This is definitely one of my favorite spots in town! I have lived here for just a little over 2 years, and I think I've been to the Gardens 5 or 6 times. I'm from Tennessee and used to love going to their botanical gardens, but the DESERT Botanical Gardens are unlike anything I've ever seen! I just love walking around there, and I feel like I discover something new every time I'm there. I love the Chihuly exhibit that's there now. I've seen it twice. They also have some wonderful events there. My favorite is Corks and Cactus, their wine tasting event, which I attended last weekend. What could be better than wine tasting followed by wandering around amidst a bunch of cacti? ;) One of the best trips I had there was in April one year because so many of the cacti were in bloom. Prior to that, I don't even think I knew that cacti did bloom! It's just a great place to be. If you're local and you haven't been, you need to take advantage of having this place nearby! Get a list of their events! I took my boyfriend for the first time, and, once he started walking around, he said that he couldn't believe he'd lived here for 2 years and had never been. If you're visiting, this is definitely a unique way to explore Arizona--it's the Sonoran Desert compressed into an area that you can walk through in a couple of hours! But if you're going in or close to the summer, be sure to wear a hat and cool clothes, as there's not much shade. Also, I would recommend skipping their restaurant, Gertrude's. It's too much to pay for not-very-special food. Otherwise, enjoy!