Our first time here. We paid 40 for two nonmembers. We were able to see the museum and do a 1 mile hike. Very cute place to learn some history. Beautiful scenery. They offer booking for private events as well. Beware of rattlesnakes. Stay hydrated. read more

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Really boring, overpriced place for rich tourists to drink wine and feel like they did something "Tucson-y". You can literally park in any neighborhood and take a walk on a path and see all the same things, in the "authentic Tucson wild". Kids museum was all right for indoor kids who have helicopter parents or mall lives, the locals will probably be bored to death after 30 min, like ours were! read more

Tohono Chul - Kids not impressed. - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This was my first visit to Tohono Chul Gardens, and it was so beautiful! I attended an author event, and the space was lovely. It was a little warm since it's outdoors, but it was also very well organized. The mural on the wall inside the venue space is amazing! I definitely would like to go back and check out more of the grounds because after the event, it was dark, and we couldn't really see anything. read more

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I absolutely love this beautiful place. Especially enjoy coming here on Sunday's at 1:30 pm for their concert series read more

Tohono Chul - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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We love the Chul. Out of the gardens and other museums in town this is my favorite spot to get a taste of Tucson and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. read more

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A truly delightful site. BRING WATER AND WEAR A HAT! The walking trails are well-maintained. Listen to the sweet sounds of Hummingbirds and owls as butterflies float by. LOVED THIS PLACE! Hope I've captured the essence of Tohono Chul in my pictures. Five Stars. read more

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The staff was grumpy and the burger was dry. Fries were amazing, though. Amazing that half their tables are outside without even misters. Won't go back. read more

The place is great afternoon getaway! It has gorgeous gardens, galleries and today a ceramic show. They have a garden bistro so if you're hungry after taking in all the views, can enjoy a nice brunch or lunch. The gardens have meandering paths that you can get lost in. The Arizona landscapes are stunning and there are some really cool architectural elements as well. I'd love to come back at night as there were massive cactus with Christmas lights wrapped around them. I bet it would look beautiful in the dark! read more

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I'm sorry, I really wanted this to be a good experience but I was so entirely disappointed in this botanical garden. The desert plants were all dead or dying, very unkempt garden. I mean ALL! It's not like we've experienced excessive dryness lately. The desert is more alive and beautiful in the wash area behind my home than this place. It's Just sad. I paid the entry fee for me and a friend visiting from another state and feel like I wanted to ask for a refund. I was almost embarrassed at this representation of our Sonoran desert. Save your money. Fix this place, it's not right read more

Very nice gardens. Docents are friendly and knowledgeable. Really enjoyed our tour. read more

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What an incredible botanical garden! And what a tribute to the legacy of the founders and the wonderful Garden club volunteers and staff that keep up this beautiful place. We so enjoyed our visit. So impressive was the number and range of the exhibits. The beautiful southwestern plants and flowers were such a treat on our visit. Highly highly recommend. read more

Tohono Cho has become my daughter's favorite place to spend time at least during the cooler months. We take our toddler anywhere from 2 to 3 times a week to walk the property and play at the Childrens Museum area. The Childrens Museum area generally is pretty good and the volunteers and staff Host some fun activities that adults and the children can partake in. And the volunteers at the park in general are super sweet and helpful, there's one in particular, Fran, whom my daughter really enjoys the grounds are just really natural and peaceful. It's a great place to get some sunshine and nature. read more

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Beautiful grounds with something for everyone. There are benches, a children's reading/play area, an adorable gift shop, and lots of plants to learn about. My mom and I came on a Friday night with live music and and art gallery on show. We both thought the staff/volunteers were incredibly kind and the variety of exhibits was really perfect for us. It was easy to find on maps, had a large parking lot, and clean restrooms. Everything you could ask for in my opinion! I will definitely be back next time I'm in Tucson. read more

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This place is delicious and beautiful, the service was great and I was impressed by the food! 10/10 experience!

