Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

  
The admission price is only $7.50 per person and any guided tours that you want to go on are included in that price. The Arboretum was founded in the 1920's. It is Arizona's oldest botanical garden and it sits on 323 acres. They have a self guided tour which is a walk of about 1.5 miles. Some of it is hilly but none of it is difficult. They say to allow 2 hours but I think that three is more reasonable.  Everything is well maintained and if you see plants that you like many are for sale at the visitor entrance. October is when they have their big plant sale. It was in October that I got Ben. Ben is a tree that I bought there that was only about 3 inches high. Now he is over 6.5 feet.

They have a lot of programs such as a dragon fly tour, plants of the Bible tour, butterfly walk and others. I think that you get more out of the self directed walk though because it is important in a place like this to be able to go at your own pace. So while the guides do a great job, I am not recommending them. I also recommending going in cooler weather as it can be a very hot walk. If you can't pick your season then be sure to go early in the day.

They have plants from many dry climates around the world, such as South America, Africa, Asia, Australia,the Mediterranean, but most of all, from my beloved Arizona.