The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
March 14
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
March 14, 2025
$138
Turn your idea of a museum INSIDE OUT! The Sonora Desert Museum is a fusion experience—zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium. Since the Desert Museum opened its doors, it has worked to protect the natural systems of the Sonoran Desert of central and southern Arizona and parts of northern Mexico—containing within its boundaries, not only arid lands but also forested mountains, springs, rivers and streams. To reflect this diversity, the exhibits of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum encompass the full spectrum of Sonoran Desert life—from plants and insects to fish, reptiles, and mammals— all on display in very natural settings. Coyotes and javelinas are cozy in their compounds, surrounded by fences that are nearly invisible. We’ll see black bears, mountain lions, prairie dogs and bighorn sheep, and explore the fascinating walk-in hummingbird aviary. We’ll enjoy 16 individual desert botanical gardens along an easy walking trail that meanders through the museum. We’ll also enjoy lunch on self, with your choice of either the upscale Ocotillo Café or Ironwood Terraces, where lunch is served cafeteria style. This is a great Southern Arizona tour!
Depart: NW 8 a.m. Phx 8:15 a.m. Scts 8:30 a.m. Mesa 9 a.m. R: 6 p.m.
Departure Locations — We can only guarantee pick-up from the locations listed below. If you’re requesting pick-up from an unofficial location, please call our office at 480-497-2478 to confirm. It never hurts to ask!
Northwest Valley:
Sundome Plaza
13547 W. Camino Del Sol
Sun City West, AZ 85375
Located in the heart of Sun City West at the Sundome Plaza Shopping Center.
Scottsdale:
La Quinta Inn & Suites
8888 E Shea Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
The Scottsdale pickup location can be easily reached via AZ 101/Pima Freeway. Exit the freeway at Shea. The La Quinta Hotel is located at the northeast corner of AZ 101 and Shea Blvd.
Phoenix:
Paradise Valley Community Center
17402 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
The Paradise Valley Community Center is easily found on 40th Street, north of Bell Road. No overnights. No Late-nights
Mesa:
Mesa Doubletree Hotel
1011 W. Holmes Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210
This is the Fiesta Mall region, and the Hilton Hotel is easily viewed from the U.S. 60/Superstition Freeway. Exit the freeway at Alma School and head east to Holmes. Park and wait for the bus at the west end of the hotel parking lot.