Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2
4
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Biosphere 2 has Reopened with a Great New Experience! The Biosphere 2 Experience app includes never before seen photos and videos that visualize the science and 30-year history. Through science stories and interviews you'll have the opportunity to learn more about our amazing, world-class research as you traverse a safe (socially distanced) one-way path around the exterior, and finally into reopened portions of the interior of Biosphere 2 itself!. Download the free Biosphere 2 Experience app to serve as your personal guide as you embark on an evening of science, history and unforgettable views! Your visit directly contributes to the research and education mission of Biosphere 2, thank you for your support! TICKETS MUST BE PRE-PURCHASED ONLINE. Please visit www.biosphere2.org to purchase tickets There will be a limited number of tickets sold per day. Once a limit is reached on a particular day, interested guests must select another day.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Mike G398 contributionsAbout 20 miles north of Tucson but absolutely unique and well worth the driveThe history of this place has had its ups and downs but it is now managed by the University of Arizona. The excellent self guided tour is about a miles worth of walking and takes about 90 minutes or so ($25 for seniors). There are about 121 informative stops (you should pre load the tour to your phone) which provide lots of detail on the history and current status of this sort of exceptional facility.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 5, 2023
- Richard MPhoenix, Arizona452 contributionsListen and learnThe high degree of naivete exhibited by the project managers and participants is incredible. It illustrates how ideology can dominate thought and overcome science. That aside, it is an exciting facility to visit. The tour is well set out, the app gives you a short explanation at each stop, and one need only follow the arrows painted on the ground to learn. Be sure to listen with a critical ear, and you’ll hear some internal contradictory statements even within one stop. However, many, if not most, zoos and other outdoor locations would do well to examine and copy Biosphere’s tour and marking system. It is excellent.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 11, 2024
- Chris Sidwell6 contributionsInteresting tour!The self guided tour was very well done, listening through our own devices. We also did the Library and personal residence tour with a guide and it was definitely worthwhile. This was very interesting and just a short drive from downtown Tucson. Be sure to listen to the podcast they send a link for on your drive there.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 21, 2024
- Joan GBay Shore, New York17 contributionsA++Well worth it. Fascinating. I use a walker and I was nicely accommodated. However, if you decide to go into the rainforest/ocean part there are a lot of steps. My husband was a great sport and carried my walker up the steps. It’s also hot and humid in that part ( duh- it’s a rainforest) so keep that in mind.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 18, 2024
- lizMesa, Arizona46 contributionsHighly recommend!!Fascinating!! Well done!! I learned so much. Very clean, good restrooms and water bottle filling stations. Wear layers because you will be 50% inside 59% outside. The surrounding views are amazing as well. A beautiful place!Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 7, 2024
- Sergio MArlington, Virginia159 contributionsI recommend purchasing the tourI love this sci-fi stuff. The facility is a bit of a drive through the dessert. Coming from a big city, I enjoyed the drive to get here. The facility is huge! But to get the most out of the experience, get the behind-the-scenes tour. I was able to learn from the staff the full details of what the experiment was. Will come again.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 4, 2024
- Weather MavenTucson, Arizona6 contributionsA unique spotThis is a SELF-GUIDED tour, you will need to download an app to follow along. Entry price is a little steep for what you get, BUT part of it goes toward continuing to fund the projects contained within. Lots of walking inside and out, around this large campus. A unique spot. Now run/used by the University of Arizona for active research. Past history well documented in film & news articles. Worth visiting if you're into science.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 7, 2024
- Tazz21Brisbane, Australia11 contributionsWell worth a visitThe Biosphere was more in my husband’s hit list than mine but it is an incredibly interesting piece to visit. The history and science of Biosphere 2 is fascinating. Whether you are interested in science, climate change or space, or enjoy the different environments created there is something for everyone. The tour requires downloading of an app to guide you around and there is a lot of walking involved including stairs and outdoors. We visited on a sunny September day and it was very hot at some of the stops. There are plenty of places to refill water bottles.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,303 reviews
Excellent
620
Very good
424
Average
162
Poor
57
Terrible
40
JenniferPhoenix
Phoenix, AZ39 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Very disappointed in our “tour”. You are told to download an app and watch 18 videos as you walk the complex. While we did go in part of one of the buildings there was so little information given about the experiments that have been run and nothing communicated about what was learned from the past participants groups. There was no science at all. Very disappointed as I was hoping this would be a great learning experience for my kid but it was not at all. While I understand we are in Covid right now for the high cost of admission I would expect to be able to converse with someone about the science behind Biosphere. Very disappointed.
Written March 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William2013Buckley
Lacey, WA102 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This is a good experience and I learned about on going studies about our earth habits. We took the Modified Tour for the handicapped. We walked a mile with a lot of breaks. Modified tours are at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 pm. Regular admission is $21 and Seniors is $19. The modified tour guide uses a portable speaker so everyone heard well. Return trip was by golf cart if you want. Beat the crowd and go on Tuesday- Thursday was recommended. The University of Arizona runs the program and is very professional. Enjoy
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie J
Bowling Green, KY76 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
This place is certainly a rare and unique place to visit. How could we not take our 9 year old daughter?!! She was a little bored walking around outside, looking at building and listening to virtual tour guides. Once we finally got to go inside, she perked up a little. We were very interested in the opportunity to share this educational experience with her but we had to do most of the exploration. We did get to ask questions with a volunteer near the end of the tour and that was nice. I can imagine the tour is much better with a live tour guide. It would have been nice to see the living quarters. I’d recommend you visit even if the tours are still virtual because it will spark questions and imagination.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
Westminster, CO12 contributions
Jan 2020
Not impressed with this place at all. It was not ADA accessible. So we couldn’t take the full tour, we had to take the “modified tour” but they did not give us a discount in price. Same price - shorter tour.
