©Kris Davidson/Lonely Planet

Tucson

A college town with a long history, Tucson (too-sawn) is attractive, fun-loving and one of the most culturally invigorating places in the Southwest. Set in a flat valley hemmed in by snaggletoothed mountains and swaths of saguaro, Arizona's second-largest city smoothly blends American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo traditions. Distinct neighborhoods and 19th-century buildings give a rich sense of community and history not found in more modern, sprawling Phoenix. The eclectic shops toting vintage garb, scores of funky restaurants and dive bars don't let you forget Tucson is a college town at heart, home turf to the 45,000-strong University of Arizona (UA).

Free Things to Do

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Saguaro National Park
Tucson
Saguaros (sah-wah-ros) are icons of the American Southwest, and an entire cactus army of these majestic, ribbed sentinels is protected in this desert…
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tucson
Home to cacti, coyotes and palm-sized hummingbirds, this 98-acre ode to the Sonoran Desert is one part zoo, one part botanical garden and one part museum …
Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
Tucson
Divided into the Enchanted Realm, Exploring the World and the History Gallery, this delightful museum of miniatures presents dioramas that are fantastical…
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Tucson
The dazzling white towers of this mission rise from the dusty desert floor 8 miles south of Tucson – a mesmerizing structure that brings an otherworldly…
4th Avenue
Tucson
Linking historic downtown and the university, lively 4th Ave is a rare breed: a rough-around-the-edges, alt-flavored strip with not a single chain store…
Pima Air & Space Museum
Tucson
An SR-71 Blackbird spy plane and a massive B-52 bomber are among the stars of this extraordinary private aircraft museum. Allow at least two hours to…
Sabino Canyon
Tucson
Sabino Canyon, a lush, pretty and shaded mini-gorge, is well worth a visit in fine weather. Narrated hop-on, hop-off tram tours along the Sabino Canyon…
Presidio Historic District
Tucson
The Tucson Museum of Art is part of this low-key neighborhood, bounded by W 6th St, W Alameda St, N Stone Ave and Granada Ave, and embracing the site of…

View more attractions

placement: fullWidth
path: destinations/top
possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],

targeting:

{
  "destination": "Tucson",
  "city": "Tucson",
  "region": "Americas",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "country": "The-USA"
}

Articles

Latest stories from Tucson

Food and Drink

Local Flavor: the best places to eat and drink in Tucson, Arizona

Jun 4, 2024 • 5 min read

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the vivacious little city of Tucson, Arizona, has a unique culinary scene that represents a confluence of cultures.

Attraction
A reason to visit Tucson: the UNESCO-worthy Mission Garden
May 6, 2024 • 5 min read
Wildlife & Nature
Best free things to do in Tucson
Jul 22, 2022 • 8 min read
Art and Culture
Unexpected beauty: 5 things to see in Tucson’s timeless Sonoran Desert
Dec 17, 2021 • 4 min read
Health & Wellness
Why you should spend a wellness weekend in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills
Dec 17, 2021 • 3 min read
Food and Drink
Touring Tucson by taste: Best bites in the sun-drenched city
Dec 17, 2021 • 5 min read
History
Get a taste of Tucson's Unesco-recognized food scene
Nov 6, 2019 • 3 min read
Wildlife & Nature
Under the radar USA: Tucson is more than its cactus
Jun 21, 2019 • 4 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Tucson

placement: fullWidth
path: destinations/bottom
possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],

targeting:

{
  "destination": "Tucson",
  "city": "Tucson",
  "region": "Americas",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "country": "The-USA"
}