Sightseeing
Here is a list of attractions that bring many to Tucson. Enjoy!
The White Dove of the Desert
Mission San Xavier del Bac is an historic Spanish Catholic mission located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation.
www.sanxaviermission.org
328 locals recommend
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdThe White Dove of the Desert
Mission San Xavier del Bac is an historic Spanish Catholic mission located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation.
www.sanxaviermission.org
The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government funded aviation and space museums in the world! Featuring over 350 historical aircrafts, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII).
pimaair.org
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdThe Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government funded aviation and space museums in the world! Featuring over 350 historical aircrafts, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII).
pimaair.org
Welcome to Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to one of the largest arrays of optical and radio telescopes in the world. In addition to conducting ground-breaking astronomical research, the Visitor Center programs are open to you through daytime guided tours and a variety of evening stargazing programs. Explore this website to see what’s right for you. Please note, no one may visit after dark for any purpose unless registered for one of our evening programs.
The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM for daytime visitors and volunteer-led tours. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Sometimes it is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as environmental events, that are beyond control, so please check before ascending the mountain.
noao.edu/kpno
95 locals recommend
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Welcome to Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to one of the largest arrays of optical and radio telescopes in the world. In addition to conducting ground-breaking astronomical research, the Visitor Center programs are open to you through daytime guided tours and a variety of evening stargazing programs. Explore this website to see what’s right for you. Please note, no one may visit after dark for any purpose unless registered for one of our evening programs.
The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM for daytime visitors and volunteer-led tours. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Sometimes it is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as environmental events, that are beyond control, so please check before ascending the mountain.
noao.edu/kpno
Old Tucson is Where the Spirit of the Old West Comes Alive! Whether you’re looking for a day of Western fun and entertainment for your family or for your company, Old Tucson is the perfect location to take a step back in time. Old Tucson offers fun for the whole family, including:
WESTERN EXPERIENCES: Gunfights, saloon musicals, living history presentations, film history tours
RIDES AND GAMES
DINING AND SHOPPING
oldtucson.com
(Currently closed)
200 locals recommend
Old Tucson
Old Tucson is Where the Spirit of the Old West Comes Alive! Whether you’re looking for a day of Western fun and entertainment for your family or for your company, Old Tucson is the perfect location to take a step back in time. Old Tucson offers fun for the whole family, including:
WESTERN EXPERIENCES: Gunfights, saloon musicals, living history presentations, film history tours
RIDES AND GAMES
DINING AND SHOPPING
oldtucson.com
(Currently closed)
Saguaro National Park is in southern Arizona. Its 2 sections are on either side of the city of Tucson. The park is named for the large saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment. In the western Tucson Mountain District, Signal Hill Trail leads to petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people. In the eastern Rincon Mountain District, Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road with striking views of the desert landscape.
nps.gov/sagu
320 locals recommend
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is in southern Arizona. Its 2 sections are on either side of the city of Tucson. The park is named for the large saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment. In the western Tucson Mountain District, Signal Hill Trail leads to petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people. In the eastern Rincon Mountain District, Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road with striking views of the desert landscape.
nps.gov/sagu
A summer retreat, Mount Lemmon is approximately 30 degrees cooler than nearby Tucson, which is only about one hour away. Located in the Santa Catalina Range, Mount Lemmon is surrounded by the Coronado National Forest and home to a town befitting of the name, Summerhaven. Explore various trails, eat homemade fudge, and even rent a cabin for a weekend away in the pines. On your way to the Mount Lemmon's Peak, you'll drive along the 27-mile sky islands scenic byway, which is more than just a way to get to the top.
https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/05/10/day-trip-eats-where-to-eat-drink-on-mt-lemmon/
Mount Lemmon
A summer retreat, Mount Lemmon is approximately 30 degrees cooler than nearby Tucson, which is only about one hour away. Located in the Santa Catalina Range, Mount Lemmon is surrounded by the Coronado National Forest and home to a town befitting of the name, Summerhaven. Explore various trails, eat homemade fudge, and even rent a cabin for a weekend away in the pines. On your way to the Mount Lemmon's Peak, you'll drive along the 27-mile sky islands scenic byway, which is more than just a way to get to the top.
https://tucsonfoodie.com/2019/05/10/day-trip-eats-where-to-eat-drink-on-mt-lemmon/
I was pleasantly surprised at the diversity of art here in Tucson. You will no be disappointed!
181 locals recommend
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
140 N Main AveI was pleasantly surprised at the diversity of art here in Tucson. You will no be disappointed!
Located on the site of the historic Porter property, The Canadian Garden Council and the American Public Gardens Association named Tucson Botanical Gardens as one of the top 10 North American Gardens worth traveling for. A lush oasis in the heart of Tucson offering mature trees and expertly cultivated foliage, specialty gardens such as the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden, and Herb Garden highlight the diversity of native plants. Tropical butterflies from around the world are featured in the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion Oct.–May. Experience year-round art exhibits, classes, and events, as well as the creative, seasonal menu of Edna’s Eatery. Now celebrating over 40 years of living beauty, The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a unique gem not to be missed.
