Located in the heart of Southern Arizona, Tucson is a rapidly growing metropolis of 800,000 that keeps getting better and better. The city's surroundings are landscaped by cactus forests, rolling hills, and majestic mountains. Tucson (pronounced Tuson) lies in a region that blends the cultures of the United States and Mexico, and has a long history of settlement by ancient Native American peoples, Spanish explorers, and Anglo frontiersmen. The weather is mild nearly all the time, just right for all kinds of fun outdoor activities.
Things to do in Tucson
Arizona Historical Society Museums
The Arizona Historical Society has three branch museums in Tucson, two which are located in historic buildings. They include The Fort Lowell Museum, located in the reconstructed Commanding Officer's quarters of Old Fort Lowell, originally established in 1873. The museum features exhibits about military life on the Arizona frontier. Walking tours, lectures, living history events are featured as special events. The historic adobe Sosa, Carrillo, Fremont House, originally built in the 1870s, is located in the Tucson Convention Center complex. The museum features exhibits about Tucson's Hispanic pioneer families, period room settings, a museum shop and special exhibits. Walking tours of downtown historic areas, lectures and special activities are frequently scheduled. The Downtown Museum is located at 140 N. Stone Ave. in the Wells Fargo Building. "History in the Heart of Tucson" exhibits span the two centuries from Tucson's origins as a Spanish Presidio in 1775 to the modern era, and feature service to the community by police, fire, military, justice, library, education and businesses. Call 520-885-3832 for more information.
Arizona State Museum
Experience the indigenous cultures of Arizona, the Greater Southwest, and northern Mexico at Arizona State Museum, the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest. Dynamic exhibitions, engaging programs, a renowned research library, and an educational museum store, are all present at this Smithsonian Institution affiliate. The Museum's experts and collections are among the most significant resources in the world for the study of southwestern peoples. Call 520-621-6302 for more information.
Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 is a well known experimental complex with a closed ecological system. The 2.3 acre structure initially housed over 3000 species of plants, fish, trees, etc., and a crew of eight people. In Mission 1, the facility was closed and sealed, and the crew lived inside for two years from 1991 to 1993. Today, legitimate research is conducted at the facility and it has become a major tourist attraction. Visitors are now able to tour the apartments, kitchen and dining room where the Biospherians worked and lived. From this area, visitors can also view the rain forest, ocean, desert, savannah and agricultural ecosystems that the Biospherians struggled to manage. Also on view is the command-and-control room, still in use, where scientists monitor data collected by hundreds of sensors within the enclosed 3-acre ecological laboratory. The Habitat also contains a hands-on interactive Climate Change exhibit. Call 520-838-6200 for more information.
Catalina State Park
This scenic desert park offers hiking, picnicking, bicycling, horseback riding, plant and wildlife viewing, and a prehistoric Hohokam village site, all just a few miles outside of Tucson. More than 150 species of birds call this park home. The park encompasses 5,493 acres at elevations near 3,000 feet. Call 520-628-5798 for more information.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Believed to be the world's largest dry cavern, even today parts of it remain unexplored. Back in the late 1800s it was a hideout for Indians and outlaws. Passageways are lighted and tours are guided. The cave is on the National Register of Historic Places. Call 520-647-PARK (7 for more information.
Old Tucson Movie Studio
Old Tucson Studio is a great place to experience the Wild West. The Studio began in operation in 1939, with the movie "Arizona." Columbia Pictures wanted the movie to look realistic and this required an old western set to be designed and built. In subsequent years, the set became a popular location for other movies and T.V. shows including "Tombstone," "High Chaparral" and "Young Riders." The studio offers live entertainment, games, rides, shops, restaurants and a children's play area. There are also gunfights, stunt demonstrations and Western musical revues. Call 520-883-0100 for more information.
Pima Air and Space Museum
The Pima Air & Space Museum is the world's largest privately-funded aerospace museum with over 250 aircraft occupying 80 acres of land. In addition to the aircraft, you can also check out an original WWII barracks which houses an extensive model collection which shows virtually all U. S. military aircraft from pre-World War I to the present. The museum enjoys an international reputation as one of the best anywhere. Call 520-574-0462 for more information.
Sabino Canyon
This popular recreation area is located right at the edge of Tucson. For many visitors, this area provides their first close encounter with the Sonoran Desert and the wide-variety of plants and animals that make it their home. Shuttle cars and a number of trails provide access to the canyon area. The shuttles wind along the floor of the canyon, crossing Sabino Creek on nine low-water rock bridges, while guides explain the area's rich history and ecology. Call 520-749-8700 for more information.
Saguaro National Park
This unique desert park is home to the most recognizable cactus in the world, the majestic saguaro. Visitors are fascinated and enchanted by these desert giants which can grow to a height of 50 feet and weigh over 10 tons with an average life span of 150 years. Drive along one of the scenic loop drives, or leave the car and explore one of the many hiking trails scattered throughout the park that range from flat and easy strolls in the Sonoran Desert to steep and rugged hikes into the Rincon Mountains. Call 520-733-5158 for more information.
San Xavier Mission
Known as "the white dove of the desert," San Xavier del Bac, Arizona, is a beautifully preserved mission of the late Baroque style of New Spain. Completed in 1797, it stands in the San Xavier District of Tohono O'odham Nation, about twelve miles south of Tucson, Arizona. Alone of the Sonoran Desert missions, San Xavier is still served by Franciscans, and still serves the Native community for which it was built. Enjoy photos, history and a tour of this great Tucson treasure. Call (520)-294-2624 for more information.
Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Tucson Botanical Gardens is a five-acre collection of 15 specialty gardens including a historical garden, an herb garden, a butterfly garden, a cactus and succulent garden, and much more. The entire collection consists of over 4,200 individual plants that thrive in southern Arizona. On display are many design ideas appropriate to the scale of most residential gardens. Tours, classes, group rates, and picnic area are available Call 520-326-9686 for more information.
Tumacacori National Historic Park
The Tumacacori National Historical Park is comprised of the abandoned ruins of three ancient Spanish colonial missions. The Park is located on 45 acres in three separate units. San Jose de Tumacacori and Los Santos Angeles de Guevavi, established in 1691, are the two oldest missions in Arizona. The third unit, San Cayetano de Calabazas, was established in 1756. Visitation to the Guevavi and Calabazas units is available only by reservation during monthly tours guided by the Park staff. Call 520-398-2341 for more information.
U of A
Home of the PAC 10 Wildcats. The University of Arizona is a student-centered university with over 34,000 students. UA is one of the top ranked research universities in the nation. Begin your discovery of the University of Arizona at the Visitor Center. Located at 845 East University Boulevard, the Center can provide you with useful information as you explore the UA campus. Visitor Center staff are also available to assist in locating the information or resources you need. Call 520-884-7516 for more information.
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