Location: Tucson
Top Things to do in Tucson
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Things to do in Tucson, Arizona (AZ): The Best Outdoor Activities
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
5.0 based on 3,150 reviews
Reviewed By seb36 - Tucson, United States
We did this drive during the Covid 19 scare and just before the big fire. It was a perfect outing during the Covid 19 outbreak. You can stay in your car, or stop at various pull-off or trails and basically be all alone with few other visitors on this drive. It is a really educational and beautiful drive, staring out at the desert level and gradually going through multiple nature zones and changes of vegetation, trees, bushes, birds, etc until you get to the top, which is a high mountain zone with lots of green and trees and other nature -- just like mountain areas in Colorado or Canada. It makes us feel like we are on vacation, with all the changes in scenery and temperature. It was 98 degrees at the bottom and 67 degrees at the top. There couldn't be a better half day drive for those of us who have been feeling so very house bound. Actually we do this drive almost every season change and always marvel at the new things we see and feel. There is also a wonderful smartphone app that really helps you to understand the miraculous changes you are experiencing. Going down is like having different scenery even though it is the sam road, so the whole adventure is quit uplifting no matter when you go. Our batteries really get recharged and the trapped feeling lifts for quite a while.
2. Wasson Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By darwinmoore - Spring, United States
A very rewarding hike. We did it from the King's Canyon parking lot, up to the peak and then back on the Hugh Norris trail. The first part of the hike is not that scenic, but it gets increasingly better as you go. As others have described, the 360 view at the top is fabulous and worth the effort, but the descent down the Norris trail stays great for most of the way, too. Yes, there's elevation gain, but if you can persevere and handle switchbacks, there's nothing that hard; no mountain goat trails or rock scrambling. We benefited from blue skies and moderate temps, but I bet this could be a scorcher at the wrong time of year.
3. Desert Discovery Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By pbmax621 - Jacksonville, United States
Enjoyable loop trail in Saguaro West not far past the visitor center. Many benches along the way to stop when you want. Many very tall saguaros and other cactus. A must do.
4. Reid Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,016 reviews
Reid Park Zoo is a hidden gem, nestled in the center of Tucson, and is the perfect place to enjoy time outside while discovering the wonders of wildlife.
Reviewed By paws0810 - Mesa, United States
I’m worried that the zoo would be crummy. But it was. Good. Clean. Animals were out despite the early morning cold weather. Not too expensive as a senior. Spent two hours.
5. Hohokam Road
6. Cactus Forest Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Eight-mile scenic drive in Saguaro East.
Reviewed By jd1701 - Orlando, United States
If you have a time crunch while in the area, head to the eastern portion of Saguaro National Park, pay your fee and enjoy views and vistas as you drive the 8 mile loop road. Plenty of places to get out and stretch your legs, breathe the air, too. I believe the cost to enter the park is about $15, but not sure as we were there during the government shutdown.
7. Cactus Forest Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
8. Cactus Garden Trail
9. Desert Ecology Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Hiking trail in Saguaro East.
Reviewed By Kamagatamaru - New York City, United States
Beautifully maintained and decorated place, with plenty of room for the visitors to imagine the desert climate, ecology and wildlife -- based on what they have saved and grew there. As a former botanist with special interest in ecology and evolution, I found this museum to be world class. And the drive to the museum to and from Tucson through the desert is magical, therapeutic.
10. King Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Popular hiking trail in Saguaro West.
Reviewed By World_Traveler_Food - Little Rock, United States
We did as recommended and got to the small parking lot before 9am - glad we did as lot was full when we got back around 2 pm. There are a few options for hikes coming out of the parking lot - best if you take the right fork and go up a few feet to look at the posted map unless you've downloaded one/brought one along. It can be a little confusing with the "split" at the beginning of the trail. Left takes you into the wash - beautiful/easy walking (some getting up rocks further up you go), while right keeps you up higher. Both offer nice views, but different experiences. If you want great views, head up the higher road (on the right out of the parking lot) towards Wasson Peak. The signs never say "Wasson Peak" until you are 1.2 miles from the top, so again, good to have a map. It's about 7.2 miles round trip from the parking lot to the peak, with great views the higher you go. Top of the peak has amazing 360 views of the valley and surrounding mountain ranges. Steady climb all the way up, with the last mile being the most strenuous. Good trail, but lots of loose rock and gravel really requires solidi footwear. Careful coming down to make sure and go back towards the King Canyon Trailhead - there are several others trails that lead to/from Wasson Peak, but the the trailheads are not close to one another.
