Tucson, AZ | All the places to see and things to do
Tucson | Hidden Gem of the Southwest
When most people thing about visiting Arizona, they think of the Grand Canyon, Sedona or maybe Phoenix. Tucson doesn’t usually come to mind first. It’s truly a hidden gem of the Southwest and hopefully I can convince you to add it to your list of cities to visit.
Here are your quick links for the blog!
Getting to and around Tucson
Tucson does have an International airport and while it may be a little more expensive to fly into, if you like short lines, walkability and the convenience of being in town in 10 minutes than the little extra cost is worth it! Even with bags checked you can be out of the airport in about 15 minutes.
Coming from ATL, I have come to love and appreciate small airports!
Tucson is a driving city so a car is needed. If you are just staying around the campus you could rely on walking and ride share services but I would recommend renting a car. Tucson is a sprawling city with much to see on the outskirts so in the end, renting a car to explore Tucson is the economical way to go.
Uber & Lyft are available in Tucson but again, only economical if you are taking a short trip and staying in one area or to be used for a fun night out and safe way to get back to where you are staying.
Weather in Tucson
Weather is close to perfect for about 8 months of the year. End of May to End of September can be hot but all other months, you are talking mild temperatures, very little rain and dry air.
The nice thing about Tucson is that when the weather is dreadful everywhere else, it’s perfect here. Think February. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in the winter. Average temps are in the 70s, we have yet to experience rain and the sun is always shining. Mornings are crisp and the days warm up quickly.
Since there is little rain in Tucson, be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for all. You will want and need them.
Popular Areas to stay
There are a few popular areas to stay in Tucson. All are very family friendly and have lots to offer.
Let’s start with the University of Arizona. A campus of over 36,000 students and one of the biggest employers of the city, the area is bustling. The campus is beautiful, there are restaurants, shops and bars all around and lots of people watching. From University Village to the campus itself, it is a very walkable area and the campus has underground tunnels to help you navigate around the busy streets. If you want a central hub during your visit, the University area is a great place to consider.
We recently stayed at the Graduate Tucson and loved it. Super inviting, great location and if you stay there, you can rent bikes to wander around the campus. Their rooftop bar is a fun place to enjoy the views and relax after a long day of activities.
The Catalinas are known for their upscale lifestyle. Fancy restaurants, high-end shopping and beautiful homes, luxury is a way of life in the Catalinas. Here you will find your nicer resorts with gorgeous views of the city below and amenities such as golf courses and spa days. Even if you don’t stay in the Catalinas, it’s worth it to visit for a day. The area truly does offer some excellent restaurants open to all budgets, depending what you are looking for.
Tucson is known for its dude ranches. It’s a great option if you are traveling with kids, want to explore the outdoors and want to experience horse riding. One of the most popular ranches is Tanque Verde Ranch. It’s been in Tucson for almost 100 years and they have truly honed in on the ranch experience. There were just ranked #1 in the 2021 Conde Nast Travelers Reader Choice Awards.
From daily horse rides, to kids camps, The rooms are casitas with a sitting area and spacious rooms, packages come with meal options so you can eat on property (and the food is really good!) And they offer two awesome meal experiences, one is a mountain top sunrise breakfast, cooked outdoors and you ride your horse to breakfast and the other is a huge cookout where everyone comes together to eat, play games, dance and enjoy an evening under the stars with each other. Bring your boots and plaid shirt and prepare to have a fun night!
The Rincon Valley is tucked under the Rincon Mountains which lie to the east of the city. This is a quieter part of town (though it’s quickly growing). This past February we stayed at the Rincon Creek Ranch and loved our stay there (pictured above). Owned and operated by a sweet couple, Gretchen and Bill, you truly feel like you are coming home.
The property is huge and you have access to it all. It nestles up the the east side of the Saguaro National Park and there are trails all around to explore. My husband and I took a morning walk each day of our stay and we took multiple hikes as a family. The property is private, safe and all trails are well marked. The fun part is you will also see lots of wildlife; birds, javelinas, lizards and if you are lucky like us, you may see a bobcat! If you are looking for a place to take in the views of the Southwest, experience peace and quiet and get away from the bustle of a city, this place is for you.
The buildings are property are spacious, well-kept, include a kitchen, fireplace and seating areas outside. In addition, there is a community room with pool table, TV (only movies in the rentals) and complimentary snacks. A great places for the kids to unwind for a bit.
