Location: Tucson
Top Things to do in Tucson
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10 Things to Do in Tucson That You Shouldn't Miss
Although Tucson's fantastic weather, national parks and forests and desert provide the perfect environment for tons of outdoor recreational activities, this city of half a million people also has its share of history and culture. With a history that goes back much further than many of its southwestern neighbors, Tucson boasts turn-of-the-century architecture, historic neighborhoods, museums and the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a still-functioning 18th-century mission considered one of the most beautiful in the U.S. Mexican and Native American influences are pervasive, and the city has a distinctly Western flavor. There's also a college-town atmosphere, thanks to the University of Arizona, which has its own share of museums and a science center. Whether golfing at a world-class golf resort, horseback riding, hiking in the wilderness, discovering desert flora and fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or exploring pre-Columbian and other art at the Tucson Art Museum, you'll have a mind-boggling array of things to do.
Restaurants in Tucson
1. Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Victoria A - San Antonio, Texas
Great view of city. Main attraction seems to be difference in climate due to altitude compared to heat of Tucson. It is totally different climate. Having lived where we hated the snow and got tired of pine trees for 38 years I did not find time it took to drive it worthwhile. Nothing was open . Would be good for hiking, skiing and picnic in season. Perhaps it was just wrong time of year. It did have some great photographic opportunities.
2. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
This renowned combination zoo, natural history museum, botanical garden and art gallery reflects the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, featuring wildlife such as coyotes, bears and mountain lions in their natural settings and two aviaries; one for hummingbirds and the other for varied desert birds.
Reviewed By Rich P
We were part of a group and had limited time. Lots of grate live displays. Lots of walking. It is well laid out with lots of creative and unusual features like sun tan lotion in the bathrooms, water in strategic areas throughout the park, etc.
3. Sabino Canyon
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Located in the Catalina Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest, this beautiful canyon offers outdoor recreation including hiking, swimming, biking and picnicking. For an overview of the area, take the narrated shuttle bus tour.
Reviewed By gpfnancy - Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
My back has been aching, so instead of hiking we bought tram tickets and got to the top that way. There are nine stops. Number 8 is a must-see. Take a short trail to the stream where you can cool your tootsies or do as I did--watch kids playing in the water. Great views on the entire ride which was narrated. Now I know what mesquite trees look like along with a few different cacti and I've always loved the cottonwood tree. Lots of them too that green up the area. It's a national park, so if you already have a pass, you get in free.
4. Saguaro National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By MaryMargaretMcMertz - Pasadena, California
You can enter Saguaro NP from the east or west end of Tucson, because it surrounds the town. We visited the West entrance this time, and enjoyed the modern ranger station with movie/gift shop. We took a short hike on the Javalina trail. The rangers also recommended driving a few miles to a dirt road which ends at Signal Hill, where we parked and then hiked a short way up to see the Indian Petroglyphs carved into the rocks. You can spend an hour or a full day here.
5. Pima Air & Space Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Be amazed at one of the world's largest aircraft collections: including 3 hangars of World War II planes, supersonic spyplanes, the world's smallest bi-plane, plus many other unique private, military and commercial air & spacecraft documenting the evolution of flight. Friendly docents augment your visit. Only Pima Air & Space offers the bus tour of the "Boneyard"/AMARG (M-F only, no holidays, 10-day Advanced Reservations Required) plus offers its own tram tour of the museum's 80 acres of one-of-a kind planes daily (additional fees). You can actually touch "aviation history" including "Freedom One" (that flew the American 444-days-in-Iran hostages home), presidential crafts, planes that launched astronauts, delivered life-saving food/fuel, etc. and others with wingspans the length of a football field... Ogle helicopters, MiGs, an Oscar, a rare German buzz bomb, a moon rock and much more. 350 aircraft, 80 acres, 6 indoor air-cooled hangars. Just plane awesome!
Reviewed By highflyer15 - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Having been to the Pima Air & Space Museum a few years back, it was time to return with my significant other. To my surprise and appreciation, they had acquired new aircraft for their display and a new hangar dedicated to the 390th bomb group. Please plan your trip accordingly as there is a lot see see and learn about. Newly on display was a Boeing 787-8 original test aircraft, a DC-10 flying eye hospital called “Orbis” and the Boeing B-17 inside the 390th Memorial Museum. While walking around the outside display of aircraft, you can also find a Boeing B-52 undergoing refurbishment and hopefully on display shortly. Inside the Space Gallery, there is a lot to learn about how space exploration helped shaped our way of life with the experiments and discoveries in a lot of products we use today. In the event that the weather or your physical ability prevents you from touring the outdoor display, they have regular tram rides with a guided tour. What would truly make Pima Air & Space special if they were able to create an entrance to some of the aircraft outside to appreciate and learn about the inside of some. To name a few that would be appreciated are; ORBIS, Boeing 787-8 and former Air Force One presidential aircraft’s the Boeing 707/VC-137B and Douglas DC-6/VC-188A.
