Tucson, AZ

Travel Guide

Tucson
Tucson featuring desert views and a sunset
Tucson showing desert views and wildflowers
Tucson
Titan Missile Museum
Arizona’s second-largest city is known for its desert landscapes, mountainous regions, science scene and cosmopolitan culture. 

Tucson is a modern city and thriving science hub set amid the sparse Sonoran Desert landscape and enclosed by five mountain ranges. The warm, dry climate, national parks, hiking trails and wildlife attract over a million outdoor lovers every year. Dubbed “Optics Valley,” the city is a world leader in optics manufacturing and astronomical research.

The roots of the cultural heritage that has shaped Tucson can be seen in Native American arts and crafts, old Hispanic neighborhoods and 19th-century American architecture. Tucsonans embrace their desert surroundings and celebrate nature and the outdoor lifestyle.

Explore the scenery with a hike through Saguaro National Park. The large, fleshy cactus has come to symbolize the American West. Tucson has the country’s largest population of saguaro cacti. Learn about native flora and fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. A visit to Tohono Chul Park and Tucson Botanical Gardens will also immerse you in the beauty of the desert’s plants.

Visit Biosphere 2 to see how Tucson was at the forefront of one of the most ambitious experiments of recent times. Eight people lived for two years under glass domes in the desert. Tour the facility to see how it contributes to our understanding of climate change. Visit Pima Air & Space Museum with aircraft and spacecraft revealing 100 years of aviation history.

Head into the city to experience Tucson’s artistic and cultural scene. Visit art galleries, bookstores and jewelry shops. Art aficionados will enjoy the Tucson Museum of Art, which covers an entire city block in the El Presidio Historic District in the downtown area. The institution is devoted to art from the last 3,000 years. Stay downtown to watch dance, theater, music or film performances at the Fox Tucson Theatre, a restored movie palace from the 1930s.

Tucson has a good public bus system called Sun Tran and the downtown area is easily explored on foot. If you want to travel outside the city limits and explore the desert scenery you will need to rent a car.

Where to stay in Tucson

#Trovember —Winter nightfalls in the Sonoran Desert; you can’t make this stuff up! Tucson sunsets are the best... #MyBackyard

Catalina Foothills

Nestled north of Tucson, this affluent community boasts upscale shopping at La Encantada and luxurious resorts along the resort corridor. Explore attractions like Sabino Canyon, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, and the scenic Santa Catalina Mountains.

Catalina Foothills
View from the ropes course at Miraval Spa with the Santa Catilina Mountains in the background.

Catalina

Experiencing population growth, this rural community offers nearby attractions like Catalina State Park and Biosphere 2 for nature enthusiasts.

Catalina
Downtown Tucson

Downtown Tucson

3.5/5(413 area reviews)

Theaters, river views, and live music highlight some of the noteworthy features of Downtown Tucson. Make a stop by Fox Theatre or St. Augustine Cathedral while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Downtown Tucson
The desert is #green in April... Southern #Arizona's mountain canyons, especially around #Tucson, are full of hiking possibilities... #oasis #SonoranDesert #SantaCatalinaMountains

Tanque Verde

Tanque Verde is noteworthy for its golf courses, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Agua Caliente Park and Arizona National Golf Club.

Tanque Verde
Tohono Chul Park which includes outdoor art and desert views

Casas Adobes

Visitors highly recommend Casas Adobes for its abundant dining options, and you can make a stop by Catalina Golf Course while you're in town.

Casas Adobes
Tucson Botanical Gardens featuring a garden

Midtown

If you're spending some time in Midtown, Arizona Stadium and Centennial Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Midtown

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tucson

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1781
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
2150
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
747
3 - Okay 16%
2 - Disappointing
84
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
41
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nothing unique, passing through

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

Tucson is beautiful with excellent weather which I love but now it’s become a complete dump! I want to move away from this place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Amazing sunsets

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Tucson rocks and this hotel provided affordable accommodations in a prime location.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lots of places to eat and shop. Busy roads and lots of construction.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love Tucson.

Cities near Tucson