| Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tucson locals.
2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson
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The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, located several miles southwest of the city, is the quintessential wildlife museum of the southwest, showcasing hundreds of animal species and over one thousand plant species. It is a place where visitors can observe the wildlife of the desert in a natural setting, and view glowing scorpions under a florescent light, or spy prairie dogs peeking from their burrows, and marvel at mountain lions lazing in the shade of their cave. The Museum’s mission is to create a better understanding of the creatures of the desert and develop an appreciation for the precious natural wonders of the Sonoran Desert. The museum is also a center for research, and is not only renown by visitors from around the globe, but by the scientific community as well. Educational programs and activities are offered throughout the year, and you may even have the chance to meet your favorite desert dweller up close and personal by participating in a “hands on” project. For nature-lovers who want to take home a small momento of their experience, the museum offers two gift shops filled with books, jewelry, and souvenirs. Two restaurants are also located on the Museum grounds.
Museum hours: 7:30 - 5:00 (17:00) Mar - Sep
8:30 - 5:00 (17:00) Oct - Feb
Admission price: $ 9 Adults May - Oct
$ 12 Adults Nov - Apr Leave a Comment
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It is difficult to describe the Arizona-Sonara Desert Museum (ASDM) in one tip. It is part museum, part zoo, part biological garden.
ASDM is in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, and displays 300+ animal species as well as plants. The museum is filled with birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, bugs and fish. Most of the museum is outdoors with almost 2 miles of paths.
There is a lot to look at. For instance, the mountain lion enclosure is cool - From the back of the display, you can often see the mountain lion close up, as his favourite perch is high (up a tree I think) in his enclosure. This perch happens to be right beside a viewpoint (with tinted glass) so we can see him, and he doesn't seem to notice us. Then you walk around and see his non-fenced enclosure from a point 100 feet lower.
We were trying to minimize exposure to the sun so we spent time in both aviaries - one just for hummingbirds - bring your telephoto lens.
There are also underground exhibits covering animals that primarily come out in the evening. We joined a guided tour which was great as well - we had somebody to ask questions of when we needed that. We learned a new term. The demonstrations and tours are provided by docents - volunteers with an interest in desert flora and fauna.
We went to the ASDM the first day we visited Tucson. That was a bit of a mistake as we were not acclimatized to the heat yet, so we had to leave before we were finished looking over the museum. It could easily take more than a whole day to see everything there is of interest. Leave a Comment Directions: From Tucson, follow Speedway Blvd. west until it ends, turn right on North Kinney. It is well signed. About 10 miles from Tucson.Website: http://www.desertmuseum.org/
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Another important place I wanted to visit but was unable to was the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. The Museum packs quite a punch with its many different features including a zoo, gardens, trails, a walk-in aviary, ampitheater, education center, museum, eateries, etc. Look for javalinas, coyotes, lizards, prairie dogs, bears, tropical birds, hummingbirds, beavers, long-horn sheep and scores of other animals, birds or amphibians!!
It is a great place if you like to learn about the desert, its wonderful wildlife, the natural geography of the area, and be in the out-of-doors. It's exhibits are so varied, and s's going on special events fill the calendar so check out all that's available for the day you plan to visit.
If all the fresh air and excitement makes you hungry, there are several options for you. "Ironwood Terraces" self-serve grill, open everyday, offers a full menu including children's meals. The Ocotillo Cafe offers fine dining but is open only seasonally for lunch in winter and dinner in Summer on Saturday evenings--Lunch: 11 am to 3 pm from Dec. to April; Dinner: June - August. Check the website for exact dates and times.
Phoebes Coffee Bar and the Cottonwood Snack Shop are open for hot & cold beverages, pastries, sandwiches and ice cream, and other assorted snacks.
There is something here to please everyone and admission fees are reasonable:
$9.50 adults in Summer June - August; $13 Winter September - May
$2.25 kids 6 -12 in Summer; $4.25 Winter. Children under 5 free!
