Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Located in the hills of Papago Park in Phoenix Arizona is the Desert Botanical Garden. This is an amazing outdoor garden of succulents and cactus. Also as a major bonus until May 31, 2009, the garden is displaying The Nature of Glass exhibit by world renowned artist Dale Chihuly. This exhibit is placed throughout the garden and lit for nighttime views which were breathtaking. The Desert Botanical Garden has one main loop trail called the Desert Discovery Loop Trail with three major trails branching off of it:

• Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail – this is a one mile loop where you learn how the people native to the Sonoran desert utilized the plants of the desert for shelter, food and ceremonial purposes.
• Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail – this trail offers nice views of the surrounding mountain ranges as well as up close viewing of the native Sonoran Desert plants.
• Desert Wildflower Loop Trail – on this trail you will learn about the insects and hummingbirds that are attracted to the desert plants of the region and the vital role they play.

We expected to spend couple hours covering all the loop trails but ended up spending five hours during the day, including having a good lunch the Ullman Terrace. We also returned that night to see the garden and the Chihuly glass lit at night. Truly Spectacular! This is an amazing desert botanical garden most definitely worth a visit if you are in the Phoenix area. The admissions fee is $15 for adults and $13.50 for seniors. AAA will get you 10% off and using your America Express card will get you a 15% discount, and all the trails/walks are wheelchair accessible. Be sure to checkout many more pictures of the botanical garden and the Chihuly exhibit – enjoy!