A Tucson hidden gem! Check this place out especially when the weather is nice! Very serene park read more

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Fun fact: Tohono Chul means desert corner in O'odham. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Tohono Chul. As Desert Botanical Garden members, we got free admission to this botanical garden since it is a member of the American Horticultural Society/AHS. We went during Memorial Day weekend in the late morning. The high was around 90 that day and as we walked around it did get a bit warm but in the shade it felt fine. The lovely guide at the front (Thanks Carol!) showed me the best paths to take that were shaded to eventually get to the children's area in the far end of the park. I was also interested in the tortoises here (They have a few resident desert tortoises) and there are a few in areas that aren't labeled on the map. The children's area is in the back area of the park and there are easily seen signs that direct you to the right way to get there. We had a nice walk through the park to the children's area and saw multiple lizards, butterflies, lovely flowers, a ground squirrel and I spied a cardinal when we got to our destination! This is probably a cool place to do birdwatching due to all the variety of plant and animal life here. The children's area is pretty cool, with a lot of outdoor activities and a smaller indoor component that has all the most popular activities from other children's museums I've seen. There's a scarf tunnel, pretend grocery store area, Lite Brite table, mini slide and wooden road building area. There are lots of books available for reading too both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor activities include clay sculpting, a water pump, a climbable tractor, fairy garden and a lot of sit n spins just to name a few. It was also cool to go to the greenhouse area to see all the different plants available for sale. There are so many varieties here and most of them are plants that you will see at the park so if there's one that you like on your trip here, chances are you'll be able to buy the same type of plant at the greenhouse. Details (as of 5-2024): - AHS reciprocal admission member - Children's Museum is included in admission - Children under 5 free admission - Free admission for active-duty military & their families from May 18 - September 2 - Art gallery and bistro also on site read more

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Tohono Chul is one of my absolute favorite places to unwind and relax in Tucson. Not only is it a great place to appreciate the nature of Tucson, it also has exciting opportunities for all ages. They have a partnership with the Oro Valley Children's Museum so there's a huge area in the back specifically designed for your kiddos. There are multiple walking trails, water features, statues, and scenery to explore! I highly recommend planning on about an hour if you're walking quickly but plan on a bit more in case you want to enjoy at a more leisurely pace. read more

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We love Tohono Chul so much that we became members! I love the welcoming atmosphere and the best part (for my family) is the Children's Museum within it. They have story time and a corresponding craft every day that they're open. They have an indoor area with plenty of activities, an outdoor nook, a Little Free Library, a water play area (my kids love this spot), and more! Parking is close by and its so peaceful. read more

Nice and relaxing garden with some nice variation and trails. It's bigger than I expected as you can walk behind the buildings with some decent length trails in the back. It took me several visits to figure out that I could walk back there. I haven't tried the restaurant but it seems popular. Saying that I feel like they've missed out on an opportunity to serve coffee and tea in the garden. I'd definitely stop by more often to get a drink and read a book if they had a coffee shop on the premises. read more

We are members and attend several events per year. We also take out-of-town guests here so they can experience part of the Sonoran Desert. Some of our favorite events are Chillin' at the Chul in the summer, Chiles/Chocolate/Day of the Dead in the Fall, and Holiday Nights. All of the gardens are lovely, and the website includes plant lists if you're local and want to replicate it. The exhibition gallery is not to be missed, with some permanent and special exhibits. It's a lovely cool spot in the hot summer months. The Bistro has its own Yelp entry, but the outdoor seating puts you in the midst of a wonderful garden...often with hummingbirds and butterflies entertaining you. Tohono Chul is a lovely oasis in town. Check it out. read more

Tohono Chul - Chiles, Chocolate, and Day of the Dead 2023 - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I was here lots of times when I would give it a 5. But today, only a 2. And that is generous. Normally I very much enjoy the zen quiet of the garden. Well, none of that today. The atmosphere was like a feverish activity setting up for a rummage sale. What I did learn is that Dec 6 to Jan 4, they are having a Merry Market. This is in the evenings, but the hubbub is all day. To add to it, there was a lady supervising some workers who were sledge hammering concrete. And she was screaming at the top of her lungs the whole time. Plus, a lot of the place was closed off. So I thought that at least I would have a nice lunch at the garden bistro. No such luck. If you want a table, that will be a half hour wait. Not much fun... my Plan B was fine : lunch at Wildflower. Set my recommendation would be, before you go to the garden, call them up and make sure that they are not having any special activities. Unless of course, you thrive on chaos. In which case it will all be fine. read more

