WELCOME TO THE SONORAN DESERT

We encourage everyone to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful desert gardens of Arizona. Several tours have been pre-arranged for your enjoyment. April is a beautiful month when most of our spring cacti, roses and natives are in bloom. Plan to be amazed.

Be smart about hydration and sun protection. If you start to experience a headache, then you may be dehydrated. Seek a place out of the sun, sit down and drink water with electrolytes.

PLAN AHEAD: Wear a hat – a must! Wear sunscreen and UPF50 clothing. Wear proper walking shoes. CARRY A WATER BOTTLE!

PRE-REGISTRATION: Please register for tours on your convention registration form. We need good headcounts for the tour leaders and docents.

TRANSPORTATION: Vans, carpools, Uber or self-driving… there are many ways to get to these tours. This is city driving and sometimes parking is a challenge. Please read the tour descriptions where we provide notes about directions and parking. For very popular tours, we may choose to rent a 15-passenger van that will be driven by one of our club members or a spouse. None of these tours are through a professional tour company.

If you drive yourself or Uber to any group tour, then please still pre-register and be at the tour site by 15 minutes prior to the times listed.

Pre-Convention Tours on Saturday, April 26th, 2025

Please note that the Saturday Tours are part of the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs’ Convention and all profits benefit this organization. These tours are available with Arizona Federation GC’s convention registration; you must be a registered attendee to sign-up for these tours. If there are additional costs during the tour, then it is noted in the description.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Full Package Deal: Cost $65, limited to 14 people
includes transportation and entry for both tours

Transportation for the Saturday Tours includes a ride in a 14-passenger Touring Van driven by a garden club member.  The group will meet in the lobby of the hotel at 7:30am. The Touring Van will go on both tours and will not return to the hotel in between. The group will decide where and when to grab a lunch in between the tours; meal is order off the menu at the selected restaurant. The Touring Van should be back to the hotel by 5:00pm.

NOTE: Garden Tours are available individually. This means that you must find transportation to and from the site; options include your own vehicle or Uber. The Touring Van can lead the way if you want to follow in your own car; we can all caravan together.

Dinner will be on your own afterwards.

ASU Polytechnic Date Palm
ASU Polytechnic Date Trees

Field Tour of the ASU Farm and
Hands-On Workshop to Make Pollen Bombs
at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus

Saturday, April 26th meet at Date-Palm Germplasm Collection sign at 9:00am – 11:00am
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Cost $10 if you are not in the Touring Van
Limited to 40 persons in the field (14 passengers on the Touring Van plus 25 people in your own cars)

Professor Deborah Thirkhill will lead the group on an outdoors walk through the ASU farm where they grow rare date-palm trees. The walk should be shady along dirt paths, no inclines or ditches. Wear appropriate shoes and a hat!

The polytechnic date trees were moved from the ASU Tempe location in 2004.  Not all the trees were moved due to limited space. The grove covers 3 acres and has many types of date trees. Deborah will go over the various seasons of growing and harvesting the dates and will have samples available.  She will demonstrate how they make “pollen balls” with flowers and we will assist in distributing them to the trees.  Several methods of distribution have been tried over the years: slingshot and nerf guns but the most reliable is the old fashion hand throw. We will also be touring the Bee Lab, where there are 80 hives. These bees are not pollinators, date trees have been ‘wind’ pollinated for at least 4000 years.

Take away a bag of dates for your eating enjoyment!

Directions
address: 7127 Upton Ave on ASU Polytechnic Campus
Free parking is available in front of the Date Trees.
Just 27 miles (45 minutes) drive from the Wyndham Tempe hotel.

Read more about ASU Polytechnic’s Palm Farm in this news article.

