The Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens
My husband and I spent a wonderful, leisurely afternoon yesterday at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the 90 degree heat, we managed to stay comfortable among the shady lanes, blessed with a lovely breeze and a cool glass of lemonade.
We were happy to discover that our visit coincided with two extremely popular exhibitions currently on display in the Gardens. One was the Butterfly Pavilion, which runs annually from March through May, and which keeps us coming back every year. It adds an extra $3 to our general admission (we’re not Garden members, otherwise it would be free), but it’s always worth it.
The pavilion is accessed through an “airlock” so none of the inhabitants can escape. With a gentle warning from the administrators we were instructed not to touch any of the butterflies, but to allow them to come and go as they pleased (and sometimes they were “pleased” to land on us).
The other exhibition currently on display throughout the park is the collection of Chihuly Glass Sculptures. This exhibit has been present in the Gardens since November 22, 2008, and runs through May 31st, 2009. They truly add a unique and beautiful element to the lovely features of the Gardens.
The use of such vibrant colors against the desert landscape was truly dramatic.
There was another fine example of exquisite glass artwork around every corner.
The Gardens are lovely at any time of year, though they truly shine in the spring months when all the desert plants are blooming.
The Desert Botanical Gardens are part of a park complex that includes the Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park. Admission for non-members is $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under twelve, and $7.50 for students aged 13-18. Self-guided audio tours are available for an additional $3, and special exhibits and events (such as the extremely popular Spring Jazz in the Garden concert series) may also be an additional charge.
Whether you’re looking to create a unique family memory, or you want to spend a day in solitude and quiet contemplation, or you wish for a romantic outing to share with a loved one, the Desert Botanical Gardens are an excellent choice to wile away a sunny afternoon.
If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to Phoenix.
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4 Responses
[...] enjoyed the Chihuly glass exhibit, and the Butterfly Pavilion. I wrote a post about it on Uptake, but I thought I’d share a few of my favorite pictures of the day with you all, here. Hover [...]
[...] Gardens: Most bigger towns and cities have a botanical garden. A botanical garden is a great place to stop and smell the flowers and/or butterflies. Botanical [...]
All botanical gardens have one thing in common there are several plant species which are grown and cultivated, but what makes them different from other botanical gardens is the uniqueness and creativity which is portrayed like the Chihuly Glass Sculptures. Truly an amazing combination of man’s creativity with Mother Nature’s creativity.
Hi Nishi. Yes, it was very dramatic in person. I’ve seen the Chihuly sculptures in a museum setting as well, and to see them outdoors was very cool. I just wonder how they keep them all clean! Plus, we get some storms with high winds, and I wonder what they do to protect the glass.