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Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
About Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place, and loves to have families just like yours visit!
This Tucson museum offers interpretive displays of not only living animals, but plants native to the Sonoran Desert - who knew there was so much flora and fauna living in such an arid part of the the USA.
(Kids, the Sonora Desert encompasses parts of Arizona and California, as well as the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California!)
The animals that you can see in the museum range from the smallest leafcutter ants, to the HUGE American black bear. Some of the animals are threatened and endangered species, including the ocelot, desert pupfish, and thick-billed parrot, so kids can gain an invaluable lesson in conservation too, and why it's so important to look after our wildlife.
It's not just living animals that you can see at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, in fact they have the Sonorasaurus that dates from the Cretaceous period, and is the oldest non-living animal in the museum!
About 15% of the museum is indoors, with the rest being outdoors, so kids can really appreciate learning about nature, IN nature (and make sure you take appropriate clothing!)
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Suggest editHow much does it cost?
Suggest editAdults $29.95 (age 13-64)
Children $19.95 (Ages 3 to 12)
Free Under 3 years
Last Update 2023
Discount Military $27.95, Seniors $27.95, Arizona/Sonora Resident (ages 13+): $24.95 Community Access Adult: $9.95 Community Access Youth: $7.95
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Arizona Sonora Desert Museum FAQ’s
Doing our bit
The Conservation Education & Science Department conducts the educational and scientific functions of the Museum and is a hub for research, education and conservation of the Sonoran Desert Region.
I’m Hungry! Can I get food at Arizona Sonora Desert Museum?
Ironwood Terraces is a multi-station food court with a complete menu and kids items, the Ocotillo Cafe opens seasonally and features locally sourced ingredients for lunch, and there is a coffee bar and snack shop (with ice cream!) too - so you really have plenty of choice!
Any top tips when visiting?
The Desert Museum is primarily an outdoor experience, so wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes, or appropriate colder weather gear.
Does Arizona Sonora Desert Museum have a gift shop?
Take time to explore the interesting and unique Gift Shops, the best one stop shopping spot in Tucson. They offer a wide array of merchandise in each of our stores from exclusive custom souvenirs to regional crafts and foods, including ASDM logo items and local Native American arts and crafts.
Teachers corner
They offer year round self-guided school tours, as well as a 30 minute activity led by staff, a Kids Club, camps and so much more!
Does Arizona Sonora Desert Museum have healthy eating or Vegan options?
There are drinking fountains throughout for your convenience and you can bring your own picnic and enjoy it just outside the entrance in the public picnic area. No outside food inside the museum grounds
Is Arizona Sonora Desert Museum fully accessible?
The Museum is firmly committed to finding solutions to the challenges presented by some of their older buildings and to removing barriers that are presented to visitors. We plan to make steady progress in improving those areas where our facilities are outdated or inadequate
Yes, manual wheelchairs & electric scooter-style wheel chairs are available at a small charge to Museum visitors on a first come, first served basis.
Any additonal information?
You can have your child's birthday party at the museum! Just slink, swoop, or scamper to the Desert Museum for an unforgettable birthday adventure! Museum birthdays are hosted on Saturdays year-round (some blackout dates apply), and are recommended for children age 4-11.
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