DAILY TOURS AND ECO-STATIONS
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When available, all public tours are included in the price of admission, no reservations are necessary. For bus tours, corporate or destination management companies please contact marketing@tohonochul.org.
Reptile Ramble
March 4 – May 27 | Fridays | 10am | Overlook
Learn to identify resident reptiles and find the answer to the age-old question, “Why do lizards do push-ups?” Be prepared to meet a few non-venomous snakes, perhaps a lizard or even a tortoise. Free with admission.
Birds of Prey – Night & Day
February – April | 2nd and 4th Wednesdays | 11 am – 1 pm | Children’s Ramada
Naturalist and wildlife rehabilitator Kathie Schroeder joins us with her Harris’ Hawk buddy Sueño and two new friends Poppy, the Western Screech Owl, and Banshee, the Barn Owl. Discover the different habits of birds of prey who hunt by night or by day, and get to know a collection of the most unflappable birds in town. Free with admission.
Butterflies and their Plants
Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m.
Explore the seasonal world of butterflies and discover the plants favored by caterpillars and adults. Free with admission.
Chillin at the Chul
Fridays & Saturdays |
5-8p.m.
Desert Discovery Days
Monday-Friday | Mornings
Nature Niños
Saturdays | 9-11a.m. &
6-8p.m.
Spin N’ Stroll
Daily | 7-10a.m.
Weekly Happenings
MONDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
TOUR | Birds of Tohono Chul
Year-round: 8:30a.m.
EVENT | Desert Discovery Days | Children’s Ramada
June 1 – Sept. 2 | 8:30a.m.
ECO STATION | Winged Things | Overlook
May-Sept: 9a.m. to 11a.m. | Oct-Apr: 11a.m. to 1p.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
TUESDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
EVENT | Desert Discovery Days | Children’s Ramada
June 1 – Sept. 2 | 8:30a.m.
ECO STATION | Ocean to Desert | Overlook
May-Sept: 9a.m. to 11a.m. | Oct-Apr: 11a.m. to 1p.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
TOUR | Wildflowers: What’s Bloomin’?
Mar-Apr: 10a.m.
EVENT | Gallery Buzz | Oct-Apr: 11a.m.
WEDNESDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
EVENT | Desert Discovery Days | Children’s Ramada
June 1 – Sept. 2 | 8:30a.m.
TOUR | Birds of Tohono Chul
Year-round: 8:30a.m.
ECO STATION | Rock & Ruins | Overlook
May-Sept: 9a.m. to 11a.m. | Oct-Apr: 11a.m. to 1p.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
EVENT | Birds of Prey – Night & Day | Children’s Ramada |
Oct-Dec, Feb-Apr | 2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 11a.m. to 1p.m.
THURSDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
EVENT | Desert Discovery Days | Children’s Ramada
June 1 – Sept. 2 | 8a.m.
ECO STATION | Desert Chow | Overlook
May-Sept: 9a.m. to 11a.m. | Oct-Apr: 11a.m. to 1p.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
TOUR | Wildflowers: What’s Bloomin’?
Mar-Apr: 10a.m.
EVENT | Gallery Buzz | Oct-Apr: 11a.m.
FRIDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
EVENT | Desert Discovery Days | Children’s Ramada
June 1 – Sept. 2 | 8:30a.m.
TOUR | Birds of Tohono Chul
Year-round: 8:30a.m.
ECO STATION | Creepy Crawlies | Overlook
May-Sept: 9a.m. to 11a.m. | Oct-Apr: 11a.m. to 1p.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
TOUR | Connecting Plants & People
Year-round: 11a.m.
EVENT | Chillin at the Chul | Spanish Colonial Garden |
June 3 – Sept. 3 | 5-8p.m.
EVENT | Reptile Ramble | Overlook |
mid-Aug to mid-Nov & Mar-May | 10a.m.
SATURDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
TOUR | Birds of Tohono Chul
Year-round: 8:30a.m.
TOUR | Desert Landscaping
Year-round: 9a.m.
EVENT | Nature Niños | Children’s Ramada
June 4 – Sept. 3 | 9-11a.m.
