Activities & Attractions

Sonoran Desert Museum - One of Southern Arizona's most popular attractions. This museum exhibits the living, outdoor world found in the Sonoran Desert Region. This is a mostly outdoor museum located about 14 miles west of downtown. There are demonstrations taking place everyday to help people understand the relationships between plants, animals, and the environment of the Sonoran Desert Region. There are over 300 different kinds of living animals and over 1300 kinds of plants. - Tucson / 520-883-1380

Old Tucson Studios - Another very popular attraction in Southern Arizona. In 1939 this town was built for the movie "Arizona" and now years later there have been over 300 productions shot here and more coming. In 1995 the town was mostly "lost" due to a fire, but has since been rebuilt and more exciting than ever. You can enjoy a life in a frontier town. You can watch stunts, trick riding, and you might even get a part in a Western film shoot or Saloon musical. There are rides for the kids and great food. - Tucson / 520-883-0100

San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad - Starting out in Benson, Arizona you will take a 4 Hour round trip train ride through the Old West. With the expert narration you will hear stories about Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, Geronimo and the Clanton Brothers. You will see parts of the Old West that can only be accessible by train. Travel through the once powerful silver mills and pass the ruins of the historic ghost town of Fairbanks, Arizona. You'll also travel to Charleston, Arizona very close to the famous town of Tombstone. Southwestern Railroad is located only minutes from Tucson. - Benson / 520-586-2266

Biosphere II - Developed by the American Museum of Natural History and the Environmental Defense Fund the Biosphere II demonstrates how our actions and natural forces are changing our planet and its environment. At one time scientist lived inside the Biosphere for and extended period of time as part of the project. This is a 32 part exhibit that at one time you could only tour the outside, now you can tour a portion of the project from the inside. The Biosphere II offers a full service restaurant and overnight accommodations. Located 40 minutes north of Tucson. - Oracle / 800-828-2462

Sabino Canyon - Set in the beautiful Coronado National Forest, Sabino Canyon offers a 45 minute  round trip narrated tour on a shuttle bus through the Sabino Canyon. You will see some of the most beautiful scenery that Tucson has to offer. The shuttle bus stops at different points of the canyon where you can get off and hike for a while, then you can pick up the shuttle bus on the way back . Sabino Canyon is open 365 days a year. Moonlight rides three nights a month are available by reservation April - December. - Tucson / 520-749-2861

Pima Air & Space Museum - There are over 200 example of vintage and current aircrafts, from the first Wright flyer (an exact full scale replica) to what some say was the ultimate flying machine, the famous SR-71 Blackbird. You will see helicopters, homebuilts, ultralights, soaring planes and hang gliders. In 1991 the Museum also included many space artifacts and exhibits, such as the X-15 and the Mercury Space Capsule and much more. - Tucson / 520-574-9658

Tombstone, Arizona - Tombstone is one of the most famous towns in Arizona. Know as "The town that was too tough too die" you can experience it for yourself. Just 1 hour - 15 minutes southeast of Tucson. Experience the old west up close, visit the OK Corral and check out the worlds largest rose bush. Fun for the whole family. - Tombstone

Tohono Chul Park - As you walk down the winding nature trail through our various gardens; tour through the Exhibit Hall in a renovated historic home; enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in the Tea Room and shop in the Greenhouse and Museum Shops; you begin to understand why the desert is so cherished in Tucson. Tohono Chul Park exists to increase visitors' appreciation of the Sonoran Desert, its history and culture. Come and experience the desert in a whole new way. Tours daily, hours vary, donation requested. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ, 85704, (520)575-8468, FAX (520)797-1213,

Colossal Caves - Before being discovered in 1879 this natural wonder was used for centuries by prehistoric peoples. Since its discovery it has been the object of interest by train robbers, outlaws and even a President of the University of Arizona. People starting taking tours through the caves in 1923, before it had been improved. Then Civilian Conservation Corps came in and constructed the walkways, buildings and wiring in the 1930's. Since that time they have improved it even more and now thousands of people have taken tours through the caves. Tours of given daily,  year round  and there is never more than a 30 minute wait. - Tucson / 520-647-7275

Restaurant Highlights

Blue Willow 2616 N Campbell Ave tel 520/327-7577. Tasty, fruity breakfasts and light lunches and dinners, served on a pleasant garden patio.

