I will be passing through Tucson next month and thought that I would like to stop and see the Sonora Desrert Museum and/or Saguaru National Park. How long do I need to allow to see each place?

On the one hand, I'd recommend eight hours for the Sonoran Desert Museum. We spent five hours there in November and felt like we could've stood another 2-3 hours. Of course, it'll be warmer in April--so depending on your tolerance for heat, eight hours might be a little long.

We didn't get to the Saguaro National Park. The park is divided into western and eastern portions. Some 30-year residents of Tucson told us that the western portion (right next to the Sonoran Desert Museum) was much better to visit than the eastern portion. Anyway, I'm sure somebody else will post to confirm or deny that west/east question and also tell you how long to spend there.

Hope this helps a little...

Saguaro west is (IMHO) the better of the two parts of the monument and, if you're going to be at the Sonoran Desert Museum you're essentially in it anyway. Another "must do" if your in the Tucson area is to drive up Mt. Lemmon. You'll start in the Sonoran Desert at the base and end up in the alpine climate at the summit (where there's a ski area). On the way up you pass through every climate zone that exists in the entire state of Arizona. It's like a mini tour of what the state has to offer. Great views all along the way up. Out of the desert and into the forest! Done correctly, this will kill most of a day. Bring the cameras!

I, too have questions re Tucson.

I'll be in Scottsdale in April and hadn't thought about tucson until I read some of the posts about the Arizonal Desert Museum and Saguera National Park West, both of which I would definitely like to visit.

Here are my questions:

1.

Sorry, I pushed the wrong button and sent the post before I finished.

My questions:

1. The Fodor's guide book says that the Gates Pass Road can be "daunting to a nervous driver". since I am a long time member of the Chicken Club when it comes to driving on precipitous roads, please, can anyone tell me if it is possible to visit both the Desert Museum and the Saguero Nat'l Park West with easy driving.

2.How long a drive from Phoenix to see these areas and can it all be done in one day?

3.

Sorry, I pushed the wrong button and sent the post before I finished.

My questions:

1. The Fodor's guide book says that the Gates Pass Road can be "daunting to a nervous driver". since I am a long time member of the Chicken Club when it comes to driving on precipitous roads, please, can anyone tell me if it is possible to visit both the Desert Museum and the Saguero Nat'l Park West with easy driving.

2.How long a drive from Phoenix to see these areas and can it all be done in one day?

3.If we stay over in Tucson, any adieas for hotels in the vicinity of these two attractions?

Thanks for your advice.

Lenore

Stayed at La Terra Linda last year, a convenient drive from both sites. (it's just northwest of the city, but adjacent to Saguaro Park.) Very friendly place with lots of atmosphere.

Hi Ginny!

Last April we stayed in Tucson for 3 nights (at a B&B in the southwestern part of Tucson area). We spent about 4 hours at the Sonora Desert Museum and for us (2 adults, 3 preteens) it was the perfect amount of time. Then we filled up our water jugs, ate some sandwiches and headed down the road (about 2 miles??) to Saguaro West National Park. We stopped at the visitor center and then hiked around for the rest of the afternoon - WOW! We liked it so much we came back the next day and hiked some more.

Just this morning, my youngest son said his favorite vacation moment ever was hiking up a hill in Saguaro West Park in the late afternoon and watching the sun go down over the valley and mountains. I have to agree with him - it was the most magical thing I've ever seen. Have a wonderful time!

Lenore,

I didn't find the Gates Pass Road drive scary at all. It winds a little, and it is hilly in parts, but I don't recall any precipitous dropoffs or anything. It didn't have wide shoulders and all along the road there was cactus right off the shoulders, but I never felt like we were in any danger when driving on the road.

I do recall thinking a bicyclist might think twice about riding on it--one fall, and you might be picking out cactus needles. Not for me, thank you...

I agree about the drive, I did not find it scary at all. I've been to Tucson about 8 times, and still love to drive up Mt. Lemmon, don't miss it!