The Wild and the Wild Blue Yonder
There are a multitude of reasons to live in or visit Tucson, Arizona. It could be the assumed romance of the cowboy life, the Southwestern ambiance, the Apache history, the Mexican food, the weather (it’s a dry heat), the casinos, the natural wonders or just the wide-open spaces. But whatever drives you to Tucson, there are two museums that should be on your list.
The International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W. Gates Pass Road, Tucson, AZ 85745, highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe. Dioramas depicting wild animals in their natural settings, videos, interactive computers, and hands-on exhibits promote wildlife appreciation and conservation. The International Wildlife Museum is an educational program of the Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF). It’s open to the public Monday thru Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and is closed on two holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Admission: Adults: $7; Seniors: $5.50; Students and Military: $5.50; Children (4-12): $2.50. Children age 3 and under get in free. And it really is a place for kids. They may appreciate the bugs more than the larger animals, but the facilities and displays definitely are child friendly. Arrangements can be made for children’s birthday parties in the restaurant.
The other must see couldn’t be more different. It’s the Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85756. It’s one of the largest aviation Museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation Museum in the United States. The Museum maintains a collection of more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft from around the globe, including many rare and one-of-a-kind, housed in more than 177,000 feet of exhibit space.
The Museum is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To ensure that visitors don’t arrive too late for a complete tour, the last admission at 4:00 p.m. The Museum is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rates are seasonal, lower in Tucson’s summer months (it’s a dry heat). Visiting adults and children age 13 and up can expect to pay up to $16; Age 7 to 12 get in for $13, and younger than that get in free. Local residents, and all seniors and military get a price break on admissions.
If you’re on you way to or near Tucson, stop by and experience both the wild and the wild blue wonders of southern Arizona.
by Jim Woods
Author of GUNSHOT ECHOES
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