When the National Weather Service predicts unseasonably warm weather in February, you grab your adventure cards and scratch off an outdoor destination. After all, the summers in Phoenix are just too hot to be outside. This time, our card directed us to the Desert Botanical Garden.
With the sun shining brightly, we headed to Papago Park and turned into the large (and free!) parking lot, somehow snagging a partially shaded spot close to the entrance. We were a little surprised by the crowds, but with the weather, it was to be expected. We sauntered across the bridge at the entrance and made our way to the payment window.
From there, map in hand, we strolled and chatted along three of the five garden loops. Wildflowers bloom this time of year, so we hit the Desert Wildflower Trail first.
Next up: the Desert Discovery Trail. This is the main trail at the garden offering three off-shoot loops. It was quiet and peaceful despite the crowds and we never had to jockey for an incredible view. The plants were well-labeled, giving us a chance to learn a little and be surprised at how many varieties of Cholla there are (among others).
We call the Sonoran Desert home, so when we came upon the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail, we were excited to take in the sights. We wandered into an O’odham structure built by local tribe members, marveled at the outdoor kitchen and popped into the shade of the ramada.
As we turned a corner near the oasis we spotted a great white egret hanging out along the path near the swamp-like pond.
We’d planned ahead and made a reservation at the Gertrude’s by Tarbell restaurant inside the front entrance for a late lunch. Our timing worked out perfectly as we meandered along the final section of trail and took the charming hostess up on her offer of a partially shaded outdoor table. Our waitress suggested we pair our cocktails with the crispy nopales from the desert with molé. WOW! What a surprise. The edible, flat pads of the prickly pear cactus were lightly breaded and surprisingly sweet. They were the perfect starter. With an entree menu featuring desert botanicals, it was tough to choose, but we settled on the beef tips with polenta and roasted cheese and the Green chili pork with Anaheim peppers and polenta cakes. A couple of curated cocktails made the lunch complete!
We wrapped up our visit and headed back to the car reflecting on the perfection of our visit. The garden paths are filled with desert trees that provide plenty of in-and-out shady spots. We took a moment to test out one of the many benches along the trails. Water fountains offer frequent icy cold, refreshing breaks. The trails are flat and easy for those with mobility issues (most of the visitors we saw on this weekday were retirees). It’s truly one of those places that everyone can enjoy.
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Sometimes the best surprises are close to home.
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