Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- PabloDiablo
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 20
- Reviews
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25
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Editor Pick
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- September 8, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Hal1026 from Scottsdale, Arizona
Situated 14 miles west of Tucson, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is more of a zoo experience than the traditional indoor museum inanimate institution. Actually, it creatively combines elements of a zoo, museum and botanical garden, so there is something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to get a close-up panorama about what this part of the American outdoors is all about.
The majority of the exhibitry includes the Life Underground, which is about nocturnal desert dwellers of the region from foxes to tarantulas. The Riparian Habitat is about river life, from beaver to river otter and the desert fish in the region's streams. The Desert Grassland exhibit recreates the action of a black-tailed prairie dog colony. The Museum's gardens are a colorful display of cactus and succulents, and there's a walk-through cave that leads you to one of the finest collection of rare regional gems and minerals. When you're ready to relax and revive, there are two restaurants, a coffee bar and casual refreshment ramads on the grounds. All you have to bring is the sunscreen, a hat and comfortable walking shoes: the time goes quickly here.
From journal Tucson: Cactus and Salsa
Editor Pick
Sonora Desert Museum
- June 27, 2001
- Rated 3 of 5 by
jmineo from L.A., California
A leisurely morning is ideal for a trek to this park/museum. Look for signs to Tucson Community College, West Campus on I-10 then continue driving on the windy road. Our drive took us through the Saguaro National Monument, with its miles and miles of those enormous cactus "trees", into Tucson Mountain Park, site of the Desert Museum. The "Desert Experience" would be a better name for the museum, since it contains dioramas, aquariums, and a very educational earth sciences center. Outdoors, its spacious grounds are the best place to learn about Arizona's wealth and variety of cactuses and animals, since hundreds of indigenous plants and animals live in near-natural settings there. Kids of all ages will just love it!While there, I had my own unforgettable "experience". While taking gum off the bottom of my sandals, I lost my balance and my hand accidentally brushed against one of those innocent-looking Cholla cactuses, the ones which look like furry white teddy bears. AYEEEE! The air around me instantly turned blue as the Arizona sky, and it was days before I got all the barbs out and the pain subsided. Not exactly the type of souvenir I planned on taking with me, but there's something for everyone of all ages at this museum, but do be careful, especially with children!
From journal Tucson - Oasis in the Sonoran Desert
Desert Museum
- April 25, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Calico27 from Kissimmee, Florida
This was a really fun and educational museum in Tuscon, right in the middle of the desert with - literally - millions of sanguaro cactuses in every direction. Walking paths all over the museum and you get to see and learn all about desert plants and animals. They even have snakes, spiders, etc. to see. A huge, walk in place to see birds too. Interesting information on how Sanguaros grow - it takes them 150 years to grow their first "arm". Which is why, I think, it's illegal to cut them down. Just make sure you have lots of water with you - it gets very, very hot and dehydrating walking around outside in Arizona heat. But it was a beautiful museum, highly recommend it.
From journal Week in Arizona
Editor Pick
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
- August 25, 2000
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Vera Marie from Tucson, Arizona
I always remind visitors to put on their sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes when we go to the Desert Museum. Although there are some buildings, most of the museum is outdoors.
Cactuses as small as your fingernail and 300-year-old giant saguaros line the paths. Lizards scurry across rocks and regal mountain sheep pose in their fenceless exhibit area. In the hummingbird walk-through exhibit, bright bundles of feathers whiz by our heads. If the exploration makes us hungry, we can stop at a snack shop or dine at the snazzy indoor/outdoor Ironwood Terrace.
Location: Fourteen miles west of Tucson. Take Speedway west over Gates Pass Road to Kenny Road and follow the signs. If you are driving a large vehicle, take Ajo Way instead of Speedway.
Hours: Every day of the year. 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Longer hours in summer.
Admission: $1.75 for six to 12 year olds; $8.95 for adults May to October; $9.95 November to April.
From journal Tucson's Top Seven
Editor Pick
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- June 26, 2000
- Rated 4 of 5 by
PabloDiablo from San Francisco, California
I have always loved the Desert Museum, which is actually more of a zoo than a museum. Located in the Tucson Mountains west of the city, it showcases the flora, fauna, and geology of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. It has really amazing habitats, such as the bighorn sheep habitat and the prarie dog habitat. The aviary is great--you walk in, and birds of all sorts are flying above you while little hummingbirds buzz by your ears. This is one of the finest, most interesting zoos I've been to. Make sure to bring water and sunscreen, though, because you'll be doing a lot of walking outside even though some of the exhibits are indoors.
From journal Sun, Saguaros, and Septagenarians