Weddings
Rich with authentic Arizona character and landscapes, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden is the perfect location to host your wedding ceremony. The Arboretum offers a selection of six distinct wedding locations, two elopement locations, two larger-scale ceremony spaces, and two reception areas. Please review the descriptions of the ceremony spaces below to see which location fits best with the vision for your special day.
Elopement Locations
Choose from either our West or East Greenhouses for an intimate ceremony space surrounded by unique cactus and succulents. With built-in bench seating and historic stonework, you couldn’t ask for a more picturesque location. Can accommodate up to 10 guests.
Our most remote and rugged elopement location encapsulates the beauty of the Arizona high desert. With beautiful views of Picketpost Mountain, framed by stately saguaros, this is the spot for you if you are looking for a genuine desert ceremony. Can accommodate up to 10 guests.
Ceremony Locations
Our most popular ceremony location, the Woodland Garden features beautiful, mature eucalyptus trees that provide dappled shade while a stylish circular bench creates a focal point for your vows. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
This space is perfect for a small ceremony. Our Perennial Garden is tucked away in an intimate corner of the garden with beautiful views of the mountains. Offering blooms from late spring to early fall, this location features a covered patio and circular brick focal point. Can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Reception Locations
The Smith Building Patio provides a unique indoor/outdoor space perfect for an intimate reception. This historic building features desert plants of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
With awe-inspiring views of PicketPost Mountain, the Picnic Area is a wide-open outdoor space under mature trees located a short walk from both of our ceremony spaces. This space offers a perfect blank canvas for your dream reception. Can accommodate up to 150 guests.
Private Events
We have four private event rental locations throughout the Arboretum and are confident that one of them will suit your needs. All areas are accessible and parking is available at no extra charge. BTA Circles Members and above enjoy a 20% discount on facility rentals. As you consider booking one of our spaces, please note that you will have private use of the designated rental area only.
Private Event Locations
The Picnic Area is a gorgeous, wide-open outdoor space under mature trees and is perfect for parties, bridal showers, celebrations of life, conferences, and team- building activities. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
The Smith Building Patio and Greenhouses provide a unique indoor/outdoor space for luncheons, dinner events, meetings, parties, and conferences. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
The Smith Lecture Room is an indoor room and is a great setting for business meetings, workshops, retreats, educational speakers, and small parties. Can accommodate 30-40 guests.
The Visitor’s Center Patio is a beautiful outdoor patio for small parties, receptions, bridal showers, dinner events, and celebrations of life. Can accommodate 30-50 guests.
Weddings at the Arboretum
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Seeing an Easter Lily Cactus bloom is a very special experience. The flowers are large and showy, a beautiful thing to observe, but are only open for a single night. They demonstrate that even if something is temporary, it doesn`t make it any less meaningful.
#easterlilycactus #cactusbloom #desertblooms #cactuslovers #aznature #plantlovers #plantfacts
Our hours are changing! From October to April we will be open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Last admission at 4:00 pm.
The cooler weather also means there`s more fun to be had at the Arboretum! Join us for:
🍃Family Workshops
🍃 Weekly walks and tours
🍃Outdoor Yoga and Forest Bathing
🍃 Watercolor and Photography classes
🍃And more!
Check out our events calendar to see all we have planned. See the link in our bio!
#winterhours #thingstodoaz #visitsuperior #visitphoenix #visitmesa #familyactivities #outdooractivites #btarboretum
Want to see the coatis? They`ve been spotted every day this week, so now`s a great time to stop by!
While a coati sighting is never guaranteed, the best place to look for them is in the Canyon Region in the early mornings. They love climbing trees in search of a good snack, or snuffling on the ground for dropped fruit. Keep an eye out as you explore our trails, and maybe you`ll see one exploring right along with you.
If you get any good photos, tag us in your post! We can never get enough cute coati pics.
#coati #coatimundi #WildlifeSighting #arizonawildlife #desertlife #btarboretum
Golf Cart Tours are back!
📅October 2026 – April 2027
🕤 Every Thursday | 9:30 – 10:30 am
Explore the Arboretum with our Docents on a hour long golf cart tour! Our knowledgeable Docents will give you insights into our collections and take you to the best photo ops the gardens have to offer.
Cart tours are limited to 5 guests per tour. Due to limited space pre-registration is highly recommended. Purchase your tickets at our Welcome Center Gift Shop or online at btarboretum.org/event
#golfcarttour #OutdoorAdventure #btarboretum #VisitSuperior #ThingsToDoAZ #naturelovers
Not all cardinals are red!
This is a juvenile Northern Cardinal, and you can see their adult plumage hasn`t quite come in yet. As they get older, their beaks will turn from dark gray to an orange-red. The female`s feathers stay brown, with hints of red in the wings, tails, and crests, but the males turn into the vibrant red we all know so well!
The cardinals love exploring the gardens. When you visit us next, keep an eye out for our feathery friends! And don`t forget to tag us in any photos you post.
#azbirding #birdlovers #northerncardinal #juvenilebirds #DesertWildlife #arizonabirds
Have you started your fall garden yet? While the weather is still hot, you can start by growing these seeds indoors:
🪴Napa Cabbage
🪴Texas Grano Onion
🪴Kale
🪴Broccoli
Once they`ve grown big enough, and the weather gets cooler, you can transport them to your outdoor garden.
In need of new plants? Stop by our plant sale happening October 17 - November 1st! Members get 20% off AND early access on October 16. Sign up to become a member today to save time in line! Link in bio.
#gardeninspiration #gardeningtips #fallplantsale #fallgarden #gardenlovers #arizonagarden
Are you a local vendor looking to get involved in community events? We`d love to have you at Boyce Thompson Arboretum!
Join us for one of our upcoming events:
🎄Holiday Hangout | December 5 & 6
🐾Tails & Trails | February 20
🍷Flavor of Arizona | April 3 & 4
As a vendor, you`ll receive valuable exposure for your business, meet consumers who are interested in supporting local businesses, and network with vendors like yourself from all over the state.
Interested in applying? Dm us today!
#arizonavendors #localvendors #vendorswanted #CallForVendors #holidayevent #thingstodoaz #superiorarizona
Look at the long antennae on these bees! These are longhorn bees, and they`re key pollinators for sunflowers. 🌻We spotted this group hard at work in front of our Smith Greenhouse.
So... what do antennae actually do for bees? The answer is A LOT. Here are just some examples of what antennae do:
🐝 They act as scent receptors, helping bees find nectar sources.
🐝 They detect sound waves and wind vibrations, acting as a bee`s hearing source.
🐝 They pick up pheromones, allowing them to locate other bees when mating.
Their long antennae are not only adorable, they are essential to helping bees interact with the world around them.
#longhornbees #pollinators #sunflowers #beelovers #desertlife #naturelovers