There’s more to Arizona than boring dirt and rocks (and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise)! If you have some free time over the weekend and you’re looking for some peace, consider visiting one of these beautiful public Arizona gardens… especially in the springtime, when wildflowers abound. Spring in Arizona is amazing – come experience it to the fullest. 

1. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson

JR P/Flickr
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA
Joe Parks/Flickr
The 21-acre Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is home to a natural history museum, a zoo, and a botanical garden. Not only are the grounds beautiful but you’ll also see plenty of wildlife in the zoo and around the gardens.

2. The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Flagstaff

The Arboretum at Flagstaff/Facebook
The Arboretum at Flagstaff, 4001 S Woody Mountain Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA
James Jordan/Flickr
The Arboretum at Flagstaff houses more than 2,500 native and non-native plant species across its sprawling 200-acre property. Check it out if you’re looking to find out more about plants in Flagstaff and its surrounding communities. If you’re lucky, you may also be able to attend one of their workshops highlighting different animals native to the area, like this red-tailed hawk.

3. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior

David Crummey/Flickr
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173, USA
cobalt123/Flickr
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the largest botanical garden in the state at 323 amazing acres; it's also an amazing natural setting to help you see a wide variety of desert plants in their natural habitats.

4. Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

Bill Vriesema/Flickr
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Ed/Flickr
Perhaps the most popular garden in the state, the Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful site that highlights the unique plants we have in Arizona. The 140-acre garden is home to more than 50,000 plants and also has kid-friendly activities.

5. Japanese Friendship Garden, Phoenix

Michael & Sherry Martin/Flickr

Related Stories

15 Amazing Field Trips Every Arizonan Took As A Kid...And Should Retake Now

15 Amazing Field Trips Every Arizonan Took As A Kid...And Should Retake Now

 8 Charming River Towns In Arizona To Visit This Spring

8 Charming River Towns In Arizona To Visit This Spring

 Most People Have No Idea This Unique Park In Arizona Exists

Most People Have No Idea This Unique Park In Arizona Exists
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, 1125 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, USA
Devon Christopher Adams/Flickr
If you’re looking for a place to escape the bustle of city life, take a slow stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden. It sits on a small 3.5 acres in downtown Phoenix along the I-10 and features a tea house, waterfall, and koi garden. The garden is open from October through May. You may even make a friend!

6. Mesa Mormon Temple, Mesa

Mormon Images/Flickr
Mesa Arizona Temple, 540 E 2nd Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204, USA
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr
While the temple itself is closed to visitors, the grounds are a beautiful location perfect for a quiet walk. The Mesa Mormon Temple is also a popular visit during the winter months when they set up light displays.

7. Sharlot Hall Museum Territorial Women’s Rose Garden, Prescott

Sharlot Hall Museum/Facebook
Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301, USA
Rosa Say/Flickr
The Sharlot Hall Museum Territorial Women’s Rose Garden was created as a tribute to more than 400 women who resided within the Arizona Territory prior to statehood. In addition to the rose garden, the museum also hosts an herb garden and kitchen garden.

8. Tohono Chul Park, Tucson

JR P/Flickr
Tohono Chul | Gardens, Galleries, and Bistro, 7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
JR P/Flickr
Sitting on a small 49 acres, Tohono Chul Park is dedicated to helping people connect with Arizona's nature, culture, and art.

9. Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson

Tucson Botanical Gardens/Facebook
Tucson Botanical Gardens, North Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, USA
bruce_fulton/Flickr
The five-acre Tucson Botanical Gardens used to be an estate and is actually a collection of several different gardens that form a peaceful location to relax.

What other Arizona gardens do you enjoy visiting? Tell us in the comments – we love hearing about your favorite places! Visiting and need a place to stay? Check out all the awesome offerings from our friends at Booking.com. 

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Arizona Gardens

Tori Jane | March 11, 2024

What are some truly amazing Arizona gardens to explore?  

Arizona is known first and foremost as a desert – some might even call it a desert wasteland if they don’t know any better (rude!). But this couldn’t be further from the truth; Arizona has an assortment of absolutely amazing landscapes, and all the most beautiful gardens to match. Some must-see Arizona gardens are ones like:  

  • The Phoenix Botanical Garden – This is Phoenix’s world-famous botanical garden, featuring 140 amazing acres of native desert plants... plus a few more for luck.  
  • Tucson Botanical Gardens – Watch hummingbirds, quail, and lots of other critters living among one of the best gardens in the Copper State.  
  • Boyce Thompson Arboretum – This one is incredible for so many reasons! Featuring native desert plants along with other assorted plants and biomes from other continents, you’ll learn a lot without even realizing you’re learning. It’s also the largest – and oldest – botanical garden in the state.  

Learn more about the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.   

Where are the biggest botanical gardens in Arizona?  

The largest botanical garden in Arizona is at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum; next up, the Phoenix Botanical Garden is 55 beautiful acres worth exploring. But don’t get us wrong – even the smallest of gardens in Arizona are worthy of a visit. It takes a special kind of love and care to cultivate any kind of garden in the Sonoran Desert, which just makes us appreciate our gardens all the more. Learn more about Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ. 

What are some of the most beautiful gardens in AZ?  

Naturally, the list of amazing gardens doesn’t end with the ones mentioned below. Heavens, no – there are dozens of beautiful gardens in AZ to explore. There are enough that you might just never get bored again! Some of these notably stunning Arizona gardens are:  

  • The Phoenix Japanese Friendship Garden – Okay, this might be THE most beautiful garden in the state. It’s jaw-dropping.  
  • The Rose Garden at MCC – Hidden at Mesa Community College is one of the most amazing rose gardens in Arizona... if not the entire Southwest.  
  • The Arboretum at Flagstaff – With a stunning mountain backdrop and so many plants and critters to learn about, this arboretum is a state fave for a reason.  

Learn more about the Arboretum at Flagstaff.  

Related Articles

Explore Arizona