The Desert Botanical Garden in Tempe, Arizona is absolutely stunning. If you are visiting Phoenix, Arizona, it is absolutely worth the trip. The end of May was very warm, so we started out at 7AM when the gardens open.

The morning was peaceful, and we heard the sounds of birds calling to each other. As we meandered through the trails of succulents and wildflowers, we felt the temperature drop in the more heavily vegetated areas. Butterflies fluttered around us and we saw several different species as they pollinated the flowers and plants. 

Trails throughout each exhibit were smooth, and wheelchair accessible. My mother-in-law had no trouble walking along the paths and several benches were strategically placed for easy rest time between sections. There were also water bottle refill stations at the restrooms which made staying hydrated easy. 

I was unsure how the kids would react to walking around a peaceful garden, but they did very well. Our son enjoyed chasing lizards and dipping his fingers into the fountains throughout the property. The children’s area was not open during our visit, but it would be worth checking out. 

Bring plenty of water and snacks if you plan a trip during the warmer months. By 9:30 it was close to 100 degrees, and we decided to end our visit.