Editor’s Note: Butterfly Magic is open.
Summer is over, temperatures are cooling down. It’s a good time of year to take a stroll in one of Tucson’s lovely Botanical Gardens, have some lunch at the Café Botanica, stroll through the gardens taking note of the new exhibits, and visiting the Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion for the Butterfly Magic Exhibit. Magnificent! It is open October – May.
Friend Gini and I (Ms. Karen), decided to spend one Monday afternoon at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, with the excuse that we had not eaten at Café Botanica and wanted to try it out. In addition, We wanted to see what renovations have recently taken place.
Gini and I timed it right and arrived on a Monday, just after 11am. We had not been there in a while. The entrance has moved. it is now on the far end of the parking lot (East) and boasts a new, larger, museum store.
We paid our dues, she is a member, and proceeded to wander about the grounds seeking out the latest exhibits, checking out the “Weird Cactus” plants and motating towards the Butterfly exhibit.
After a short time, we found the Butterfly exhibit which was guarded by a docent who informed us that there were two doors, one of which had to be closed before the other was opened. We were also warned to watch our step as there were Poison Dart Frogs hopping about.
Upon entering, we were dive-bombed by several large 4-6″ vivid blue butterflies, which rarely lit long enough to get a good picture. Upon resting on a plant they would close their wings, and hide their bright blue colors. A docent was happy to point out the Azureus Frog near the entrance, (bright blue). Several other fascinating patterns and colors of butterflies, all flitting about from plant to plant, sometimes stopping long enough for a photo OP. Amid the beautiful Orchids, this is a photographer’s wonderland. Hours could be spent here. I may wander back there, for an afternoon as time allows.
Outside the Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion and off to the right of the Exit is the Crysalis exhibit, where the pupae hang and bloom into butterflies before your eyes. Quite interesting.
Being short of time this day, we headed off to Café Botanica, now called Edna’s Eatery, for lunch. Edna’s Eatery is a small Garden Bistro, with an eclectic mix of only the freshest desert-inspired cuisine. It is run by the folks at Westward Look. Here is the link to the café. Breakfast and lunch are served from 8:30 am – 3 pm.
This day, Gini ordered the Seasonal Arizona Legume Salad and I had the Botanica Quiche, which comes with a side salad, $10 and $11. The quiche was quite good, albeit a bit untraditional. I cannot speak for the legume salad but it looked lovely. We both had Fruit Teas, Fresh prickly pear and a Fruit Ade, presumably the Fruit of the day. Both very good. Gini remarked that hers was sweet, mine had a tangy touch. Very good fare for the food adventurer, lover of less traditional food fare.
Take some time out this Fall to visit the Tucson Botanical Gardens. IF you have never been to the TBG, please watch our short video.
Butterfly Magic is open from October – May.
TBG has a new Website. It is lovely.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712
520.326.9686
info@tucsonbotanical.org
