Phoenix - Best Of - BEST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE - Desert Botanical Garden (2004)

Best Of

Best Of Phoenix >

BEST OUTDOOR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE

Desert Botanical Garden

Venue

Desert Botanical Garden

1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.

(Papago Park)

Phoenix, AZ

480-941-1225

http://www.dbg.org

Be Social

Desert Botanical Garden
Papago Park
1201 North Galvin Parkway
480-941-1225

One of our earliest childhood memories of Christmas in Phoenix involves a very big saguaro cactus that used to reside near the intersection of Invergordon and McDonald in Paradise Valley. We called it "the cactus with the two crossed fingers," and every holiday season, someone decorated it with a red ribbon. Or maybe it was a Santa hat.

Anyway, it made us feel really cheery, and in lieu of ice rinks or tree lightings at Rockefeller Center, seeing that cactus marked, for us, the beginning of the holidays.

The cactus died years ago, but one Valley Christmas tradition has flourished -- and it's another one that involves desert foliage, and a lot of it. Las Noches de las Luminarias offers a walk in a winter wonderland, Phoenix-style. Thousands of hand-lighted luminarias line the paths of the garden, making the desert plants glow. You'll glow, too, after a glass of wine or cider and the sounds of carolers and other musicians performing along the paths. Arcadia Farms caters dinner, and the gift shop always offers up super holiday gift ideas.

We miss "the cactus with the two crossed fingers," but we're keeping our fingers crossed that Las Noches de las Luminarias is a Valley tradition for years to come.

<< BEST PLACE TO RUN WITH THE DEVIL

BEST PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL >>

write your comment

Best Of Search

Best Of Issues - Previous Years

Latest Best Of User Comments

Best New Gay Bar (1)
2008-10-06 17:00:05

The 12.5 miles I drove across town to get to this bar were SURE worth it.. I went on a Sunday...
Best Hookah Bar (1)
2008-10-06 14:40:59

It about time!! this restaurant get somthing. i have been saying that to every one i nu, there...
Best Place to Find a Rave (5)
2008-10-06 13:12:11

for your info buddy. there is no talking about drug use on azedm.com, we strongly support sober...
Best Upscale Steakhouse (1)
2008-10-01 16:58:38

Bourbon Steak is a great steakhouse hands down. But for those of us that can't afford the good...
Best Reason to Believe the Diamondbacks Will Someday Win It All (1)
2008-10-01 14:52:05

Melvin sucks! He can't manage and this "mad scientist" crap has got to stop, too. Here is a...