28 Amazing Things to do in Tucson, Arizona

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Tucson, Arizona is a big city, with a small town feel. Although there is a laid-back atmosphere, there are still plenty of things to do in Tucson Arizona to keep anyone busy.

Whether you want to embark on outdoor adventures or explore the vibrant arts scene, get acquainted with the Native American culture or learn about its rich history in museums, or even just sinking your teeth into delicious food.

Tucson is a must-visit destination for those who want variety on their vacation.

Tucson AZ is most famous for its dramatic beauty, and the Sonoran Desert, which introduced us to our first ever experience with the giant saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest.

Yet it’s not just desert landscapes, there are mountain ranges in all directions offering spectacular hiking, scenic drives, and even skiing.

We enjoyed our week long stay.

Below are our tips on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and all the fun things to see and do in Tucson!

Is Tucson Arizona Worth Visiting?

You might be on the fence about whether to visit Tucson, but allow me to explain to you what you can expect from this atmospheric city.

Being home to over 500,000 people, including the 45,000-strong University of Arizona, you can bet there’s a college-town atmosphere with funky bars and vibrant nightlife to be had. Tucson has a fun-loving history, to say the least.

Tucson is a snowbird destination in the winter months due to its legendary year-round sunshine, making it one of the best places to visit in the US in winter.

But it’s not all about entertainment and nightlife, fun Tucson activities include hiking in the wilderness, horseback riding, mountain biking, golfing, scenic drives, snow skiing, exploring fascinating museums and learning about the Spanish Catholic mission, and eating possibly the best Mexican food north of the border to feed your soul.

With its stunning natural landscapes, foodie scene, and arts and vibrant culture, it attracts travelers from all walks of life, even families like us!

It’s like a big little city with the freedom to roam or unplug and relax and recharge, or paint the town red if you want to. From the lively downtown atmosphere to the tranquil mountains, you can free yourself in Tucson!

For these reasons, it is absolutely worth visiting Tucson.

Things to Do in Tucson Arizona

1. Explore Saguaro National Park (East and West)

• Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm daily
• Address: Tucson, Arizona

Located in the Rincon Mountain District is the Saguaro National Park, famous for its wildlife, and native plants and fauna, including the large saguaro cactus.

Saguaro National Park is amazing but unusual as it is divided into two parks – East and West – which are separated by the city of Tucson.

Both sides of these Tucson parks offer something special and are worth visiting.

If you had to choose one, Saguaro National Park West would probably offer a little more in terms of interesting for nature lovers as it has more hikes and stunning landscapes.

Of course, the Saguaro National Park is home to the saguaro cactus, which I just can’t get enough of seeing, and getting up close and learning about these plants is one of the best things to do in Arizona with kids – I only wish I could hug one!

Be warned cactus can hurt, as Kalyra discovered when she was attached by a jumping cholla.

The park is also home to some ancient petroglyphs (an image created by carving into rock) created by the ancient Hohokam people.

These can be found on the Signal Hill Trail in the Tucson Mountain District. Here you will see an area of dozens of petroglyphs that are hundreds of years old.

There are 21 known petroglyphs in the Tuscan area, some dating as far back as the early 850 AD.

2. Hike Sabino Canyon

• Hours: Visitor Center hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, seven days a week. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Address: 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in the Santa Catalina Mountains is a delightful place to spend a few hours or even a few days.

Filled with hiking trails, saguaro forests, riparian creeks, waterfalls and swimming holes, there is plenty to do in Sabino Canyon.

Hiking here is one of the most popular things to do in Tucson AZ. Over a million tourists a year make their way to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in the Santa Catalina Mountains, and I found it a wonderful place to spend three hours.

We spent the afternoon hiking one of the Sabino Canyon trails through quite diverse environments and enjoying a picnic under the shade of a few trees. The girls loved the creek crossings here.

I did a 3-mile out-and-back hike that took in the Esperero Trail (rated moderate) that ascends into the high peaks of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, then picked up the Rattlesnake Trail (rated moderate) and is a low elevation and rocky desert trail, then onto the Bluff Trail (rated easy) a desert trail with rocky terrain that overlooks Sabino Creek.

