Top Things to Do in Tucson" a Growing Urban Oasis in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson Exudes Spanish As Well As Mexican Influences

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"Top Things To Do in Tucson" A growing urban oasis in the Sonoran desert, Tucson exudes Spanish as well as Mexican influences. Owing to its Mexican cuisine, the city earned the title of "World City of Gastronomy" from UNESCO. Commercially advanced, culturally strong and naturally abundant, Tucson has a lot to offer

to its visitors.

Created by: Cityseeker

10 Locations Bookmarked

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum "A Glimpse Of The Sonoran Desert"

This world-famous museum is also a zoo that displays the creatures of the surrounding desert in their natural habitats. Located in the middle of the Sonoran desert about a half an hour drive from Tucson's city center, it also provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The gift shop has an excellent selection of Sonoran desert souvenirs. This is a by usareisetipps must for any visitor staying in Tucson for more than just one day.

+1 520 883 2702 www.desertmuseum.org/ [email protected] 2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson AZ

Sabino Canyon "A Trail Through The Canyon"

Of all the natural attractions in and around Tucson, Sabino Canyon is certainly the most popular. This large chasm in the Santa Catalina Mountains is where ancient Hohokam people built irrigation dams while mammoths roamed the ground. Access is free, but there is a charge for parking. Highlights are swimming (conditions allowing) in clear pools after by Jon Abbott a six-mile (ten kilometer) hike to Seven Falls and summer evening shuttle rides (paid for by pre-paid reservations). Sabino tram and bear shuttles rides are available.

+1 520 749 8700 www.sabinocanyon.com/ [email protected] 5900 North Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson AZ

Tucson Botanical Gardens "A Place For Native Herbs"

Tucson Botanical Gardens is a major tourist attraction in the city that's not meant just for plant lovers. Apart from a rich collection of cacti and desert wildflowers, the gardens offer an educational walk around the history of the native Tohono O'odham Indians and the efforts of local scientists to preserve native seeds. Don't miss the wonderful Nuestro Jardin, the by Tucson Botanical traditional Mexican-American neighborhood garden, or the shaded restaurant patio.

+1 520 326 9686 www.tucsonbotanical.org [email protected] 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson AZ Reid Park Zoo "A Peek into the Wild"

The Reid Park Zoo is one of the major attractions in the city. Due to its relatively small size, the zoo can be explored at a leisurely pace in less than two hours. In their natural habitats, the wild animals make for a fascinating sight. From giraffes, tigers to peacocks, rhinos, elephants and bears, Reid Park Zoo has them all and many more. by M.Fitzsimmons +1 520 791 3204 reidparkzoo.org/ 1100 South Randolph Way, Reid Park, Tucson AZ

Tohono Chul Park "A Leisurely Stroll in The Desert"

Tohono Chul Park, located on Tucson's northwest side, is a very picturesque piece of the Sonoran desert. This park features a wide variety of desert plants around pleasant trails, which lead visitors to a gift shop and a shaded tea room serving delicious scones for tea time. Regular "Walk in the Park" tours provide an educational experience about the by DesertCorner park's flora. Be sure to bring your sunblock to protect yourself from the sun.

+1 520 742 6455 7366 North Paseo del Norte, Tucson AZ

Pima Air & Space Museum "Flying Machines On Display"

This institution is totally dedicated to the preservation of the history of flight, be it commercial, military, or even interplanetary. The museum opened in 1976 with just 75 aircrafts and has now grown to have more than 250 on display. A recent addition is the Northrop F-5B "Freedom Fighter." Be prepared to spend the entire day if you, or someone in your by Simeon87 party, is a aircraft buff. The exhibits on the floor here rotate, and special events and conferences are scheduled regularly.

+1 520 574 0462 www.pimaair.org/ [email protected] 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson AZ

Mission San Xavier del Bac

"The Jewel in Tucson's Crown"

The Mission San Xavier del Bac is perhaps Tucson's best-known historic landmark. Established in 1692 by the Spanish missionary Father Kino, 16.09 kilometers (10 miles) south of what is now downtown Tucson on the Tohono O'odham Indian reservation, San Xavier del Bac is considered one of the finest examples of Mexican folk baroque architecture. The mission's by Steve and Kimberly Rader spotless whitewashed walls are embellished with the contrasting colors of the ornately handcrafted mesquite-wood entrance that adds a tinge of old- world finesse to the structure. The mission that stands today is, in fact, the second mission built between 1783 to 1797, and yet is the oldest European building in the state of Arizona. The parish is still active and holds mass every week.

+1 520 294 2624 www.sanxaviermission.or [email protected] 1950 West San Xavier Road, g/ Tucson AZ Sentinel Peak "A Panoramic View Of Tucson"

The locals commonly refer to this high elevation peak, located just west of downtown, as "A" Mountain because since 1915, University of Arizona students have whitewashed the letter "A" on its eastern slope. Its history, however, goes much further back: it was at the foot of this mountain that the earliest traces of human settlements in the Tucson area were found. by bill85704 The top of the mountain offers one of the best panoramic views of the Tucson basin, as well as a few BBQ grills.

+1 520 791 5909 www.tucsonaz.gov/parks/sentinelp South Sentinel Peak Park, Tucson AZ eakpark

Mount Lemmon "The Height of Tucson's Scenic Landscape"

At 9,159 feet (2,792 m), Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The mountain is part of the Coronado National Forest, where giant Saguaro cacti tower and a variety of desert vegetation blooms year around. The mountain is also home to the Mount Lemmon Observatory, which is used by the University of Arizona. Crowned by the by WClarke dainty town of Summerhaven, this mighty mountain is traversed by a tapestry of windblown roads as well as the serpentine Catalina Highway. A hiking and camping wonderland, Mount Lemmon proudly watches over the enchanting desert landscape that unfolds along its lap. The Seven Cataracts and Windy Pointe Vista are some of the best vantage points on Mount Lemmon, offering incredible panoramas of Tucson.

+1 520 576 1321 www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado Catalina Highway, Tucson AZ /recarea/?recid=25678

Old Tucson Studios

"Living Movies"

Referred to as "Hollywood in the Desert," Old Tucson Studios is one of the most famous movie studios in the world. Plan to take the entire family and spend an entire day immersed in the "Old West" theme. Take care, you might run into bandits while strolling the streets or witness a bank robbery by Photo by Karen Funk in progress. More than 350 movies have been filmed in this studio, now Blocher (User:Mavarin on home to commercial photography, film and television productions. en.wikipedia)

+1 520 883 0100 www.oldtucson.com/ guestrelations@oldtucson. 201 South Kinney Road, com Tucson AZ

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