260 locals recommend
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon WayLocated on the site of the historic Porter property, The Canadian Garden Council and the American Public Gardens Association named Tucson Botanical Gardens as one of the top 10 North American Gardens worth traveling for. A lush oasis in the heart of Tucson offering mature trees and expertly cultivated foliage, specialty gardens such as the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden, and Herb Garden highlight the diversity of native plants. Tropical butterflies from around the world are featured in the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion Oct.–May. Experience year-round art exhibits, classes, and events, as well as the creative, seasonal menu of Edna’s Eatery. Now celebrating over 40 years of living beauty, The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a unique gem not to be missed.
The gallery was designed by me. I wanted to have the feeling of the Southwest. I wanted to build it so that my paintings would feel good inside.” – Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia
What started as a small construction project in the early 1950s developed into a 10-acre National Historic District designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
6300 N Swan
Tucson, AZ 85718
Phone: 520-299-9191
Toll Free: 800-545-2185
96 locals recommend
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
6300 N Swan RdThe gallery was designed by me. I wanted to have the feeling of the Southwest. I wanted to build it so that my paintings would feel good inside.” – Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia
What started as a small construction project in the early 1950s developed into a 10-acre National Historic District designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
6300 N Swan
Tucson, AZ 85718
Phone: 520-299-9191
Toll Free: 800-545-2185
Kartchner Caverns State Park is a state park of Arizona, United States, featuring a show cave with 2.4 miles of passages. The park is located 9 miles south of the town of Benson and west of the north-flowing San Pedro River.
216 locals recommend
Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90Kartchner Caverns State Park is a state park of Arizona, United States, featuring a show cave with 2.4 miles of passages. The park is located 9 miles south of the town of Benson and west of the north-flowing San Pedro River.
Embrace the authentic beauty of the Sonoran Desert year-round at Tohono Chul, Tucson’s charming crossroads of nature, art, and culture. Deemed “One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Tohono Chul has been celebrated by Tucson as one of its “best-kept secrets” for over a quarter of a century.
Be inspired by the collection of artwork in the Exhibit Galleries and Gift Shops. From artisanal to avant-garde, the creations by local artists are influenced by the wonders of the region.
Swing by for brunch and enjoy the incredible flavors of our locally-sourced, seasonal dishes in a beautiful garden atmosphere! Whether you’re looking for lunch with the family or drinks with friends; you’ll be certain to have a fabulous time in the lushness of the Garden Bistro located in Tohono Chul Park.
168 locals recommend
Tohono Chul
7366 N Paseo Del NorteEmbrace the authentic beauty of the Sonoran Desert year-round at Tohono Chul, Tucson’s charming crossroads of nature, art, and culture. Deemed “One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Tohono Chul has been celebrated by Tucson as one of its “best-kept secrets” for over a quarter of a century.
Be inspired by the collection of artwork in the Exhibit Galleries and Gift Shops. From artisanal to avant-garde, the creations by local artists are influenced by the wonders of the region.
Swing by for brunch and enjoy the incredible flavors of our locally-sourced, seasonal dishes in a beautiful garden atmosphere! Whether you’re looking for lunch with the family or drinks with friends; you’ll be certain to have a fabulous time in the lushness of the Garden Bistro located in Tohono Chul Park.
Discover the world in a 3.14-acre laboratory with active research systems spanning from ocean to desert environments and so much more.
Biosphere 2
32540 South Biosphere RoadDiscover the world in a 3.14-acre laboratory with active research systems spanning from ocean to desert environments and so much more.
Mount Lemmon, with a summit elevation of 9,159 feet, is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O.
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon, with a summit elevation of 9,159 feet, is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O.
The Desert Museum is a fusion experience:
zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium.
Truly fantastic. You get to see more animals in the wild than any zoo!
desertmuseum. org
29 locals recommend
Sonoran Desert Museum
2021 North Kinney RoadThe Desert Museum is a fusion experience:
zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium.
Truly fantastic. You get to see more animals in the wild than any zoo!
desertmuseum. org
The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1967, is a 24-acre city-owned and -operated nonprofit zoo located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo features more than 500 animals.
169 locals recommend
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E Zoo CtThe Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1967, is a 24-acre city-owned and -operated nonprofit zoo located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo features more than 500 animals.
Entertainment
Casino Del Sol is only 8 minutes from my house, making conventions easy to get to. The gem show is hosted there as well as concerts at the outdoor amphitheater. Great restaurants in the casino as well!
81 locals recommend
Casino Del Sol
5655 W Valencia RdCasino Del Sol is only 8 minutes from my house, making conventions easy to get to. The gem show is hosted there as well as concerts at the outdoor amphitheater. Great restaurants in the casino as well!
