Originally founded in 1964, the Tucson Botanical Gardens is a historic property in mid-town Tucson.
Located on the site of the Porter property, the Canadian Garden Council named the Tucson Botanical Gardens as one of the “Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Travelling For.”
Distinctive features include: mature trees, expertly cultivated foliage, specialty gardens, and a magical butterfly exhibit that’s home to over 400 butterflies from 11 countries.
Tucson Botanical Gardens is located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way (near Grant) in Central Tucson.
Tucson Botanical Gardens is open 7 days a week, year round - except 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year’s Day.
Hours are seasonal so be sure to check the TBG website for the current hours.
Yes. There are a variety of membership options available. Depending on the number of times you plan to visit and/or the number of children in your family, a membership can definitely be the most affordable option.
For example, the cost for a family of four to visit the garden once is $46. The cost of a family membership is $70 - which offers you free admission to the gardens for two adults and up to four children under the age of 18 for the entire year!
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
*Students, Seniors, & Military receive a $5 discount on the above memberships.
Premium Memberships are also available:
Cholla - $100
Agave - $250
Ocotillo - $500
Saguaro - $1000
Wear sunglasses, a hat, and lightweight/breathable clothing. Bring along a sweatshirt or jacket if you’re visiting in the winter.
Sun safety is encouraged. Prepare for a perfect day at the gardens with a hat, drinking water, snacks, and sunscreen.
Yes.
October thru April are ideal because the temperatures tend to be more moderate than in the summer months. That said, summer visits can also be fun if you watch the weather and plan your visit accordingly.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays tend to be most crowded; Tuesdays tend to be least crowded.
Early mornings offer the advantage of being quieter/cooler, but anytime of day can be nice depending on the weather.
You may see hummingbirds, cardinals, quail, butterflies, olive trees, dwarf citrus trees, bearded iris, wildflowers, and cacti at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Tucson Botanical Gardens only allows service dogs with the exception of the summer months, June through September. During ONLY those months, TBG hosts the “Dog Days of Summer” where people are invited to bring their dogs to the Gardens. You can even purchase your dog a membership for the months of June through September and they will receive a cute dog tag.
Yes. There is a small area in the Children's Discovery Garden with kid-sized tables, plus a few shaded tables outside Café Botanica.
Edna's Eatery was inspired by Edna Johnson – housekeeper, friend, nanny, and gardener to the Gardens’ founders, the Porter family.
Hours for Edna's Eatery are 8:30am to 3:00pm seven days a week. Be sure to call or check the website to confirm as the hours are seasonal.
You must pay Gardens admission or be a current member of the Tucson Botanical Gardens in order to dine at Edna's Eatery.
The gardens are centrally located so there are plentiful dining options nearby. Our top picks within a 2-mile radius include:
All ages! Toddlers through adults will enjoy meandering the gardens.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens grounds, buildings, and most trails are stroller-accessible and wheelchair-accessible. A stroller is a good idea for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
No. That said, there are benches throughout the grounds.
No.
Yes.
Yes. Tucson Botanical Gardens can accommodate both weddings and receptions.
Catering is provided exclusively by Westward Look Resort, but you may bring in your own wedding cake.
Yes! You may follow Tucson Botanical Gardens on Facebook and Instagram.
That just about covers it. Have a great time!