Finally, I switched to the Sabino Lake Trail (an easy loop trail) to take me back to the visitors center.

Oh, and how about that Tucson weather in the middle of winter – I was hiking in 72F-degree weather in a t-shirt. What’s not to love?

You can read more about our time and things to do in Sabino Canyon here.

There is plenty to do in Sabino Canyon for a longer visit. It’s filled with hiking trails, saguaro forests, riparian creeks, waterfalls, and swimming holes

Another popular thing to do is jump on the tram shuttle service which offers a narrated audio tour along a 3.7-mile route into Sabino Canyon with multiple stops along the route providing access to trailheads for hiking.

Tram routes provide access to Sabino and Bear Canyons. Along the route, you are free to get off at one of the nine shuttle stops, do a little hiking, have a picnic, or spend time along one of the many pools and cascades that grace Sabino Creek.

3. Catalina State Park Hiking

• Hours: 5.00am – 10.00pm daily
• Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737

Catalina State Park is a gorgeous place to enjoy one of the top Tucson activities, hiking! And we also recommend staying and camping.

We LOVED the campsite here but unfortunately it was full and we could only get one night.

I loved the natural beauty of this state park. It felt very magical with its bubbling creeks running through the valley and saguaro cactus standing sentinel on the hills.

The trails can be easily accessed from the campsite with a couple you can also bike on.

We cycled along the trail from our campsite, then hiked the Canyon Loop Trail which started by quite a large river crossing. There were a couple more creek crossings along the way.

4. Explore Downtown Tucson

Go mural hunting

We weren’t overly excited by Downtown Tucson.

We didn’t explore it in-depth though so can’t offer too much of an opinion, I think younger college students will love it for that fun, funky vibe that it has.

We weren’t really in the mood for urban exploration when we visited as well.

Though we did enjoy the murals that we kept running into while downtown, so keep an eye out for them and cameras at the ready!

So go mural hunting all over town and see the historical (and colorful) adobe homes near Five Points.

We also had quite a delicious lunch at HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery.

Bars & Nightlife

As a college town and is the night of the College Football Final between LSU and Clemson, I was looking for a bar to take in the game.

Downtown was quieter than I expected, but it was a Monday night and the students were still coming back to town after the Christmas break, the University of Arizona is more of a basketball school than a football.

But if you’re looking for nightlife, one of the fun things to do in Tucson Arizona on the weekends, or when college is in full swing, is head to Historic landmark, 4th Avenue and you’ll find plenty of bars.

But as not all bars were open being a Monday, I didn’t get an in-depth experience to offer too much of an opinion, but I believe the younger college students love it for that fun, funky vibe that it has.

Over the duration of the game, I mostly found myself at Hi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails, a popular indoor/outdoor tavern with American pub grub and big-screen TVs amid rock-&-roll decor.

I also stuck my head into the historic Hotel Congress for a quick look at the most famous of places in downtown.

Known as an urban, historic, rock ‘n’ roll hotel it was built in 1919 and is the cultural landmark that anchors Downtown Tucson.

Classically renovated and updated, and apparently, they serve great bloody Marys on Sundays in their restaurant. This hotel is also where John Dillinger was captured – some fascinating history here!

5. Go For Epic Tucson Views at “A” Mountain, or Sentinel Peak

“A” Mountain as the locals call it due to the giant A on the side of the mountain, or in proper form, Sentinel Peak offers a fantastic view of the city of Tucson and surrounding mountains.

The large A on its side was painted by the University of Arizona football team to celebrate a victory.

We came up late afternoon close to sunset. Although we didn’t stay for sunset as the girls were tired after a long day of saguaro cactus hiking.

I can imagine how special those 360 degree views with the colors of the setting sun will be.

Be sure to climb to the very top of A-Mountain as it has the most open and striking views. Jump on the rock and do your best Instagram poses.

6. Explore Tucson Mountains

We stayed in the Tucson Mountains at Gilbert Ray Campground and loved the gorgeous cactus scenery and serene atmosphere.

There are plenty of hiking and biking trails here. It’s also right best door to Saguaro National Park West and the Arizona Sonora Desert museum and where you’ll find the stunning Gates Pass Road.

