Location: Tucson
Top Things to do in Tucson
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What to do and see in Tucson, Arizona (AZ): The Best Things to do for Honeymoon
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. Fleur de Tucson Balloon Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Tucson, Arizona's premier hot air balloon ride company since 1985. First class rides over the beautiful Tucson Mts. Includes delicious champagne brunch and digital pics of entire flight. Personalized for 2-5 people. FAA certified. Perfect Safety Record!! Featured on Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin AZ Experience,on Fodors AZ Travel Guide and Frommer's Guidebook.
3. Tucson Balloon Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides offers 'Sonoran Sunrise' flights followed by a delicious champagne brunch. Flights are an hour long and include beautiful mountain & desert panoramas, post flight champagne brunch, pictures of your flight and free pick-ups/drop-offs from all Tucson resorts and hotels.
4. Foolish Pleasure Hot Air Balloon Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
Exciting and comfortable hot air balloon rides for 2-6 people featuring picturesque views of the Tucson Mountains and Saguaro National Park, west. Flights include a complimentary deluxe continental brunch with and digital photos of your flight. Foolish Pleasure prides itself as a family owned and operated business. Dan Ewer, certified FAA hot air balloon pilot, is 100% accident free. Lorrie Ewer, an ordained minister, is available per request for marriage ceremonies.
5. Taste of Tucson Downtown
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 204 reviews
This Food Tour of Downtown Tucson is a guided culinary & cultural Food Tour Tour of Downtown Tucson, AZ. The tour includes five restaurant tastings, a ride on the streetcar, and a guided walking tour including local history, art & architecture.
6. Houston's Horseback Riding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By Natalie_H_801SLC
We did an early morning private ride with Bobbi leading us. It was peaceful and we had great conversations. The weather was a little chilly but we dressed accordingly and the sun ended up coming out towards the end. The horses are matched your ability and they were both easy to ride. Bobbi and the staff were all very friendly. They have a good location and a wonderful business. I highly recommend the experience.
7. Tucson Food Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 572 reviews
Visit our website for more tour options, full availability details, and to book direct. Best prices, full range of tours, and easily contact us without the middle man. Rated Tucson's #1 tour activity and a great way to get a Taste of Tucson. Tucson Food Tours was featured in the book "100 Things To Do In Tucson Before You Die". We are Tucson's original walking food tour where you not only get a combination of delicious foods and beverages, but a little history of Tucson along the way. This tour is one of the "Top things to do in Tucson" and was designed to allow visitors, locals, foodies to sample some of the hottest local foods and drinks in the area. Even people local to Tucson will learn and taste new things that are unique to this wonderful city. We also specialize in custom, private, or corporate tours and/or events. We can accommodate large groups and handle all the event planning for you! For the best pricing book directly from our website!
8. 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.
9. Arizona Winery Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 177 reviews
Arizona Winery Tours offers an enjoyable way to experience Arizona's premiere wineries. Our regularly scheduled trips and special events provide guests with transportation from Tucson and surrounding areas to local wineries. Throughout the day, guests enjoy wine tasting rooms, lunch and the beauty Southern Arizona Wine country Az Winery supports all of the wineries in Sonoita/Elgin and Willcox – trips can be tailored to our guests’ requests and wine preferences. If no preference is requested, or if you’re unclear of what wineries to visit, our staff is happy to provide recommendations. We are experts with the types of wine each of the wineries serve in our region and are happy to assist you in planning a wonderful day!
10. 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.
