Located in a gray castle-like building on the west side of Tucson, the International Wildlife Museum is home to over 400 species of insects, mammals, and birds from around the globe. Lest you worry about encountering lions, bears, rattlesnakes, and hissing cockroaches, it's important to note that all of the animals inside the museum are stuffed or preserved.
Some of the collections are more than 100 years old and all the animals found at the museum were donated by various government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, captive breeding programs, zoos, and individuals.
Founded in 1988, the museum is a fun place for children and adults to see animals up-close - even in the hot summer months since the entire museum is indoors and air-conditioned!
The International Wildlife Museum is located on the far west side of Tucson. The address is: 4800 West Gates Pass Road, Tucson.
The museum is open Thursday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm and Saturday-Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm. Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Adults: $12
Seniors (62 and over): $8
Military (with ID): $8
Children (4-12): $6
Children (3 and under): FREE
Yes!
Annual Membership Benefits
Annual Membership Rates
* $5 discount on any membership if you are a senior, military, or have a current fishing or hunting license
Depending on the ages of the people in your party, your visit will likely take from 45 to 90 minutes.
The International Wildlife Museum is air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter.
Bring water bottles, snacks, and cash for any souvenirs (scorpion lollipops, for example) you may want to purchase in the gift shop.
Bathrooms (with changing tables for little ones) are located inside the museum.
Saturdays tend to be the most crowded day. Thursdays and Fridays tend to be the least crowded days. Note that field trip season is March thru May and most weekday mornings are very busy.
March and July are the most crowded months of the year; November is the least crowded month of the year.
Yes - but not live ones! You’ll encounter polar bears, panda bears, giraffes, rhinos, bison, toucans, leopards, mountain goats, butterflies, bats, owls, and more.
No food or drink is allowed in any exhibit spaces. You can, however, pack a lunch or snack to eat in the air-conditioned dining area and movie theater.
The International Wildlife Museum does not have an on-site restaurant, but there is a dining area that features a Saltillo tiled floor and colorful tables and chairs. This area comfortably accommodates 80 people.
The gift shop (adjacent to the dining area) also sells a small selection of snacks - chips, ice cream, and drinks. The gift shop is open from 10:00am-4:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am-5:00pm on weekends.
Head Downtown for fantastic food and a fun cultural experience! Downtown Tucson is about a 10-15 minute drive from the International Wildlife Museum.
All ages are welcome. We visited with our 1-year-old, 4-year-old, and 7-year-old. All three enjoyed seeing the displays - especially walking underneath the giraffe, petting the bear, crawling through the ferret tunnel, and skipping through the moonlit cave.
The International Wildlife Museum is a relatively small space. The one-story building is easily walkable, even for toddlers. That said, if you prefer to use a stroller, it's certainly accessible throughout.
Two umbrella strollers are also available for visitor use at no charge. First-come, first-served.
No. That said, there are a few benches in the exhibit rooms.
Yes – in the restrooms.
There are 2 highchairs and 2 booster seats.
Yes. The International Wildlife Museum is located in the beautiful Sonoran desert overlooking the city of Tucson and provides a unique atmosphere for birthday parties, receptions, or business meetings.
You are welcome to use any caterer you would like (no kitchen facilities available).
Flashlight Night at International Wildlife Museum is held about once per quarter, typically on a Saturday night between 6:00-8:00pm. The lights go out around 6:00pm, but note that it isn't actually pitch black due to skylights, lights for safety, and the many roaming flashlights throughout the building. If desired, you can pick up a scavenger hunt map and try to search for animals around the museum.
Two wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes! You can follow International Wildlife Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
That just about covers it. Have a great time!
Check out the complete list of Tucson Museums.
