Optional & Partner Events

NATIVE HERITAGE AND DESERT WONDERS WITH LUNCH

Friday, Feb. 19 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Explore and learn about the Native Peoples of the Southwest. Guests will enjoy a guided tour at both the Heard Museum and Desert Botanical Gardens. A gourmet picnic lunch will be served at the gardens.

HEARD MUSEUM

The Heard Museum is the pride of Phoenix and one of the oldest cultural centers in the city. It was built in 1929 to house the collection of Dwight and Maie Heard. The Heards came to Arizona in 1895 and avidly collected Southwest Indian Arts and Crafts, including twined and coiled basketry, hand- formed pottery and rich, colorful rugs. Over the years, the Heard collection has grown immensely and today includes some 75,000 catalogued artifacts.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS

As you tour the Gardens paths, you'll discover an incredible variety of cacti, succulents, trees and shrubs from the deserts of North and South America, Africa, Australia and Asia. More than 10,000 plants representing 2,500 different species allow you to see how these fascinating plants have adapted to the harsh extremes of desert climates.

DESERT DISCOVERY GUIDED TOUR

Enjoy a privately guided tour of the Gardens' main trail, which displays arid region plants from around the world. The many interactive exhibits along the trail include the visitor challenge, "Are You Saguaro Smart?" information on the Agave, and different calls of the Gardens' residential birds. This tour, combined with the Heard Museum, is a great half day introduction to Arizona!