Two Arizona museums make TripAdvisor top 25

TripAdvisor reviewers love the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson and the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.

Both museums rank among the top 25 museums in the country on TripAdvisor's second annual Travelers' Choice awards for museums, out today.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum came in at No. 9, the MIM, No. 21. The desert museum made last year's list (No. 5 in the country and No. 9 in the world) but this is the Musical Instrument Museum's first appearance on the list.

TripAdvisor says a survey of travelers found that 28 percent plan to visit a museum on vacation this fall.

A TripAdvisor review from Indiana raved about his September visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in a post on the popular travel website last week. The museum also ranks as the No. 1 tourist attraction in Tucson on TripAdvisor.

"We have visited a number of top-flight zoos in the U.S., but this one was right near the top,'' the review said. "Although lacking the dramatic international animals from some zoos -- elephants, tigers, giraffes, etc. -- the overall feel of the museum was the best we have experienced! The flora, natural feel of the animal viewing and the awesome hummingbird area paid for the visit just by themselves.''

A visitor from North Carolina gushed about her June visit to the Musical Instrument Museum in a TripAdvisor review with the headline "Stay All Day.'' The museum also ranks as the No. 1 attraction in Phoenix on TripAdvisor.

"We were there for five hours and easily could have stayed longer,'' the review said. "Well-curated collection of musical instruments from practically every country in the world. Wireless headsets allow you to hear and learn as you walk up to the exhibits without bothering other visitors. Famous musicians and their instruments are also on display. Good lunch at the cafe! Wish we could have heard a concert in the lovely concert hall but it was sold out!''

Both museums are in great company. .The top 10 museums in the country:

1. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

2. The Getty Center, Los Angeles

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

4. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans

5. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

6. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

7. USS Midway Museum, San Diego

8. Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle

9. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson

10. Newseum, Washington, D.C.