RV parks are an option in Tucson as well. We are not RVers so I can’t speak from experience but to find a list of parks available, click here.
National & State Parks
If you like to get outdoors and explore, Tucson is a great place to go. Tucson is surrounded by four mountain ranges. To the north, the Santa Catalina Mountains, to the east the Rincon Mountains, to the west the Tucson Mountains, the south the Santa Rita Mountains. Everywhere you look there are mountain views and the most incredible sunrises and sunsets.
Tucson is home to Saguaro National Park, it’s actually split into two sides by the city. It officially became a National Park in 1994 and offers an east and west side. Many like to debate which side is better, but I’d like to offer that both sides have their perks and whichever you are closer to is the best side to visit.
The west side is a little flatter and has many easy trails to explore. Here you will get expansive views of the desert floor. On the east side, you are closer to the mountains so some trails are a little higher in elevation and your desert views may include mountain views as well. Either way the Saguaros are huge, you will see many type of cacti and sunrises and sunsets are a great time to visit either park.
If you are on the east side, don’t miss Javelina Rocks. This area offers hiking trails and a 9 mile road if you’d like to tour the area by car (there are plenty of areas to stop and take pictures).
If you are on the West, consider Wasson Peak for a day hike (the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains just over 4000 ft in elevation). There is little to no shade so going early or later in the day depending on the time of year may be wise. Bring lots of water, good hiking shoes (it’s very rocky) and sunscreen. Making it to the top will offer you 360 degree views of the valley.
While Tucson is surrounded by four mountain ranges, Mount Lemmon (the highest peak in the Catalinas) is a spot that has it all. At the base, you are in the desert, keep driving up Catalina Highway and you will reach Windy Point Vista, the perfect place to jump out and watch the sun set over Tucson but if you have time and arrive long before the sun sets, I recommend going up to the top. In the winter months, as you climb, you will see the temperatures drop. It can change up to 30 degrees. We went from desert to snow in one hour.
There is actually a ski resort at the top of Mt.Lemmon (highest elevation is just under 9200 ft) so if you are there and skiing or playing in the snow is on your list of things to do, you don’t have to drive far to find it. Just be sure to check conditions before you go.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park is a great place to visit around the Rincons. With short trails, Native American artifacts to explore and guided tours of the caves, it’s a fun place for families to visit. This is a half-day activity that is suited for all ages.
There are a number of state parks in and around Tucson, offering gardens, trails and viewpoints and more for all activity levels. You truly could spend every day outdoors in Tucson. Because Tucson is a valley surrounded by mountains you can find flat trails or more challenging adventures, depending on your skill level or interest. Just remember, it’s all desert, so bring good shoes, sun protection and lots and lots of water. Even in the winter, the sun still gets hot in the desert.
Discover history in Tucson
If history is your thing or you want to learn more about the native culture around Tucson, a few great places to visit are:
Arizona State Museum on the campus of UofA
There are so many ways to explore the arts in Tucson. Here is a great link to showcase all the possibilities.
Fun Activities in Tucson
Have you ever been on a hot air balloon ride? Well, if you are wanting to go on one, Tucson is a great place to try it! The weather conditions are often ideal and the views are incredible. You will have to wake up before dawn but being up in a balloon to catch the sunrise over the Rincon Mountains is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I HIGHLY recommend using Tucson Balloon Rides as your guide. We had a wonderful time with them. Kevin, the owner and pilot was qualified, knowledgable and so hospitable. His crew was top-notch, friendly and helpful. We enjoyed a smooth landing, post-ride brunch and they even sent us pictures of our flight. This suggestion is not sponsored, we had a wonderful time and would love more people to experience it!
If the heat is too much or you need a break, explore the caves! Whether it’s Colossal Case, Kartchner Caverns State Park, Cave of the Bells or Peppersauce Caves, there is a lot to explore underground as well. It’s dark and cool in there but spaces are tight & steep, so some caves may not be suited for all levels.
If you love horses, Tucson is your place to be. There are multiple ranches that offer a horse experience with your stay and some that offer day visits as well. We stayed at Tanque Verde and really enjoyed our experience. Others that come highly rated are White Stallion Ranch and the Elkhorn Ranch.
Staying on a ranch gives you a true Southwest experience. It’s a great way to take in all the area has to offer and is still close to Tucson to visit other spots. If you really want a family getaway that creates lasting memories, a ranch visit is a must. It’s one of those trips that offers a lot for parents and kids alike.
