Best Things To Do In Tucson

Things To Do In Tucson: Tucson attracts a diverse group of travelers because there are a variety of things to do while visiting. For a closer look at the Arizona desert, spend some time exploring the nearby Saguaro National Park and the hiking trails of Sabino Canyon. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum also provides an interesting (and air-conditioned) look at Tucson’s flora and fauna. For a taste of contemporary Tucson, spend some time perusing the galleries in the Catalina Foothills district or mingling with the University of Arizona students at bars on historic Fourth Avenue.

Things To Do In Tucson Today

Tucson is located in Pima County in the state of Arizona. The second-largest city in Arizona after Phoenix, Tucson has a population of over 500,000 inhabitants and is also home to the University of Arizona. The city is north of the US-Mexico border and is heavily influenced by the desert region in which it stands. On a visit to Tucson, expect beautiful architecture, leafy gardens, desert flora and fauna, traditional activities such as panning for gold, and an abundance of Mexican-inspired food and beverages. Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Tuscon:

1. Head for the desert at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Spread across a vast expanse of 98 acres to the west of Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum encompasses an aquarium, zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, and art gallery. This institution is dedicated to imparting knowledge about the diverse plant and animal species that inhabit the Sonoran Desert region. It is home to over 200 varieties of desert animals and more than 1,000 types of plants. Ranked among the most frequented attractions in Arizona, this unique museum welcomes over 400,000 visitors annually. It comprises numerous exhibitions offering both historical and modern insights into wildlife and plant life. Exhibitions such as ‘Rivers to the Sea’, ‘Cat Canyon’, and ‘Life on the Rocks form part of its engaging offerings.

2. Hike the Sabino Canyon

Located just north of Tucson, the Sabino Canyon is nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest. The canyon offers magnificent trails, majestic views, and hiking and trekking opportunities. Surprisingly, considering that the canyon is located in the desert, there is also Sabino Creek nearby which features waterfalls that can be admired and crossed by a bridge. For visitors who prefer not to hike, there is a tram through the canyon that has nine stops along the way.

3. Explore the trails of Saguaro National Park

It encompasses segments of the Rincon Mountains, Tucson Mountains, and the Sonoran Desert. The park owes its name to the native cactus species, the saguaro, which thrives within its confines. Visitors have the opportunity to observe these magnificent cacti firsthand along numerous trails scattered throughout the park. A spectrum of hiking routes, varying in length and difficulty, cater to all fitness levels and endurance. However, the park’s management advises against undertaking extended hikes in remote sections during the sweltering summer months due to extreme heat.

4. Become a botanist at Tucson Botanical Garden

For visitors wanting to go for a stroll surrounded by nature then look no further than Tucson Botanical Gardens, a large compound made up of 16 individual gardens. The garden complex is spread over 5 acres and is known for providing a moment of quiet respite in the sometimes frantic city. The gardens are themed to promote the best of the Arizona flora to visitors, including a children’s garden, a Zen garden, and a butterfly garden. There is also a gallery located within the complex that has a series of rotating exhibitions and installations on various themes regarding botanical interest in the Arizona area including desert plants.

5. Walk on the wild side at Reid Park Zoo

Established in the 1960s, Reid Park Zoo spans over 20 acres and is home to over 500 species of animals. The zoo is split into four different zones and features animals from bears to elephants, to giant tortoises. Veterinarians also work at the faculty and the zoo is a firm favorite in the city as the local population has raised money over the years to take care of the animals and provide them with the best level of care available. Visitors can see animals from all over the world in the zoo as well as indigenous species.

Things To Do In Tucson This Weekend

Saguaro National Park is amazing but unusual as it is divided into two parts – East and West – which are separated by the city of Tucson.

Both sides of these Tucson parks offer something special and are worth visiting.

If you had to choose one, Saguaro National Park West would probably offer a little more in terms of interesting hikes and stunning landscapes.

Of course, the Saguaro National Park is home to the saguaro cactus, which I just can’t get enough of seeing, and getting up close and learning about these plants is one of the best things to do in Arizona with kids – I only wish I could hug one!

Be warned cactus can hurt, as Kalyra discovered when she was attacked by a jumping cholla.

Read more about that and our visit to these National Parks here.

Hike Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in the Santa Catalina Mountains is a delightful place to spend a few hours or even a few days.