If you cannot join us for this visit to the farm, then consider the famous Palm Walk on the ASU Tempe campus on your own. This iconic pathway in the middle of the college campus was rejuvenated in 2016 with large date-palms and underscores the university’s commitment to sustainable growth.
Read more about ASU Tempe’s Palm Walk here.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum
BTA Legume Garden

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Saturday, April 26th meet at Main Gate at 1:00 pm
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Cost is $25 if you are not in the Touring Van

This self-guided tour offers an exploration of desert plants from around the world. With 135 acres of gardens, the collections are divided into 12 gardens and exhibits. There are many areas that offer shade throughout the 4.7 miles of trails.

Desert Wallace Garden is the newest addition to the arboretum. This 13 acre garden offers expansive views, creekside trails and over 5,000 new plantings. The garden was donated by Henry B Wallace and includes a palette of international arid land plants. Of the 1,223 taxa in the garden, 861 are new to BA and 62 species are considered rare or endangered.  There is 1.5 mile main trail with a bridge over Queen Creek.

Easy and level walking. The main trail is easy and paved for accessibility for wheelchair and walkers. There are many trails of varying level of exertion.

Touring Van will arrive at 1:00pm amd depart the BTA at 4:00pm. You will have approximately 3 hours inside of BTA.

Directions:
address: 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173
Just 53 miles east via US-60E (about 50 minutes).

AFGC Explore On Your Own on Sunday, April 27th, 2025

Please note that Sunday is part of the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs’ Convention. If you are not at the state convention then we have a list of places that we recommend for you to enjoy on your own time. You have options for transportation including your own vehicle, Uber or hotel shuttle (if available).

Boyce Thompson Arboretum
OdySea Aquarium

OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland

Sunday, April 27th – On Your Own, open 9am – 5pm
Cost for an Adult Pick 2 Ticket is $69.21 

Nine delightful entertainment centers in one complex, but these two are worthy of a full day.

The Butterfly Conservatory is a rainforest paradise filled with over 60 species of butterflies and the largest emergence gallery in the country. The biodiversity of the rainforest also includes reptiles, arthropods and bees. The 3D Theatre features short films about butterflies. Learn more about the conservatory on their website.

Just next door is the OdySea Aquarium where you will experience the Aqua Lobby to the Rivers of the World to the Deep Ocean. There many attractions and on-site dining options. Learn more about the Aquarium on their website.

Easy and level walking. Fully accessibility for wheelchair and walkers.

Directions
address: 9500 E Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Just 15 miles north of the hotel via AZ-202 to the AZ-101 loop.

Pacific Region Convention Tours
on Monday, April 28th, and Tuesday, April 29th, 2025

Please note that the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Tours are part of the Pacific Region Garden Clubs’ Convention and all profits benefit this organization. These tours are available with Pacific Region GC’s convention registration; you must be a registered attendee to sign-up for these tours. If there is an additional tour cost, then it is noted in the description. The tours that are listed as “On Your Own” means that you need to find transportation to and from the site; options include your own vehicle, Uber or hotel shuttle (if available).

MCC Rose Garden

MCC Rose Garden – A Morning Stroll with a Master Rosarian

Monday, April 28th – Garden Tour meets 6:30am – 8:30am
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Included with convention registration.

Precedes Pacific Region GC Convention Opening Ceremony.

The sprawling garden at Mesa Community College features over 9,000 rose bushes. April is peak bloom time for roses in the low valley of Arizona. This guided garden tour is provided courtesy of Steve Sheard, Master Rosarian. Pre-registration is required with a maximum of 60 participants in the tour group. Audio sets will be provided at the beginning of the tour. The paved paths through this garden are flat, easy to navigate and are ADA compliant.

Meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30am. Carpooling from the hotel lobby will be assisted by garden club volunteers. Uber is also available in the area. Or you can drive your own car. Groups should plan to leave the hotel no later than 6:45am to arrive at the garden by 7:00am. Please know that this will be a school day so the parking lots at the Mesa Community College will be busy; there is limited Visitor parking.

Text confirmations will be sent to those participants who provided a cell phone number.

