there is a lot of overflow parking, just know you may have a little walk to and from the gardens themselves. I really would recommend just buying tickets online, as there isn't a wait to get in (someone scans your tickets), but there is a wait to buy tickets... also if you really want to visit the restaurant, I would look into reservations (I'm not sure exactly what their procedures are on that), as when we went last year, they were all full. This time however, it looked like they were seating people pretty quick. There are definitely restaurants within a 10 min drive, so I think this is only necessary if you know you will have people who want/need to eat immediately. Tl;dr a great place to visit and learn about desert plants and animals. Also check out the orchid fever exhibit before may 11, 2025, and don't forget to bring water and sun protection...

We visited for the first time back in November 2021. There was some beer stands so it was nice to be able to have a drink and walk around and view the beautiful grounds. During that visit, we left at sunset and always talked about coming back a second time to see the place at sunset with the lit up grounds. Well, today was that day but sadly, the visit was not enjoyable. Any hope of visiting and enjoying the quiet and serenity of the desert grounds was ruined by a roller skating event happening in the middle of the park with blaring music that took over the entire area. From Michael Jackson songs to 50cent, there was no escaping it. The event brought out 20-somethings who would leave the event to walk around the trails talking loud and some talking on their phones using the speaker. This roller skating/loud music event taking place here was truly baffling as it took away the quiet ambience of the area which it is advertised as. Whose idea was that?

The other things that were especially aggravating was the amount of self-proclaimed photographers who come into the park around sunset to take photoshoots and block people from the trails. They stand there and take their photos like they own the place and don't even try to be courteous and take their photos as quick as possible to let people by. Then of course you have visitors who want to take 25 photos of their kid standing next to a cactus on the trail blocking anyone from walking through.

The park says that the park is lit at night but it really isn't. The trails are lined with solars that dimly light them up but other than that, you cannot see any of the plants. We were disappointed one side of the park was closed due to a private event. Why charge visitors full price if parts of the place is closed? That doesn't seem fair.

The giant obese naked woman statue was a weird thing to have in the botanical garden. Kind of strange to have that in a place where families come with their children.

Overall, $60 for 2 people was a bit pricey considering we had to put up with loud music the entire time and photographers thinking they're more important than anyone else. We also noticed that the last time you can buy a ticket is 7 pm yet the park closes at 8pm - the web site says it takes 1 1/2 - 2 hours to walk the entire park so you won't have enough time to see everything if you go...

When you’re fresh out of a breakup and full of unresolved feelings (and possibly half a bottle of wine from the night before), there’s only one place in Phoenix that will hold your hand, whisper “you’re doing amazing, sweetie,” and also subtly remind you that nature can be just as sharp and dangerous as your ex—The Desert Botanical Garden.

Spread out over 55 acres of stunning desert landscape, this place is like stepping into a living, breathing Pinterest board. With thousands of species of desert plants from around the world, it’s a place that feels peaceful, grounding, and—let’s be honest—filled with enough spiky, venomous, and downright toxic plants to remind you of at least three people you’ve dated.

There’s the Agave americana, which looks stunning but can leave chemical burns. The Peyote cactus, rare and highly illegal to mess with (much like my boundaries post-therapy). And of course, the Oleander—beautiful, charming, and extremely poisonous when consumed. Sound familiar?

The walking paths curve through towering saguaros, fragrant desert blooms, and shady alcoves that are perfect for dramatic thinking, deep reflection, or journaling angrily while pretending you’re just admiring the agaves. The garden is quiet but buzzing—filled with bees, birds, and the occasional local dad loudly misidentifying a cactus (bless him).

And the gift shop? Immaculate. Where else can you buy prickly pear candy and a mug that says “Don’t Be a Prick” in the same aisle?

Whether you’re nursing a heartbreak, basking in the glow of post-breakup freedom, or just need to be reminded that even cacti can bloom again after a brutal dry season, the Desert Botanical Garden delivers. It’s lush. It’s therapeutic. It’s just the right mix of peace and petty.

10/10 would recommend—especially if you need somewhere to feel something, take hot pictures in a floppy hat, or quietly plot your comeback surrounded by succulents that sting less than your last...