Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
add photosThe Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place!
9 Reviews for Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
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90 families found this helpful
"A desert education"
If you are visiting Tucson or are new to the city you should definitely check this out! This will give you a full education on desert wildlife. There are walking trails outside as well as indoor things to see. I would suggest not going in the heat of the day as you will want to see the outdoor attractions.
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1 family found this helpful
"Amazing Desert Experience"
My husband and I went here a couple years ago BK (Before Kids ;) This was probably our favorite place that we visited while in Tucson. It doesn't really feel like a museum, or even a zoo for that matter. The layout is so unique, it feels like you are on a beautiful nature walk through the desert and that the animals just happen to show up - they are all kept in very natural enclosures, no cages or bars like in a typical zoo. We went in January so heat wasn't a problem, it wasn't crowded at all and we practically had the place to ourselves. I really loved the Aviary, the birds are all flying about totally free in a mesh-covered area and they let you get very close. My only recommendation would be to go in the late afternoon so you get to see the beautiful sunset as you drive back home through the Sonoran Desert. We will definitely bring our kids back here someday.
0 families found this helpful
"Arizona Desert Museum"
The Arizona Desert Museum is awesome in my opinion.
Entry fee is a little pricey, but is so awesome. All desert animals of course, insects, lots of snakes, birds, and different animals. I recommend you go in winter months or early morning in summer because you are walking outside. There i a restaurant, snack bar, coffee shop, and gift shop. I love it there, totally recommend it!!
0 families found this helpful
"Zoo in the Desert?"
I was pleasantly surprised As to what this attraction had to over. The grounds are beautiful and authentic. It is however quite a walk if you do the whole trail. They do allow you to bring in a small ice chest so you could have a picnic lunch.
Also the bathrooms are equipped with sunscreen dispensers, which I found quite considerate.
0 families found this helpful
"great educational family trip"
This is a great place to do some sight seeing, animal watching, and learning about the Sonoran Desert. Great Desert vegetation, animals and learning opportunities. I think that this place is kind of bland for younger kids, and is a place you really only need to go to once. It is a drive on the outskirts of Tucson. Beautiful sunsets!!
0 families found this helpful
"well worth visiting"
we went to this place with our small children in april and had a great time. It was full of beautiful exhibits and animals. We especially enjoyed the bird exhibit. They had multiple snack areas where you could purchase icecream and a food court as well. The kids got to watch a show about the animals in that region and actually got up on stage to help:) It did get hot but we were equipped with water but i recommend going early morning or later on if you want to do the long route. We saw everything! Wild pigs too:)
0 families found this helpful
"fun"
The animals were fun to see and learn about. We also got to see them in their natural habitat which was not like most of the zoos we've been to. It was hands on and the kids had a great time. Take sunscreen and lots of water because it is very hot. This park was also strollor friendly if you have little ones.
'11, '12, '131 family found this helpful
"Absoutely beautiful museum and zoo "
This zoo is an incredible representation of the Sonoran Desert. the grounds are gorgeous with Suagurao cacti and other desert varietals lanscaped to create a very nautral setting. Kids can see animals native to the desert along with gems and fossils. The cave is really cool and so are the avairies. I especially loved the desert loop trail.
1 family found this helpful
"gorgeous walk"
What a beautiful walk this was! Ungodly hot, but amazing! There were exotic animal all along the way and the architecture framed the natural desert around it in a stunning way! Bring your sunscreen, hat, water and camera. The drive on the way out there is one you will never forget as you go through a FOREST of cacti!
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