El Presidio is one of the nation's oldest inhabited sites. The Historic District of El Presidio is composed of about 90 buildings of architectural and historical significance. Combined, these-buildings exhibit and celebrate Tucson's development from an eighteenth-century walled Presidio through the Territorial years during which it spilled over the Presidio walls, to the late nineteenth century when the Anglo-American incursion and the coming of the railroad changed the village to a major mercantile center of the Territory.
Restaurants and shopping in this historic area makes for a delightful day.
elpresidiobbinn. com
13 locals recommend
El Presidio Historic District
El Presidio is one of the nation's oldest inhabited sites. The Historic District of El Presidio is composed of about 90 buildings of architectural and historical significance. Combined, these-buildings exhibit and celebrate Tucson's development from an eighteenth-century walled Presidio through the Territorial years during which it spilled over the Presidio walls, to the late nineteenth century when the Anglo-American incursion and the coming of the railroad changed the village to a major mercantile center of the Territory.
Restaurants and shopping in this historic area makes for a delightful day.
elpresidiobbinn. com
For over 50 years, Golf N' Stuff has been providing quality family entertainment for all ages. All of our amusement parks (Tucson, Az., Norwalk, Ca., and Ventura, Ca.) feature unique miniature golf courses, go-karts, and bumper boats. In addition each facility has lush landscaping, water features, and other rides and attractions. We also have the most current and up to date video and prize arcade games available for your enjoyment. We have something for everyone.
6503 E Tanque Verde Rd
23 locals recommend
Golf N' Stuff
6503 E Tanque Verde RdFor over 50 years, Golf N' Stuff has been providing quality family entertainment for all ages. All of our amusement parks (Tucson, Az., Norwalk, Ca., and Ventura, Ca.) feature unique miniature golf courses, go-karts, and bumper boats. In addition each facility has lush landscaping, water features, and other rides and attractions. We also have the most current and up to date video and prize arcade games available for your enjoyment. We have something for everyone.
6503 E Tanque Verde Rd
Bustling, old-school saloon featuring live country music, cocktails, pub grub & karaoke.
1302 W Roger Rd
The Outlaw Bar & Grill
Bustling, old-school saloon featuring live country music, cocktails, pub grub & karaoke.
1302 W Roger Rd
Tucson's 4th Avenue is a well-known street that has an electric flavor and is a great destination for shopping and dining. From costume shops, to thrift shops to souvenir shops, antiques and jewelry, books, clothing and more, you will almost always find what you are looking for when strolling down 4th Avenue, the variety of stores are endless. Although this may sound like your typical shopping strip it is most definitely not, every shop on the strip has a very unique presence and gives off that electric hippy vibe. Almost every shop has vibrant colors on the outside of it or a “vintage” looking presence.
87 locals recommend
Historic Fourth Avenue
Tucson's 4th Avenue is a well-known street that has an electric flavor and is a great destination for shopping and dining. From costume shops, to thrift shops to souvenir shops, antiques and jewelry, books, clothing and more, you will almost always find what you are looking for when strolling down 4th Avenue, the variety of stores are endless. Although this may sound like your typical shopping strip it is most definitely not, every shop on the strip has a very unique presence and gives off that electric hippy vibe. Almost every shop has vibrant colors on the outside of it or a “vintage” looking presence.
"The Fox Tucson Theatre is Tucson's premier entertainment venue. The 1,196 seat Southwestern Art Deco movie palace was built in 1930 and restored in 2005 as a spectacular live performance space."
55 locals recommend
Fox Tucson Theatre
17 W Congress St"The Fox Tucson Theatre is Tucson's premier entertainment venue. The 1,196 seat Southwestern Art Deco movie palace was built in 1930 and restored in 2005 as a spectacular live performance space."
The Rialto Theatre showcases artists across all genres of music and performance, and over the last 10 years has become a Top 100 Major Club Venue worldwide, according to concert industry trade magazine Pollstar, consistently ranking among the top 55 such venues by ticket sales ( #43 in 2015), and recently named #84 in The 100 Greatest American Music Venues by Consequence of Sound. The Rialto has also consistently been named the best venue in the Tucson Weekly’s annual Best of Tucson awards, chosen by the local Tucson community.
92 locals recommend
Rialto Theatre
318 E Congress StThe Rialto Theatre showcases artists across all genres of music and performance, and over the last 10 years has become a Top 100 Major Club Venue worldwide, according to concert industry trade magazine Pollstar, consistently ranking among the top 55 such venues by ticket sales ( #43 in 2015), and recently named #84 in The 100 Greatest American Music Venues by Consequence of Sound. The Rialto has also consistently been named the best venue in the Tucson Weekly’s annual Best of Tucson awards, chosen by the local Tucson community.