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Tucson

No reviews yetCity Arizona, United States
Tucson, Arizona, United StatesHohokam rock art covers the boulders of Signal Hill in the Tucson Mountain District, ArizonaGates Pass crosses the Tucson Mountains and is a favorite local spot for sunset, ArizonaSabino Canyon cuts into the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, ArizonaWindy Point Vista is one of the main pullouts on the Catalina Highway up Mount Lemmon, Tucson, Arizona

About Tucson

Tucson lies in a broad valley of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona, ringed by mountain ranges and forests of saguaro cactus. With roots going back to Indigenous settlement and a Spanish presidio founded in 1775, the city has strong Mexican and Tohono O'odham influences, and it was designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for its food heritage. The University of Arizona gives it a lively, casual energy.

Saguaro National Park flanks the city in two districts, the Rincon Mountain District to the east and the Tucson Mountain District to the west, both filled with towering cacti. West of town, a desert museum that is part zoo and part garden introduces the region's wildlife and plants, and the drive over Gates Pass is where many locals watch the sun go down. Sabino Canyon has trails and a tram into a desert canyon, and the Catalina Highway climbs Mount Lemmon into cool pine forest. South of the city, the white Mission San Xavier del Bac still serves the Tohono O'odham community. In town, Barrio Viejo's colorful adobe houses surround the El Tiradito shrine, and downtown connects to the shops and bars of Fourth Avenue. The Pima Air and Space Museum displays a large collection of aircraft.

Tucson suits hikers, birders and food lovers looking for a relaxed pace. Winter and spring are pleasant, while summers are hot and bring monsoon storms.

Best seasonOctober through April offers mild, sunny weather; summer is very hot with afternoon monsoon storms.
Ideal stayThree to four days covers both saguaro districts, the Desert Museum and Mount Lemmon.
ArrivingTucson International Airport serves the city, and many travelers drive about two hours from Phoenix.
Tucson Arizona Saguaro Sunsets and Sabino CanyonWiserMap travel guideTucson Arizona Saguaro Sunsets and Sabino CanyonPlan a Tucson trip around Saguaro National Park, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, Sonoran food and the best seasons to visit.Read the guide

12 Places Locals Love in Tucson

Nature 4

Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District

On the east side of the city, the larger half of Saguaro National Park climbs from desert flats full of giant cacti to forested pe...
Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District

West of the city, this district of the national park protects some of the densest stands of saguaro cactus anywhere, spread across...
Tucson Mountain Park and Gates Pass, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Tucson Mountain Park and Gates Pass

Run by Pima County, this large park covers rugged desert hills on the city's western edge and is crossed by many miles of hiking,...
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this canyon in the Coronado National Forest is cut by a creek that runs most str...

Scenic Drives 1

Mount Lemmon and the Catalina Highway, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Mount Lemmon and the Catalina Highway

The Catalina Highway, also called the Sky Island Scenic Byway, climbs from saguaro-studded desert to cool pine forest in the Santa...

Museums 2

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Part zoo, part botanical garden and part natural history museum, this outdoor attraction in the Tucson Mountains introduces the pl...
Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Pima Air and Space Museum

Next to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, this museum displays hundreds of aircraft spread across indoor hangars and acres of open des...

History 3

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Mission San Xavier del Bac

Rising white above the desert on the Tohono O'odham Nation south of the city, this Spanish colonial mission is known as the White...
Barrio Viejo and El Tiradito, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Barrio Viejo and El Tiradito

Just south of downtown, Barrio Viejo is a neighborhood of 19th-century Sonoran row houses built of adobe right up to the sidewalk...
Presidio San Agustín del Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Presidio San Agustín del Tucson

Tucson grew up around a Spanish fort founded in 1775, and this reconstruction of its northeast corner, built on the original site...

Gardens 1

Tohono Chul, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Tohono Chul

Its name means desert corner in the O'odham language, and this botanical garden in northwest Tucson shows off the beauty of the So...

Neighborhoods 1

Fourth Avenue Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, United States

Fourth Avenue Tucson

Between downtown and the University of Arizona, this historic avenue is the city's bohemian main street, lined with vintage clothi...

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