Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- PabloDiablo
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 20
- Reviews
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25
- Photos
A Museum That Is Not a Museum
- September 29, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
ArizonaTourism from Phoenix, Arizona
The word 'museum' is a bit misleading.
Museum means that items and artifacts are behind glass, long-since dead and are not to be touched.
But, the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum is alive.
Encompassing several hundred acres in the rugged landscape of the Sonoran Desert outside of Tucson, the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum is more zoo than museum.
Beautify created habits present the animals...mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters...in a natural state as you wander the nearly 2 miles of paths and trails within the museum.
A great kids program, regular activities and hands-on experiences make the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum a must for families visiting Tucson.
Trust me, my little girl asks when we can go back almost daily.
Editor Pick
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- April 20, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
frozetoes from Inver Grove Hts., Minnesota
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is highly recommended by all guide books and review sites, so we knew we had to go, and it did not disappoint. We spent 5 hours there, and would have stayed longer, but had to leave to make it to Kitt Peak on time.
The day we were there, the forecast was for 90 degrees, so we made sure to get there early before it got too hot outside. (They open at 7:30 or 8:30, depending on the time of year.) Even though it is called a museum, it is actually a zoo so you will be outside most of the time. Dress appropriately for that, carry water and wear sunscreen. If you forget your sunscreen, they have sunscreen dispensers in the bathrooms. I think that’s a great touch!
The designers of the museum did an excellent job figuring out how to get you up close and personal with the plants and animals. Many of the barriers are well-hidden so you feel almost as though you are walking among the animals. In fact, when you are in the Aviary and the Hummingbird exhibit – you are! The birds are flying around you, landing close to or even on you. It’s amazing.
The ocelot exhibit has the den for the animals built right by the visitor path, and the visitor side of the den is plexiglass. When we walked through, there was the ocelot, sleeping right next to us! The prairie dog exhibit was similar – a large sheet of plexiglass separates visitors from the prairie dogs just on the other side. The exhibit itself is completely natural – except for the netting above the prairie dogs to keep them safe from flying predators. A new exhibit they have called “Life On the Rocks” allows you to glimpse at snakes, scorpions, Gila monsters and more - even as they burrow into underground areas. They can be snug in their underground enclosure, and you can see them through the glass on one side. In some cases, you’ll see a “rock” with a sign that says “Lift.” Do so, and you are gazing at an animal that might naturally be found in the crevice between rocks.
Take advantage of any of the programs that are offered, because the staff is very knowledgeable and engaging. We went to the “Live and, sort-of, On the Loose” program. It was excellent. The keepers presented a live rattlesnake and a Gila monster, and provided all sorts of interesting information about them – including what to do if you are bitten. The program lasts for one hour, is free with admission and takes place in an air-conditioned auditorium so you also get a chance to sit down and cool off! At the end of the program you can go up front to take some close-up pictures and ask any questions you still have.
We hadn’t really planned on eating there, but when our visit just kept stretching out, it became apparent we would need to! You have four options for food. Phoebe’s Coffee Bar is near the entrance and offers, coffee, snacks and ice cream. There is a covered patio just outside of Phoebe’s that a nice place to relax. The Cottonwood is small snack shop. Ocotillo Café and Ironwood Terraces Restaurant are across from each other on the east side of the museum. Ocotillo Café offers fine-dining, and of course, higher prices. We opted for the Ironwood Terraces – a collection of quick-serve grills. You’ll have your choice of burgers, pizza, wraps, salads and the like. You can dine inside or outside. The sandwiches/burgers/wraps ran from about $6-8. I got a huge slice of pizza for $4. It was actually one quarter of the pizza; cut normally it would have been closer to 3 slices.
From journal A Weekend in the Desert
Editor Pick
Arizona Desert Museum
- April 24, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
mh75 from Harrisonburg, Virginia
The Arizona Desert Museum is very unique in that it is a living museum. The majority of the exhibits are a collection of the wide variety of cacti and plants native to the local Sonoran Desert. In addition, there are live snakes, other reptiles, insects, and other animals that are native to this ecosystem and that are displayed on 100 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert. They are set through an outdoor walking course with descriptions alongside of them that clarify what each is. It is very informative and gives one a complete understanding of how complex this environment is.
There are also restaurants called the Ironwood Terrace, the Ocotillo Cafe, Phoebe's Coffee Bar, and The Cottonwood Snack Bar, to satisfy your hunger and thirst. I've tryed all but the Ironwood Terrace and found that they are very good. Check out some of the items that are for sale in the gift shop as well. There are some very unique books, minerals, and other knick-knacks that will help you to remember your visit.
Directions from Tucson are as follows: From 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.
Prices are reasonable also. Here are the fees along with the seasons that apply. June-Aug; $9 Adults, $2 Kids 6-12. Sept-May
$12 Adults, $4 Kids 6-12, Children 5 and under are free!
From journal Old home Arizona
Sonora Desert Museum
The Sonoran Desert Museum was my favorite part of our family trip to Tucson. This is my favorite place to go! The Desert Museum features many local animals and plants that are found only in the Sonoran Desert region, but doesn't stop there. You will also find a desert garden, a cave and minerals section, and tons of other neat stuff. This is not your typical "zoo", and the critters are running free, or in barricades. You are not looking through glass or wires most of the time, and their environments look completely natural. (In most cases, they are!) There is a paved path that takes you through most of the exhibits, and through a "real" cave. Kids love to climb through the cave (and hey - so did I!) Also along this path are several booths attended by Desert Museum volunteers. They have neat little exhibits set up, be sure to stop and look at these, I didn't notice them the first time I went, but every time since I have made a point to see them. One was the rocks found in this area, another was a collection of birds nests, and there are a ton more. I found that there are plenty of water stations and benches that are great to relax and take in the view. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera! We decided to have lunch at the cafe half way through the park. It was pretty much exactly what I had expected, nothing spectacular, but cold drinks were just the pick me up we needed. My children's favorite parts were the cave, the meerkats, and the archeology exhibit (where they can "find" dinosaur bones). My favorite part was the Butterfly Garden, local flowering plants and trees, with a little pond (with fish in it!) to sit by. There is also a pretty little gazebo to sit under, and it seemed that is where most of the butterflies were. All in all, this was a great trip, and I cannot wait to take my family back. We had a wonderful time, and every one of us learned something new. If you didn't have lunch at the cafe, or you plan to picnic, stop off at the Saguaro National Park. It's easy to find, any of the museum people can tell you how to get there. We all enjoyed the views, and couldn't have found a better place to enjoy our snack!
From journal Weekend in Tucson
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- November 29, 2005
- Rated 4 of 5 by
ParrotTalk from Boston, Massachusetts
This is a smallish but very well-done zoo. I loved how natural many of the enclosures were. This zoo/park focuses on animals and plants that you will find in the Sonoran Desert.
From journal Tucson: A Nature Lover's Dream