Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson

Favorite thing: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is three in one (like good hair - shampoo :-):
1. zoo,
2. natural history museum
3. botanical garden.

You can see interpretive displays of living animals and plants native to the Sonoran Desert. This desert covers southeastern California, southern Arizona and New Mexico, southwestern Texas and the mexican states of Sonora and Baja California.

Favorite thing: As you can write on the table: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was founded by Arthur N. Pack and William H. Carr in 1952. It was on 1 September, to be more exact, which is a national holiday in the USA: Labour Day.
We have Labour Day on 1 May in Europe.

Favorite thing: Arisona Sonora Desert Museum is open daily, including all holidays! That's OK.

They open quite early, at 7:30 am but they close too early in my opinion: at 5:00 am - loooong before sunset! WHY?
More: when I was there they finished to sell tickets at 4:00 pm. A park ranger said that one needs at least 1 hour to visit the museum. To be honest you need 2-3 hours to visit it.

Favorite thing: Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is located outside the Saguaro National Park, on North Kinney Road just southeast of western part of Saguaro National Park. Follow the road direction signs from Red Hills Visitor Center. There is a parking lot in front of the museum - look at my picture.

Address:
2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743


Details and maps: click here

Favorite thing: From the table in Arizona State Desert Museum:
The living museum seeks to enhance human understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert Region. Respect for the relationships and interdependence of animals plants, and non-renewable resources is essential to preserving an environment fit for people.
We are a private, non-profit organisation. Our operations are dependent upon gate receipts contributions, and memberships. Won't you join us?

If you have at least $40 :-) - click here

Fondest memory: They also have a desert zoo. These here are, if I remember correctly, prairie dogs (separated from the visitors by glass etc). You´ll find mountain lions, bobcats, all kinds of wild birds of prey and lots more...

Fondest memory: The Cactus Gardens. You´ll find most of the spiny creatures growing in the wilderness - and it´s HERE that you can see them up close without having to 'go bush'. Plus you´ll learn about their names and specific needs.

Favorite thing: Go to the Desert Museum. This is really a zoo/nature preserve. It has a fantastic hummingbird exhibit, and it has Coatis..and you will only find them down here! The staff are friendly and knowledgable, and it really is the easiest way to see real desert wildlife up close..but don't go when it's 100 degrees out..there is an awful lot of walking!

Fondest memory: My fiance propsed to me here..I made my first 'American friend' here. When I am not here I miss the sunshine, and the birds..

Favorite thing: The Desert Museum is fantastic.

Fondest memory: The monsoons in the latter part of summer are amazing. There are huge lightning storms that fill the sky and dramatic monsons that cool off the valley about 20 degrees in an instant.

Favorite thing: Look at my picture, please. This is one more example of local art, I suppose. Less beautiful drawing in my opinion, although... What do you think?