Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona

Hot, dusty, nasty, dry weather.  That’s what comes to mind when the name Arizona is mentioned. 

Perhaps you’ve gotta drop off your kid for their freshman year at Arizona State University.  You don’t have time to visit the Grand Canyon but you want to take in some cool desert plant life without risking getting lost in the desert…or if you happen to to visit Arizona for whatever reason, might I recommend the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona.  The oldest botanical garden in Arizona and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi. 

It’s not a terribly long drive outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area.  It’s an affordable day trip and you can take a nice hike without getting lost WHILE taking in tons of desert plant life.  You’ll get great photos, plenty of exercise on their main 1.5 mile trail loop and learn the the names of all the pokey spikey plants you see in Arizona.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is not only home to Arizona plants, but features over 2500 arid land plant species from all over the world including Australia and South America.  Because of it’s location, you’ll spot plenty of birds and other desert wildlife native to the area.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a nice place to take some time to yourself and clear your head or to go hang out with a date or some friends.  It’s the perfect spot for a lifted afternoon lunch and walk to educate yourself on some plants that aren’t just for smoking.  I promise you, you’ll definitely have plenty of photos to share on Instagram.