Never heard of Tohono Chul until very recently, but one visit is all it took to become a fan of this above any other botanical garden in the state. Art installations, live music, a greenhouse with plants for sale, and some quick bites make this a fun and stress-free date. We're in spooky season, so when I went I got to check out their glowing pumpkin exhibit throughout the park. Strolling through the winding path is so relaxing, even if you have to look out for lizards and snakes lurking around (this is real nature!). Then I had a green chili quesadilla from the snack bar--came out fast and is actually really satisfying! There are also tacos and Sonoran dogs (I had a bite--I hate hot dogs but this was actually good) and some basic alcoholic beverages. It would be an opportunity for some higher end dining, but they opted for an affordable snack bar instead. It does not take away from the experience. Before leaving, I checked out what they had for sale in the greenhouse. These plants were less expensive than going to a place like Home Depot's garden section. My mind was blown! I already have a couple succulents, but I'm kicking myself for not purchasing another. I sure will on my next visit! Overall, this is a great place to admire and celebrate the Sonoran Desert's biodiversity. But even if you don't care too much about plants, it's a chill spot with plenty of entertainment. I really recommend making this a date night! read more

Tohono Chul - The fall exhibit--glowing pumpkins! - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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The ambience of the garden and great food make this place very special! Service has gone downhill a little. Hopefully that will change. Their Prickly Pear drink is one of my favorites. read more

Beautiful well maintained garden. We went to the Monsoon Madness sale and it was wonderful as always. I was finally able to snatch an "Old man cactus" for $15! Great place to take visitors. read more

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Nice garden. I enjoyed walking around and seeing the plants and finding cute hummingbirds and other birds and cool insects in and on the plants! Nice layout! I'd be a regular if I lived nearby. read more

Our favorite time to visit is during their Fri-Sat monsoon sales event every July. Dozens of private vendors bring hundreds of desert plants to sell. It's kind of like a huge yard sale spread out over the grounds of the park. Tons of "baby" versions of every succulent and cactus imaginable with quite a few medium and large versions too. Prices are reasonable and range from $5 (pic) to $100+ for the larger/exotics. Lots of people attend this well organized event. One of the coolest things is that the park provides wheelbarrows to help customers transport their larger cactus/loads to their car. Bring sunscreen and umbrella... we've been caught in a downpour there before! Parking is easy/free in the park's large, meandering lot. read more

Tohono Chul - A vendor's table during monsoon madness wknd 7/2023 - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We enjoyed this place very much. It's part botanical garden, part plant nursery and has a very nice little restaurant in the original courtyard home on this site. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was excellent. read more

A group of 4 seniors enjoyed brunch at the Bistro and then toured the gardens. A wonderful February outing! The Bistro service was very slow. We were on a wait list that took over 45 minutes to be seated. (Only seating available indoors today.) The wait getting our food after it was ordered took longer than expected. But the food was well worth the wait! Very attractive presentations and delicious! The gardens were delightful! Very nice landscape architectural design! Very nice mature plants, clean/ well groomed with attractive art sculptures throughout. There were two interesting and well stocked gift shops and one store with plants. Pleasant staff. We enjoyed the art gallery with a special art exhibit about the US / Mexican boarder read more

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This is a really nice park in the 'middle' of town, you can't even tell that you're located right next to Ina Rd. The staff is helpful/informative and although we didn't dine at the cafè, it looks like you could have a nice, tranquil type of meal here. I imagine their special events are equally great since the environment is so pretty. The staff was taking down the remaining Halloween decorations to prep for the next holiday. A lot of paths were lit with twinkle lights, so it probably looks kind of magical at night, no matter what holiday it is. I loved the water features they had and the butterfly garden/section the most - there was a good amount of monarchs flying around. The only problem I had was navigating the map and or following the path markers. It's likely a me problem, but it took me a couple of passes just to find the turtle habitat and even then I needed to ask for directions. Oh well. Tohona Chul is a nice little oasis to come and walk around and/or have a meal. read more

