If you’re looking for some Museums to visit, Tucson Trolley Tours has your back!
Museum of Contemporary Art
www.moca-tucson.org
265 South Church Avenue
520-624-5019
There are plenty of museums in Tucson. MOCA is Tucson’s only museum devoted exclusively to contemporary are from both Tucson and around the globe. Not only are the exhibits inside the building artwork, but the building itself is a repurposed firehouse. You can visit MOCA repeatedly, because the exhibits are rotated regularly. You’ll enjoy works from local, national and internationally renowned contemporary artist.
Tucson Museum of Art
Founded in 1924. It is Southern Arizona’s premier presenter of fine art. It features both permanent and traveling exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary works of Native American, American West, Latin American and Asian Art. The Museum is displayed in several buildings, which surround a beautiful courtyard. Stop in the lovely cafe for a drink and snack to enjoy outside.
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum
414 N Toole Ave
520-623-2223
This is a smaller museum, but a huge amount of fun and adventure. The museum is filled with displays of memorabilia, much of which was donated by former railroad employees and their families. How often do you get to sit in an engineer’s seat, pull the cord for the bell! A very cool feature is the miniature train that runs around the perimeter of the museum, above your head.
Presidio Museum
www.tucsonpresidio.com
196 N Court Avenue
520-837-8119
Take a trip back in time at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum. Tour guides will present what life in the Santa Cruz Valley for Native Americans, Presidio residents and Territorial Period settlers. You will see the remains of a pit house, stroll along the original Presidio wall and a classic Sonoran Row house. Arrive between 10am and 1pm on the fourth Saturday of the month and you can experience the day in the life of a blacksmith and tinsmith. The second Saturday of the month brings you demonstrations such as, candle making, fresh baked bread and handmade tortillas. You can also learn how soldiers fire their muskets! You have to put it on your “to-do” list, because there is so much more!
Jewish Heritage Museum
www.jewishhistorymuseum.org
564 S Stone Avenue
520-670-9073
The Museum is housed in the first synagogue of the Arizona Territory, which was built in 1910. The contributions of the Jewish community to the development of the southwest is enlightening. The Holocaust Museum is incredible. It is very informative and educational. The Museum should be on everyone’s list of go to places, whether you are Jewish or not.
Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont Museum
www.visittucson.org
151 Granada Avenue
520-850-5779
This is a beautifully preserved example of Sonoran and Territorial architecture. This typical Sonoran row house features a central hall leading from the front door to the rear courtyard. As typical with many homes such as this, a giant fig tree stands grandly in the center of the rear yard. The tour is less than an hour, so there is no excuse for not making the time to visit. It will be worth the trip.
The University of Arizona Museum of Art
www.artmuseum.arizona.edu
1031 North Olive Road
520-621-7567
This small museum packs in a premier art collection. It offers a broad variety of works from different historic periods. This is a great activity for the whole family. The religious paintings from Italy were especially appealing.
Children’s Museum Tucson
www.childrensmuseumtucson.org/tucson
200 South 6th Ave
520-792-9985
The facility has 13 exhibit areas in 17,000 square feet of space. It is a place for kids to build, imagine, explore, create and discover. Check the website for their calendar of events, such as Wee Play, a literacy-based program with singing, reading and playing. For some hands on activities, try We Explore, and enjoy cool demos, experiments and other activities for children ages 3-5.
University of Arizona Gem and Mineral Museum
1601 E University Blvd
520-621-7827
Dating back to 1919, this museum has accumulated over 35,000 mineral specimens in the main collection and over 7,000 in the micromount collection. The collection is divided into several major exhibits including minerals from Mexico, Bisbee, Ajo, Morenci and more. The exhibits focus on minerals from the local areas, but include a world-wide scope.