Tucson Botanical Gardens — Attraction in Tucson

The Botanical Garden was a day for a lovely stroll through a diversity of species and flora. We started our day with the lovely lady at admissions,she was warm, efficient and a delight! We were off for a day of species discovery. They have a diversity of indigenous plants, succulents, and cactus gardens, beautiful flowers abloom, and a butterfly habitat. We walked through the gardens, observing many interesting species. The beautiful habitat is always fun to see butterflies, and moth species from the Amazon, and around the world, flying in a steamy tropical habitat, environment created room. They have continuous breeding, and a place where they have the perfect habitat for the beginning stages with the chrysalis hanging for butterfly development and transformation. They also have scientific photos of the stages of the life cycle from the caterpillar to the butterfly. They had a fairy exhibit of metal "fairy" sculptures placed among the gardens. When we got inside the artists interpretation of fairies was different from mine, as these fairies were large metal beings. Thinking outside the norm and box is what is needed to appreciate these beautifully sculptured fairies. We sat and chatted in the flower garden as there were seats provided throughout the garden. We had a lovely relaxing chat amongst the beautiful flowers and trees They had an impressive variety, despite it being mid-winter. We had lunch at the restaurant. It is an extension of Westward Look. I had a delicious fresh fruit salad, and all the fruit was ripe and delicious. It was wonderful sitting outside at the cafe as well. The server told us Westward Look is pulling out in the new year. Too bad, we loved our lunch there. She said there is talk of getting a food truck in there. I hope they figure something out, because it is nice to make a day of your visit! You may also bring with you a picnic lunch and enjoy it, at one of the many seating arrangements throughout the park. They have a nice gift shop, that was overpowered by a fragrance. It was so prevalent in the air, as we walked in, I got overwhelmed, as I could taste it in my mouth. I have asthma, so I had to leave immediately. Note to management, you may be losing many potential customers with the overpowering fragrance in there. This is certainly the case, with me, when less is more! We had a really relaxing, lovely day at the Botanical Gardens. They have memberships for $50.00 which is really a deal if you would like to go often! Tucson Botanical Gardens is highly recommended to anyone who loves plants, flowers, and diversity with indigenous Desert species. Spend a lovely enchanted day at the Botanical Gardens and you will be transformed! Take a PTO day and treat yourself, relax and smell the...

This garden is lovely, the price is a bit high (especially for kids and families). The garden is small but beautifully designed. I would send my daughter to school there if that were possible (it would be so cool to have a preschool class based there).

My interactions with all the staff and volunteers was amazing. I had an especially nice talk with a young man volunteer (I didn't get his name but it was his day off and he talked to me anyways) and with a woman named Megan.

However the reason for my negative review is because of Link. I am posting this review after my positive interaction with Megan because in the end Link moved from the start of the butterfly exhibit where he completely cut me down verbally to the end where I had to ask Megan to leave with me so that I would feel safe leaving the butterfly exhibit.

This all came about because I asked Link a question where he didn't know the answer. So he became condescending and verbally abusive. It was a terrifying experience and I'm not sure I would go back to the botanical garden without knowing that that would not happen again.

The butterfly exhibit is phenomenal however I have concerns that this and exhibits like this are leading to species extinctions due to habitat destruction (monocultures created to harvest the cocoons of these butterflies and then extraction of the cocoons without allowing any mature adults to replenish the native population). I was not able to obtain any information to the contrary and was informed by Link that I should leave if I even wanted to ask a question on...

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 group's 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...