The park has approximately 62 miles of non-motorized shared-use trials, which are open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers,

7. Drive the Scenic Gates Pass

A lovely scenic drive along the crest of the Tucson Mountain district is Gates Pass, just west of Tucson.

At an elevation of 3,172ft, Gates Pass Road is lined with scenic overlooks with magnificent views of saguaro cacti. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park to the east and west of the city of Tucson.

Gates Pass Road is lined with scenic overlooks, and is well known as one of the best sunset spots in Tucson.

Definitely put this drive on your Tucson things to-do list. It would have to be one of the best free things to do in Tucson!

Another popular scenic drive in Tucson is the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway.

8. Have Tequila Toasts at the J.W. Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

• Address: 3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745

A few people recommended we go to the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa to experience sunset.

We visited on an afternoon where the clouds decided to block the natural splendor of the sun. The views out over the valley were pretty nonetheless.

The highlight was experiencing the nightly 5pm tequila toast, which accompanies a tequila toast given nightly at sunset

Free tequila shots were handed out – and on each night are different flavors.

A tequila aficionado comes out to share the Legend of Arriba Abajo, the charming story of Pancho Villa asking for his love’s hand in marriage. Only able to win her father’s approval by out-drinking him in tequila, Villa comes up with the “world’s most difficult tequila toast”: Arriba, abajo, al centro, al dentro.

Then following the fashion of the fable we raised our glasses and toasted in the same way.

The cantaloupe and lime tequila was very smooth and did not give me any of the face pulling and dry reaching that the old lip sick suck did back in my twenties having tequila shots with my friends.

9. Hike Up Mt Lemmon

We didn’t get to visit Mt Lemmon as we left it too late to go after our Sabino Canyon hiking adventures.

Mt Lemmon is north of Tucson and here you can go hiking, bike rides, horse riding, scenic driving, skiing, camping, fishing and much more!

10. Explore the University of Arizona

We spent an hour wandering around the campus of The University of Arizona. It’s a nice campus, and living in a college area in Raleigh, NC, we always like to experience other college towns.

We also walked up and down E. University Blvd which has several bars and cafes right off campus.

If you don’t like walking, you can also jump on the free streetcar to take a ride around the area.

11. Visit the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

• Hours: 8.30am – 5.00pm
• Address: 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743

We opted out of visiting the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum the first time we went, despite it being recommended by numerous people within our community.

On our second visit, we made a stop by, as it is one of the top Tucson attractions!

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is an outdoor natural history museum made up of a 98-acre zoo, aquarium, and natural landscape covering 21 acres.

The museum was founded in 1952 and has two miles of walking path, taking you past enclosures with more than 230 animal species and through gardens home to 1,200 varieties of plants.

How could the museum teach my girls more than their real experiences walking amongst the saguaro cactus and the red dusty plains?

The desert taught them by just being in it. And that’s enough. Some times we can force “learning” too much on our kids and not enough being and absorbing.

Your child, or you, may not have as much experience with the desert, so a visit to this museum maybe good for you.

Within the Saguaro National Parks are plenty of plaques teaching you more about the desert as well.

12. Drive out to Kitt Peak National Observatory

• Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm weekdays, 9.00am – 4.00pm weekends
• Address: Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85634

We had several readers highly recommend Kitt Peak National Observatory. They suggested that it’s beautiful and full of mystery, and interesting even in the daytime.

There’s also a solar telescope as well as the night ones.

13. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

• Hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm daily
• Address: 4455 E Camp Lowell Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712

If you have kids, the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures has been recommended to us as one of the fun things to do in Tucson with kids. 

There’s a permanent collection of 400 miniature houses and room boxes as well as other collectibles. Kids can get up close and play with some exhibits, or gaze into the windows of replicas of homes from the 16th century.

They can play with Victorian dolls houses and watch animated figures.

It does sound fascinating!

14. Watch the Tucson Gem Show

If you’re in town during the Tucson Gem Show (February), it is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem show in the world.

It was suggested that you visit some of the tents along the west side of the Interstate for trinkets and to see the rocks/geodes.

