Museums and galleries in Tucson

Museums and galleries in Tucson

1. See

   Arizona History Museum

   This museum is devoted to the history of Tucson and the surrounding area, with relevant displays.

   Mon-Thu 9AM-4PM, Fri 9AM-8PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM·$8 (adults), $6 (seniors), $5 (students), $4 (children 7-17), free (children under 7)

2. See

   Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

   More like Biosphere II than a walled institution, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is part zoo, part natural history museum and part botanical garden all in one Tucson attraction. From tarantulas to black bears, coyotes to scorpions, the museum-zoo is an entrancing and full-contact tribute to the Sonoran desert's wildlife (the wire fences are nearly invisible and the hummingbirds in the buzzing, walk-in aviary seem to think you are the attraction). Give yourself time to soak in the Southwest splendor and if time is all you have, the Museum is also on the fringes of Saguaro National Park, home to the world's largest forests of Saguaro cacti.

   Oct-Feb 8:30AM-5PM, Mar-Sep 7:30AM-5PM·$14.50/adult, $5/child (Sep-May); $12/adult, $4/child Jun-Aug

3. See

   Colossal Cave Mountain Park

   A "dry" cave with 3½ miles of mapped passageways. The cave was used by pre-Columbian Native Americans, and rediscovered in 1879. Also on park grounds are a cowboy ranch museum, a butterfly garden, horseback trails, and picnic and camping facilities.

   Daily 8AM-5PM, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tours hourly, last tour at 4PM·Park: $5 (auto), $1 (bicycle); cave: $16 (adults), $9 (children 5-12)

4. See

   De Grazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District

   A collection of buildings on a 10-acre site, designed and built by well-known Arizona painter Ettore 'Ted' DeGrazia (1909-1982); the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A gallery showcases the artist's work in six permanent collections as well as special rotating exhibits, and a gift shop onsite sells good quality reproductions of some of his work. In early December the grounds also host the annual Fiesta de Guadalupe. The chapel is closed due to fire damage.

   Daily 10AM-4PM; closed 1 Jan, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas·$8 (adults), $5 (children 12-18), free (children under 12)

5. See

   Fort Lowell Museum

   Fort Lowell was a US Army post, active in the late 19th century during the Apache Wars. Most of the adobe structures are now in ruins, but the commanding officers' quarters have been reconstructed and now house a small museum, with exhibits focused on military life on the frontier. The building also has a small gift shop.

   Thu-Sat 10AM-4PM·Free, donations welcome

6. Buy

   Medicine Man Gallery

   Specializes in western painter Maynard Dixon, but also represents a number of other western and Native American artists.

7. See

   Old Pascua Museum and Yaqui Cultural Center

   Museum that features more than 4000 artifacts on display from the old Pasqua tribe, displayed in a home built in 1926 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

   Tue-Sat 9AM-1PM·Free (donations welcome)

8. See

   Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio

   Tom Philabaum built his first glass studio in 1975, and opened the adjacent gallery in 1982. Together they represent one of the most enduring art endeavors of present-day Tucson. Visitors are able to watch the glass blowing process in the studio, and shop the impressive collection of contemporary glass art from artists around the country.

   Winter: Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM; summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day): Tue-Sat 11AM-4PM

9. See

   Pima Air & Space Museum

   Features over 400 historic aircraft on an 80-acre (32 hectares) site with five hangars, three of them devoted to World War II. Veterans and volunteers are often on hand to answer any questions, and there are daily walking tours of the grounds. There is an onsite restaurant.

   Daily 9AM-5PM (last admission at 3PM); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas·Admission for 1-day pass: $19.50 (adults), $15.25 (Pima County residents), $16.75 (seniors), $13 (children ages 5-12), free (children under age 5); for 2-day pass: $26 (adults), $20.25 (Pima County residents), $22.75 (seniors), $15.50 (children ages 5-12), free (under age 5)

10. See

    Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House Museum

    A remnant of Tucson's old barrio which survived and is now surrounded by the Tucson Convention Center, this historic adobe house was built in the 1870s.

    Thu-Sat 10AM-4PM·Free, donations welcome

11. See

    Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

    A small museum devoted to the history of the railroads in southern Arizona, housed in the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. The star attraction is the Southern Pacific Railroad 1673 steam locomotive. Docents and volunteers available to answer questions about the locomotive on Saturdays. For other times, tours can be arranged upon request.

    T-Thu 11AM-3PM, Fri Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 11AM-3PM, engine with cab visits Sat 10AM-1PM·Free

12. See

    Tohono Chul Park

    "Tohono chul" means "desert corner" in the Tohono O'Odham's (desert people's) language, and this haven in the midst of Tucson's burgeoning north side offers a tea room, gift shop, bookstore, and art gallery in the middle of trails and gardens. There are extensive botanical exhibits explaining the native plants, and a wonderful plant-sale area in which to buy them for your own garden. Many kinds of desert birds are frequent visitors.

13. Buy

    Trail Dust Town

    This unusual shopping center is on an unfinished western movie set, and in addition to shops has a number of tourist attractions. These include a 1954 Allan Herschell carousel, a narrow-gauge railroad, and a military museum.

    Daily 8AM-11PM (courtyard); shop hrs vary

14. See

    Tucson Museum of Art

    A museum complex housed in a collection of historic adobe houses, this museum hosts exhibits of regional contemporary art, as well as the Arizona Biennial. Its permanent collection of Latin American and pre-Columbian art is particularly noteworthy. There is a well-stocked shop in the lobby that is open during museum hours.

    Tue Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·$12 (adults), $10 (seniors), $7 (students/children 13-17), free (children under 13); free on 1st Th of month from 5PM-8PM

15. See

    University of Arizona Museum of Art

    Houses an extensive of American and European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, with excellent rotating exhibits. A highlight of the collection is the 15th-century Spanish altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo.

    Wed 9AM-5PM, Thu 9AM-8PM, Fri Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·$8 (adults), $6.50 (seniors), free (students)

16. See Not mapped

    Barrio Viejo

    Barrio Histórico

    One of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods, much of the barrio was destroyed when the Tucson Convention Center was built. There are many colorful adobe buildings housing shops, galleries, and residences. Best explored on foot.

17. See Not mapped

    Tram Tour

    As the grounds are so large, a tour tram is offered for those who do not wish to walk. The guided tour lasts one hour and covers 1½ miles and more than 150 planes. Departure times vary, so it is best to call ahead or inquire at the entrance.

    Price is in addition to museum admission: $6 (adults), free (children under 6)

18. See

    Children's Museum Tucson

    200 S 6th Ave

    Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM·$6 (children 1-18), $8 (adults), $6 (seniors); $2 2nd Sa of the month

19. See

    Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson

    MOCA

    Hosts exhibits of regional and national contemporary art.

    Wed-Sun noon-5PM·$8 (adults), $5 (students/seniors), free (veterans, military, children under 17); free on last Su of every month

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tucson (CC BY-SA 4.0).