Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Located in the town of Sonora is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a natural history museum, zoo, and botanical garden. This is a favorite destination of families and Arizona residents from all over the state. The museum has welcomed millions of visitors during its history and features animal exhibits where animals are free to roam in a natural setting. There are also a number of educational programs available at the center. The museum is known for its scientific studies of animals and plant life in the desert. The mission of the location is to " inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert." Visitors can experience creatures like prairie dogs, mountain lions, and Gila monsters, close up and in an environment that allows the animal to behave normally. This is a great way for those with an amateur interest in zoology to enjoy studying animals. The area includes 2 miles of winding paths throughout the zoo that is located on 21-acres of desert. There are more than 300 animal species on the museum grounds. The park was founded in 1952 and today remains funded completely by admission fees, grants, donations, and memberships. This is a great education opportunity for kids and families.