14 Places to Visit in Tucson
With an average of 286 sunny days, Tucson is a perfect getaway for those seeking a stay in the desert surrounded by beautiful mountains and gorgeous sunsets. A visit to the Old Pueblo will likely involve hiking, eating, and poolside lounging.
This city is quite lovely and a great place to visit if you want to escape cold weather. However, temperatures rise to 115 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. So, skip coming from the end of May to the end of August.
Though Tucson feels more like a big town than a city, it still offers some fun things to do for those visiting. With its chill vibe and friendly people, you are sure to enjoy this beautiful desert. Here are 14 places to visit in Tucson if you’re in this lovely town.
Places to Visit in Tucson, Arizona
1. Colossal Caves
Sitting just a few minutes outside the city, Colossal Cave is a fun getaway that allows you to explore the underground world. With a guided tour, you will have access to stalagmite & stalactite, the possibility of seeing bats, and the excitement of walking and crawling through a cave.
2. Old Tucson Studios
Old Tucson takes you back in time to the wild, wild west. It’s a location where movies have been filmed. Here you will find entertainment such as comedy and stunts, history presentations, musicals, and old west shows. This place is perfect for a fun date and also fun for families.
3. Mount Lemmon
Tucson can be grueling hot almost all year long. It’s no wonder Tucsonians go up to the Santa Catalina Mountains to cool down while enjoying the city views from Mount Lemmon. When it snows, everyone in Tucson gets excited and heads up to the mountain.
4. Madera Canyon
Like Mount Lemmon, Madera Canyon serves as a perfect escape for those seeking to cool off. Although less crowded because most prefer Mount Lemmon, it’s still beautiful and a great getaway from the heat. Madera Canyon sits at the south end of Tucson, while Mount Lemmon sits in the North.
5. San Xavier del Bac
So much history lies behind this beautiful structure. This national historic landmark is designed to perfection inside and out. The church was founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692 and is the oldest intact structure in Arizona. Inside and out, the detail is beautiful.
6. Sabino Canyon, Seven Falls
This is the best and most popular hike in Tucson. The trail to 7 Falls is an 8-mile round trip. It leads to 7 small waterfalls where you can take a dip in after a long hike. In the summer, temperatures reach over 105 degrees, so make sure to pack lots of water, snacks and take many breaks. The trail has all the beauty of the desert and incredible views.
7. The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
Unlike most museums, this one is almost entirely outdoors. The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum has snakes, insects, eagles, mountain lions, hummingbirds, and all those exciting animals you find in the desert. Aside from animals, you will enjoy a botanical garden, an art gallery, an aquarium, a natural history museum, and you will get an authentic desert experience.
8. Reid Park Zoo
In the middle of the city, you will find Reid Park Zoo, a favorite among locals. Plus, the zoo offers some shade for cooling off, a community pool is next door, and Reid Park is just a 1-minute walk away.
9. Downtown Tucson
Tucson’s downtown offers quite a few things to do. To start, the nightlife in downtown Tucson is terrific. With many fun bars and unique family-owned restaurants and lounges, you will indeed find a good place to spend your weekend.
The fun extends to 4th Ave, near The University of Arizona, where most college students hang out. If you prefer a different scene, you can visit during the day to walk around to see street art, visit galleries, stop at some unique shops, and find some great food.
I recommend you go eat at La Chingada and Street Taco for some Mexican food.
10. Visit the University of Arizona
Most Tucson citizens’ lives revolve around The University of Arizona. If you do not see at least one person in a collegiate shirt, then you are not in Tucson. That said, a visit to the University should be something to do while visiting the city. It offers museums, food, sports, and family events throughout campus all year.
11. Pima Air & Space Museum
If you love planes, the Pima Air & Space Museum is a great place to visit. Here, you will get an up-close and personal experience of planes. Sitting inside the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, you will find many different planes that were once in use.
In the spring, you can watch the Air Show which features aircraft flying overhead and doing cool tricks.
12. Tombstone Getaway
If Old Tucson caught your attention, you may want to visit Tombstone too. It’s about an hour away from Tucson. This town takes you back in time and is nicknamed “the town too tough to die.”
What I love about Tombstone is the fake gunfights acted on the street. I also enjoy that local people are dressed in old-time clothes. Plus, you can also find gift shops, seamstresses, saloons, museums, and more. It’s a very neat place.
13. Biosphere 2
This research facility, owned by the University of Arizona, sits just under an hour away. At Biosphere 2, you will learn about the Earth, living systems, and its place in the universe.
14. Mexican Food Restaurants
Okay, this isn’t a specific place, but if Tucson is known for something, it is Mexican cuisine. Because of its proximity to Mexico, you will find real authentic-tasting Mexican food such as tortillas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, chiles rellenos, tamales, and menudo.
Some popular places include Cafe Poca Cosa, Street Tacos, El Charro Cafe, El Minidito, Guadalajara Grill, and many more! You can also find some of the best street vendors like El Nene, the popular Guero Canelo, and the best fish tacos with my friend Carlos at Baja Tacos.
So there it is! 14 great places to visit in Tucson. Check out these things to do in Arizona if you want to see more of this beautiful state.
Places to Visit in Tucson
