I grew up in Arizona. My son grew up in the midwest. I decided to take him to Arizona to see where I spent my childhood. The Desert Museum was fantastic. So many desert animals and everyone was so very helpful. He really enjoyed it. The natural walking trails put you right in the middle of the desert and the landscape is gorgeous. Definitely one of the best parts of our visit.
As nice as I'd heard it was. So much to see and learn about the Sonoran Desert. Kept the kids' interest with lots of animals. Recommend visiting on a not super hot day (low 80s was good). One of us was stung by a glancing blow from one of the many wasps, but it didn't ruin our fun visit. What a treasure!
Take water! Take bug spray! Take sunscreen! This is more a hike in the desert than a traditional zoo type situation where you ll find drinks readily available. Other than that it was fun. Next time I ll be more prepared.
$24 a person so worth it. Make sure to get there early because the museum closes at 5. It felt more like a zoo than a museum. Learned lots about the animals while I was here. I really like how the animals are actually in the desert. If you are at Saguaro National Park then you gotta stop by here. Sting Ray exhibit was closed which was a downer but everything else was pretty cool. Would come back here if I m ever back in Arizona
Museum is an understatement, as this is a fully functional park with a nature walk and stunning views. They have an aquarium, reptile and amphibian exhibit, aviary, sting--ray touch pools, hummingbird display and more. If you are ever in the area is is definitely worth stopping.
It is also cool walking through the cactus garden. Really cool to see all the different types of cactus and how the grow.
What a fabulous museum! Had high hopes going in and they were not only met, but exceeded. The employees were all incredibly friendly, helpful, and had so much cool information about the different areas of the museum. Beautiful flora, fauna, and landscape views. Would go back here in a heartbeat
Most of this is outside, so be sure you have a water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat with decent shade!
The Desert Museum is awesome! Definitely exceeded my expectations. There is a great variety of animals to view and learn about, the setting is incredibly beautiful and there are tons and tons of fascinating desert plants to see too. Highly recommend, especially as a way to give a special Tucson experience to anyone visiting from out of town.
I loved this place. Excelente for kids, so much to see. Touching Sting rayos was mind blowing OMG and the caves!!!! You must try it out...
Absolutely worth visiting. Well worth the money. Would advise to head out there earlier. Some of the exhibits close at 4pm. Unfortunately a lot of the eateries are closed due to COVID. Plenty of places to refill your water bottles so I would advise to take one with you. Plan to spend 4-5 hrs to slowly make your way around the museum/park.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a unique and world-renowned destination that combines the best of a zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden all in one place. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this museum is spread over 21 acres of beautiful desert landscape and features more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants.
The exhibits at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum are designed to recreate the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region. Visitors can explore almost two miles of paths that wind through various habitats such as desert grasslands, mountain woodlands, riparian areas, and cactus forests. The museum's mission is to inspire people to live in harmony with nature by fostering love for the Sonoran Desert region.
One of the most popular attractions at the museum is its collection of animals. Visitors can see everything from black bears to Mexican wolves to mountain lions. There are also many bird species on display including hawks, owls, eagles and vultures. The animals are housed in spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible.
In addition to its impressive animal collection, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum also boasts an extensive botanical garden featuring over 1,200 different plant species native to the Sonoran Desert region. Visitors can stroll through gardens filled with cacti such as saguaros or admire colorful wildflowers like Indian paintbrushes.
The museum offers a range of educational programs for visitors including guided tours led by knowledgeable docents who share insights about each exhibit's flora and fauna. There are also interactive exhibits where visitors can learn about conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered species like jaguars or Gila monsters.
For those interested in learning more about local culture and history there are several exhibits dedicated to Native American artistry showcasing pottery making techniques or basket weaving traditions passed down through generations.
Overall if you're looking for an immersive experience into one of America's most unique ecosystems then look no further than The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!
desertmuseum.org
