Trip Planner:   USA  /  Arizona  /  Tucson  /  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson

4.8

#1 of 234 in Museums in Arizona

Natural History Museum Art Gallery Must See

• ©
• ©
• ©
• © +9
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©

A combination zoo, botanic garden, and natural history museum, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum features over 3 km (2 mi) of walking paths crisscrossing nearly 9 hectares (21 acres) of desert landscapes. Home to more than 230 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants, the museum focuses on the interpretation and presentation of the natural history and diverse plant and animal life of the Sonoran Desert. Often called "the lushest desert on earth," this region shelters a range of habitats benefiting from the desert's bi-seasonal rainfall. The museum gardens display the varied ecosystems of cacti, agaves, grasslands, and yucca, while the zoo area features wildlife ranging from coyotes, bears, and mountain lions to hummingbirds and rattlesnakes. Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Tucson using our trip planner.

more less

Create an itinerary including Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Start planning

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.

© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

8,504 reviews

Google

4.8

facebook

99 likes

• By phyllisk769

  Very interesting with gardens and live animals and a raptor release with fabulous birds. Our docent was well versed in his subject. Another recommendation.  more »

• By 507adventurelover

  This museum offers something for the whole family, cacti with name signs, walk-by animal cages, a raptor show, an aviary, artifacts and other great moments. Would be easy to spend an entire day...  more »

See more on TripAdvisor »

Google

• By Miguel Amarillas

  The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was an awesome experience. Located in the middle of the Saguaro National Park, it was a nice cherry on the top of an early morning sunrise hike. We got there right before they opened at 7:30 to take advantage of the cooler morning. By the time we left at 9:30 it was already pushing 90°. I would describe this place as a living natural history museum. Mostly outdoors, you walk from exhibit to exhibit. My wife and I particularly enjoyed the aviary, the hummingbirds and the cave exhibit.

  more less
• By Jacquelynn Buck

  This is one of my favorite places to take visitors but also just to go by myself. It’s serene and beautiful and highlights all the best parts of the Sonoran desert. Their summer night program is one of the best things Tucson has on tap in the summer - really well done evening programming that I look forward to every year. I’ve also taken one of their behind the scenes tours and really enjoyed that as well. Hands down at the top of my top five things to do in Tucson.

  more less

See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Tucson

• Get a personalized plan

  A complete day-by-day itinerary
  based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your plan. We'll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Manage it

  Everything in one place.
  Everyone on the same page.