Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

• Hours: Open every day, but hours vary by season
• Cost: Admission charged
• Location: Just outside Tucson, directions below
• How Long: 1 to 2 hours, more if you stop a lot
• Best Time to Visit: Winter or early on a summer day

Equal parts zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has more than 300 species of native wildlife and 1,300 varieties of desert plants on display. With the desert's plants and animals concentrated in a limited area and easy to see, the desert's diversity is emphasized.

Exhibits re-create the natural Sonoran Desert landscape, placing visitors eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs and Gila monsters. Children seem to enjoy the museum as much as their adult companions, and on my last visit, I barely heard any crying or fighting among the young visitors.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is open 365 days a year, and open late on Saturdays, June through September. Daily presentation schedules vary by season, but include bird walks, live animal demonstrations and raptor free flights.

Allow one-half day to a full day to see everything, depending on how quickly you move and how thoroughly you examine each exhibit. Try to arrive as soon as you can after the museum opens. You'll find the animals livelier and the temperatures cooler.

What to Expect at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is primarily a walking experience, with almost two miles of paths.
• Exhibits are mostly outside, and there is little shade. Wear hats and sunscreen, and drink lots of water.
• You'll understand what you see much better if you take a free guided tour with a docent.
• Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge.
• Picnicking is not allowed on the grounds, but a quick-serve grill and full-service restaurant are on the premises, along with a coffee bar and snack bar.

Getting to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Location

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
520-883-1380
Website

From I-10, take Speedway Blvd. west. Turn right onto Kinney Road, and drive about 2.5 miles to the museum. Saguaro National Monument and Old Tucson are in the same area.

If You Liked the Ariona-Sonora Desert Museum, You May Also Like

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
The Arboretum at Flagstaff