Best Of Tucson®

Best Public Garden

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Approaching this place, an unexpected cloud of birdsong descends around you. Buzzing cicadas chime in. You head inside, and the temperature noticeably drops. All that earthy greenery exudes peace, oxygen and good vibes. Your cares fade away for a while, and you get the urge to bite into an apple, because you've just entered our own little Garden of Eden, smack in the middle of Tucson. Rutger Porter married Bernice Walkley back in 1931. They enlarged the original adobe house, planted a garden and started a nursery. Rutger died in 1958. Bernice cut a deal with the city, and the Tucson Botanical Gardens were born. Check out Nuestro Jardin, a lovely tribute to the gardens of the barrios.

Runners up:

2. Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, 742-6455, tohonochulpark.org

3. Reid Park Rose Garden, Country Club Road, just north of 22nd Street, Parks & Rec Web site

Sign of the impending apocalypse: La Encantada, one vote