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.
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Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum reviews
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My kids and I were lucky enough to have a week of great weather to do many outdoor activities and this was one of them. Definitely is a must do, if you love nature, the outdoors and the wonders of...
My kids and I were lucky enough to have a week of great weather to do many outdoor activities and this was one of them. Definitely is a must do, if you love nature, the outdoors and the wonders of... more »
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A wonderful museum for all ages. It has plants, animals, reptiles, caves, fishes, and more. Plan on a full day and don't hurry. I wish we had gotten there when it opened and the animals were more...
A wonderful museum for all ages. It has plants, animals, reptiles, caves, fishes, and more. Plan on a full day and don't hurry. I wish we had gotten there when it opened and the animals were more... more »
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My family and I love this place. If you’re planning on taking the desert loop, get there early. It gets hot! They have a nice little cafe and coffee station with an outdoor eating area. You can bring your own backpack and food and water too. One of the last times we were there right when they opened, we saw some adorable baby foxes in the wild, not on exhibit. And my kids were so happy the “stingray” touch and feed was back open. Great place to spend a weekend day.
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This is the ultimate in wildlife and desert experience in the Tucson area. This is a place that I frequent as a local and recommend to visitors not to miss. The facility is very clean and very well maintained. The animals all seem happy and very well cared for. Keep in mind that these are indigenous animals and the majority of what desert fauna do is stay in the shade and conserve energy. The park is large and outdoors, but there are water fountains all over. The grill has decent food and is fair priced
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