6. Mission San Xavier del Bac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Built in the 1700s, this recently restored white adobe church, representing a wonderful example of Spanish colonial architecture, is beautiful inside and out, with colorful frescoes, sculptures and carvings.
Reviewed By Doris R - Hancock
This old church has been painstakingly restored.The video available (on loop) explains the process quite well. The parish is active and are willing to share their beautiful worship space with the public. There was a Mass being said shortly after we arrived so we didn't get to have a tour, but what we saw was very powerful.
7. Gates Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 768 reviews
Reviewed By Roger S
We love this twisty ride whether on our motor scooter or by car. The ride is off W Speedway up to gates pass and down to Kinney Road. Try to hit the pass at sunset and see one of the most splendid views ever.
8. The Gaslight Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 641 reviews
Reviewed By ssparlin - Grants Pass, Oregon
I wanted to spend an evening with my 15 year old granddaughter and a night out at Gaslight Theater proved to be the perfect choice. If you plan to eat at the diner next door "Little Anthony's" you will need to arrive 2 hours before show time. We arrived at 6pm and didn't have enough time to eat at Little Anthony's so we opted to eat in the theater. Our table assignment was D1 and we had a fantastic view even though it was the last table on the left, 3rd tow from the stage. This venue is small and intimate. Tables are cafe style and can sit usually 1-4. When you make reservations you will be able to have a single table and do not need to share if you don't want to. The menu selection is very limited but all the food is excellent. My granddaughter opted for a medium pepperoni pizza. I decided on the chicken strips and fries with ranch dressing dip. OMG! We had so much food placed in front of us. With the tables being small they use a black wrought iron 3-legged stand to elevate the pizza. We should have ordered a small but we had lots of pizza to take home. The crust was perfectly cooked. Not thin, not thick, just right. PLENTY of pepperoni. Simply excellent. The chicken was cooked crisp, kind of similar to KFC crispy chicken. It included 4 chicken strips and plenty of fries. We couldn't eat all of them so we ended up taking some of those home also. The table was also pre-set with popcorn to munch on and they will refill as often as you want.
The show began right on time with Music Director Linda sitting down at an upright piano, followed by a drummer and a guitarist. The music produced by these 3 individuals is
outstanding. They played almost non-stop for the entire 2 hours.
The show was "The Lone Stranger" and it was simply a HOOT! My granddaughter and I laughed almost non-stop through the entire evening. Before we arrived at the venue I asked her if she had ever heard of The Lone Ranger and, of course, she said NO. That didn't alter the great fun we had that evening. The interaction between all the characters was classic. I especially loved some of the improv of the TONTO character.
The creativity with the costumes, stage decorations and backdrops were classic. From a wooden horse that would rear up to a moving stagecoach with an Indian attack that simulated flying arrows, this show will surely become a classic.
9. Tohono Chul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Cultivate your appreciation for the Sonoran Desert’s natural beauty and the impression it makes on everyone who explores our “Desert Corner”. Here, the seasons inspire wondrous events both in nature and culturally; Tohono Chul celebrates every opening, whether for an internationally known artist or an exquisite cactus flower. Wander the natural desert gardens—escape the noise of everyday. Engage in our sincere passion to evolve “The Desert Corner” as an integral crossroads of nature, art and culture.
Reviewed By mariposa67 - Arroyo Grande, California
This botanical is an easy walk from the Red Lion Inn just of Oracle /St. We got in with free passes from the local Chamber of Commerce. Loved seeing all the cactus especially the barrel cactus that is currently being studied to see how fast...MoreThe Monarch Way Station is really interesting and fun to watch. This is a great time of year to see all species of butterflies flitting about in the gardens. Thank you for visiting Tohono Chul and we hope to see you again soon.
10. Franklin Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 104 reviews
For more than 40 years, the home of the late collector Tom Hubbard has been the center of Franklin Automobile history. Featuring more than 20 antique and classic Franklin automobiles, as well as a collection of prehistoric artifacts collected by archaeologist Alice Carpenter, the museum is located in a quiet subdivision in the center of Tucson. Open publicly – Mid-October through Memorial Day weekend – Wednesday through Saturday; 10 am to 4 pm. Private tours available year-round; phone or e-mail for arrangements. Large groups are requested to call ahead.
Reviewed By SantaFeDiva - Santa Fe, New Mexico
If you are enamored at the sight of truly spectacular classic cars-this will be heaven for you. If you like Franklin Automobiles, however, you will feel like you died and went to “Franklin Motorcar Heaven”.
The docent and my husband were knee deep in motors and car talk for 2 hours! The mechanical design of these cars are outstanding in their engineering beauty and couch work. I just find them stunningly exquisite.
If you like classic cars or seeing how people solved mechanical problems and updating technology from 1905 to 1934, you are going to love it here!
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