15. Go Lawless in Tombstone Western Theme Park

• Hours: 10.15 am – 4.30pm daily
• Address: 339 S 4th St, Tombstone, AZ 85638

The Wildest Town in the West is sure to entertain you and take you back in time to a land of lawlessness!

I loved our visit to visit the Tombstone Western Theme Park, an amusement park that’s famous for its gunfights, stunt shows, and shooting gallery.

Wandering the streets of the preserved 1880’s town, watching the reenactment of the O.K. Corral gun fight and getting an insight into the craziness of this silver mining town – it was an amazing day out and our kids loved it.

Ride the trolley around the historic park and embrace your inner cowboy as you wander through the parks saloons and restaurants decorated with western memorabilia.

You can read our post on things to do in Tombstone here.

If you don’t have a car, and are coming from Pheonix, you can join this tour. Tombstone is about 61 miles southeast of Tucson. You can see rental car prices here.

Watch our video of Tombstone Arizona

16. Biosphere 2

• Hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm daily
• Address: 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Saddlebrooke, AZ 85739

Biosphere 2 is a research center belonging to the Museum of Arizona which serves as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe.

It’s famous for conducting an experiment in the 90s whereby they sealed a crew of scientists inside to study human survival in a self-sustaining environment. The reason was to see if they could create a space for human’s to survive in outer space.

However, failed to generate sufficient resources, such as breathable air, drinkable water and adequate food, and the experiment was considered a failure.

It’s still the largest closed ecological system ever created. 

17. Get Lost In The Pima Air & Space Museum

• Hours: Open: 7 Days a Week, 9AM – 5PM. Last Admission at 3PM, closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day.
• Address: 6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

Interested in visiting museums in Tucson? This is one of the most popular Tucson attractions.

Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government-funded aviation & space museums in the world.

If you are big into aviation, you could probably spend half a day here at this museum that features a display of 360+ aircraft spread out over 80 acres and 6 indoor air-cooled hangers.

It seems there is something here for everyone including 3 hangars of World War II planes, the SR-71, world’s smallest biplane, and many other unique private, military, and commercial air & spacecraft documenting the evolution of flight.

Plus there’s a flight simulator Boeing 720 cockpit, and the Women in Flight Gallery.

If you are short on time like I was, jump on the 45-minute tram tour ($6) that takes you through the museum’s 80 acres on a 1.5-mile circuit to view more than 150 planes in the collection.

These tram tours are narrated by passionate and experienced aviation people, and I found their personal stories about the aircraft on display and the history of the planes very interesting – including “Freedom One” which flew the American hostages home after 444 days in Iran, presidential crafts, and planes that launched astronauts.

Want more aviation history?

Pima Air & Space offers exclusive bus tours of the 2,600-acre “Boneyard”.

This U.S. military and government aircraft storage facility has 4,000+ aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies including NASA in varying degrees of storage, being regenerated or recycled – 16-day advanced reservations required.

Admission for the Boneyard Tours cover:

• The Main Hangar (3 hangars combined into 1: Hangar 1, Spirit of Freedom & Flight Central)
• 3 World War II Hangars (Hangars 3, 4 & 5)
• The Dorothy Finley Space Gallery
• The Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
• The 390th Memorial Museum (a separate museum on our grounds)
• 80 acres with more than 150 airplanes
• 45-minute tram tours extra $6

18. Have Lunch at BOCA Tacos

• Hours: Open 11am-10pm Mon-Sat and 11am-8pm Sun
• Address: 533 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705

I’m a taco fan, and from my research on places to eat in Tucson, one taco place that kept showing up with good reviews online was BOCA Tacos.

It also came recommended by former locals and our community online, two resources I always go to for food tips.

After landing at Tucson International Airport, I immediately jumped in a car and headed straight to downtown Tucson for lunch at this taco restaurant on Historic 4th Avenue.

BOCA is known for its street-style gourmet Mexican tacos, serving up over 25 types of tacos, and for its rotating salsas created fresh daily.

But one of the best things about BOCA for me on the menu was the vegetarian and vegan offerings.

Whilst I waited for my order of two Cauliflower tacos (grilled fresh cauliflower tossed in curry cilantro and orange oil), and a Veggie taco (sautéed mix of mushrooms, onions, serrano peppers, cilantro, and melted cheese), I was served up four types of salsa to try ranging from least spicy to spicy!

