Overview

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-class zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum focused on the desert region encompassing the U.S. state of Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora.

For birders, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum combines wild birds and display birds, including free flight, aviary, and tethered species, and while you can't put them on your life list, they are a delight to see close-up. Some of the wild birds are habituated to the presence of humans, providing close-up views of wild birds too.

Link to Map.

Description

The museum grounds combine native desert plants, botanical gardens, and naturalistic animal enclosures that, with irrigation and drinking water for the animals, attract many species of wild birds. The grounds are so good for bird watching that museum volunteers even lead bird walks.

There are about 2 miles of paths on the 21 acres of museum ground, much of which is paved and fully accessible. While birding the grounds, also learn about and enjoy the presence of 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants.

The museum is active in the conservation and preservation of endangered and threatened species, providing habitat for some 20 endangered or threatened native species and hundreds of rare species. Several sensitive species are out where the public can see them, including Mexican Wolves, various species of fish, Isla San Esteban Chuckwalla, and Thick Billed Parrots.

For birders, the main aviary and the hummingbird aviary (both walk-in) are must-see places. Even if you can't put them on your life list, the aviaries provide great places to sit quietly and watch the antics of birds you may never see elsewhere -- or at least not so close-up. Be sure to spend some time sitting and watching; the longer you sit, the more you will see.

Also for birders, the twice-daily free-flight shows are grand demonstrations of the flight abilities of Harris Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, Gray Hawks, Great Horned Owls, and Chihuahuan Ravens.

While walking the grounds, the calls of Thick Billed Parrots will draw your attention to their edge of the museum.

Location

The ASDM is located on the west side of Tucson, within city limits (2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743) and adjacent to Saguaro National Park. Link to Google Maps.

From Tucson, drive west on Speedway Blvd or Ajo Way to Kinney Road. Turn right onto Kinney and follow it to the museum. In a motor home or if towing a trailer, avoid the steep, narrow Speedway Blvd. Driving from Las Vegas, we exit I-10 onto Mariana Road, and then drive south on Sanders and Sandario roads, thereby avoiding the traffic of downtown Tucson.

Amenities

Tucson has everything you might need. Close-by camping can be found at Tucson Mountain County Park in the Gilbert Ray Campground, which is also a great place to bird.

Inside the museum, they have a restaurant, cafe, and snack shops. Water is available from many drinking fountains.

Hours

Day use except for special events. Check the daily schedule, but generally 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM during winter and 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM during the rest of the year. On Saturday evenings during summer, the grounds are open until 10:00 PM.

Fees

Entrance to the Museum is about $20 per day for adults; children are less. Check the fee table for pricing details. Families should consider a $75 1-year Family Membership.

Specialties

Too many to list!

For More Information

See the ASDM website for additional information, or give them a call at 520.883.2702.