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Arizona (AZ)
Tucson
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International Wildlife Museum
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International Wildlife Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
International Wildlife Museum
4.5
323 reviews
#24 of 348 things to do in Tucson
Natural History Museums
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Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
The International Wildlife Museum is dedicated to increasing knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse wildlife of the world, as well as explaining the role of wildlife management in conservation. Founded in 1988, the museum has over 400 kinds of insects, mammals and birds from all over the globe. Some of the collections are more than 100 years old and all the species found at the museum were donated by various government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, captive breeding programs, zoos and individuals. The museum features a collection of animals from all over the world, along with dioramas re-creating the natural environment in which these animals live. Your visit is an excellent opportunity to see animals up close and gain a better understanding of their size and adaptive characteristics. The museum has many touchable specimens on display. All exhibits are indoors and the facility is wheelchair accessible and air-conditioned.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
323 reviews
Excellent
197
Very good
90
Average
16
Poor
8
Terrible
12
Jack P
Surprise, AZ27 contributions
Great for hunters/taxidermists, sad for animal lovers
May 2022
A hunter and taxidermist heaven, for sure. I personally found it strangely eerie and left kind of sad. At one point it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop, and I stood in the middle of the main room and slowly spun a 360, looking into the empty glass eyes of these once great creatures. I couldn't help to feel empathy for memories of their lives. And NO, I'm not some bleeding heart. I hate to say it, but it almost made me feel ashamed to be a human being, but this is what "we" do as a species. I do understand that the money from these hunts goes (usually) towards wildlife conservation the protection of healthy populations. I have business associates that go on big-time hunting safaris mostly in Africa but other parts of the world too, and have built amazing trophy rooms in their mansions. They spend upwards of 100K or more for these trips when it's all said and done. They always point out that the animals are old and need to be cut from the local populations, and expensive hunting licenses, and game wardens on scene to supervise and manage the hunts, and hungry locals getting a take of the meat, etc. But at the end of the day they all admit they enjoy killing animals, the bigger the better. Five stars for the time, effort and money that went into the planning and building of this museum. Three stars for my "personal" experience. Average of four stars.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keith K
1 contribution
A+ activity for adults and kids
May 2022
This needs to be way, way, way up the list. It was fantastic. $7.00 entrance fee for adults, and fantastic air conditioned building actually makes this an A+++ activity. My wife was unsure about going, as she can't stand people killing animals. We went, and both of us agreed that this place is a must for tourists and locals. Way bigger than we expected, even after reading many of the reviews. Absolutely amazing how may animals are there from all over the world. You can spend an hour just browsing, or you can spend 3 hours reading facts about the animals. Don't think they only have small animals, or just animal heads. There is a huge number of full bodies, many displayed in replicas of their natural habitats. Words can't justify how awesome this place was, for adults and kids. Other's kids seemed to love touching and hugging many of the animals. Can't imagine how many hours it took to stage this place. And the drive through Gates Pass to get there is nice. You must add this to your list of to do's while in Tucson.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ColoradoJ
Fort Collins, CO361 contributions
An Indoor Taxidermy Zoo
Dec 2019
This was actually more interesting than I expected, and a great way for young and old alike to learn about the appearance of less well known members of the animal kingdom. It was certainly the largest selection of taxidermied animals I had ever seen. Some of the exhibits are very old and showing their age, and the organization was a bit haphazard with multiples of the same animals scattered throughout, but it was definitely worth the admission price. Although we visited in the winter, it would be a great place to head for a cool indoors visit during the hot Tucson summer when e.g. the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum seemed less inviting.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
無名
Japan8,160 contributions
Not for me
Mar 2022 • Solo
Didn't like it. Just a lot of dead, stuffed animals on display. Sure it's educational and introduces different wildlife, but I also found it bizarre and creepy. The display on Theodore Roosevelt was interesting though - complicated man to say the least. I believe this place is supported by hunting organizations which make significant contributions to wildwife conservation. I guess these stuffed animals was once their catch (prey). So it's OK to kill these animals for sport as long as we stuff them for some private museum later on? Does this somehow ease the mind of wealthy hunters that they are not doing something wrong? I'm not saying they are by the way. This place tries to push the message that hunting and conservation go hand-in-hand. It very well may, but I still don't like their museum here.
Written March 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dawn C
Washington, IL67 contributions
Wonderful place to visit- all indoors
May 2022 • Couples
This was a wonderful way to spend a hot afternoon in Tucson. Everything is indoors, and they have animals (taxidermy) from all over the world. Lots of animals I never even heard of. We took our time and spent almost two hours looking at all the animals. They have wonderful displays and you can touch a lot of them. If you need a break from the heat, this is a great place to visit. They are also part of the museum reciprocal program so as members of our local museum, we were able to get in free. It’s totally different from the other desert museum in Tucson, so don’t pass it up!
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Happytraveler87
Philadelphia PA248 contributions
What a fantastic surprise !
Mar 2020
We were driving around the Saguaro National Park West and happened upon the International Wildlife Museum. What a fantastic Museum !It has more than 400 kinds of wildlife, in their natural settings, and very lifelike. There are supporting events, computers, diorama, it's an absolute wonder. I'm sorry it's not better publicized, we almost missed it and it's truly a treasure not to be missed.
Written April 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FernWanderlust
Anderson, IN681 contributions
Taxidermy Paradise
Oct 2022 • Couples
This is a great museum. If you oppose hunting or conservation it’s not for you. They have an extensive collection. They report the specimens have been donated and some are over a 100 years old. There are halls and halls of exhibits with accompanying information. The gift shop is reasonably priced for a museum.