If you’re looking to pair your locally made tacos with local craft beer, BOCA offers up to 30 varieties plus 40 tequilas, vodkas, scotches, whiskies, and Mexican beers to enjoy.

Flying in from winter in North Carolina and sitting in the Tucson sun out on their patio was the perfect start to my Tucson trip!

If you want to try Sonoran tacos in the heart of Tucson, come to BOCA. I found them flavorful and filling.

Besides lunch, consider coming for happy hour or dinner, and you’re right downtown on happening Historic 4th Avene.

19. Stay at Lodge in the Desert

My home for my two-night stay in Tucson was Lodge on the Desert, a 100-room boutique hotel in mid-town Tucson with the Santa Catalina Mountains providing a majestic backdrop.

Although traveling solo on this trip, I could see this hotel appealing to business travelers, leisure travelers, and families like mine – I know my kids would be hard to drag out of the heated swimming pool and whirlpool spa!

Not to mention the complimentary Sonoran hot breakfast buffet featuring a selection of breakfast meats, potatoes, fresh seasonal fruit, yogurt, and more.

Its Midtown location on a major thoroughfare (N Alvernon Way) proved to be convenient and central for my visit and getting to and from Tucson Airport (15-20 minute drive), to downtown Tucson (10-minute drive), and if you’re in town to visit the University of Arizona campus, it’s approximately an 8-minute drive away.

It also has 103 guest rooms and suites, a fitness center, free parking, and fast WiFi.

I even had dinner at the onsite restaurant, Cielos, which specializes in Southwest cuisine regionally sourced with innovative twists.

You have a choice of sitting in the outdoor private patio under the stars, or by the four-sided fireplace for optimal year-round al fresco dining, or inside the intimate dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows that brings the outside in.

To complement the food menu you have a list of classic craft cocktails featuring local spirits and an extensive wine list.

Consider Cielos as a setting for a romantic dinner, or a casual happy hour with friends at the bar.

20. Enjoy Craft Beers at Barrio Brewing Co

• Hours: Open daily from 11.00am – 10.00pm (11.00pm on Weekends)
• Address: 800 E 16th St, Tucson, AZ 85719

If you’re like me, you might be wondering what to do in Tucson on a Sunday afternoon?

Well, considering I arrived on a Sunday, aka NFL Sunday, and I love my football and it’s not often I get to visit a brewery kid-free, seeking out a place to watch the game whilst sampling a few local craft brews was hard to resist.

Barrio Brewing came with good recommendations, so I jumped in an Uber for the 10-minute drive from my hotel.

Whilst located in an industrial part of downtown Tucson, don’t let first impressions scare you off, and once inside you’ll find a cozy atmosphere and attentive staff at this popular neighborhood brewery.

To go with my cold Copperhead Pale Ale, I had the tastiest spinach and artichoke dip I’ve ever eaten – the cilantro wings sounded great too!

I don’t think you’d be disappointed taking the time to drop in here, with a beer selection to satisfy most palettes.

21. Check Out The Mission San Xavier Del Bac

• Hours: Mondays – Saturdays, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Address: 1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746

Nicknamed “The White Dove of the Desert”, I found Mission San Xavier del Bac one of the most fascinating places to visit in Tucson.

Founded in 1692 by Father Kino and built in 1783, this Catholic mission is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.

Inside, you will see beautifully painted frescoes and artwork, and on the outside, the facade resembles something you might see in Europe.

It stands in the center of a Papago Indian settlement along the banks of the Santa Cruz River, about 10 miles south of Tucson.

As a national historical landmark and the only remaining intact mission in southern Arizona, the Mission remains a working parish for the Tohono O’odham nation, many of whom still live nearby.

I jumped on a free 45-minute docent-led tour (donations encouraged) and was blown away by the interior and exterior, and learning about the story of the church offers up a fascinating insight into the history of this region.

This would be one of the best things to do in Tucson for history lovers.

22. Enjoy Lunch at El Charro Café

• Hours: 11.00am – 8.30pm daily
• Address: El Charro Tucson has four locations: downtown, Oro valley, Ventana, and the airport.

