1. American Council for Construction Education
Spouse/Guest Tour – February 22, 2018
Cost -- $70 per person
Tucson is a city in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, including the Santa Catalinas. Reflecting its 19th-century beginnings are the restored mansions of its El Presidio Historic District and the adobe row houses of Barrio Historico. Home to the University of Arizona, Tuscon has many vintage shops, nightclubs and restaurants on Fourth Avenue near the campus.
Heading out from the hotel around 8:30, we will visit the
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Overview and History
The mission of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.
The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors!
The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.
• 21 interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats
• 230 animal species
• 1,200 types of plants — 56,000 individual specimens
• One of the world's most comprehensive regional mineral collections
Beyond merely an attraction, the Museum's conservation and research programs are providing important information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region.
The Desert Museum's Art Institute inspires conservation through art education and gallery exhibits. The Museum's publishing division, ASDM Press, has produced over 40 books and guides on the natural and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert region.
We will be enjoying lunch at the Ocotillo Café on property and shopping opportunities abound!
Offering relaxed and casual dining, open seasonally for lunch in winter and spring, and for dinner on Cool Summer Nights. We focus on locally sourced ingredients to create regional southwest cuisine. Reservations not required, but suggested for parties of 8 or more. Please call , Ext 7212 to make your reservation
Lunch menu link

2. Next Up we will visit Old Tucson for guaranteed fun!
Gift Shops at the Desert Museum
The Mountain House Gift Shop is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Ironwood Gift Shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
When you visit the Desert Museum, take time to explore the interesting and unique Gift Shops, the best one stop shopping spot in Tucson. We offer a wide array of merchandise in each of our stores from exclusive custom souvenirs to regional crafts and foods, including ASDM logo items and local Native American arts and crafts.
The Mountain House Gift Shop is located near the main entrance area, featuring Native American crafts from Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. The displays of traditional southwestern jewelry shine alongside the newer contemporary styles. In addition, there is a fine selection of books on the human and natural history of the area, including all of the Museum's own ASDM Press. Children will find their own book selection, as well as toys to remind them of some of the animals they have met here.
The Ironwood Gift Shop is located near the highly acclaimed Ocotillo Café. This colorful southwestern boutique celebrates the work of local artists, including vibrant screen printed apparel by Tucson designer Nancy Lenches-Alegret; as well as coordinating scarves, hats and handbags. There is also a wonderful variety of handcrafted and one of a kind items from all over the world including designer jewelry, fair trade and recycled/green products, plush animals, books, fossils and minerals.
Next Up we will visit Old Tucson for guaranteed fun!
Old Tucson is a movie studio and theme park just west of Tucson, Arizona, adjacent to the Tucson Mountains and close to the western portion of Saguaro National Park.
After a day of great fun and adventure, we will return to the hotel around 4:30 with great memories and treasures!
If you have not signed up for the tour and would still like to join us, please call the ACCE office at or Billye Hall at We would love to have you join the group!