Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona

Desert Botanical Garden is a garden, hiking trails and a museum all rolled up into one exquisite package. Locals and visitors alike flock to the garden all year long to enjoy and learn about the unique plants and trees of deserts around the world.

The Garden is a favorite destination of mine, because it so beautifully showcases the unique flora of the desert. If you haven't been to Desert Botanical Garden before, here are a few tips to read before you jump into the vehicle and head down the road.

Twice each year the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion at Desert Botanical Garden is the place where young and old alike can walk among the butterflies and learn their story. Take lots of pictures, but no touching the butterflies, please!

Spring in the desert means that wildflowers bloom. You can drive all over the county searching for fields of color, or you can come to the garden and enjoy them here.

If you are looking for that gift for yourself or for someone else that simply oozes "Arizona" you are sure to find something at the gift shop here. They also sell cacti and plants.

I have photo galleries of the Wildflower Trail, the Butterfly Pavilion and holiday events, but this is a picture gallery of the garden, in general. These photos were taken at various times of the year.

Here are some hotels and motels in the central and northern part of the City of Phoenix that are convenient to the Desert Botanical Garden. If you want to be closer to Downtown Phoenix, try these. If you'd rather be closer to Downtown Scottsdale, try these. Papago Park, where the Garden is located, is right in the center of these three areas.

Most people drive to Desert Botanical Garden. Parking is free. Here's how you get there.

When the holidays come around, one of the most popular tickets -- yes, they do sell out -- is Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden. The cool winter evenings are transformed by luminarias placed along the walking paths while patrons enjoy music, food and beverages. It's a sophisticated, beautiful holiday experience.

Even if the special exhibit is over, you'll enjoy these photos of the unusual outdoor installation of Chihuly glass art that graced the Garden, capturing the spirit of the terrain and the desert plants.