Botanical Gardens Tucson:
Your Local Guide to Nature’s Oasis

All the Botanical Gardens Tucson has are meant as our urban desert oases.

But of course, first THE Tucson Botanical Garden (TBG) comes first, where something is always in bloom! Yet there are other gardens in Tucson you may want to know about.

We'll show you them all. For each be sure to bring these items:

  • Water, sunscreen, hats, sturdy shoes, a camera, binoculars (especially for birds)!✅

(Our son's mother-in-law loves Tucson Botanical Gardens so much,

she arranged his wedding to her daughter there.)

With 5.5 acres and 20 themed gardens. See multiple desert cacti, a fragrant Herb Garden & even playful sculptures. Plenty of parking at Tucson Botanical Gardens - Tucson AZ.

You'll take a look at ALL the Tucson area botanical garden possibilities:

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Tucson Botanical Gardens:
All the Info!

roadway with parking and signs pointing the way to an entrancePlenty of Parking - Entrance Ahead.

The entry to Tucson Botanical Gardens is not where you'd think!

It is a must‑visit stop for anyone curious about desert plant adaptions, pleasant strolls, and special exhibits. For instance:

  • The Butterfly Garden (certified Monarch visitor locale) is open year-round.
  • Backyard Bird Garden - A shady alcove with plants birds love! Watch for cactus wrens, hummingbirds, curve-billed thrashers scratching through underbrush & more. Remember your bird ID field guide.
  • Children's Discovery Garden - Play fun, plus interactive nature activities.

After entry, check with the Docent for any events that day. Or ask to Join a Docent Tour of Tucson Botanical Garden - it's free.

Information Station at Tucson Botanical Gardens with two people looking at the mapGet the Docent Tour or Check the map for your self-guided tour.

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PLAN YOUR BOTANICAL GARDEN TRIP TODAY!

Tucson Botanical Gardens -
Hours & Best Visiting Times

OPEN: Daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day, New Year’s Day & July 4th.

HOURS: Opens at 7:30am (be there earlier to be ready). Entry closes at 3:15pm

2150 North Alvernon Way, between Grant & Speedway. (520) 326-9686

ADMISSION:

  • Adults-$19 (discounts for seniors, students, military)
  • Kids ages 4 to 12-$10, ages 3 and under: Free.
  • Purchase Tickets Online Here>

WE'VE GOT LOCAL TIPS FROM US THROUGHOUT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS TUCSON ARTICLE. HERE'S THE FIRST:

LOCAL TIPS:

  1. Check This: Horticultural Therapy Experiences are Offered
  2. What's the best time to visit Tucson Botanical Gardens? Essential to arrive early from May-Sept. to avoid the heat of the day. All exhibits are outdoors. 
  3. Allow 2-4 hours, depending on your interest in plants.
  • My sister visited from the northeast US, and took our Mom here in May. They couldn't stay long (too hot!) as they arrived about 11am.
  • Seek out the Shade Garden if it gets a bit much for you.
  • We advise prepping with sunscreen, hat, water bottle & comfortable shoes.

TBG Spotlight Events & Seasonal Offers

$5 Fridays: From June through Sept-6, regular hours. Enjoy a root-beer float at the café!

Dog Days of Summer: Sundays, June–Sept your furry friend can join you. Take a cool pic & have a chance for doggy fame on the Good Pup of the Week Board & social media.

Cox Butterfly Magic & Orchid Pavilion - People love it this tropical butterfly greenhouse! Special attraction for only open Oct.-1 thru May-31.

  • LOCAL TIP: Least crowded midweek.

LightsUp! - Millions of twinkling lights for the December holidays. See southwestern luminaria, and enjoy some steaming hot cocoa. Magical after dark!

Xeriscape Garden & Food

bench and tables for lunch in a botanical garden xeriscape areaBring your food into the Xeriscape Garden for relaxing eats.

Desert dwellers love the low-water-use, yet lush, garden design for inspiration. Botanical gardens Tucson style has just that.

Set adjacent to Edna's Eatery (great for breakfast or lunch) sit on the patio under mesquite trees to enjoy the local environment. And your eats!

Get Your Nearby Home Away From Home

This Nearby Casita is Not Only Historic, but it's only a 19 minute walk to the Tucson Botanical Garden.

Sleeps 4, with 2 bedrooms & 1 bath. Your dog or cat allowed, with pet fee. Relaxing porch & backyard pergola.

FAQ For Botanical Gardens Tucson

Are pets allowed into Tucson Botanical Gardens?

For Tucson Botanical Garden and Tohono Chul, only service animals normally allowed.

If you'd like to bring a dog with you to a botanical garden in Tucson, Mission Garden allows both service animals and leashed dogs into the facility.

Also remember to plan for Dog Days at Tucson Botanical Gardens, when they welcome bringing Fido.

And if you'd like a trip there, Boyce Thompson Arboretum allows your leashed pet.

Is photography allowed at Tucson Botanical Garden?

Taking personal photos are welcome at Tucson Botanical Gardens. If you're a photography pro, or using a tripod, you must get authorization.

How accessible are the Botanical Gardens Tucson?

Tucson Botanical Gardens provides free non-motorized wheelchairs available, ask upon entry. Paved pathways throughout.

Tohono Chul, as well, has designed accessible grounds for most trails. Buildings are handicapped accessible. Wheelchairs can be had at Admissions on a first-come basis.

You should know that most areas of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum are accessible. As well as the design at Mission Gardens.

If you've planned to go a bit north to Boyce Thompson Arboretum, the main trail is accessible, as well as all restrooms. They provide wheelchairs if needed, but recommending calling ahead to arrange it - as they're on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tohono Chul

Multi experience at Tohono Chul, for gardens, galleries, bistro and regularly scheduled special events. Connecting nature, art and cultural experience.

