Tucson Area Attractions
Resources/Guides
Tucson Area Parks
Tucson Tourist Attractions
Tucson Public Gardens
Outdoor Activities
Day Trips
Arizona Parks
Resources/Guides
Tucson Visitor Guide Visitors Guide of things to see and do in and around the Tucson area.
Arizona Visitors Guide This website provides a calendar of events and great ideas of what to do around the state.
Tucson Major Events List of current events happening in and around Tucson.
Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show
The Tucson Gem and Mineral show brings 45,000 visitors to Tucson from all over the world. The show is literally spread all over town. This site provides times and locations for the biggest sites.
Tucson Area Parks
5 minutes Giant Saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. And yet, these majestic plants are only found in a small portion of the United States. Saguaro National Park protects some of the most impressive forests of these sub-tropical giants
20 minutes The centerpeice of this park is of course the Colossal Cave itself. There are guided tours of the caves, museums, trail rides, and gardens.
20 minutes Fed by the waters of Sabino Creek and sheltered by the canyon walls, the plants and animals that inhabit the canyon offer an interesting contrast to those found in the surrounding desert. The shade and cool water attract hikers year round to this site.
1 hour. The drive is incredibly beautiful as you travel through stately saguaro cactus to pine and aspen groves to reach the top of Mt. Lemmon. A cool retreat in the summer and winter activities abound.
Catalina State Park sits at the base of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. The park is a haven for desert plants and wildlife and nearly 5,000 saguaros. The 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams invites camping, picnicking and bird watching
Tucson Tourist Attractions
40 minutes. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place!
45 minutes. Old Tucson Studios features film and TV shoots throughout the year. Attractions including high-flying stunt shows, blazing gunfights and rip-roaring saloon musicals. Plus historical studio tours, unique shopping, rides for the whole family and the famous Reno locomotive on display.
20 minutes Experience a century of aviation and explore over 275 aircraft on our grounds. Take a tram ride, climb aboard President Kennedy's Air Force One and gaze at the spectacular, supersonic, SR-71 Blackbird "Spy Plane".
10 minutes. More than 400 animals—rhinos, elephants, anteaters, polar bears, lions, and many more! Adventure in our African, Asian, and South American regions. Explore the full-flight, walk through aviary.
30 minutes. In the vast desert just outside Tucson, Arizona, one would not expect to find a beautiful church. Following the signs from the highway directs you toward The Mission San Xavier (pronounced as "hauv-e-air") del Bac is a beautiful church located in the desert just outside Tucson. Affectionately called "white dove of the desert", the sheer size and bright color against a blue sky and the tan colors of the desert make San Xavier a striking sight. Enjoy photos, history and a tour of this great Tucson treasure.
15 minutes. The University is committed to making its research and resources available to the community. We invite you to participate in the hundreds of community services offered -- many of which are free or low cost.
Flandrau Science Center and observatory
15 minutes Located at the University, consists of a planetarium, and observatory, a mineral museum and an ever changing series of scientific exhibits. See the website for details and hours.
20 minutes Six permanent collections of paintings trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. Rotating exhibitions display some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals housed at the gallery, including oils, watercolors, sketches, sculptures and ceramics.
35 minutes Away from the crowds, paved roads and hotel pampering, you will experience the wonders of the Sonoran Desert in a four-wheel drive guided jeep adventure.
Trail Dust Town
15 minutes, Trail Dust Town has been a Tucson landmark for over forty years. Originally constructed as a movie set, it features wooden boardwalks, red brick streets, detailed old-fashioned town square, and centerpiece gazebo. Family fun for all.
30 minutes The T-rex Museum, a children's museum, has fossils, replicas, science, art, astronomy, and hands on exhibits that take you through 13.7 billion years of history including 570 million years of interesting prehistoric life!
15 minutes Come to the Museum and experience a fun way of learning! All the exhibits are hands-on, encouraging interaction and triggering each child's intellect.
Tucson Public Gardens
15 minutes. Botanical gardens has a variety of gardens including a historical garden, a cactus garden, a tropical garden and a butterfly garden. Also provides various educational programs about gardening and a display of regional artists works.
30 minutes. Tohono Chul Park is the Southwest center where nature, art, and culture connect. Ramble through winding nature trails and gardens. Tour exhibits in a renovated historic home. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea in our famous Tea Room
Outdoor Activities
Perimeter bicycling site for Tucson bicycling events.
Golf courses abound in Tucson. This site offers a description of multiple courses to help you select the one best suited to your desires.
The Arizona Trail
The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. It links deserts, mountains, canyons, communities and people. Currently 96% of the trail is complete.
Day Trips
1 hour. Tubac was established in 1752 as a Spanish presidio (fort). Working artists' studios now surround the grounds which once served as the home for a Spanish military garrison.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
1 hour. Home to the largest collection of optical research telescopes anywhere in the world, and at our Visitor Center with its two observatories, the public is invited to learn about, and gain hands-on experience of the latest that astronomy has to offer.
Wineries, Dining and things to do in the area
Wineries and Dining, and our favorite B&B's listed for Elgin and Sonoita, only 55 minutes away. Enjoy a day trip that will delight or plan to stay at one of our favorite bed and breakfasts in the area. Come back to us though!
Casino of the Sun & Casino Del Sol
Just like Vegas only closer. Sister casinos offer gaming, high stakes bingo, entertainment, and great food.
Desert Diamond Casino
Desert Diamond Casino is one of Southern Arizona's premier entertainment and gaming destinations! Two fun, friendly locations near Tucson offer clean facilities, quality entertainment, great food, exciting jackpots and outstanding guest service.
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery
2 hours. St. Anthony’s welcomes all visitors. Orthodox men and women visit for a few days of spiritual growth and quietude. Pilgrims may be accommodated at the monastery’s guest facilities. Day visitors can view the chapels and walk the grounds between 10:30 am and 4:00 pm daily.
4 hours 30 minutes. The Verde Canyon is often called 'Arizona’s other Grand Canyon' with spectacular canyon scenery, on a train trip that offers visual feasts including seasonal spring flowers, fall foliage and hundreds of migratory birds, such as the majestic bald eagle.
Arizona Parks
Grand Canyon National Park 7-8 hours A great chasm carved over millennia through the rocks of the Colorado Plateau offering awe-inspiring views. A pleasure ground for those who explore the roads, hike the trails, or float the currents of the turbulent Colorado River.
Arizona State Parks
State Park Information
Kartchner Caverns
1 hour. Is a virtually pristine massive limestone cave with 13,000 feet of passages and two rooms as long as football fields. This underground wilderness will remain protected while offering visitors a rare tour through multi-colored cave formations.
Chiricahua National Monument
2 hours. A forest of rock spires eroded from layers of ash deposited by the Turkey Creek Volcano eruption 27 million years ago. Has 8 miles of paved scenic drive and 18 miles of day-use hiking trails.
