Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was an interactive and immersive “living museum” that revolved around the animals, plants, and insects of the Arizona desert. It is more of a low-key zoo than what most people would think of as a museum. The facility can be found on a barren desert road due west of Tucson Arizona, best approached by going over pretty Gates Pass in the surrounding mountains.

After the gift shop and introductory history lessons, the desert museum opens up to a well hidden network of outdoor walking trails that connect a wide variety of exhibits. The plants are visible and labeled throughout, as well. Unexpected things emerge. There is an open walk-through hummingbird aviary where the birds whir right up to take a look at you, as well as a separate very large aviary that hosts a many large and colorful birds. An artificial series of tree-covered pools provide a home for beavers and river otters, visible both from above and from underwater via underground glass walls. Large mammals such as javelinas, coyotes, and coatis run loose in areas with well hidden fine net fencing that give the appearance of open countryside. And larger beasts such as bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, and Mexican wolves are all closely viewed in artificial but natural-looking rocky areas. Smaller creatures are also readily accessible, such as prairie dogs, owls, and many species of snakes, fish, and creepy crawly insects of all shapes and sizes. A cave and mining exhibit rounds out the experience.

There are informative docents wandering about, some with birds or animals on their arms. The raptor free flight show is also a highlight, where a family of Harris Hawks demonstrate how they converge together to hone in on prey that gets shared after the kill.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is well recommended, and surprisingly interesting.