Tempe

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Desert Botanical Garden
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Arizona Sun Corridor

Desert Botanical Garden

4.7
4.3/5
37 reviews
Desert Botanical Garden is a themed botanical garden focused on the display and conservation of desert plants, spanning approx. 140 acres, featuring over 50,000 plants from global desert habitats, covering more than 4,000 taxa, including hundreds of rare or endangered species. The garden's history dates back to the 1930s, established through the efforts of local plant conservation advocates, and officially opened at its current site in 1939, with the original intention of changing the prejudice that the Sonoran Desert was a barren wasteland. The Webster Auditorium, built in the same year, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour route is structured around five themed trails: the Desert Discovery Trail focuses on iconic plants such as saguaro cacti and agave; the "Sonoran Desert People and Plants" trail connects indigenous culture with the history of desert plants; the Wildflower Loop Trail presents rare, vibrant colors in the desert during the spring blooming season; there are also the Center for Desert Living Trail, which focuses on more sustainable gardening, and the Nature Loop Trail, which offers views overlooking the Papago Buttes. Nearly 1,000 saguaro cacti are scattered throughout the garden, some reaching heights of over 10m, with upright forms, making them the most recognizable plant view in the Sonoran Desert and a long-term focus of the garden's conservation efforts.Phoenix · 4 km from Tempe

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Featured Day tours in Tempe

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Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour - 2 Hours
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4.9/5
· 33 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
33 consecutive positive reviews
FromSAR 334.01
Mesa: Kayak/Paddleboard Experience on the Scenic Salt River
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 132.52SAR 139.5
Sonoran Desert: Sunset Jeep Tour with Tonto National Forest
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 678.29SAR 713.99
Scottsdale: Sonoran Desert to MountainTop Jeep Tour
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5.0/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 624.72SAR 657.61
From Cottonwood: Guided Kayaking Tour on the Verde River
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5.0/5
· 45 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
45 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 369.48SAR 388.93
From Cottonwood: 2-Hour Water to Wine Kayak Tour
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4.6/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 594.22SAR 625.5
Scottsdale: Tonto National Forest Off-Road H1 Hummer Tour
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Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 928.15SAR 977

Featured Outdoor & sports in Tempe

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3-Hour UTV and Shooting Combo
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4.8/5
· 32 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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32 consecutive positive reviews
FromSAR 991.97
Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV - Centipede Tour
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4.8/5
· 1.4k reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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49 consecutive positive reviews
FromSAR 533.74
Amazing 2-Hour Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona
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5.0/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
FromSAR 790.74
Scottsdale Desert Classic Guided Hiking Adventure
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4.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromSAR 851.54

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Tempe Today's weatherCloudy 16-28℃
Tempe weather for the next 2 days10/31: 15-22℃, 11/1: 18-27℃

What travelers say about Tempe

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Haque SahebSeptember 26, 2026
5.0
Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful place where the unique charm of the desert comes alive. The incredible collection of cacti, colorful desert flowers, and native plants creates a peaceful and fascinating atmosphere. Walking along the scenic trails feels like discovering a completely different side of nature, with stunning mountain views adding to the experience. The garden is especially magical during golden hour when the warm sunlight highlights the plants and surrounding landscape. It is a wonderful destination for photography, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a relaxing escape. Would you love to explore this beautiful desert garden on your next trip?

Desert Botanical Garden

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PINGPINGPING1013August 30, 2022
5.0
I went to unlock it with my family today. I was so immersed in it that I didn’t have time to take pictures. It was very fun.

Papago Park

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non.of.yoursJuly 11, 2023
5.0
Phoenix Zoo is located in Tempe Arizona and it is by far one of the best zoos I have been to. There are many attractions to the zoo like the wildlife. Phoenix Zoo has places like sea life walk where you can go see the sea life. The have a trail called Desert trail where you can see all the desert animals. they also have an area where you can see all the flowers in Arizona. they have a kid's land for just the kids they have a water park for the kids the animals that you see are mainly ones that you would see in a safari because it is a desert. Arizona You Don't See Much of like polar bears. it's a great little Zoo it's not too big not too little and I highly suggest if you're going to go to the Phoenix Zoo do not go in the summer I would plan to come in the winter where is more nice not so hot and you'll see a lot more animals than if you were to come in the summer it is 120° here in Arizona during the summer and in the winter it gets up to about 70° during the day so be a perfect time to come in the Winter.

Phoenix Zoo

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小鱼儿2015February 22, 2020
4.0
Chase Field is a baseball club venue. Some of the facilities here are quite interesting. It is a good choice for baseball culture and sports. It is also a good choice to come to this stadium for fun. There are also many supporting facilities around it.

Chase Field

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M30***41March 2, 2021
4.0
This place is amazing not what you would expect to find in the middle of phoenix . it felt like the outback of australia .

Hole in the Rock

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fun tripOctober 23, 2023
4.0
we all went as a family and enjoyed it my nephew had a blast and we also did the dinosaur event

OdySea Aquarium

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Tempe?

Don't miss these attractions in Tempe: Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park, and Phoenix Zoo. If you like Day tours, try Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour - 2 Hours. If you enjoy Outdoor & sports, try 3-Hour UTV and Shooting Combo.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour - 2 Hours, Mesa: Kayak/Paddleboard Experience on the Scenic Salt River, and Sonoran Desert: Sunset Jeep Tour with Tonto National Forest. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of October 30, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Tempe is around SAR 132.52 – SAR 928.15. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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