The only thing I would like to see them add is more information about the specimens, how they were obtained, how old they are, who donated them etc.
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada78,235 contributions
Learning the animals in the world.
Feb 2020
This museum has a taxidermy. Well put together.

This is also the history of Theodore Roosevelt. I learned a lot of TheodoreIt is als Roosevelt.

The animals are stuffed and no one will be hurt.

Everything is beautiful. They make the animals it attractive and how animals.

They make scenery and everybody enjoy the animals.

They also show the dodo. Wow!

There are several rooms with lots and lots of Taxidermy.

They put a taxidermy with another with an other. It looks like its is alive.

When I went to this place, I saw the lion first.

I took 3 to 4 hours. It was so attractive and it was not expensive
Written November 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SassMcKitten
Ann Arbor, MI12 contributions
Well, that was f-ing weird.
Jul 2017 • Couples
My husband and I were visiting family in Tuscon and stumbled across the International Wildlife Museum on route to hiking in Saguaro National Park. On a whim, we stopped there post-hike, without googling anything about the museum (a rarity for us... YOLO was our motto for the day, I guess). In retrospect, we each experienced hackles on our back even prior to entering the museum, but also we were feeling some post-hike endorphins and game for anything(!)... except what we experienced. Despite what you might gather from the initial arrival into the parking lot, where there is a pond set up for the preservation of endangered arid fish, this is a museum devoted to dead animals. Room after room after room of taxidermied critters. Here's my caveat: I am a natural history museum buff, and not particularly squirmy about that type of exhibit. What I can't get behind is a) who is actually funding this museum b) their agenda, and c) how grossly hunting lodge it felt. The SCI will try and convince you that trophy hunting is good for conservation... Meanwhile at their annual convention people are illegally promoting, enabling, and profiting from the illegal wildlife trade and unethical hunting practices (Google it). I feel gross that I contributed monetarily to this organization.
Written January 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sparky919
Tucson, AZ1 contribution
Let's Appreciate Our Planet's Living Creatures Great and Small
Mar 2018 • Solo
This is the museum funded by folks who enjoy killing large beautiful animals. They get a tax break to display their trophies at this museum. I worked as a waitress at this group's annual meeting. They brought in U-hauls with large animals they shot. The grand prize went to a member that shot an animal so rare that I never heard of it before. Think about it.
Written March 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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International Wildlife Museum (Tucson) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about International Wildlife Museum
International Wildlife Museum is open:
  • Thu - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking International Wildlife Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 International Wildlife Museum tours on Tripadvisor