This café was shortlisted on my itinerary as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Tucson.

As someone who chooses to eat mostly a plant-based and gluten-free diet about 80% of the time, I was delighted to see that El Charro Café has a dedicated plant-based menu option.

So I jumped at the chance to have lunch here, and it turns out that El Charro is a famous and historical chain in the Tucson area and is The Nation’s Oldest Mexican Restaurant in continuous operation by the same family, founded in 1922.

22. Dine at Charro Del Ray

• Hours: 3.00pm – 9.00pm daily
• Address: 188 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701

Growing up in Australia I have a natural taste and hunger for seafood and was happy to discover that Charro Del Ray is one of the best restaurants in Tucson that serves up sustainable seafood flown in daily from the Pacific Northwest.

Located in downtown Tucson, it’s set inside a 100-year-old vintage building filled with beautiful local and Mexican art.

A Charro is a traditional horseman from Mexico, and Charro del Rey offers a menú of classic and delicious Charro Family takes on seafood and prime dishes.

The restaurant comes complete with a raw bar showcasing fresh and seasonal oysters, crab legs, and ceviches. And for drinks, you’ll find one of Tucson’s most significant champagne collections, plus a nice selection of spirits and local craft beer.

For those that prefer a ranch-to-table steakhouse, right next door is Charro Steak!

23. Eat Breakfast at Prep & Pastry

• Hours: 7.00am – 3.00pm daily
• Address: 2660 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

If you’re looking for places in town for breakfast, then try Prep & Pastry.

From all reports this was another one of the popular places to eat in Tucson, especially busy on the weekends with a wait time – take advantage of the waitlist button on their website.

They describe themselves as a “Modern American Eatery,” serving breakfast, lunch, and brunch. All food and drinks are prepared with fresh ingredients and sourced locally.

Upon entering, the impression is one of a cool and trendy establishment, and luckily for me being a Tuesday morning I was seated immediately

For those looking for a pastry, the offerings on display looked delish.

Prep & Pastry could be a place to go with friends, family, or even by yourself like I did.

24. Explore Old Tucson Studios

• Hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm daily
• Address: 201 Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85735

A visit to the Old Tucson Studios was the perfect attraction in Tucson to explore on a sunny day.

It’s been home to more than 300 films and TV shows including some of Hollywood’s biggest Westerns, and as they say, it’s where the spirit of the old west comes alive!

Old Tucson offers historian-guided studio tours, Wild West entertainment, authentic Southwestern BBQ, and shopping for everyone.

You can watch live-action stunt shows, a gunfight, and musicals, and there are vintage rides for the kids.

You probably need longer than the two hours I had available to take in all this Tucson attraction has to offer – especially for the wild west movie buffs!

25. Visit Trail Dust Town

• Hours: 5.00pm – 9.00pm daily
• Address: 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715

Are you looking for unique things to do in Tucson? Then you might enjoy this shopping center. Yes, a shopping center. But it’s not just any shopping center, Trail Dust Town is a historical outdoor shopping center that still contains historical artifacts.

You can ride an antique Allan Herschell merry-go-round, which was manufactured in 1954 and features its original horses and benches, or ride the slim-gauge railway train along The Trail Dust Town Railroad.

If you’re visiting at the weekend, be sure to check out the Pistoleros Wild West Show, a slap-stick comedy stunt show that pays homage to the city’s wild west days.

26. Have a Picnic at Tucson Botanical Gardens

• Hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm daily
• Address: 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712

Learn about the native plants and flora of Tucson at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. This 5.5-acre garden features an oasis of mature trees, and specialty gardens such as the Cactus and Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden, and Herb Garden.

The gardens also connect to a historic Porter property which holds an art gallery, as well as classes and events.

You can see unique species of butterflies and orchids in the COX Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion.

27. Take the Kids to Reid Park Zoo

• Hours: 8.00am – 2.00pm in the summer, 9.00am – 4.00pm in the winter
• Address: 3400 E Zoo Ct, Tucson, AZ 85716

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Tucson with kids, then you can’t go wrong with a trip to the zoo.

See animals from around the world, including giraffes, elephants, zebras, grizzly bears, and lions at this fun and exciting zoo.

