Children's Museums
Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology
📍 2200 El Mercado Loop #1170, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 11 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 12–4 PM |
About Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology
Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology is a children's museum in Sierra Vista, AZ. The museum owner has been pursuing this dream for approximately 30 years, recently relocating to Sierra Vista Mall to create a permanent home for locally-found Arizona fossils that would otherwise have to be shipped to distant museums. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 27 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Best For
- All ages, especially dinosaur and fossil enthusiasts
- Highlights
- Local Arizona fossils, dinosaur eggs, minerals, Native American artifacts, bug collection
- Admission
- Free; guided tours by donation ($10 adults/$5 kids, flexible)
- Location
- Sierra Vista Mall (between Spencer's and Claire's)
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum owner has been pursuing this dream for approximately 30 years, recently relocating to Sierra Vista Mall to create a permanent home for locally-found Arizona fossils that would otherwise have to be shipped to distant museums
- The museum features a sensory-friendly toy table specifically designed for children with sensory needs, including autistic children, with staff providing individual attention and patient guidance
- Visitors can hold actual dinosaur eggs during their museum experience, a hands-on interactive opportunity that is not commonly offered at small regional museums
- The museum operates on a free admission model with guided tours available by flexible donation (suggested $10 adults/$5 kids), making it one of the most accessible educational institutions in the region
- A new large exhibit is currently in development at the relocated Sierra Vista Mall location, with exhibits and collections still in the process of being moved from the previous location
💬 What Visitors Say
- Book a guided tour with the owner or staff for the best experience—they provide exceptional individual attention and deep knowledge about local Arizona fossils. Tours are donation-based (suggested $10 adults, $5 kids) with flexible pricing, making it accessible for all budgets.
- Don't be deceived by the small storefront at Sierra Vista Mall (between Spencer's and Claire's)—the museum has many individual pieces to explore. Exhibits are still being moved to the new location, so check back as the space fills out with more fossils and artifacts.
- If visiting with children with sensory sensitivities or autism, ask about the sensory-friendly toy table. The owner personally engages with children at this station and is known for being patient and kind with special needs visitors.
- Visit during a guided tour to learn about the surprising number of local Arizona fossils in the collection that would otherwise be shipped away. The educational value of understanding your region's paleontological history is a key highlight reviewers appreciated.
- Check the museum's Facebook page for upcoming kids activities and new exhibit announcements. A large new exhibit is coming soon, making it worth planning a return visit.
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