El Charro 311 N Court Ave tel 520/622-1922. Housed in the same El Presidio building since 1922, this claims to be the oldest Mexican restaurant in the US, and now has its own lively bar next door. The moderately-priced food is good, though not especially fiery; specialties include fine chimichangas.

Gentle Ben's Brewing Co 865 E University Blvd tel 520/624-4177. Microbrewery serving simple food; regularly packed out with students.

Kingfisher 2564 E Grant Rd tel 520/323-7739. One of the few restaurants in town with a late-night menu, specializing in relatively expensive seafood. Very cool bar, too, and music on the weekends.

Maverick, King of Clubs 4702 E 22nd St tel 520/748-0456. Old-fashioned country-music honky-tonk, a bit out from the center and brimming with Stetsons.

The Rialto Theatre 318 E Congress St tel 520/740-0126. A 1920s vaudeville theater that's re-opened as Tucson's hottest venue for touring bands.

Tohono Chul Tea Room Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N Paseo del Norte tel 520/797-1222. Attractive adobe café in small desert park on the northern fringes of town. Open daily 8am-5pm; ideal for breakfast, a light lunch or a scones-and-jam afternoon tea.

Where to Stay

Tucson offers hotels, resorts, motels and inns for almost any budget. Whether you need a room  downtown or outside city limits, the selection is enormous. By clicking on the links below, you can view a variety of accommodations in different regions of Tucson. View individual hotel web pages with pictures and information. No matter if you need to stay for a day or a month click here to view our travel services.

Landmarks & Museums

International Wildlife Museum - Tucson's Interactive Natural History Museum. 32 foot goat and sheep mountain, which shows altitude life-zones for each species of sheep and goat.  Over 9 interactive computer stations with games, information and quizzes. "Hands-on" Exhibits with please touch areas. Insect Exhibit.  A new exhibit opening this summer...Bringing Back Wildlife...an exhibit showing conservation success stories. Gift shop and cafe featuring our famous Buffalo Burger.

Amerind Foundation - P.O. Box 400 Dragoon, AZ 85609  Phone #1: (520) 586-3666 Fax: (520) 586-4679  Archaeological, ethnographic exhibits of Native American cultures. Museum, museum shop, art gallery, scenic picnic area in Texas Canyon. Sept.-May, daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; June-Aug., Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Arizona Historical Society/Tucson - 949 E. 2nd St. Tucson, AZ 85719  Phone #1: (520) 628-5774 Fax: (520) 629-8966  Long-term, special exhibits recounting Arizona's colorful history from Spanish colonial times through the 20th century; research library, gift shop. Interactive children's exhibit. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m.

Arizona State Museum University of Arizona - (Park Ave. & University Blvd.), 1013 E. University Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85721  Phone #1: (520) 621-6302 Fax: (520) 621-2976  The Southwest's oldest and largest anthropology museum and home to a Save America's Treasures Official Project. Experience the richness of our Southwest native cultures.

Old Pueblo Trolley, Inc. - 360 E. 8th St. Tucson, AZ 85705  Phone #1: (520) 792-1802  Historic electric streetcars operate on track between the Fourth Avenue business district and the University of Arizona. Call for fares, days and hours of operation.

Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame - 150 N. Railroad Ave. Willcox, AZ 85644  Toll-Free: (877) 234-4111 Phone #1: (520) 384-4583 Fax: (520) 384-4660 Handicap Accessible Features the life of Rex Allen, "The Last of the Silver Screen Cowboys." Visit our gift shop.

Tucson Museum of Art & Historic Block - 140 N. Main Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701  Phone #1: (520) 624-2333 Fax: (520) 624-7202  Handicap Accessible Description:  Notable permanent collection, as well as 10-12 changing exhibitions annually. Historic Block features five restored homes of Historic El Presidio District. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m. Closed Mon. June-Aug.