Sonoran Desert Museum
Twenty minutes or so outside of Tucson is the Soronan Desert Museum. Now this isn't what you would usually call a “museum”. Animal exhibits, tons of outdoor trails for exploring, and an area where you are shrunken down to the size of a Packrat. The Sonoran Desert Museum is more like a zoo than a museum.
Let me give you a brief explanation of what to expect and see. As stated in the photo above the museum is 85% outdoors. It's important to note that it is also near Old Tucson, if you wanted to knock out two locations in one. You could spend an entire day at the museum if you take your time and visit everytime. When I go with the kids I usually spend about 4 hours, depending on the weather. You will need 2 hours minimum to see it all. Don't go at noon in August with kids or grandparents and expect to have a good time. Either go in the fall, winter, spring hours and be prepared for outside. Parts of the paths are dirt, so wear runners if you are a person that hates dirty feet. Also a good rule for kids since you don't want to be stopping a million times to get a rock out of their sandal. They have sunblock stations in bathrooms (being burnt is never fun), and water bottle filling stations throughout. A stroller or wheelchair can go through the museum, but it can't go though the tiny cave paths, it's an exploring area. As far as admission goes I feel that it is reasonably priced, and since it's run my mainly volunteers the money is going back into this amazing place and their mission.
Technically members aren't free since we pay a yearly membership.
As far as hours go I would recommend steering clear during the spring breaks or when school is out. Mainly because the pack rat exhibit gets a lineup and kids have to stay for an alloted amount of time, usually 30 minutes and then leave. If you go during the week when school is in, younger kids can stay in the pack rat exhibit as long as they want. I would know, I spent 90 minutes there on our last visit. I won't even complain about it. It's safe, fun, air-conditioned, has bathrooms, vending machines, and my kids are being active and running around. I saw a Grandma bring a beer in that she must of bought else where and now she is goals. I believe you can't bring outside food into the museum, but there is food sold in many locations. I have seen families eat packed lunches in the packrat place, so I don't think they are very strict on the rules.
Here is how we usually attack the museum. Our plan everytime we have gone is to venture to the right. We do the Warden aquarium (on the left) right by the entrance and then proceed to the right. There is also a bathroom stop there right after the snake, spider and insect exhibit. My son gets scared of the spiders, so we tend to skip that area. Lol. Then you just follow the path. You can find all the names of the exhibits HERE. The cave area is another stop my kids love. It also has the Earth Sciences Center. As you enter you will find a path on the right. Most don't see it or know you can climb through. But it takes you on a short “caving adventure” and is fun. Obviously strollers can not go through this stop or elderly people or those that don't like small spaces. I turn on my phone flashlight and it helps my kids feel brave.
As you can see by the map there is alot of walking and outside areas. Wear a hat and sunblock.
If you continue on the path towards the Packrat Playhouse (which is our goal always) you will start to see some of the animal exhibits like the white tailed deer, bears and wolves. Obviously if the weather is super hot the animals won't be running around, so go early or late. After that its a mad dash to get to the playhouse area. Where we spend anywhere from 30 minutes to almost 2 hours. It makes kids feel like they are the size of the rodent. With climbing areas, slides, and a smaller play area for younger kids.
This is the Packrat you will run into in his playhouse.
Life on the Rocks. This exhibit has a hidden caving area that is outdoors. It is located right near the Packrat Playhouse
We like to leave the Packrat Playhouse and continue to the left. Life on the rocks is a fun exhibit with an area that kids that crawl and climb through.
The stingray touch area is always fun. Some of the interactive areas close at 4pm, so be sure to check the map for times.
After we see those areas what happens next all depends on the time and the mood of my kids. Cat Canyon is always fun, so is the sting ray touch (for a small fee), and also the Desert Loop trail. We usually stop for lunch at the café and enjoy a walk through the art museum. This place really is a museum, zoo, aquarium, and art gallery all in one.
I forgot to mention parking is free!!!! If you have been here, what is your favourite stop?
