Top Tucson Attraction Tickets

What an absolute gem this museum is! Our tour was given to us by Cindy (mostly) and Wolf and, since we were the only ones there at the time, it was quite the personal tour. We learned so much from the exhibits and the presentations and walked away with a much better idea of how critical this presidio was/is to the State of Arizona. We were not aware of history behind the Presidio nor how important the Presidio was to the formation of what was to become the great State of Arizona. We live in North Phoenix and occasionally run down to Tucson for concerts, etc. Two of our sons went to U of A in Tucson and we literally accidentally stumbled across this phenomenal museum. In our opinion, this is a must see! Thanks, Cindy and Wolf! We shall be back.

Excellent museum experience with interesting exhibits. We also enjoyed browsing in the attached gallery featuring fine art created by Tucson artists.

The Tucson Desert Art Museum is one of Tucson’s true hidden gems. The Western art is beautiful, and the Navajo and Hopi textiles are especially impressive. The collection really captures the color, history, and character of the desert and the American West in a way that photographs simply cannot.What I especially value about this museum is that it does not reduce the Southwest to one narrow or romanticized story. Alongside traditional Western paintings and textiles, the rotating exhibitions explore the different people, cultures, and historical events that shaped this region. The exhibits are thoughtful, interesting, and clearly put together with a lot of care. Definitely worth visiting.

Didn’t know what to expect. A lady by the name of Cheryl and Levi helped us and showed us the history of the museum and recommended great restaurants and sights to see. It was a great experience:)

We had four adults in our party and splurged on a private tour which I highly recommend. It’s nice not to fight crowds to see and touch the animals. Our guide, Ryan, was so friendly and informative. We learned so much. We would return simply because he was a great guide and made it so fun. We were able to spend a lot of time petting capybaras, porcupines, warthogs, emus, tortoises, etc and we’re able to hold baby goats. The facility is very clean and the animals appear healthy and happy. We will return!

What an amazing time! I took 1 of my daughters who loves Capybaras for some quality father daughter time. Holding and or petting the different animals was so amazing. The ladies running the place were entertaining, and knowledgeable and so accommodating. I highly recommend the place.

I just loved it. As a Brazilian woman, I liked so much the way the museu brought the immigration question into debate, as well as the native american arts.

Lots of different art media. Beware of steps and different floor coverings..stone, wood, etc.

Our docents Mark and Cindy were extremely knowledgeable and fun to be with

Great, detailed tour from a history buff, Mark. We learned a ton and it made the time in history totally come alive- would recommend highly

We expected to get to pet some Capybara. We were so surprised that we also got to pet warthogs, emu, kangaroos, and more. It’s a dirt road to get there and def worth it!

Our daughter bought us tickets for my husband’s birthday gift! What a treat - the exhibits were beautiful and thought provoking as well as depressing! “THe Wall”!! We have company coming in April and it’s on the list!!

While visiting family in Tucson we happened by this art museum while grabbing breakfast nearby . What an amazing experience we had- the textile pieces are absolutely incredible- very historic collection. The paintings and historic sculpture and pottery are also excellent! There are additional history exhibitions with interesting timelines, a fascinating photography exhibition- the museum was much more extensive than we initially expected . Our guide was very informative and fun to talk with. Don’t miss the gift shop- beautiful items there also!!

Delightful find full of beautiful pieces by local artists. I particularly enjoyed the Navajo weaving and the Barrio exhibit.

A docent engaged us in front of the museum as we wondered whether to enter just to get walking tour maps. She was so authoritative and knowledgeable about the area, the history, the culture etc that we ended up buying the $12./person tour of the museum…and the $2. walking tour map. What could have been a 30 minute walk through the museum was for us a 90 interactive, graduate level class in the natural and human history, native populations, cultures and events of the city and the area. Why was Tucson settled in this location? Who did it? When? How did they live? Who came next? Why? How did they get along? What happened next? Were Western Europeans religious reformers, looters, conquerers or what? How did they get along with the native populations? What changed? Why are there walls everywhere? What were they made from? If you want sensible culturally knowledgeable information about native tribes, their language, their relations, the motivations for their interactions with European cultures and the events that unfolded here over the past millennium or two and more, come here. If you will be satisfied with canned speeches about how the area was ‘civilized by Europeans’ and how it’s now a great place to retire with a vibrant forward looking economy, this should probably not be your first stop. Do you know what ‘Pima’ and ‘Tucson’ mean in the native tongues? How did this area come to be called ‘Arizona’? When you are done at this museum, get lunch at El Charro or at some equally fabulous place close by. Then use that walking tour map to help you stay interested as you walk off all those tasty extra calories. It’s a great little guide to downtown as it is and was.

A museum that deserves attention and a must do when you are Tucson, loved it. Authentic Navajo Rugs and other wonderful exhibits.