Check website for exact opening times and prices. Leave a Comment
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This world-renowned zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden began on September 1, 1952 and is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Sonoran Desert. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum operates entirely by admissions, memberships, contributions and grants. While entertaining and educating millions of visitors, it has also gained a worldwide reputation in the scientific community as an institution committed to researching and protecting the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert region. The exhibit re-creates the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region, allowing you to view more than 300 animal species as well as 1,200 different kinds of plants. This is a living museum filled with birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insect life, minerals, a “cave” exhibit, and a botanical garden. 85% of the museum is outdoors with almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of this beautiful desert landscape. Although the average visitor spends about 3 hours here, we spent 7 hours and were fascinated the entire time. The museum is open every day of the year. October – February hours are 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. March – September hours are 7:30 A.M. to 5:00:AM. Admission is $12 for adults ($9 May – Oct.) and $4 for children 6 – 12 ($2 May –Oct.) Children under 6 enter free. Do not worry about lunch, as you will have a pick of four places to eat within the museum from sandwiches to a gourmet meal. Leave a Comment Directions: If traveling by car follow I-10, take the Speedway Blvd. Exit and head west. Turn right onto Kinney Road. In about 2.5 miles, the Desert Museum will be on your left.Website: http://www.desertmuseum.org/
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$12 gets you into one of the best museums in Southwest, if not the country.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is combination zoo, bird conservatory, arboretum and museum.
You start out with the animals, all of which are native to the Sonoran desert, and include the famous gila monster (always sleeping), several different kinds of rattlesnakes and scorpions, prarie dogs, river otters, coatimundi, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and the desert tortoise just to name a few.
Then you move onto the native plants. Lots of different agaves, cacti, atols, yuccas, bushes, trees, flowers and grasses.
There is also a native bird conservatory which features most every bird native to the area. The more popular hummingbird conservatory is just a few feet away, and offers a very close view of these amazing creatures.
During the summer, when the museum is less popular because of the heat, there is a night program which is when you'll see many animals out that you wouldn't normally see (like the gila monster). This is also a little less money, but I would strongly recommend going during the day first. Leave a Comment Directions: If you've never been to Tucson before, you must go here via Gates Pass (Speedway Boulevard). It is absolutely breathtaking, although there are vehicle length restrictions.Website: http://www.desertmuseum.org/
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Regarding food at the museum, the only picnic area is outside the ASDM, however we came across a couple of restaurants inside.
The 2004 admission for adults in high season was $12. Go early in the day, and avoid walking the trails at mid-day (desert trails have no shade). Leave a Comment Directions: From Tucson, follow Speedway Blvd. west until it ends, turn right on North Kinney. It is well signed. About 10 miles from Tucson.Website: http://www.desertmuseum.org/
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A reknowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden all rolled into one surrounded by the majestic Saguaro Cacti of the Sonoran Desert, this is a definite treat.
Think of it as a 21 acre enclave of the Sonoran Desert that has been set up almost as a 'living museum' with about two miles of pathways passing through a small zoo made up mostly of animals that have been rescued from certain death, including pumas, prairie dogs, also beaver, river otter and desert fish in an underwater exhibit. There is also a Hummingbird Aviary and the area's best display of cacti and succulent plants to feast your eyes on. There are over 1,300 kinds of plants and 300 species of animals in total.
The museum also has a fantastic permanent collection of locally occurring minerals, which is all the more impressive due to it's narrow focus. These are situated in a cave which is atmospherically lit to add to the wonder of the exhibits on show.
For relaxation from the heat, or for a spot of refuelling you can enjoy an espresso at Phoebe’s Coffee Bar on the verandah, or go the whole hog at Ironwood Terraces Restaurant.
If you want to see the full glory of the flora, fauna and geology of the Sonoran Desert in one place there can be no better place than this museum! Leave a Comment Phone: 520-883-1380Directions: About 10 miles west of Tucson, just past the Old Tucson Film Studio and just before the entrance to Saguaro National Park West.Website: http://www.desertmuseum.org/
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Actually more of a zoo than a museum, the Desert Museum is home to a large collection of desert animals and plants (many in their natural habitat). Here one can see grand stands of mighty Saguaro Cactus and a host of animals including Javelina, Mountain Lion and playful Prarie Dogs. Also there are numerous reptiles and amphibians on display as well as certain invertebrates. Birdwatching is popular here as well for not only are there 2 aviaries, but one can see a host of native birdlife in the wild as well such as Cactus Wren and Gila Woodpecker. The latter making its nest in the trunks of the saguaro. There are 2 restaurants and a nice gift shop on the premises. Plan to spend at least 2 hours (3-4 is best). Bring water and a hot to protect yourself from the powerful desert sun.
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Part Museum part zoo, & part botanical garden this is Tucson's one can't miss sight. Leave a Comment
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In the Arizona-Sonora Desert museum, there is an animal enclosure of local animales including cougar and birds of prey.
Was surprised to see how rather small in size were two of my favorite animals, the wiley Coyote and speedy Roadrunner bird. Both are the characters of TV cartoon series "The Road Runner" ... peep peep
The scientific name of the Roadrunner is Geococcyx californianuso. Found in the USA Southwestern deserts of Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan. It can attack and eat rattlesnakes and achieve a maximum running speed of 17km/hr.
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