,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-110.90955,32.24847)/-111.03803984820843,32.24654992861942,11.381586046360548/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumvsTucson Botanical Gardens
Both are rated very highly by those who travel for a living. Overall, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum ranks significantly higher than Tucson Botanical Gardens. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum comes in at 96 with endorsements from 7 publications such as Michelin Guide, Travel + Leisure and Where.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Afar Magazine
Fodor's
Where
Michelin Guide
U.S. News & World Report
Frommer's
2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743
From $0/night
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Home to cacti, coyotes and palm-sized hummingbirds, this ode to the Sonoran desert is one... that'll entertain young and old for easily half a day." Full review
i
Wear a hat and walking shoes, and remember that the big cats are most active in the morning.
Travel + Leisure "The property features a zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden all in one venue." Full review
Afar Magazine "Southern Arizona is one of the world's birdwatching meccas." Full review
Fodor's "The name "museum" is a bit misleading, since this delightful site is actually a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden featuring the animals, plants and, even fish of the Sonoran Desert." Full review
Where "Botanical garden, zoo and natural-history museum, all set on 21 acres of desert." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Founded in 1952, Sonora Desert open-air museum is stunning." Full review
i
Don't miss the Hummingbird Aviary.
U.S. News & World Report1.0
"The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's 98 acres host 230 animal species – including prairie dogs, coyotes and a mountain lion – and 1,200 local plant species...visitors get acquainted with desert life. " Full review
i
In fact, 85 percent of what you'll experience is outdoors (so dress accordingly).
Frommer's "Don't be fooled by the name. This is a zoo, and it's one of the best in the country." Full review
Tucson Botanical Gardens Fodor's Afar Magazine Michelin Guide Where Frommer's
2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712
From $0/night
Fodor's "The five acres are home to a variety of experiences: a tropical greenhouse; a sensory garden, where you can touch and smell the plants." Full review
Afar Magazine "The desert isn't all cactus, the botanical garden has wonderful attractions." Full review
Michelin Guide 0 Stars
"This 5.5-acre urban oasis, founded in 1931, features a series of intimate gardens with cacti, wildflowers and Native American crops. " Full review
Where "Immerse yourself in 5 1/2 acres of stunning, regional plant life, plus 17 specialty gardens." Full review
Frommer's "Oasis of greenery and, though small, are well worth a visit if you’re interested in desert plant life, landscaping or gardening...gardens that not only have visual appeal, but also are educational" Full review
