Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

2021 N Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ  85743
(520) 883-1380

www.desertmuseum.org

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more. Within the Museum grounds, you will see more than 300 animal species and 1200 kinds of plants. There are almost two miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert. The Sonoran Desert is our model for teaching life and earth science. Our science education programs highlight live animals and museum artifacts, hands-on/minds-on activities, experiential learning, and lab and field equipment.

Location:

From I-10, take Speedway Blvd. West approx. 12 miles, or, from I-19 take Ajo Way exit and right on Kinney Road for 7.5 miles. Located in Tucson Mountain Park.

Parking:

Ample parking for cars, buses, motor homes, etc.

Hours of operation:

Open every day of the year.  
October through February 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
March through September 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission fees:

Registration required with a 30-day minimum advance notice.

Adults and students $2 each for Self-guided visit.

(Prices vary for classes, labs, and outreach programs.)

Membership:

Yes

Handicapped access:

Yes. Wheelchairs available

Lunch facilities:

Restaurant, snack bar plus small picnic area on site,  available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Gift shop:

Yes

Curriculum relevance:

Life, earth, and environmental science. All programs are correlated with the Arizona Academic Standards in Science.

Contact person:

Reservations Coordinator, (520) 883-3025

Arranging a Visit:

All schools must register for programs At the Museum or  At Your School with a 30-day minimum advance notice. Easy online registration at: www.desertmuseum.org

Tour description:

Average Self-guided visits are 2 hours for grades K-12. Introduce your students to the fascinating wildlife and natural history of the Sonoran Desert by exploring the Desert Museum! Teacher Resources available online give pre- and post-visit activities for each grade level.

Discovery Classes (grades K - 6):  
Using live animals, museum artifacts, and interactive desert demonstrations, these hands-on programs focus on desert life to provide an introduction to various natural science topics.

Middle School Labs (grades 6 - 9):  
These in-depth, activity-oriented sessions allow students to explore natural science topics through the use of artifacts, live animals, and equipment in a laboratory setting. Students complete lab manuals that help guide their work.

High School Programs (grades 9-12):  
Students learn about museum careers and get a behind the scenes tour of the museum or they can have a class on endangered species, learn about their habitats and what is causing them to disappear.

Other resources:

Teacher’s Day August 30, 2003 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Join us at the Museum for a special morning just for teachers and learn about preparing for your Museum field trip or programs, and possibly earn 3 hours credit.

www.desertmuseum.org (go to School and Youth/Teacher Resources) offers a broad range of material for self-guided visits, classes, labs, plus information on the Sonoran Desert.

Outreach programs

Desert Ark

Pre-visit Orientation

Desert Discovery Outreach

Sonora Desert Discovery Kits

page last updated July 18, 2003