Sights

Sabino Canyon

Prickly Pear in bloom
photo by: Carolinia A Delacey

Sabino Canyon is one of the greatest places to hike in Tucson. It has a tram to the top of the paved hiking trail and has a very nice but small desert museum and gift shop. Kids love to go learn about the desert. After good winter rains wildflowers abound in the spring and the prickly pear bloom around March and April. There are various degrees of hiking trails and one that goes to Mt Lemon.

The entrance fee is nominal and the yearly pass includes Mt Lemon parking and entrance as well. There are restrooms and water fountains through out the park, although bringing your more..

type:	Parks, Gardens and Zoos
World66 rating:	[rate it]
accessibility:	Some trails Wheel Chair Accessible, bathrooms are accessible
tel:	520/749-2861
url:	www.sabinocanyon.org
address:	Sabino Cyn Rd at Sunrise Dr

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum featuring the plants and animals of the Sonoran desert.  It is a great educational spot.  The guides and park staff and very knowledgible.  Remember to bring water; it is hot and dry but the scenery is enjoyable...

type:	Parks, Gardens and Zoos
World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	(520) 883-2702
openingHours:	Open daily March-October: 7:30am-5pm, October-February: 8:30am-5pm, June-August Saturday Evenings 5pm-10pm
url:	www.desertmuseum.org
address:	2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743
email:	info@desertmuseum.org

Arizona State Museum

Arizona State Museum
A Smithsonian Institution affiliate
Oldest and largest anthropology museum in the southwest

type:	Hotspots
World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	(520)621-6302
openingHours:	Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
address:	1013 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721

Arizona Historical Society

Arizona Historical Society
Exhibits highlighting southern Arizona and northern Mexico history.

Pima air and Space Museum

The Pima air and space museum is a Tucson based museum, devoted to aviation. Tons of planes and jets (over 275 to be precise) are found within this massive museum. In addition, you will see many historically significant plains and aircraft that helped shape this great nation. Some awesome sights at the museum include: John F. Kennedy's Air Force One, and aircrafts used by president's Nixon and Johnson. The Pima Air and Space Museum also specializes in aircraft restoration and makes sure to try and maintain and preserve as many of these gorgeous antique planes as possible. This is more..

Old Tucson Studios

Old Tucson Studios is a fantastic place to visit if you are interested in how old westerns were made. This small studio town was originally constructed in 1939 for the western titled appropriately, ‘Arizona’.  In addition to the original film set, travelers can go on there newly built theme park and observe wild west shootouts that take place right on the grounds. In addition to these exciting attractions, tourists can also dine on the grounds and enjoy some authentic wild west cuisine. As far as Tucson attractions go, Old Tucson studios offers up so many different more..

Degrazia Gallery in the sun

This constantly rotating art space is used to showcase the work of the deceased artist Ted Degrazia. Degrazia is best known for his American impressionist style and images of native American children. The Degrazia Gallery in the Sun offers up a massive collection of Degrazia’s work which rotates throughout the year. The gallery puts on special events honoring the life and death of this great artist, including Degrazias: rodeo collection, desert ceramics and much much more. If you are an art buff or someone simply looking to learn about a famous Arizona based painter, than the more..

Pusch Ridge Stables

Pusch Ridge Stables offers amazing opportunities for all different levels of hose back riders. The Pusch Ridge Stables are located right next to a beautiful Arizona mountain range and take you through winding canyons and steep paths. Compared to other Tucson attractions, this one definitely offers a more hands on and interactive approach to a day out in Tucson. The stables offer lessons, learning clinics, youth programs and boarding for your own horses. There are many horses at the stable and before you ride, workers make sure that the right horse is chosen for you and your style more..

Pusch Ridge Stables

Pusch Ridge Stables offers amazing opportunities for all different levels of hose back riders. The Pusch Ridge Stables are located right next to a beautiful Arizona mountain range and take you through winding canyons and steep paths. Compared to other Tucson attractions, this one definitely offers a more hands on and interactive approach to a day out in Tucson. The stables offer lessons, learning clinics, youth programs and boarding for your own horses. There are many horses at the stable and before you ride, workers make sure that the right horse is chosen for you and your style more..

The Tucson Botanical Gardens

The Tucson Botanical Gardens are a non profit organization which offers beautiful and tranquil gardens. Some specific gardens include: Children’s discovery garden, shade garden, backyard bird garden, Australian garden and many more. In addition, the grounds offer up a garden café where you can sit, dine and take in the overall beauty of the grounds. The botanical gardens are a perfect place to take family and friends out and offer a variety of walking paths as well as educational and administrative halls. Some events that take place at the gardens include: weird plant sale, more..

Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park is a beautiful park, located right at the bottom of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Tons of trails and paths weave in and out of this large state park. There are nearly 5,00 saguaros in the area and sits on 5,500 acres of gorgeous Tucson landscape. The Catalina State Park is one of the larger Tucson attractions, offering up streams that are ideal for camping next to. In addition, trails are open to the public for birding, biking, hiking and equestrian activities. As an added bonus, the park is only a few minutes from the downtown Tucson area, so it is as more..

Tucson Mineral and Gem World

The Tucson Mineral and Gem World offers delightful and traditional rocks and gems for all different types of collectors. With over 100,000 items in their shop, collectors have the option of coming into the store to purchase them or order them online. Some of their collection includes: minerals, Arizona minerals, fossils, artifacts, crystals, meteorites and many other things. The Tucson Mineral and Gem World has been around for over 30 years and one of only a few Arizona attractions, that offer up minerals. In addition to the shop, visitors are encouraged to explore their museum, more..

University of Arizona Museum of Art

Tucson attractions are often linked to the large state school that inhabits the region. The University of Arizona Museum of Art offers a wide array of original works as well as a series of rotating exhibits and exhibitions. One major collection at the gallery is that of Samuel J. Kress. With over 60 European paintings, decorative objects and sculptures, the collection is vital to the museum itself. Many of the works date between the 14th and 19th centuries. With a massive 26 panel retablo painted by Ciudad Rodrigo, this collection is both unique and impressive. Located extremely more..

Mission San Xavier del Bac

The Mission San Xavier del Bac is one of the more historic locations that the area of Tucson has to offer. The church was built in the 1700s and has since been restored. An exquisite gem of Spanish architecture, the Mission is white and beautiful, with various carvings and sculptures throughout the church. The mission also plays host to the San Xavier mission school, where children are educated at different scholastic levels. The Mission San Xavier del Bac is tucked away in the Santa Cruz Valley, which is a mere nine miles from Tucson. This makes this both an enriching and more..

Kitt Peak National Optical Astronomy Observatory

The Kitt Peak National Optical Astronomy Observatory is located on the top of a gorgeous mountain and shares space with the National Solar Observatory. This area operates 3 unique nighttime telescopes that look out into deep space. As an added bonus, the Kitt Peak National Optical Astronomy Observatory offers up an Astronomy Camp for excited and young children, looking to get into the field. In addition, this observatory offers the world largest collection of optical telescopes. The observatory offers guided tours as well as nightly observing programs, which are sure to get the more..

Tucson Mountain Park

The Tucson Mountain Park is the perfect place to get your family and friends outdoors and into the wild! Hiking in the Tucson Mountain Park is always a good option. In addition, adventurers can tour, hike, horseback ride, camp and even take advantage of the on site shooting range. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking in the area and offers up killer sunsets. Wonder through historical gates pass as well as the gorgeous saguaro forest. All of these things make the Tucson Mountain Park an ideal place to go and visit. As far as Tucson attractions are concerned, this ranks up with more..

Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium

The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is an ideal place to go for stargazing in the evening. Out of all of the Tucson attractions, this is one ranks up there as a romantic place to go with a friend or partner. Located right on the University of Arizona campus, the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium offers a large mineral collection on site as well as exhibits that are interactive. As an added bonus, there is a 16- inch telescope that visitors are allowed to use at their convenience. The on campus planetarium theater offers excellent activities for guests and a wide more..

Picture Rocks Miniature Horse Ranch

Tucson activities definitely include the Picture Rocks Miniature Horse Ranch. Located on North Taylor Lane, visitors can enjoy horseback riding as well as goat hugging. The place is owned by Connie and Al Kazal and all activities take place on their ranch. You can bring your own picnic basket and head out for a full day of fun and learning at this one of a kind ranch. It is best to call ahead for reservations and bring lots of film to document your friends and family mixing it up with the animals. In addition, the Horse Ranch offers a gift shop where you can purchase a select more..

International Wildlife Museum

The International Wildlife Museum promotes the study of wildlife and wildlife management conservation. The museum opened its doors in 1988 and houses over 400 species of mammals and insect as well as birds from all over the world. There are dioramas in the museum that illustrate wild animals in their very own natural habitats. These realistic creations are perfect for understanding how these animals live and breathe in the world. In addition, there are videos, computers and other exhibits that allow you to get involved with the work that is being done at the Wildlife museum. The more..

El Presidio Park

El Presidio park has a million things to do and see on its fertile grounds. It is also well known for the Tucson Vietnam Veterans Memorial (which is located in the park). The park was constructed right on what was at that time called the Plaza de las Armas. This stands for the southern half of the frontier, which was at one time announced by Colonel Hugo O’Conor. Hugo was a member of the Spanish army and declared this in 1775. In addition, the park is excellent for picnics and long walks with friends. Get there early in the morning to watch the sunrise in beautiful Tucson. The more..