Tucson has its own tiny oasis hidden between busy streets on Alvernon Way before Grant Road. The Tucson Botanical Gardens takes you on an adventure to different parts of the world with their collection of plants and gardens.
TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS
Location: 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Your last chance to get into the gardens is at 3:30 p.m. when the Gift Shop & Admissions Desk closes.
Prices:
• June to September (summer season): $9 for adults, $8 for students, seniors & military (with ID), $5 for children (4-17) and members/children under 3 are free.
• October to May (during the opening of Butterfly Magic): $13 for adults, $12 for students, seniors & military (with ID), $7.50 for children (4-17) and members/children under 3 are free.
Parking: There is plenty of parking near the entrance of the gardens.
Check out the gardens map here.
5 REASONS TO GO
1. The gift shop is amazing
It's where you buy your tickets and the first place you see when you enter the gardens. You'll want to buy everything in sight.
2. It's relaxing af
You'll see "relaxing" mentioned multiple times because the gardens totally are. Go if you're stressed out, need some alone time or just really like nature. There's a zen garden available if you're about to pull your hair out. You'll leave looking like this:💆
3. There are plenty of things to see and touch
The sensory gardens are magical. Touch, see, hear it all.
4. It's filled with bugs
This is a good thing. Come October, you'll be able to surround yourself with butterfly magic.
5. It's bringing you Frida
Later this year and into next there will be events, exhibits and activities that honor and celebrate Frida Kahlo and her work. If you're a fan, go. If you're not a fan, go. This is a big deal for the Botanical Gardens (see information below).
INSIDER SECRETS
Don't wear perfume
Only spritz up if you want to get attacked by bugs.
Summer is the best time because deals
The only bummer about summer is no butterfly magic but it is the best time for bringing your dog along for an adventure, Twilight Thursdays and Al Fresco Fridays, and early bird weekends.
Stand still for butterflies
This isn't a secret but if you want a butterfly to land on you, you have to be gentle and still. You'll get a rad photo out of it, too. Butterfly Magic opens back up in October and lasts until May.
Doesn't this photo make you feel relaxed?
You'll have to do more to keep your kid interested
The sights are beautiful and the experience is calming but the gardens will probably only hold them off for an hour. If you're bringing kids, we suggest checking out the prehistoric garden, sensory patios and Thornville Garden Railway and avoid the cactus and succulent garden (I'm sure you can imagine why). Come up with a game if you've already gone through the gardens once and seen all the sights.
Do all your gift shop shopping at the end of the visit
This is hard because the gift shop is the first thing you see but don't actually buy anything until you're done exploring.
Looking for zen? Go to the gardens in the morning
It's so quiet and will remind you to enjoy the little things in life like smelling the flowers.
Tours are worth it
At the Tucson Botanical Gardens, someone will walk you around the gardens to help you familiarize yourself. Sounds better than walking around aimlessly trying to read all the signs — unless you'd rather walk it on your own. Oh and they're included in the admission so it's an added bonus.
There are classes but it's extra
Every now and again the gardens host classes and programs from yoga to learning how to make fermented sodas. These are usually extra, check out the full list of classes here. Some really are worth the money and time.
Be respectful but have fun
The Tucson Botanical Gardens wants you to remember to stay on the paths, not pick the plants and other stuff for your safety and the safety of others. Check out the full list of rules here.
MAKE IT INSTA-WORTHY
• Any video or photo of cool-looking bugs will guarantee likes
• Stand near the dinosaur at the prehistoric garden
• Pose with the huge butterfly just outside of the gift shop
• Take a photo of any plant, they're all beautiful
WHERE TO FIND FOOD
Tucson Botanical Gardens food options
There are plenty of fast food options in the area for before or after your visit but consider trying Café Botanica. Brunch, lunch or dine because the food is as delicious as it is colorful. The Café also uses local products, which is awesome. The only bummer is having to pay for admission on top of visiting the Café but that means you can eat and enjoy a stroll after. Sounds like the perfect combo for a date.
- Read more about Café Botanica here.
It's open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go for drinks and deserts from 2 to 3 p.m.
Call (520) 884-5033 or (520) 326-9686 (ext. 37) to make a reservation.
Other food options
If you're looking for something fast, there's a Burger King, Eegees and Little Caesar's around the corner. Or maybe you're looking for table service, there's a Casa Molina on Grant Road.
EVENTS COMING UP
Frida Kahlo is coming to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. You read that right, Frida FREAKING Kahlo. Her influence and genius will be celebrated while you try to find zen with events, exhibits and activities between October 10, 2016 and May 21, 2017. Check out the full list of happenings on the Botanical Gardens website.
What: Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden Life
When: October 10, 2016 through May 21, 2017
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens
Cost: Prices vary
Christmas spirit also comes to life at the Tucson Botanical Gardens with luminarias, music and decorations. Information about registration is not available yet.
What: Luminaria Nights
When: Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 11, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens
CONSIDER THE MEMBERSHIP ...
Being indecisive just got harder with the Tucson Botanical Gardens membership options. They offer seven different membership options with prices ranging from $40 to $1000.
Benefits change with each specific membership but there are a few things that stay the same with each.
Here's what you'll get:
• Free admission to the gardens, including Butterfly Magic and most exhibits
• 10 percent off gift shop and plant sale items
• Gift shop coupons and specials
• Discounts on lectures, classes and events
• Subscription to membership newsletter, e-bulletin and Better Homes and Gardens Magazine (oooh magazine subscription)
Check out the full list of benefits here.
Let's break down the memberships to better decide if it's worth it.
Student/Senior Membership ($40) includes one card per student or senior (62+) with ID to get into the gardens and two one-time guest passes.
Garden Friend ($50) includes two cards for two adults and two one-time guest passes.
Family Membership ($60) includes two cards for two adults and any children in the household under 18 and two one-time guest passes.
Cholla Membership ($100) includes two cards for two adults and any children in the household under 18, four one-time guest passes, a complimentary native wildflower seed packet and recognition in the Tucson Botanical Gardens annual report.
Agave Membership ($250) includes two cards for two adults and any children in the household under 18, four one-time guest passes, two Luminaria Nights tickets, one free Signature class, 10 percent off facility rentals, a complimentary native wildflower seed packet, recognition in the Tucson Botanical Gardens annual report and 10 percent off additional guest passes.
Ocotillo Membership ($500) includes two cards for two adults and any children in the household under 18, four one-time guest passes, four Luminaria Nights tickets, a private tour four eight people of Butterfly Magic, one free Signature class, 15 percent off facility rentals, a complimentary native wildflower seed packet, recognition in the Tucson Botanical Gardens annual report and 25 percent off additional guest passes.
Saguaro Membership ($1000) includes two cards for two adults and any children in the household under 18, four one-time guest passes, six Luminaria Nights tickets, a private tour four eight people of Butterfly Magic, one free Signature class, 20 percent off facility rentals, a complimentary native wildflower seed packet, recognition in the Tucson Botanical Gardens annual report and 50 percent off additional guest passes.
Worth it? Yes!
So, like most things, the more you pay equals the more you get. A family of four only has to go to the Tucson Botanical Gardens two times starting in October to make the Family Membership and the Cholla Membership worth it. Sounds pretty good and that means you'll get all the perks like not having to pay to get in to go to dinner at the Café.