Take advantage of their educational programs, pack a picnic, and enjoy a fun day out surrounded by the world’s most exotic wildlife.

28. Be Amazed at The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium

• Hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm daily
• Address: 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85721

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Tucson for adults, then The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is a great place for adults to relax and brush up on their science and space knowledge.

It belongs to the University of Arizona and is famous for its planetarium theater which has a 15.2-meter dome screen and can house 146 people.

How To Save Money On Tucson Attractions

If you’re thinking about adding a few of these activities to your list of things to do, but you’re worried about the cost, don’t worry, because you can save money by getting a Southern Arizona discount pass.

The pass allows you to save on entrance to over 90 attractions in Tucson and surrounding areas in Southern Arizona.

Many of the attractions listed in this guide are included on the discount pass, as well as Mount Lemmon Ski Valley (great for hiking, biking, and rock climbing in the summer), Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Biosphere 2 and Titan Missile Museum.

Some attractions you might also want to visit that are not included on the discount pass are Flandrau Science Center, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Catalina State Park, The Franklin Auto Museum and Sentinel Peak.

Best Time to Visit Tucson

The best time to visit Tucson is in April and May and September and October, which are the shoulder seasons.

The peak season in Tucson is November until March, when people leave the snowy weather for warmer pastures in Arizona.

The monsoon season in Tucson is from mid-July through early September, which can be the worst time to visit the city. During time time, storms happen nightly, and can have lightning and heavy rains. 

Where to Stay in Tucson

For Tucson hotels or Tucson resorts, check out the options through our partner, Booking.com.

We find they have the widest range of properties. You get free cancellation on most rooms, a best price guarantee, and they have verified reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the property!

Otherwise, the best way to see Tucson is to camp. Here are our favorite campgrounds…

Gilbert Ray Campground

We loved Gilbert Ray Campground in the middle of the Tucson Mountain wilderness.

Our campsite was big and the campground serene and beautiful – and a bargain at only $20 per night.

Although it does not have showers, and there is a limited water supply.

So if you’re looking for camping near Saguaro National Park, you are only a five minute drive to the West entrance gate!

Catalina State Park

Unfortunately we only stayed one night at Catalina State Park as they were booked out.

We highly recommend this campground, but book in advance as it’s popular. The scenery and SUNSETS are stunning at the base of the Catalina Mountains.

There are a few trails straight from the campsite that are easy for walking or biking.

The sites are clean, level and spacious and the bathrooms clean with warm showers and it’s only $35 a night.

They also have free wifi and the cell service (Verizon) is fast.

Tips for Visiting Tucson

• Tucson is a sprawling city which means it takes longer than you realize to go from one point of interest to another. Careful planning is needed to ensure you are exploring one region at a time to avoid long driving times.
• As mentioned, Tucson is a snowbird destination so if you’re looking for RV campsites during winter months, they can be hard to come by so plan ahead.
• And campgrounds on the weekends can be especially hard to find with locals and tourists seeking them out.
• Tucson residents – check out the Tucson Cultural Pass from the library for two admissions at participating arts and cultural institutions.
• Discount sites like Groupon and Livingsocial can have deals.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Tucson

Tucson was a surprising place that offered. so much more than I originally thought. It has a vibrant atmosphere, some incredible nature spots, delicious Mexican-inspired cuisine and fascinating museums.

As you can see from this list, there are tons of things to do in Tucson for any type of traveller, whether you’re visiting with your family or as a couple. You can read our tips on what to do in Tucson with kids.

However you choose to spend your time in Tucson, we hope you have an amazing time.

Video: 36 Hours in Tucson, Arizona

Click play to see more of my visit to Tucson

More Arizona Travel Tips

• Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with kids (or without kids)
• Things to do in Sedona
• Things to do in Saguaro National Park
• Guide to Sabino Canyon

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• Thrilling ATV adventures in St George, Utah
• 14 Epic Adventures not to miss in Southwest USA
• The Ultimate Guide to Zion National Park

More USA National Park Tips

• Epic Guide of Things to Do in Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park, California
• Don’t Miss These Amazing Things to do in Arches National Park Utah (for 1st time visitors)

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