Jean and Richard Wilson began it all, this most popular of Tucson botanical gardens. They purchased desert lots, adding a home that became the current Garden Bistro. Eventually 49 acres total.

Its name derived from local tribal origins of the Tohono O'odham people. Tohono Chul means "desert corner" in their language.

view of the Santa Catalina mountains in Tucson from a botanical parkView of the Santa Catalina Mountains from within Tohono Chul

Plants at Tohono Chul Gardens

See flora that's native or well-adapted to the desert Southwest.

  • Over 150 shrub/tree species.
  • At least 300 cacti & succulent species.
  • More than 50 types of wildflowers.

What's exciting and unique is their Night-blooming Cereus (Peniocereus greggii) collection. It's the biggest public ensemble in the U.S.

After touring, have a bite to eat at the Garden Bistro, sitting among sculptures!

Sonoran desert view on a path through a parkPathway through Tohono Chul near an ocotillo & a saguaro cactus

Tohono Chul Entry Details

display wall in a desert garden

Open 7am-2pm daily. But closed New Year's Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving & Christmas.

GENERAL ADMISSION: $15

  • Seniors age 62 & over: $13
  • Kids aged 4-17: $8
  • FREE: Active military & kids under 4 years old
  • Admission per their 501c(3) status as a nonprofit

LOCATION:

7366 North Paseo del Norte - Turn off Ina Rd., 1 block west of Oracle.

LOCAL TIPS:

  • Approximately 2 hours to tour the garden, add more to take in the Bistro.
  • Daily tours, a "Walk in the Garden" - led by Docents.
  • Plus special event tours & events from time to time. Inquire at 520-742-6455.
  • Here's a fantastic Stay Less Than 1/2-Mile From Tohono Chul>

Sonoran Desert Museum

A bit of a different aspect as a botanical garden Tucson.

With 98 acres, it includes desert wildlife and landscapes.

  • You could call it a garden/zoo hybrid. But it's even more than that!
  • There's signage identifying the arid landscape plants.
  • We love the hummingbird experience, a garden suited for these delightful birds - think you will too!
a roundish building in a garden park that provides homes to hummingbirdsGet an up-close experience here in this Home for Hummingbirds!

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  1. Home With Amazing Views>
  2. Resort Beloved by All>

It's a fabulous place to visit. Kids will love it too! Give yourself at least half a day. It's a place locals return to again & again. And always show their visitors around it. 

See All The Details to visit - CLICK HERE>

Mission Garden

Mission Garden was created on the original plot of Tucson - its birthplace.

Archeologist have found evidence of people living and growing plants in this area since over 4100 years ago. This botanical garden of Tucson exemplifies the historic cultivation of plants for edible food in the area, from then until now.

Where they offer you a compact 4-acre living history of plants.

  • Located at 946 W.Mission Lane - take I-10 Congress St exit, head west about 4-blocks, turning left onto S.Grande Ave., through the roundabout continue to the 3rd left on W.Mission Lane.
  • OPEN: Wednesday-Saturday. Closed New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, & Christmas. HOURS:
  1. October-March: 8am-2pm
  2. April-September: 8am-noon

LOCAL TIPS:

  • Allow 1-2 hours, then visit cultural spots & eateries in nearby downtown.
  • Check This Hotel nearby With Top Reviews>
  • FREE: No entry charge, but visiting & giving a donation helps their nonprofit purposes.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

This is a perfect scenic day trip among botanical gardens in the Tucson greater area.

Founded in 1924 by William Boyce Thompson. 392-acre historic desert arboretum in Superior Arizona. Set in Queen Creek Canyon, 92 miles from Tucson. 

  • Location: 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior AZ
  • Take N.Oracle Rd., following AZ-79 north. At junction of US-60, turn right onto E.Arboretum Way.
  • More details: 520-689-2723

ENTRY PRICING - From Teens 13 years old through Adults: $16. Kids aged 5–12: $10; Ages 4 and under: free

SEASONAL HOURS - 

October 1 - April 30: Daily 8am to 5pm
May: Daily 6am to 5pm. Except closed May 20th.

Closed Tuesdays June 1 Through Sept 30.

June 1 - August 31: 6am to 12 Noon Wed-Mon.
September: 6am to 3pm, Wed-Mon.

Closed on These Holidays:
Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

WHY NOT STAY OVERNIGHT IN SUPERIOR? FOR EASIEST EARLY ACCESS>

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Experience

It's the largest and oldest botanical garden in Arizona. With 392 acres, this scenic canyon treats you with:

  • Global desert collections - A wonderful place to see varied desert plants from around the world.
  • Hiking for those who are hikers - A pleasant 1.5-mile accessible is their Main Trail. But more rugged routes are available - like the High Trail.
  • Birding Day-trippers - Widely recognized as an Important Birding Paradise. 270+ species have been noted here, from hummingbirds to hawks.
  • Nature photographers - stunning views galore!
Historic building in an arboretum park.Historic Smith Building from 1926 - local rock quarry construction.

Education & Tours: Take advantage of their regular guided walks. Seasonal golf cart tours and specialized classes can also be arranged.

LOCAL TIP: Well-behaved pets are welcome! Physically controlled by leash up to 6ft/1.8m long. And clean up after them.

Takeaways for botanical Gardens Tucson

Having raised our family here, and explored the Tucson area’s green spaces for years, here’s what we’ve learned about botanical gardens in Tucson:

  • Tucson Botanical Garden (TGB) is charming, accessible, and ideal for quick visitor experiences.
  • Tohono Chul offers a deeper cultural immersion.
  • Desert Museum blends living plants with native wildlife exposure.
  • Boyce Thompson feels like stepping into an untouched magical desert. With vast canyon views and specialized world-wide desert flora.

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