ECO-STATION | Plants and People | Overlook
May-Sept: 9a.m. to 11a.m. | Oct-Apr: 11a.m. to 1p.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
TOUR | Butterflies & Their Plants
Year-round: 11a.m.
EVENT | Chillin at the Chul | Spanish Colonial Garden |
June 3 – Sept. 3 | 5-8p.m.
EVENT | Nature Niños | June 4 – Sept. 3 |
Children’s Garden | 6-8p.m.
TOUR | Wildflowers: What’s Bloomin’?
Mar-Apr: 10a.m.
SUNDAYS
EVENT | Sip N’ Stroll | Spanish Colonial Garden
June 1 – Sept. 3 | 7-10a.m.
TOUR | Walk in the Gardens
May-Sept: 10a.m. | Oct-Apr: 10a.m., 12p.m. & 2p.m.
TOUR | Butterflies & Their Plants
Year-round: 11a.m.
TOUR | Art in the Gardens | Oct-Apr: 12p.m.
Activity Descriptions
Walk in the Gardens –
Experience Tohono Chul while learning some of the basics of the ecology of the Sonoran Desert.
Birds of Tohono Chul –
Learn to identify residents and those just passing through, plus information on habits and habitat.
Download Tohono Chul Bird Checklist (PDF)
Gallery Buzz –
Catch the latest look at our changing art and cultural exhibits.
Stories in the Garden –
Traditional and original stories about the desert and its creatures in the Children’s Ramada.
Wildflowers: What’s Bloomin’? –
Bring your camera to capture the colors of spring and develop more than a nodding acquaintance with our annual wildflowers. View the Wildflower ID Guide here.
Reptile Ramble –
Learn to identify resident reptiles and find the answer to the age-old question, “Why do lizards do push-ups?” Be prepared to meet a few non-venomous reptiles, perhaps a lizard or even a tortoise, and a few venomous, rattlesnakes and or a Gila monster.
Connecting Plants and People –
Discover the edible and useful plants of the Sonoran Desert.
Butterflies and Their Plants –
Explore the seasonal world of butterflies and discover the plants favored by caterpillars and adults.
Desert Landscaping –
Unearth the how-tos for using native and arid-adapted plants in water-saving landscapes.
Art in the Gardens
Get to know the sculptures and art pieces that embellish our gardens.
Eco-Stations at the Overlook
These touch carts, staffed by Docents, feature hands-on Sonoran Desert learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Stocked with everything from binoculars and hand lenses to mounted specimens and scientific models, and supplemented with an amazing array of feathers, bones, skins, and plant parts, these investigation stations allow for a full range of sensory experiences.
Winged Things – Mondays
From birds to butterflies, a look at the winged things of the skies
Ocean to Desert – Tuesdays
Explore the tide zones of the Gulf of California and witness how the desert changes as you travel inland
Rocks and Ruins – Wednesdays
Explore Tucson Basin geology and archaeology
Desert Chow – Thursdays
Follow the predator/prey trail and explore a tangled food web
Creepy Crawlies – Fridays
Sometimes scary, but always cool! – spiders, scorpions, snakes, and lizards
Plants and People – Saturdays
Living side by side for millennia, plant use has shaped people along the way
Summer Events
This summer we are excited to launch a slew of events perfect for locals to connect with nature, beat the heat, and be well!
Chillin at the Chul
You can literally chill down in the gardens in the shade of mature trees that contribute to a cooling 10° difference in temperature. Join us every Friday and Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. this summer for music, refreshing spirits, and light bites.
Desert Discovery Days
Join us this summer as we get in touch with nature and make some desert discoveries! Each week will focus on a different desert theme – from cactus to clouds. Come gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the desert we call home. There is something for everyone this summer at Desert Discovery Days!
Nature Niños
Join us in the morning and evening every Saturday this summer for nature play with the Children’s Museum Oro Valley!
Sip N’ Stroll
Visit the new Garden Bistro summer pop-up location in the Spanish Colonial Garden! Bring your own reusable coffee mug for $0.50 off your first cup. Coming Soon, purchase one of our new Sip N’ Stroll hot/cold tumblers for $1 off your first cup.