Tohono Chul is a peaceful garden oasis in the midst of city and suburb. You can stroll along winding paths through several different types of gardens with hundreds of native plant species, as well as many birds, including hummers. For a list of the Best Parks and Gardens that we have found click here.
At the greenhouse you can buy some of our native plants. And at the Museum Shop, you can acquire Southwestern art and pottery by local artists and craftsmen, as well as Native American jewelry, Oaxacan folk art, and a fair selection of Southwestern books, maps and field guides.
You can also enjoy the three art galleries featuring art related to nature, culture, and art of the Southwest. Live concerts take place in the Performance Garden. Try their Sunday in the Gardens in the Spring. Attend the Spring Plant Sale. The Oro Valley Children’s Museum has moved to Tohono Chul recently, so there is something for the young ones.
Dine At The Garden Bistro
In addition to the gardens and performances, we recommend a leisurely breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea on one of the Garden Bistro’s lush patios. This is one of the three best outdoor dining spots in and around Tucson. Please see our Review of the Burgers at the Bistro.
Should you prefer something a little stronger than tea, we recommend a prickly pear margarita, a favorite in these parts.
Tohono Chul is justly famous for an amazing event that occurs in no other part of the country: the rare appearance of the “Queen of the Night”. For all but one night in June or July the night-blooming cereus looks like a dead stick. We never know for sure which night until it happens, but on that magical night, at Tohono Chul and across the desert, they all blossom with large, white, and fragrant flowers. We have 3 night-bloomers on our property, but the Park has 300. If you get on their mailing list, Tohono Chul will keep up apprised of the impending event and, on that night, they keep the park open so you can experience something very rare and beautiful.
Tohono Chul Park
7366 Paseo del Norte
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520) 742-6455
For a list of the Best parks and Gardens visit our page.
