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Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #1 of 204 attractions in Tucson
Traveler Description:
This renowned combination zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden reflects the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, featuring...... more » This renowned combination zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden reflects the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, featuring wildlife like coyotes, bears and mountain lions in their natural settings and aviaries, one for hummingbirds and the other for varied desert birds. « less
Familiar with Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: Natural history museum, Zoo, Garden, Museum, Nature center, Specialty museum, Other
Activities: Viewing wildlife, Birdwatching, Viewing foliage
Address: 2021 North Kinney Road Tucson, AZ 85743
Tel: 520 883 2702

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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3 of 5 stars
Sassy-Travelers   1 contribution
Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 8, 2009
3/3 found this review helpful

We visited this attraction on Oct. 13, 2009. The weather was excellent, mid-80's. We were a party of 4 adults. We were really looking forward to a combination zoo, botanical garden & museum. The website looked amazing. We had inquired by phone beforehand about handicapped accessibility, because my mother-in-law uses a walker to get around, and I knew it would... more

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4 of 5 stars
TMystery   1 contribution
Tucson, AZ
Nov 8, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

This is a great attraction for both locals and visitors alike. It's sort of a combo of a museum and a zoo and is great for both adults and children, although for toddlers it might just be a good place to run around as the majority of displays are not intended for that age group. I'd suggest going early in... more

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5 of 5 stars
rcp27   14 contributions
New Jersey
Nov 5, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

This place was great! It is a zoo, Botanical garden, and natural history museum all in one. My family and I spent more than 4 hours here. My 8 year old son enjoyed the fact that we were able to witness Javelinas up close as well as Coyotes! You walk desert trails in which they put up almost invisible fencing... more

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5 of 5 stars
mauiwolf   22 contributions
Las Vegas, Nevada
Oct 12, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

The desert can be a harsh place and it is easy to misunderstand it, so going to this museum is a great way to learn. It's much more than a museum. It's a botanical garden and a zoo, too. I would avoid the middle of the day (better for animal viewing and not so hot), but whenever you go there... more

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5 of 5 stars
AmericaOverEasy   3 contributions
Sydney
Jul 20, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

As a Tour Director & Trek Leader for years, I've been toting folks to the Sonora Desert Museum, and oftentimes, they're on tight budgets and reluctant to pay the small entry fee. I pay for everyone out of my pocket, and let the group loose, and if they return not thinking the place is tops, the visit is 'on the... more

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5 of 5 stars
BalancingAct   4 contributions
Scottsdale AZ
Jul 17, 2009
5/5 found this review helpful

We went to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum this June. I love this place. It seems more to be a cross between a zoo, a botanical garden and a museum all rolled into one. There are many exihibits of local animal and a few that are rare here now, such as the otters. There is a nice Aviary with a... more

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5 of 5 stars
Aussie61   43 contributions
Adelaide
Jul 12, 2009
5/5 found this review helpful

The previous reviews have said it all. This museum, especially the hummingbird exhibit, was the highlight on my trip. A fascinating place and great way to experience life in the desert. It was warm but overcast when we visited but there is plenty of shade and water fountains provided. I cannot recommend this place highly enough - and the entrance... more

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5 of 5 stars
GatoRat   11 contributions
Pleasant Grove, UT
Jun 9, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

I was prompted to write this after trashing the San Diego Zoo, which wasn't absolutely horrible, but very disappointing and not worth the cost or bother. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is everything the San Diego Zoo wants to be but isn't. The exhibits are well designed for both the animals and to maximize the viewing experience. The hummingbird exhibit is... more

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5 of 5 stars
sesquius   3 contributions
Chattanooga, TN
May 22, 2009
4/4 found this review helpful

As others have stated, this a must-see in the Tucson area. A place where you are introduced to various plants and wildlife in the state. There is a cavern you are guided through with displays of rocks. An area of wildlife, such as coyotes, cougar, and deer. The coolest part was the hummingbird aviary, where inside you were bombarded by... more

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5 of 5 stars
wannago2   75 contributions
Big Island, Hawaii
May 20, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

I would highly recommend this zoo. It isn't called that,but it's a zoo. And the docents there are just fabulous. We learned lots of cool things. more

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Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Address

2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743
Tel: 520 883 2702