35 Best Places and Things To Do in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a vibrant city located in the southern part of Arizona, known for its beautiful desert landscapes, unique culture, and year-round sunny weather.

1. Saguaro National Park

File:Saguaro Sunset.jpg

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguaro_National_Park

Saguaro National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. The park is home to the iconic saguaro cactus, which can grow up to 50 feet tall and live for over 200 years. Visitors can hike one of the many trails, drive the scenic loop, or attend a ranger-led program to learn more about the park’s flora and fauna.

2. Sonora Desert Museum

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d108867-Reviews-Arizona_Sonora_Desert_Museum-Tucson_Arizona.html

Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum. Visitors can see over 200 animal species, including black bears, mountain lions, and javelinas, and explore the museum’s extensive collection of exhibits on desert ecology, geology, and history.

3. Mission San Xavier del Bac

File:San Xavier del Bac in overcast weather.jpg

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Xavier_del_Bac

Mission San Xavier del Bac is a beautiful Spanish colonial mission that was founded in 1692. The mission’s ornate architecture, vibrant frescoes, and serene courtyards make it a popular destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.

4. Tucson Botanical Gardens

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d126843-Reviews-Tucson_Botanical_Gardens-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a hidden gem located in the heart of the city. The gardens feature over 16 unique themed gardens, including a butterfly garden, a cactus and succulent garden, and a children’s garden.

5. Pima Air & Space Museum

File:Pima-air-and-space-MCB.jpg

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pima_Air_%26_Space_Museum

The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world. Visitors can see over 350 aircraft on display, including historic military planes, commercial airliners, and spacecraft.

6. Sabino Canyon

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d209268-Reviews-Sabino_Canyon-Tucson_Arizona.html

Sabino Canyon is a scenic canyon located just north of Tucson. Visitors can hike one of the many trails, take a tram ride, or enjoy a picnic in the canyon’s shaded picnic areas.

7. Reid Park Zoo

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60950-d143936-Reviews-Reid_Park_Zoo-Tucson_Arizona.html

Reid Park Zoo is a small but charming zoo located in the heart of Tucson. Visitors can see over 500 animals, including lions, tigers, and giraffes, and enjoy the zoo’s many interactive exhibits and educational programs.

8. Tucson Museum of Art

File:Tucson May 2019 14 (Tucson Museum of Art).jpg

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson_Museum_of_Art

The Tucson Museum of Art is a popular destination for art enthusiasts. The museum features a wide range of exhibits, including contemporary art, Western art, and pre-Columbian art.

9. Rillito River Park

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d562014-Reviews-Rillito_River_Park-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Rillito River Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park features a paved trail that follows the banks of the Rillito River and is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking.

10. Biosphere 2

File:Biosphere 2 in 2022 02.jpg

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2

Biosphere 2 is a unique research facility located just outside of Tucson. Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility and learn about the science behind the experiments conducted there.

11. Tohono Chul Park

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d126842-Reviews-Tohono_Chul-Tucson_Arizona.html

Tohono Chul Park is a beautiful botanical garden located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The park features over 50 acres of gardens, including a butterfly garden, a hummingbird garden, and a desert wildflower garden.

12. Kartchner Caverns State Park

File:Entry Ramada at Tohono Chul, Tucson.jpg

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tohono_Chul_Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park is located just outside of Tucson and is home to a stunning limestone cave system. Visitors can take a guided tour of the caverns and see amazing rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.

13. Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g31394-d145835-Reviews-Colossal_Cave_Mountain_Park-Vail_Arizona.html

Colossal Cave Mountain Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park features hiking trails, horseback riding, and a guided tour of the park’s historic cave system.

14. Gates Pass

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d561949-Reviews-Gates_Pass-Tucson_Arizona.html

Gates Pass is a scenic mountain pass located in the Tucson Mountains, just west of Tucson. The pass offers stunning views of the surrounding desert landscapes and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Visitors can drive the winding road to the top of the pass or hike one of the many trails that lead to the summit.

15. The Gaslight Theatre

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d2202920-Reviews-The_Gaslight_Theatre-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Gaslight Theatre is a popular entertainment venue located in Tucson that has been entertaining audiences for over 40 years. The theatre is known for its family-friendly shows that combine live music, comedy, and drama with a unique Western-themed setting. The Gaslight Theatre is housed in a historic building that was once a movie theater, and the interior has been decorated to resemble an old-time saloon.

16. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d1569966-Reviews-The_Mini_Time_Machine_Museum_of_Miniatures-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is a unique museum located in Tucson that showcases a collection of over 500 miniature houses, rooms, and landscapes from around the world. The museum is dedicated to the art and craft of miniatures, and visitors can explore a wide variety of miniature scenes, from Victorian-era mansions to modern-day apartments.

17. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d109171-Reviews-DeGrazia_Gallery_in_the_Sun_Museum-Tucson_Arizona.html

The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum is a unique art museum located in Tucson that celebrates the work of the renowned Arizona artist, Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia. The museum is situated on a 10-acre property in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and features a collection of DeGrazia’s paintings, sculptures, and ceramics, as well as a chapel that he designed and built.

18. Catalina State Park

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d149481-Reviews-Catalina_State_Park-Tucson_Arizona.html

Catalina State Park is a beautiful outdoor destination located just north of Tucson, in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The park offers a wide range of activities and amenities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking trails, picnic areas, campsites, and more.

19. Tucson Mountain Park West

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d126852-Reviews-Tucson_Mountain_Park_West-Tucson_Arizona.html

Tucson Mountain Park West, also known as Saguaro National Park West, is a stunning natural area located on the western edge of Tucson. The park covers over 91,000 acres of desert landscape and is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna, including iconic Saguaro cacti.

20. Cactus Forest Drive

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d145197-Reviews-Cactus_Forest_Drive-Tucson_Arizona.html

Cactus Forest Drive is a scenic drive that winds through Saguaro National Park East, located on the eastern edge of Tucson. The drive is a popular attraction for visitors who want to experience the stunning beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the iconic saguaro cacti. The 8-mile-long loop drive takes visitors through a dense forest of saguaro cacti, one of the most recognizable symbols of the American Southwest.

21. Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d561980-Reviews-Mark_Sublette_Medicine_Man_Gallery-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery is a well-known art gallery located in Tucson, Arizona that specializes in Native American art and artifacts. The gallery features an extensive collection of Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, and other artwork, as well as antique firearms, cowboy and western art, and contemporary paintings.

22. International Wildlife Museum

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d109092-Reviews-International_Wildlife_Museum-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery is a well-known art gallery located in Tucson, Arizona that specializes in Native American art and artifacts. The gallery features an extensive collection of Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, and other artwork, as well as antique firearms, cowboy and western art, and contemporary paintings.

23. White Stallion Ranch

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d2470799-Reviews-White_Stallion_Ranch-Tucson_Arizona.html

The White Stallion Ranch is a historic guest ranch located in Tucson, Arizona that offers a range of activities and amenities for guests of all ages. The ranch has been in operation since 1965 and is known for its friendly hospitality, comfortable accommodations, and scenic desert location. Guests at the White Stallion Ranch can choose from a variety of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.

24. Tumamoc Hill

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d3840982-Reviews-Tumamoc_Hill-Tucson_Arizona.html

Tumamoc Hill is a popular hiking destination located in Tucson, Arizona. The hill rises 860 feet above the surrounding Sonoran Desert and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. The Tumamoc Hill trail is a 3.1 mile round-trip hike that is open to the public seven days a week. The trail is paved and relatively steep, with an elevation gain of over 500 feet. Hikers can expect to see a variety of desert plants and wildlife along the way, including saguaro cacti, wildflowers, and birds.

25. Philabaum Glass Gallery

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d550297-Reviews-Philabaum_Glass_Gallery-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio is a world-renowned glass art studio and gallery located in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1975 by glass artist Tom Philabaum, the studio specializes in creating unique, hand-crafted glass artwork that is both beautiful and functional.

26. Agua Caliente Park

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d2233366-Reviews-Agua_Caliente_Park-Tucson_Arizona.html

Agua Caliente Park is a popular nature preserve and recreational area located in Tucson, Arizona. The park is known for its beautiful desert landscape, natural hot springs, and diverse wildlife. The park features several hiking trails that wind through the surrounding Sonoran Desert, offering visitors the chance to see a variety of desert plants and animals. The trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate, with options for both short hikes and longer, more challenging treks.

27. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d109169-Reviews-Tucson_Museum_of_Art_and_Historic_Block-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block is a must-visit destination for art lovers and history buffs in Tucson, Arizona. The museum is located in downtown Tucson and features a diverse collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 9,000 works of art, ranging from pre-Columbian artifacts and American Indian art to contemporary art and photography.

28. St. Augustine Cathedral

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d255280-Reviews-St_Augustine_Cathedral-Tucson_Arizona.html

St. Augustine Cathedral is a historic and beautiful church located in downtown Tucson, Arizona. The cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson and is considered one of the city’s most important landmarks. The cathedral was first built in the late 19th century and was later expanded and renovated in the early 20th century. It is known for its stunning architecture, which blends elements of Gothic Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles.

29. Children’s Museum Tucson

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d127080-Reviews-Children_s_Museum_Tucson-Tucson_Arizona.html

St. Augustine Cathedral is a historic and beautiful church located in downtown Tucson, Arizona. The cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson and is considered one of the city’s most important landmarks. The cathedral was first built in the late 19th century and was later expanded and renovated in the early 20th century. It is known for its stunning architecture, which blends elements of Gothic Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles.

30. 390th Memorial Museum

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d3400272-Reviews-390th_Memorial_Museum-Tucson_Arizona.html

The 390th Memorial Museum is a museum located in Tucson, Arizona, that is dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the 390th Bombardment Group, a unit of the United States Army Air Forces that served during World War II. The museum is housed in a historic hangar at the Tucson International Airport, and features a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia related to the 390th Bombardment Group and its service during the war.

31. La Encantada

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d2695440-Reviews-La_Encantada-Tucson_Arizona.html

La Encantada is an upscale shopping center located in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona. The shopping center features a variety of high-end stores, including designer clothing and jewelry retailers, as well as restaurants and cafes. La Encantada is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The center’s outdoor design incorporates elements of Southwestern and Spanish Colonial style, with a large central courtyard and fountain, and walkways lined with palm trees and colorful flowers.

32. 1912 Brewing Co.

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d9806710-Reviews-1912_Brewing_Co-Tucson_Arizona.html

1912 Brewing Co. is a craft brewery located in Tucson, Arizona, that is known for its creative and unique beers, as well as its friendly and laid-back atmosphere. The brewery takes its name from the year that Arizona became a state, and is committed to using locally sourced ingredients and supporting the local community.

33. Tucson Mall

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d550272-Reviews-Tucson_Mall-Tucson_Arizona.html

Tucson Mall is a popular shopping destination located in Tucson, Arizona. The mall features over 170 stores, ranging from high-end luxury brands to more affordable retailers, as well as a variety of dining options. Some of the popular stores at Tucson Mall include Macy’s, Sephora, Forever 21, H&M, and The Apple Store, among others. The mall also features a number of sit-down restaurants and quick bites options, including The Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, and Chick-fil-A.

34. A Mountain (Sentinel Peak)

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d524680-Reviews-A_Mountain_Sentinel_Peak-Tucson_Arizona.html

A Mountain, also known as Sentinel Peak, is a popular destination in Tucson, Arizona, that offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounding mountains. The peak is located just west of downtown Tucson and is easily accessible by car or foot. One of the most popular activities at A Mountain is hiking to the top of the peak to enjoy the panoramic views. The hike is relatively short, just over a mile each way, and is suitable for hikers of all levels.

35. Wasson Peak

Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g60950-d8780803-Reviews-Wasson_Peak-Tucson_Arizona.html

Wasson Peak is the highest peak in Tucson Mountain Park, which is located in the western part of Tucson, Arizona. The peak is a popular hiking destination and offers stunning views of the Sonoran Desert and the surrounding mountain ranges. The hike to Wasson Peak is a challenging but rewarding experience, as it involves a steady climb to the summit.

Tucson is a lively cultural and entertainment district that is home to numerous restaurants, bars, galleries, and theaters. Visitors can explore the many shops and restaurants, attend a concert or show, or take a guided tour to learn more about the city’s history and culture.