Museum of the Horse Soldier permanently closed on June 7, 2019. This was the message we received from Kathryn Rhea, Outreach Coordinator at Museum of the Horse Soldier: "I am reaching out in order to regretfully inform TucsonTopia, and the public, that the museum is being forced to close on June 7th, 2019. We are very sorry to have to announce this today, and want to say a sincere thank you for the patronage and continued support of the museum, and the preservation of history."
Museum of the Horse Soldier is a small museum on the property of Trail Dust Town.
The museum's mission is "to preserve the history and heritage of our United States Military’s mounted services and recognize the horses’ contributions to U.S. Military history."
Visitors to The Museum can explore the history of U.S. horse soldiers and their roles in times of peace and conflict during the 18th – 21st centuries. The Museum of the Horse Soldier offers a unique opportunity to explore military history through informative and engaging exhibits.
Interesting tidbits from Tucson's history - The Museum’s building was originally home to Diamond X feed store as well as the first location for Tucson’s Gaslight Theater. The building later became a studio for local artist Dan Bates, where he created many bronze sculptures. It was here that Mr. Bates housed his collection of military artifacts, historical wagons, and other antiques. His personal collection was the inspiration for the Museum of the Horse Soldier.
The Museum of the Horse Soldier continually has over 2,000 objects on display. Displays are periodically changed, allowing visitors to see different items.
Due to its small size, you would most likely want to walk through the museum in conjunction with an extended visit to Trail Dust Town (a historical outdoor shopping center and miniature Western theme park).
Originally built in 1961, Trail Dust Town has 9 shops, 2 restaurants, 1 museum, and a small attraction area (named Polly Anna Park).
Museum of the Horse Soldier is on the property of Trail Dust Town at 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road in East Tucson.
Museum of the Horse Soldier is open 11:00am-7:00pm, Wednesday-Saturday and 11:00am-5:00pm on Sunday. The museum is open by appointment only on Monday and Tuesday.
The Trail Dust Town courtyard is open to the public from 8:00am to 11:00pm daily.
Amusement rides are open from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Wednesday-Friday and on the weekends from 12:00pm to 9:00pm.
Shops and restaurants in Trail Dust Town each have their own operating hours.
Admission to the Museum of the Horse Soldier is $6 for adults and $3 for youth (ages 5-17). Children four and under are free. All proceeds are used for historical preservation efforts.
If you prefer to experience the entirety of Trail Dust Town, you may want to buy a $12 wristband.
Your wristband includes:
Visitor parking is available in front of, adjacent to, and behind the town. There are 300+ parking spaces.
The museum is indoors, but you will likely decide to walk around Trail Dust Town a bit too. Dress for the weather. Layers are always a good idea.
Water bottles, snacks, cash, and a camera.
Not in the museum itself, but restrooms are available inside Pinnacle Peak (a steakhouse in Trail Dust Town).
Since Museum of the Horse Soldier is small, it doesn't tend to be crowded - even on the weekends.
The museum is very small and does not have dining facilities. That being said, there are two restaurants on the Trail Dust Town property {see below}.
Yes – two, in fact.
Pinnacle Peak is “Tucson’s original cowboy steakhouse." The menu includes mesquite grilled steaks, ribs, chicken, and fish in a Western environment. Be sure to let the server know if you are celebrating a special occasion as they will be sure to embarrass – ahem, celebrate – the honoree. Note that Pinnacle Peak has a Happy Hour, known as Cowboy Hour, from 4:30-6:30pm on weekdays when drinks are $2-$4. P.S. If you wear a tie, the waiter/waitress will cut it off. The only rule of the restaurant is NO TIES ALLOWED!
Millie’s Pancake Haus is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday-Sunday. 6:30am-2:00pm. Menu includes pancakes, eggs, omelettes, waffles, salad, and sandwiches.
Trail Dust Town is very central so there are quite a few restaurants in the immediate area. Our top picks within a 2-mile radius are:
The museum is not "hands-on" nor are the exhibits geared to young children. Recommended for ages 7+.
You won't need one in the museum, but you’re welcome to bring one in if you plan to spend some time in Trail Dust Town.
Yes.
The museum space is very small and does not include an event room. That said, you can certainly book a wedding at the Savoy Opera House in Trail Dust Town or plan a birthday party at Polly Anna Park. Lots of options!
Yes! Feel free to like Museum of the Horse Soldier on Facebook. You may also want to follow Trail Dust Town on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can get the most out of your visit by joining a guided tour, complimentary with your admission. Daytime Guided Tours are: 11:00am — 1:00pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Evening Guided Tours are: 5:00pm — 6:30pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