Directions
address: 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
approximately 8 mile east of the Wyndham Phoenix Airport / Tempe hotel via US-60E

Tempe Marketplace

Tempe Marketplace for an Afternoon Shopping Spree

Monday, April 28th – Afternoon on your own
If you are not involved in the business meetings and no taking advantage of the educational breakout sessions, maybe you just want some time to see Tempe. An afternoon of shopping at the high-end outlet stores in Tempe Marketplace might be the place for you. See the list of stores here.

Directions
address: 2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85288
Just 15 minutes northeast into the heart of Tempe. Carpool or Uber to the mall. We can help you find transportation.

AHA Demonstration Garden

Arizona Herb Association’s Demonstration Garden Tour

Tuesday, April 29th – Garden Tour meets 6:30am – 8:30am
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Included with convention registration.

Precedes Pacific Region GC Convention Opening Ceremony.

The AHA Demo Garden is famous for its collection of many interesting herbal plants and exploration of their culinary uses. This outdoors 60-min walking tour will be led by a AHA Volunteer who will share botany notes and culinary tips. The pace is slow. The paved paths through this garden are flat, easy to navigate and are ADA compliant.

Meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30am. Carpooling from the hotel lobby will be assisted by garden club volunteers. Uber is also available in the area. Or you can drive your own car. Groups should plan to leave the hotel no later than 6:45am to arrive at the garden by 7:00am. Please know that this will be a school day so the parking lot will be busy; there is limited Visitor parking.

Text confirmations will be sent to those participants who provided a cell phone number.

Directions
address: 4341 E Broadway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85040
approximately 2.5 mile west of the Wyndham Phoenix Airport / Tempe hotel via W Broadway Rd

Tempe Mill Avenue Shopes

Tempe’s Mill Avenue for an Afternoon Shopping Spree

Tuesday, April 29th – Afternoon on your own
If you are not involved in the business meetings and no taking advantage of the educational breakout sessions, maybe you just want some time to see Tempe. An afternoon of shopping at the boutique shops and art galleries might be the place for you. See the list of stores here.

Directions
address: 414 S Mill Ave #114, Tempe, AZ 85281
Just 10 minutes northeast into the heart of Tempe. Carpool or Uber to the shops. We can help you find transportation.

Taliesin West

House and Garden Tour of Taliesin West

Wednesday, April 30th – meets from  2:30pm – 5:00pm
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Cost $60, limited to 14 people
Includes transportation in a 14-passenger Touring Van driven by a garden club member
following Pacific Region GC’s Convention Closing Ceremony.

Taliesin West is Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona. His home and gardens are listed as a World Heritage site and is a National Historic Landmark. This was his winter home from 1937 until his death in 1959. Wright’s inspiring Organic Architecture showcases his architectural innovation connecting the buildings to the grounds.

Easy Walking for 60+ minutes with limited seating on the property. This tour includes both indoor and outdoor spaces.  The grounds of this site do include stairs, loose gravel, desert terrain and some minor elevation changes. This may affect accessibility for some people with mobility concerns.

The audio tour is best experienced on your smartphone with your own headsets and you will download a free app; but if you don’t have the equipment then you can borrow devices from the site.

The Touring Van will meet in the lobby of the hotel at 2:30pm. You will have 90 minutes at the site which includes a 60-minute audio tour. The Touring Van will leave the site at 4:30pm to return back to the hotel by 5:00pm. Dinner will be on your own afterwards.

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Botanical Garden – A Self- Guided Walk

Wednesday, April 30th – meet at 1:00pm to 5:00pm
ON YOUR OWN! Cost is $34.95 at the gate for entry,
unless you bring a reciprocating membership card
following Convention Closing Ceremony.

DBG offers desert gardens with over 50,000 plants spread over 140 acres. Approximately a third of the plants are native to Arizona and include over 380 rare or endangered species. This is an outdoor walk through the garden with numerous benches and seating options. The main path is paved and mostly level for easy accessibility. The Cohen Family Butterfly Pavilion is an open air structure featuring lush garden plantings, a water feature, thousands of live butterflies, engaging programming and state-of-the-art nursery space.

