A 49-acre desert nature preserve, Tohono Chul Park is the Southwest’s center where nature, art, and culture connect.  Educational programs, art, and cultural exhibits, nature trails, gardens, concerts and special events offer the visitor the opportunity to experience the desert and all its treasurers. It is one of the last open spaces on Tucson’s sprawling northwest side.

The Park has the world’s largest collection of Night Blooming Cereus (Peniocereus greggii) along with 150 species of shrubs and trees, 300 species of cacti and over 50 species of desert wildflowers. About 40 species of birds make their permanent home at Tohono Chul Park and another 60 migrant species live on the grounds seasonally.

A family and children friendly destination, the refurbished Bank of America Garden for Children is plenty of fun with the Upside-down Crawly Thing, the Tarantula Table, the Saguaro Fountain and more. Along with plenty of other children’s activities and programs, ‘Stories for Children’ is held in the garden every Tuesday at 10:00 am. The park’s museum shops have a number of educational and fun toys, books and activity kits, and if you visit their website, you can download their ‘Desert Pathfinders Activity Booklet’ and various other activity sheets for kids – all for free!

One of Tucson’s most outstanding areas to have a wedding or special event is at Tohono Chul Park, because of the distinctive atmosphere of the demonstration gardens, historic homes and lush environment. No matter the time of year, something is always in bloom and the setting is perfect for any special occasion whether it is for 10 or 200 guests.

June 1-Aug. 17: Artful Insects & Inspired Arachnids Art Exhibit: From realistic renderings to artful fancy, this exhibit at Tohono Chul Park features a diversity of artworks by 23 artists from across the Southwest, helping us all to look a little closer and see the tiniest creatures in our world a little differently. Read more. 




 

June 12-Sept. 9: That’s Artrageous: Works by Student Artists – Tucson, AZ: Tohono Chul Park’s annual student art exhibit will feature work from three Tucson area schools. The works demonstrate the value of art education where students are given another avenue for expressing their thoughts and ideas. The exhibit runs until September 9 with each school featured in turn. Read more.




Until June 2009: ‘Weaving: Native Baskets & Blankets’ – Tucson, AZ: This new exhibit opens on June 5 in Tohono Chul Park’s Wells Fargo Foyer Gallery, and will run for a full year, featuring selections from the Park’s permanent collection together with items loaned by local collectors. The focus is on regional Native crafts of basketry and textiles, which are both created using the weaving process.  Read more.