Tucson Attractions

Start your exploration of the Tucson Valley by visiting the Arizona Historical Society Museum, the oldest of its kind in the state of Arizona. The society is a great place to find out about the many different cultures which play into modern Tucson.

Located on the University of Arizona's campus is the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest, the Arizona State Museum.

Tucson is lucky to have thriving Historic and Arts Districts located in the heart of downtown.

On the west side of town, you can enjoy the International Wildlife Museum Tucson's very own natural history museum.

Just a little further west you will find the famed Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, home to more than 200 animal and 300 plant varieties native to this area.

On your way back to the city, journey through Saquaro National Park West via Picure Rocks Road for gorgeous mountain views. Stop to see the petroglyphs at Signal Hill and glimpse some painted traces of the history of the Southwest.

Museums/Attractions

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum - A must see for your first stop in the desert! Get close-up views of rattlesnakes, bobcats, mountain lions, hawks, scorpions, etc. Live-animal demonstrations and guided tours available daily. Phone # 883-1380.

Biosphere 2 Center - This 3-acre glass-and-steel complex- designed as a prototype for space colonization- contains a million-gallon ocean and living coral reef, a rain forest, savannah, marsh, and desert. Phone # 896-6200.

Air, Space, Defense Museums - Visit one of the largest collections of historic aircraft in the United States at 6000 East Valencia Road.

International Wildlife Museum - See over 400 species of birds, mammals, and insects from around the world. You'll find a display of prehistoric mammals, interactive displays, a restaurant, a theatre and an international gift bazaar. Phone # 617-1439.

Old Tucson Studios - See a live, staged gunfight at one of the most visited attractions in Arizona. Old Tucson Studios is a family theme park that has been built up by the more than 300 movies and television shows filmed there- including Kurt Russell's Tombstone and John Wayne's Rio Lobo. Phone # 883-0100

Two Museums of Fine Art - The permanent collection of The University of Arizona Museum of Art includes European and American art from the Renaissance to the present. Located on the U of A campus. Phone # 621-7567. Also take a look at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block for Western Art downtown. Phone # 624-2333.

Hiking

Sabino Canyon - A tram runs daily to the trailhead of an incredible 5.5 mile hike to Seven Falls and offers evening shuttles around full-moon time. Located on North Sabino Canyon Road. Phone # 749-2861.

Catalina State Park - Just 12 miles north of Tucson on Oracle Road, this park offers the best views of the canyons, cliffs, domes, and sprires on the north side of the Catalina Mountains. Walk the Romero Ruin Interpretive Trail to the archaeological site of an ancient Hohokam Indian village and the site of the Spanish hacienda. Phone # 628-5798.

Sightseeing

Gates Pass - A winding uphill drive west on Speedway Blvd. brings you, at its Apex, to Gates Pass- and a panoramic view of Tucson to the east and Tucson Mountain Park to the west. Make sure you time out the drive to catch the perfect Sunset. This is Tucson scenery you will not want to miss!

Jeep Tours - Experienced drivers can fill you in on all the details about the flora and fauna. A great family experience! Sunshine Jeep Tours- 742-1943.

North Campbell Road - Just before Sunset take a drive north on Campbell and park at the top of the road to get the best view of the Tucson city lights after the sun sets in the west over the mountains.