Some of us did pay to take the add on ocean tour, all it was was a big push for recycling. We paid money to hear how important recycling is.
Not worth the time or the money.
Some of us did pay to take the add on ocean tour, all it was was a big push for recycling. We paid money to hear how important recycling is.
Not worth the time or the money.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hutchss
Benicia, CA1,136 contributions
Nov 2022
I have been to the Biosphere 2 twice - once in 1998 and in 2002. This week, my husband and I were staying locally and decided to visit. For him, it was a first time experience. We downloaded the app prior to driving, as well as purchased tickets in advance. $24/senior. As we drove, we listened to a podcast with two original Bioispherians, as well as three short audio lessons about Tucson and the history of the area - all done quite well. When we arrived at the Biosphere 2, we used our phones to listen to the 19 stations located throughout and around the Biosphere.
Things were changed due to Covid. There used to be docents taking you around the Biosphere, but now there is the audio app which also includes pictures. You move through the Biosphere and around on the outside. There are several docents to answer questions. Since U of A took this facility over, things have really been upgraded and well maintained. The audio tour of the 19 stations was excellent but it didn't take you to all of the places I remembered going to 20 years ago. I remember getting to see the LUNGS of the Biosphere as well as a COMMAND center of some sort, but apparently, these are separate docent led tours at an additonal cost. We are so happy we took the tour of the Biosphere and plan to return for the addtional tours at a future date.
Things were changed due to Covid. There used to be docents taking you around the Biosphere, but now there is the audio app which also includes pictures. You move through the Biosphere and around on the outside. There are several docents to answer questions. Since U of A took this facility over, things have really been upgraded and well maintained. The audio tour of the 19 stations was excellent but it didn't take you to all of the places I remembered going to 20 years ago. I remember getting to see the LUNGS of the Biosphere as well as a COMMAND center of some sort, but apparently, these are separate docent led tours at an additonal cost. We are so happy we took the tour of the Biosphere and plan to return for the addtional tours at a future date.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
5576miked
Tucson, AZ103 contributions
Feb 2020
I enjoy science quite a bit and though this could be interesting. Instead it seems as though it was a climate change speech. yeah, great, climate change...it changes daily. I didn't go on the tour to get a speech from a climate change millenial...greta thrunberg wanna be. It would be much more interesting to just hear more about the facility and what accomplishments this facility has helped bring to society. The engineering of the facility construction would be a bit interesting too...I really don't recommend it for $21.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Mills
Benson, AZ540 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
My wife and I had Groupon tickets for half off and we wanted to see it. The tour is 90 minutes long with exceptional tour guides and plenty of things to see. You walk about 1/2 mile to get begin the tour and and another mile to finish it. Lots of steps and low overhead doors, but plenty of warning. Also extremely high pressure vents can knock your hats off, so be careful. We loved it and glad we came on a rainy day as the different biospheres are hot, humid and can be brutal on hot sunny days. The temperature inside changes rapidly from cool to swampy, so be prepared and wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy S
Apex, NC41 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
$25 for a less than 60 minute walking tour guided by a pre-downloaded app. It appears to be a facility that’s still trying to be relevant when in fact it never really was. I find it hard to recommend both from an interest perspective and a value for money perspective. Best to miss.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ckb211
Phoenix, AZ26 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We’re glad we went but it wasn’t all that great. The tour guides couldn’t point to any example of an impact the multi decade experiment had made except foot notes in peer papers. The ten minute video they make you watch at the start of the tour is repeated during the tour making it a waste of time. The line to get in and get any food was excessive so be prepared to wait and move very slowly during your whole experience. Worth a one time stop, more if they could gain some efficiencies to improve the customer experience.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
riverrunnermo
Kansas City, MO181 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Could not see it from the visitors center, and the ticket price is over-the-top. After driving north out of Tucson to Oracle and then on to Biosphere, we were expecting better. The restrooms on the way into the visitor center were locked, and had to have someone in a student study class let us in to that building. We then went to the visitor center and found the pricing. OUCH! $50 for two seniors. $54 for two adults. The gift shop was lacking what most museums have and what they did have was very overpriced. Over $2 for a postcard? You have to be kidding. We decided to move on with our vacation a lot sadder and wiser. Next time, we will check first. Many years ago, we visited and were able to walk around the structure in the summer heat of 109 degrees.
Written February 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Most definitely. You can even walk in and get tickets. It is not busy and you can start as soon as you get there since it is self-guided.
Written March 29, 2022
No. This place is old school. It is fabulous but very much a metal winding stair type of environment. LOVE IT!
Written January 27, 2022
There is NO tunnel any longer. It is one of the many features that have been closed.
Written March 29, 2022
I read there a a lot of stairs, are they all at once or scattered through out?
Written February 29, 2020
Yes there are stairs but there are also ramps outside of the facilities. You can go from the main welcome area to the Biosphere and if I recall use the ramps and not have to use the stairs, which is where most of the stairs are. When we visited a gentleman in a wheel chair participated but went on a separate tour . Inside the facility there were only a few steps at a time for transition.
I hope this helps.
Written March 1, 2020
The general tour is about 90 minutes. Then you are free to walk around the campus on your own. Overall we spent about 2 to 2 and a half hours there.
Written December 17, 2019
where can i get a list of the times that tours are being offer during the week
Written July 19, 2019
Clearly listed on Biosphere 2's web site.
Written July 20, 2019
I suggest you leave the stroller in the vehicle.
Written May 25, 2019
Pretty much covered by all who proceeded me.
The Lung is an awesome experience. Much impressed.
Written May 2, 2019
They did everything they could to control the CO2 levels in hopes that it will be absorbed by the plants and soils within the Biosphere.
Written April 14, 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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