I can understand why this is a playground for the locals, and hiking here is one of the most popular things to do in Tucson AZ.

Filled with hiking trails, saguaro forests, riparian creeks, waterfalls, and swimming holes, there is plenty to do in Sabino Canyon.

We spent the afternoon hiking one of the Sabino Canyon trails through quite diverse environments and enjoying a picnic under the shade of a few trees. The girls loved the creek crossings here.

You can read more about our time and things to do in Sabino Canyon here.

Catalina State Park Hiking

Catalina State Park is a gorgeous place to enjoy one of the top Tucson activities, hiking! And we also recommend staying and camping.

We LOVED the campsite here but unfortunately, it was full and we could only get one night.

I loved the natural beauty of this state park. It felt very magical with its bubbling creeks running through the valley and saguaro cactus standing sentinel on the hills.

The trails can be easily accessed from the campsite with a couple you can also bike on.

We cycled along the trail from our campsite, then hiked the Canyon Loop Trail which started by quite a large river crossing. There were a couple more creek crossings along the way.

Explore Downtown Tucson

Go mural hunting

Though we did enjoy the murals that we kept running into while downtown, so keeps an eye out for them and cameras at the ready!

So go mural hunting all over town and see the historical (and colorful) adobe homes near Five Points.

We also had quite a delicious lunch at the HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery.

Fun Things To Do In Tucson

Pima Air & Space Museum in the United States’ largest privately funded air and space museum. The centerpiece is an 80-acre outdoor exhibition area featuring more than 300 aircraft. The collection spans the full breadth of the air age, from the days of the Wright brothers to the cutting edge of commercial aviation. (There’s a 787 Dreamliner on-site.) Free and ticketed events, including kid-friendly demonstrations and shows, round out the offerings here.

If you have time, check out the 2,600-acre military boneyard in the desert. Pima Air & Space Museum is the sole vendor approved to give bus tours of the vast, secure space; for aviation buffs, it’s a once-in-a-great-while opportunity to see decommissioned planes in every imaginable state of repair. You’ll need a two-day ticket to see the main collection and boneyard together.

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If you’re new to the desert, Tucson Botanical Gardens is a must-see. Though it’s $4 dearer, it’s worth your while to visit during the cooler months, when many of the park’s blooms make their appearance. For a slightly cooler evening experience, visit on Thursday or Friday. The Canadian Garden Council named Tucson Botanical Gardens a “top 10 garden worth traveling for,” so you know it’s legit.

In My Experience: $13 per adult is nothing to sneeze at, but full-price admission to Tucson Botanical Gardens is still just half the price of Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden. If you’re visiting both cities on your trip to the desert, but only have the budget for one world-class Xeriscape, make it

Things To Do In Tucson Arizona

Proudly known as one of the largest air and space museums in the world, aerospace buffs can see over 300 aircraft and spacecraft at the facility which has a span of over 80 acres. The museum is nongovernment-funded and raises revenue through ticket sales and admissions and started from humble beginnings in the 1970s with 48 aircraft to the powerhouse that it is today. For visitors interested in the history of the United States Air Force there is a historical tour through the ages, and there is even a replica of a control tower on site.

Get spiritual at San Xavier del Bac

Situated in downtown Tucson, San Xavier del Bac is a Spanish Catholic Mission that sits on the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. The mission takes its name from a Christian missionary who is also hailed as the co-founder of the Jesuit Order, Francis Xavier. Built in the 18th Century, the site is often considered some of the finest Spanish colonial architecture in the United States. It is open to the public daily and attracts over 200,000 visitors a year many of whom consider the site a pilgrimage. Still run by Franciscan members of the Christian community, tourists can savor the serene atmosphere in one of the oldest European buildings in Arizona.

Raise your sights at Sentinel Peak

Southwest of Tucson, nestled in the Tucson Mountains, lies Sentinel Peak. The peak is often wrongly perceived to be the result of a dormant volcano because the surrounding land is volcanic and said to date back 20 million years. The peak offers trekking and hiking opportunities for travelers but one of the highlights is the scenic views over Tucson Valley and across the city of Tucson.

Step onto a movie set at Old Tucson Studios

Enjoy a moment of quiet contemplation at the Cathedral of Saint Augustine

Best Things To Do In Tucson