I walked around Tohono Chul this weekend and the wild flowers were incredible! Great time of year to visit to see all the desert vegetation. Staff was super friendly and even taught us about the saguaro boots that woodpeckers make in saguaros. read more

Tohono Chul - Wild flowers - Museums Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Bloom night! Great entertainment, aside from the Queen of the Night blooms on full display that night. Beautiful interactive music from Celia and Michael Jose. The Ocean Drum was a hit with everyone who heard it and tried it. Soothing flute set the mood during the monsoon storm and the epic showdown between a tarantula and tarantula hawk! read more

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Beautiful botanical garden, however it was the wrong time of year for me to visit. What can you do....sometimes it's just like that. I am a member at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix which allows for reciprocal admissions to various gardens across the country. I was traveling to Tucson for the day with some time to kill and decided to check this place out. It's mid-July at the time of this review. Which means it's just way too hot to do anything outside right now. However it was still very nice there and I could imagine how lovely it would be to spend some time in the garden (the rest of the year). Pros: - free entry for me :) Due to the reciprocal admissions program. - beautiful grounds - friendly staff - cute restaurant - enjoyed a refreshing cocktail in the garden bistro Cons: - Arizona heat lol read more

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Tohono Chul always has fun themed events to celebrate the season and culture of Tucson. Attended the Chilis, Chocolate and Day of the Dead festival. The garden by itself is delightful and includes a art gallery with ever changing pieces. This time it included Oftendas, local art and pumpkin art. read more

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We went to theGlowing Pumpkin exhibit here last weekend. Naively, I thought they'd all be real pumpkins! In spite of the fact that they weren't, it was a great exhibit. A well-defined path led you to a huge variety of lit pumpkin creations. They also had live music for a couple of hours and a gift shop midway through. It looked like they had a few snacks for purchase as well. It would be great to take your kids to. Our only negative experience was trying to find a parking spot. read more

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This is a very special place. Beautiful, peaceful grounds...you wouldn't know that you're in a bustling city. I enjoyed coffee and an endive salad at the shaded bistro. I didn't even know I liked endive before this. ;-) read more

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Beautiful planted native gardens and plenty of meandering walking paths provided a nice outdoor experience while learning about the native desert plants and creatures.The guides are helpful and informative and time passes quickly when surrounded by all the natural beauty. read more

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Never met a park i didn't love and Tohono is no different. I loved the history and how it morphed into a private, foundation run park. The park is well kept, well managed, and very well programmed. We look forward to many future visits Admission is $13 per person for seniors but you don't need to pay if you are going to the dining room. read more

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The garden is always a delight to visit with many different desert bioms to walk through, plus garden art and a very nice exhibit of the geology of southern Arizona organized by the timeline of formation. There are many places to sit and visit with your friends or just enjoy the garden, including a riparian area that is shady and cool. Do visit the art gallery and gift shop with local artisan works for sale in a museum like atmosphere. Try to come in the spring especially in March when the flowers are in bloom. read more

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A great place to experience the different flora of the Sonoran Desert. Great for families and they have a great section for the kids. This is primarily an outdoor venue so be prepared for whatever weather is expected that day. Good for leisurely walks through desert trails. read more

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Tohono Chul is a charming desert garden/park that's kind of tucked away. During Covid times, you need to make a timed reservation so that they're able to limit capacity. I believe that the garden cafe/restaurant is currently closed but that may change as things evolve. The park is relatively small, but you wouldn't really know that as it's full of winding trails and well tucked back from any major street. There are plenty of places to sit and rest and a few "gathering areas" that would be great for events in normal times. You'll see some local desert themed art too. I really liked the natural gardens, with dedicated areas for "waterless" and "saguaro" plantings (among others). You can wander and admire the beautiful plants or stop and read educational plaques. Stay on the paths though - there were a few signs warning that rattlesnakes are active! A huge bonus (for me at least) is a small art gallery featuring local artists - the works were honestly really impressive and varied (glass, paintings, ceramics, textiles) and the prices were very fair. We couldn't resist a delightful painting of a donkey and the kind people here were willing to ship it to us. It was packed INCREDIBLY well and arrived fast! So if you want to support local artists or commune with nature, check out this beautiful park. read more

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