There is onsite dining at Gertrude’s Garden Restaurant or the Ullman Terrace Patio Cafe. The Garden Shop is a gift shop offering many items that are easy to travel with and make great gifts; they will ship domestic orders. The Schilling Library is open until 4pm offering landscaping books and plant guides.

Read more about Desert Botanical Garden on their website.

Read more history about the gardens on Wikipedia.

Transportation options include carpooling and Uber. We can help you find a way to get there and back.

Directions
address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
DBG is 10 miles north of the Wyndham hotel via S Priest Dr.

AZ Heritage Center

Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park – A Self- Guided Walk

Wednesday, April 30th – meet at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Tour On Your Own – Cost: $13 for Senior admission

following Convention Closing Ceremony.

The Arizona Historical Society offers the Arizona Heritage Center in Papago Park in Tempe. This indoor museum is open until 3:00pm and showcases exhibits on how the sprawling Phoenix metropolis began.

Read more about Arizona Heritage Center on their website.

Directions
address: 1300 N college Ave, Tempe, AZ 85288
This museum is 5 miles north of the hotel across the Tempe Town Lake.

Transportation options include carpooling and Uber. We can help you find a way to get there and back.

Directions
address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
DBG is 10 miles north of the Wyndham hotel via S Priest Dr.

Post-Convention Tour to Sedona hosted by Sedona Area Garden Club

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Full Package Cost starts at $125 per person with optional add-ons. Limited to 14 people.
Includes van transportation, snacks and lunch.

This tour includes Touring Van transportation in a 14-passenger van driven by a garden club member. Sedona Touring Van requires a minimum of 7 participants and has a maximum of 14 participants. The drive is a 3 hour ride each way and will include one stop at the halfway point for restrooms and vending machines. Group will meet in the lobby of the Wyndham Phoenix Airport Tempe hotel on Thursday May 1st at 7:15am. The van will depart for Sedona promptly at 7:30am. You will return in the same Touring Van leaving Sedona at 4:30pm to arrive at the hotel around 7:00pm.

Base Package Option (if you drive yourself) is available at $35 per person. Limited to 10 people.

Pre-Registration is required! Deadline for registration is March 1st. NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 1ST.

Sedona Chapel of The Holy Cross
Sedona Tlaquepaque
Sedona uptown
Sedona Art Center

Red Rock Country with Lunch, Tours and Shopping

Group lunch will be hosted by the Sedona Area Garden Club at the beautiful home of Karon, a Sedona Area Garden Club member. Lunch will be catered by Wildflower, includes a choice of sandwiches. Deserts provided by garden club members. Coffee, tea and water offered. Snacks included and made available all day including on the van rides. It is highly recommended that you bring your own water bottle to refill throughout the day.

Walking tours will be offered in the morning including the historical Hart-Straude Irrigation Ditch and bountiful fruit orchards.

Optional Sedona Trolley Tours are offered to two locations. There will be ample time for shopping in Uptown Sedona where you will find many art galleries, wearable art and crystals. Don’t miss visiting the Tlaquepaque Village shops. Read more about Tlaquepaque at their website.

Optional ATV tour is fun and recommended for off-road adventure. Wind in your hair! Ride to famous Chicken Point with Red Rock views. Get dirty!

Afternoon Options Art District Tour Rock The Canyons
And History Tour
Wild Side Tour
Add-On Cost +$35.00 +$45.00 +$140.00
Departure & Pickup Times 12:30 – 4pm 12:30 – 4:15pm 12:30 – 4:15pm
Pace Level Easy Sidewalk Walking Easy & Least Elevations Fast & Fit
Mode of Transportation Van to/fm Uptown Van to/fm Uptown ATV Four Wheeler
Shopping Spree Uptown Shopping Tlaquepaque Shopping optional Tlaquepaque Shopping
Guided Tour Included Sedona Trolley Ride
Tour A, 1-hour
Heritage Museum &

Sedona Trolley Ride
Tour A, 1-hour

Hiking Marg’s Draw
Adventure Level Mild Mild High