Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Tucson, Arizona

Location: 2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743 Map

Phone: (520) 883-2702
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is open every day of the year.

Summer Saturday Evenings

7:30 am - 10:00 pm (June - August)
March - September

7:30 am - 5:00 pm (no entry after 4:15 pm)

October - February

8:30 am - 5:00 pm (no entry after 4:15 pm)
June - August

$9 Adults
$2 Kids 6-12

September - May

$12 Adults
$4 Kids 6-12

Children 5 and under are free!

Ask About Military Rates

Ask About Membership
When you arrive, ask for the Self-guiding Tour Map. It lists the exhibit areas leading you in a counter-clockwise direction. You can pick and choose the areas you want to see. There are exhibits with larger animals as well as walk-in aviaries. Or, perhaps you just want to walk the desert trails and take in the scenery. You can do whatever you would like. Each area you visit represents a specific habitat. Determine your interests before you start out, head for those areas and then fill in with the other exhibits as time and energy permits.
We were there on a pretty hot day. We kept seeing people walking around with refreshing ice cream cones. There is a snack bar as well as the Ironwood Terraces Restaurant with pizza and hamburgers, and the Ocotillo Cafe serving Sonoran cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere. Last but not least, enjoy Phoebe's Coffee Bar.

• Parking is free and there are disabled parking slots and places for RVs.
• Don't bring your pets or leave them in the car
• No smoking
• Don't feed the animals
• Ask a Docent - they are there to advise and assist you.
• Much of the museum is outdoors, so wear walking shoes, a hat and use sunscreen.
• Drinking fountains, shade ramadas and restrooms are available throughout the grounds.
• Wheelchairs, strollers and scooters can be rented for a fee.
  Shopping:
  
  The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has a great gift shop with regional and international gift items. Purchase a t-shirt, a Native-American made piece of jewelry or educational games and books.
  Timing:
  
  Of course, the best time to arrive is when the museum opens. Crowds are more sparse and the desert air is fresh and cooler. I would recommend a minimum of two hours to see some key exhibits and buy a few post cards. Of course, that is a the absolute minimum. To see the museum and special exhibits, it is ideal to visit several days in a row. There is always something exciting going on.
  Liz's Tip:
  
  There are several ways to arrive at the Museum. I highly recommend taking Gates Pass Road through the Tucson Mountain Park. It is hilly, has some winding roads and the most gorgeous views. Enjoy a very nice Saguaro cactus forest on your way.
  Enjoying the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum:
  
  The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a major Arizona attraction sits in a scenic valley just west of Tucson, Arizona. Part zoo, part botanical garden, and part art exhibit, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a "must visit" for your trip to Arizona.
  
  We visited the museum in January and even then the afternoon sun kept us plenty warm. We went to the orientation room, checked out the special events for the day and quickly decided our priorities. They were javalena sighting and hummingbird immersement. We soon found out that the museum was much like a zoo, except that the animals were all native to the Sonoran desert. Some were familiar to us and some were animals that hide quite well, usually. We wanted to see Javelina and so took the long Desert Loop Trail to see them. And, we were not disappointed. We found the Javelina and had a great time listening to them snort and run from one area to the next in search of food.
  
  Next, it was off to see Hummingbirds. But not before we enjoyed the beautiful large cats and prarie dogs, all in fairly natural settings. The hummingbird aviary was a wonderful place to see several varieties of hummingbird. They darted from tree to tree and hovered above our heads. A laminated guide card helped us identify the hummers.
  
  As we left, we took a last look at the beautiful view from the overlook. The Avra Valley separates the mountain ranges. It was a clear day and we could see from the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation to the Mexican border.