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If you’re not familiar with the AZ-Sonora Desert Museum, you’ve been missing out on a gem!
Located just West of Tucson, the family attraction is 98 acres that is home to over 230 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants. On top of the outdoor attractions, the museum is also a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum and art gallery.
Continually ranked among the best museums in the country and the best attraction in Tucson, the experience at AZ-Sonora Desert Museum is about 85% outdoors, which includes:
- two miles of walking paths through desert habitats
- 230 animal species
- 1,200 types of plants — 56,000 individual specimens
- One of the world’s most comprehensive regional mineral collections
Throughout the Summer, the museum hosts a weekly event called Cool Summer Nights. This is your chance to catch great sunsets, starry nights and gourmet dining while watching the animals return for their nightly routines. Taking place every Saturday night, each week has a unique theme, special programs and family activities. Here’s what’s coming up:
- August 15 — Astronomy Night. Presented by experts from the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, this is a chance to learn more about the solar systems of the universe.
- August 22 — Science Rocks! & Teacher Appreciation Night. School is back in session, and the Museum is a great place to get back to the biology and geology lessons! PreK-12 teachers also get in free!
- August 29 — Full “Blue Moon” Festival. Take a moonlit stroll through the grounds during the sun sets and the moon rises, take a leisurely stroll around the grounds, and then experience a hands-on art and photography workshop. The Festival will also feature free live music performances for both kids and adults.
- September 5 — End of Summer Fiesta / Fiesta de Fin de Verano. For the last Cool Summer Night of the year, the Museum is partnering with the Tucson Chamber of Commerce
While the days may be hot, the Cool Summer Nights are still happening through the month of August. For more details on the Saturday events and on the great exhibits at the museum, itself, go to https://desertmuseum.org.
