Location: Tucson
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What to do and see in Tucson, Arizona (AZ): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,558 reviews
The renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is everything you could want in a Sonoran Desert adventure! Mostly outdoors and comprised of an AZA-accredited zoo, extensive botanical garden, two art galleries, and a natural history museum, the Desert Museum sits on 98 acres of pristine desert landscape. The Museum showcases the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert region, featuring wildlife such as coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep in their natural settings. Bird lovers delight in visiting the Museum's two aviaries, one dedicated to hummingbirds! Kids love the interactive Packrat Playhouse and Stingray Touch exhibits, learning to appreciate our unique environment from a young age. The Museum's gift shops offer an incredible bounty of books, jewelry, crafts, and more. This family-friendly establishment offers something for everyone!
Reviewed By Eiregirl
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the few "must-see" things that we consistently recommend to *everyone* who visits the area. Young kids, teens, enthusiastic adults, tired/jaded adults, older folks who aren't as spry as they used to be - it's really a place for everyone. The Museum is accessible, welcoming, and it always receives rave reviews across the board from our visitors. Key highlights - --The "Museum" is really a combination of things. It does have indoor exhibits and the hands-on demonstrations that you'll find in other national museums, but that's just a fraction of what it offers. The Desert Museum is also a zoo with over 230 native animals - and it's one of the top-ranked public gardens in the U.S - and there is an aquarium - and a cool raptor area where trainers fly native birds of prey - and outdoor trails, etc. --The Museum setting is gorgeous. It's a short drive west of Tucson over Gate's Pass, and it sits smack in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Every inch of the place takes advantage of this unique setting, and it's the best place in town to learn more about the surrounding flora & fauna. --The Desert Museum has a team of top-notch scientists on their staff. In addition to their work with public visitors, many of them are also actively engaged in their field's specialty research and/or education. There is always someone out on the museum pathway with an interesting animal, native plant display, or other engaging story/tidbit of new information. (My kids' top memory - a 'scorpion wall' search around dusk.) You know what you see/hear in the Museum is coming from people who know their stuff. Be sure to carve out at least half a day to visit the Desert Museum while you're in the area. It's well worth your time.
2. Franklin Auto Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 142 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 from mid-October to mid-May, Wednesday through Saturday; 10A to 4P. We open for the Fall-Winter-Spring 2019-2020 season on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at 10AM. Large groups are requested to call ahead. We are closed during the summer months.
Reviewed By N8231LHpablop
We had a private tour there, and Anthony was the greatest tour guide, got there.... it's a Tucson must, he also fixes old watches, a gem of man!
3. 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.
4. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 573 reviews
On the National Register of Historic Places, this legendary landmark of Southwestern art and architecture was designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ted DeGrazia. The 10-acre foothills site includes the adobe gallery with permanent and rotating exhibits, mission with interior murals, gift shop, cactus courtyard, the artist’s home, and his grave. Open daily 10-4, closed on these days: New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plenty of parking and handicap accessible. Admission Fees – $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for ages 12-18, under 12 are free. An annual individual membership is $25.00, with two buddy passes or an annual family membership is $55.00, with four buddy passes.
Reviewed By Kkoleary - Scottsdale, United States
This museum was well laid out. Each room represented a different theme for the artist. I had never heard of DeGrazia so really appreciated all the interesting details of his life along with seeing and hearing his views of his work. You really need to explore the compound to fully appreciate this museum. There is a nice courtyard where you can wander amount the cacti with a fountain. To the left of the museum is a church, little space for visiting artists, and his original house tucked in the back. If you plan to watch the video (recommended) this should take 1.5 to 2 hours.
5. Mission San Xavier del Bac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,326 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 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Mission San Xavier del Bac is an historic Spanish Catholic church located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation, along the Santa Cruz River. Founded in 1692, the original church destroyed during a Apache raid in 1770. The mission that survives today was built between 1783 and 1797 and is the oldest European structure in Arizona. An outstanding example of Spanish Colonial architecture, it features an elegant white stucco, Moorish-inspired exterior with an ornately decorated entrance with massive, carved mesquite-wood doors. The interior features paintings, carvings, frescoes and statues with a rich ornamentation that mixes New Spain and Native American artistic motifs. The floor plan of the church resembles the classic Latin cross with a main aisle separated from the sanctuary by the transept, which has chapels at each end. The dome above the transept is 52 feet high and supported by arches and squinches. The church is considered to be the finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The mission made a cameo appearance in Willa Cather's 1927 novel Death Comes for the Archbishop when it was described as "the most beautiful church on the continent." Today, it continues to be actively run by the Franciscan Order and continues to serve the native community.
6. Tohono Chul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,392 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 MarshaW250 - Indianapolis, United States
We have been attending Holiday Nights at the park for several year. This year we will share in the experience with our friends and our daughter will be in town from Indiana next weekend. The park is always wonderful, but the holiday programs are especially wonderful to share with family & friends.
7. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
The Tucson Museum of Art was founded 1924. It is Southern Arizona's premier presenter of fine art and art education programs. The Museum features permanent and traveling exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary, Native American, American West, Latin American, and Asian art. The main Museum, a contemporary architectural gem, has nearly 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Museum's Historic Block of 19th and 20th C. adobe and Mission Revival-style buildings, encompassing an entire four-acre city block, includes the John K. Goodman Pavilion of Western Art, displaying the Museum's notable art of the American West collection, the national award-winning Museum restaurant Café a la C'Art, and additional exhibition spaces.
Reviewed By seb36 - Tucson, United States
We just visited the art museum after it re-opened following Covi19 closure. It was in the afternoon and there we only 2 other couples there and 2 singles. We never even got close to anyone! Of course masks and social distancing are required. We went to visit the opening of the new Kasser Latin American wing and the exhibits were really wonderful, as were the brief descriptions next to each display . Lot of ancient Peruvian art which was a treat for us. The new Southwest Art exhibit was incredibly interesting and fun. Very, very colorful and it is cultural as well as artistic. Again, the descriptions were terrific. Both of these 2 nre exhibits were on the entry level, along with a charming and varied gift shop full of unique items. There is a slowly declining ramp that goes down about two floors that is full of wonderful paintings, sculptures from the permanent collection.-- with lots of rooms at each level full of treasures. Since the space is huge, the objects are not crowded and the effect is impressive. Items are grouped by culture or style or artist so it all makes sense. We are members so we go fairly often, especially for new exhibits. It is always a treat and makes you think of new areas of exploration and thoghts. There is a link to the floor plan for your smartphone so you will know where you are during your tour.
8. Tucson Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 993 reviews
Named one of the Top 10 Gardens in to visit in North America in 2017 by the Canada Garden Tourism Council and One of the Best Secret Garden in America by Reader's Digest, Tucson Botanical Gardens is an oasis in the heart of Tucson. Featuring seventeen specialty gardens, including the Barrio Garden, Zen Garden and Cactus & Succulent Garden landscaped with unusual rocks from the Harrison Yocum collection. Tropical Butterflies from around the world are featured in the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion which is open October 1st - May 31st. Experience seasonal art exhibits, The Gardens Gift Shop, year-round tours, delicious lunch at Cafe Botanica, and an outdoor garden railway. The Gardens is closed 5 days a year; Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 & 25, Jan. 1, and July 4.
Reviewed By CarolynJ472 - Anchorage, United States
Due to the pandemic, you have to reserve a time slot for your visit. It is easy to do online, as well as to purchase and download your ticket in the interests of a contactless experience. Enter the garden and be greeted by two horse sculptures wearing masks! The ceramic butterfly memorial comes next. There is a beautiful story about the memorial. I had no idea there are so many cactus varieties. I finally saw the origin of tequila: agave. The children's garden will fascinate even adults. The colorful metal sculptures of Mexican ladies are photogenic! Despite the heat, we had a very enjoyable stroll through the garden.
9. Pima Air and Space Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,763 reviews
400+ aircraft, 80 acres, 6 indoor air-cooled hangars... just plane awesome! We’re one of the world's largest aircraft collections including 3 hangars of WWII planes, the SR-71, the world's smallest biplane, and many other unique private, military, and commercial air & spacecraft documenting the evolution of flight. There’s something for the everyone from a “flight simulator” Boeing 720 cockpit, the Women in Flight Gallery, and an all around mecca for the aviation aficionado. We give the only tour of the "Boneyard"/AMARG (M-F, no holidays, 16-day advanced reservations required) plus a tram tour of the museum's 80 acres and one-of-a-kind planes. You can actually touch aviation history like "Freedom One" (that flew American hostages home after 444 days in Iran), presidential planes, others with wingspans the near the length of a football field... ogle helicopters, MiGs, an Oscar, a rare German buzz bomb, a moon rock, and much more!
Reviewed By SunDogUSA - Bangor, United States
This is a lifetime bucket tour absolute must. Please take young folks, children and grandchildren. It is a very, very important life changing history lesson for all ages. It is an excellent museum collection in a great, clean, well organized setting. It is a world class history lesson. Tip: You need 2 days to do this museum justice. Having a military aviation background, I expected it to be mainly based on aircraft from the adjacent boneyard. But is is way more. They have a Boeing 787 Dreamliner as well as a rare, one of a kind photo-recon Spitfire. The exhibits are unique and comprehensive. The Docents are knowledgeable and everywhere, asking if they can help. The aircraft and facility are clean and well maintained. The restorations are very high quality. Restrooms are clean and plentiful. Parking is plentiful and near the entrance. There is a restaurant but we did not dine there. You must go to Tucson You must go to the museum You must take the boneyard tour Please make a donation so that they build more buildings to house aircraft as well as pay for the restorations. There are plentiful modern hotels nearby. When you go to Phoenix to play golf plan 2 days in Tucson with the family for this museum.
10. Tucson Mountain Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 391 reviews
A 20,000-acre desert natural preserve that accommodates many outdoor activities.
Reviewed By Cheriontheroad
A beautiful area west of Tucson with lots of hikes that range from easy to challenging. Truly a desert experience with great views of Tucson.
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