Tucson, particularly the UofA, is known for being a leading force is space exploration and study. If you love learning about space and all its elements, be sure to visit the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium on the campus or star-gaze in the mountains at the Kitt Peak National Observatory (check website for info, as of 10/21 they are currently closed for visitors).
If you love planes, definitely check out the Pima Air & Space Museum. One of the world’s largest aerospace museums with over 400 airplanes to look at. Even driving by will have your jaw dropping.
Sunsets in the Southwest:
Since I went to school at the UofA, I witnessed many sunsets in my time in Tucson, Every time we go back, I make it a point to see as many as I can. With four mountain ranges surrounding the city of Tucson, you can image that sunsets are plentiful. Truthfully, you can see one from almost anywhere and with more and more rooftop bars in Tucson, there are even more options.
But if you want to see a sunset in nature, here are my favorite places to go to see one while sitting on a rock:
The earlier mentioned Windy Point on Mount Lemmon (Catalinas/North)
Saguaro National Park East (East side/Tucson Mountains)
Gates Pass (East side/Tucson Mountains).
Check out this link for all the details, including directions and tips. It’s a very helpful blog post. I’ve been to the three I listed many times and they are truly some of my favorites sunset spots to this day!
Favorite restaurants/Places to shop/Farmers markets
Tucson is 4th most popular city of Millennials. It truly is a booming city and with that comes a lot of new restaurants, markets and shopping areas.
While there are plenty of outdoor malls to visit while in town, I personally love to visit Farmer Markets. You can get fresh food, buy local art and truly get a sense of the town’s culture and energy. Below are two of the biggest markets to consider.
At the St. Phillips Plaza you will find a regularly hosted farmer’s market featuring many local vendors and farmers. Conveniently located at the foothills of the Catalinas, this plaza is easy to get to from all main points of Tucson. Here is the link for updates on events the market and plaza are hosting.
On Saturdays the Rincon Valley hosts a Farmer and Artisan market hosted the Heirloom Farmers Market. The actually host 5 around Tucson, so check out the link to find which one is closest to where you are staying. If you stay at the Rincon Creek Ranch, there is one very close by!
If you love vintage & resale shops, be sure to check out 4th Ave. It’s quirky and a bit retro but has a vibe all it’s own. By day it’s great for shopping and dining, by night it’s the bar scene for the University. If you are there, be sure to check out Bison Witches (amazing soups and sandwiches) and The Boxyard (a fun collection of restaurants, coffee shops and bars all built inside shipping containers. A great place to sit outside and enjoy local food and beer. Perfectly fine for kids during the day!
Tucson has so much to offer
While I certainly have a history with Tucson, every time I go back (twice this year!), I am reminded what a friendly city it is. Vibrant with energy and innovation, it’s most certainly a city that is growing with its evolving population.
No matter what area we explore, we feel safe and it’s perfect for people who love the outdoors. Adventure by day, outdoors dining by night, it really is a hidden gem in the travel world.
Getting around town is easy, Tucson roads are a grid system so as soon as you learn the Catalina mountains are north, you are good to go.
The other bonus to visiting this hidden gem of a city is that it’s not nearly expensive as some areas like Sedona or even Phoenix.
If you are looking for even more ideas on places to visit in Tucson, check out this post from Redfin.com, featuring suggestions from Tucson locals. This long list of hidden gems is perfect for any type of traveler—from shopping to outdoor spots, there is something for everyone.
Speaking of which, if you decide to stay longer, exploring more of Arizona is certainly an option.
Head North and in
Two hours will land you in Phoenix
Three and a half hours you will land in Sedona
Four hours you will arrive in Flagstaff
Five hours the Grand Canyon is all yours to explore.
Our first visit to AZ with the kids, we flew into Phoenix, drove north to Williams and the Grand Canyon, drove back down through Sedona and into Tucson, where we spent 4 days at the Tanque Verde Ranch. There is so much to do and see in the state, whether you choose one city or to travel it all, it will truly be a vacation filled with adventure and memories.
Don’t forget your camera, the desert is without a doubt a fantastic place to take pictures.
Tucson is perfect for all travelers; families, couples or friends can absolutely find plenty to do in Tucson.
This blog post covered a LOT so for quick and easy info, download this free guide (below) to take with you as you plan your southwestern adventure.
Celebrate the Southwest, Explore Tucson!
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