Top 10 – Fun Things to Do in Tucson

Are you visiting or thinking of visiting Tucson but wondering what there is to do there?  We have listed the Top 10 – Fun Things to Do in Tucson and what they have to offer.  

Tucson, Arizona is Arizona’s second largest city, located in southern Arizona. Known for its sunshine, Mexican influence, and nature, Tucson is a great city to both live in and visit. Second in size to Phoenix, Tucson is home to just under one million people. It’s also home to the University of Arizona, a well-known state university. 

Tucson’s culture is interesting, as it draws from both Mexican and Old West influences, with hints of modern Western American culture. You can find authentic Mexican cuisine, ranches, and a championship golf course, all in the same mile. Tucson’s cultural diversity attracts visitors year round – that, and its beautiful weather with 350 days of sunshine. 

Its main attractions, however, are certainly all the natural wonders in and around the city. Ranging from the stunning Sonoran Desert to the boatloads of saguaro cacti, Tucson’s natural wonders are not to be overlooked. While visitors may cling to the Grand Canyon, Phoenix, and Scottsdale when visiting Arizona, Tucson has more than its fair share of things to do, see, and enjoy. 

A Quick History of Tucson 

The City of Tucson was founded in 1775, though the area has been settled for over 10,000 years. The Hohokam Indians were Tucson’s first-known residents. They lived alone in Tucson from around 300 A.D. to 1500 A.D., living, farming, and foraging. Father Eusebio King, a spanish Jesuit missionary, met the Hohokam Indians on his first trip in the 1690s. 

Less than 100 years later, Spanish conquerors founded what is now known as Tucson, though it was then called Presidio San Agustin de Tucson. It was a part of Spain’s Mexican colony, and housed soldiers and their families for about 100 years. The 1854 Gadsden Purchase gave Tucson to the United States, and it officially became an American city. 

Tucson’s development and growth continued, as major changes occurred with the Southern-Pacific Railroads, the American-Indian Wars, and the development of the mining industry. Now, Tucson is an urban city, boasting the impressive Sonoran Desert as its backdrop.  Now to the fun part, here’s what we think are must do’s when you’re there!

Top 10 – Fun Things to Do in Tucson

Tucson is one of those cities that has it all – the nature, the weather, and the urban scene. Whatever you’re interested in, you can find it in Tucson. But, if you’re reading this, you probably  want to learn about the best things to do, the ones you just can’t miss. Don’t worry, it’s coming. 

In no specific order, here are the top ten things to do in Tucson, Arizona:

• Saguaro National Park
• Mount Lemmon
• Old Tucson Company
• Tohono Chul
• Kitt Peak National Observatory
• Center for Creative Photography
• Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum
• Biosphere 2
• Pima Air and Space Museum
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

1. Saguaro National Park

The saguaro cacti attract thousands of visitors to Arizona each year – what better place to see them than in the Saguaro National Park? The Saguaro National Park is an Arizonian national park, located on both the east and west side of the city of Tucson. Established in 1994, it is a massive 92,000 acre park.  While driving through it you’ll be just as impressed with this area as we were.  With sweeping mountain views that are dotted with ancient saguaro’s, this area is home to so much history. 

The saguaro cactus is the largest cactus in the United States. They are only located in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona and down to Mexico where there is an abundance in Tucson and the Saguaro National Park. While the cacti are present year-round, they do have a peak blooming period. If you’re interested in seeing the unique white saguaro cactus flowers, consider visiting between the middle of May to the middle of June. If that timeline doesn’t work for you, don’t worry, as you can still see the gigantic cacti year-round. 

Now, back to the park. While named for its saguaro cacti, Saguaro National Park has much more to offer beyond cacti. In the park, you can experience the desert surroundings, the plant wildlife, and a diverse species of animals. You’ll likely be able to spot javelina’s, horned lizards, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, gila mountains, rattle snakes, and collared peccaries during your visit, as these animals are all regularly seen by visitors.  There is a word of caution though, all of the desert animals are so camouflaged that you have to keep your eyes peeled as they can blend right into their surroundings.  You could be looking right at an animal and if they are perfectly still you’ll miss it. Depending on the season, you may encounter black bears, white tailed deer, mud turtles, and more.  

You can both hike and camp in the park, and there are a variety of hiking and camping options to choose from. Check out the respective hiking trails and camping pages on the Saguaro National Park website to figure out the best option for you. Additionally, there are activities and events led by park rangers daily, including activities for children. Saguaro National Park is a great destination for adults and children, friends and families alike. 

Helpful information to note:

• Entrance fees:
  • Vehicle Weekly Pass – $20
  • Individual Weekly Pass – $10
  • Motorcycle Weekly Pass – $15
  • Annual Pass – $40
• Visitors Centers located at Rincon Mountain District (east) and Red Hills Tucson Mountain District (west)
• No public WiFi, cellular service is limited in the park
• Rincon Mountain District (east): Open 24 hours by foot and bike, from 6:00 a.m. to sunset by vehicle
• Red Hills Tucson Mountain District (west): Open from sunrise to sunset
• The park is open every day except Christmas day

2. Mount Lemmon

Though not in the city limits, at only an hour drive away, Mount Lemmon is close enough to Tucson to be featured on this list. This is a Mountain that won’t disappoint!  Located just north of Tucson in the Coronado National Forest, Mount Lemmon is a popular destination for Tucson’s visitors. With an elevation of 9,159 feet, Mount Lemmon’s summit is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains and can be seen from many miles away.   

Mount Lemmon was named after Sara Plummer Lemmon, the first person to summit the mountain with her husband. Now, it is a popular trekking destination in the Santa Catalina Mountains, and Arizona in general. Along with hiking and camping, Mount Lemmon is well-known for skiing. While Arizona may not be your top choice for a ski vacation, consider Mount Lemmon Ski Valley during the winter months to ski, snowboard, or just enjoy the ski resort.  It just would never feel like you’re only an hour from Tucson as the topography is completely different.

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is also a popular destination in the summer months, as the ski lift provides visitors with a stunning view of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Coronado National Forest. Similarly, you can see diverse wildlife in the summer months that you may not see during the winter. This includes, but is not limited to, bobcats, big horn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, white tailed deer, and more. 

Access to the mountain is free, and worth the drive though there are costs associated with some of the various activities. If you’d like to camp, stay overnight, ski, or do any of the other activities, you’ll likely have to pay a fee or rent. The ski lodge is a popular accommodation option for Mount Lemmon visitors, but there are a variety of other options, spanning from camping in a tent to renting an AirBnB.  Definitely a favorite of ours is to end your day at one of the pullovers along the Catalina Hwy to Windy Point Vista to watch the sunset. 

Most of the mountain is open to all visitors, but these picnic areas and sites require a permit:

• Molino Basin Picnic Area
• Cypress Picnic Area
• Middle Bear Picnic Area
• Chihuahua Pine Picnic Area
• Box Elder
• Inspiration Rock
• Alder Picnic Areas
• Loma Linda Picnic Area
• Marshal Gulch Picnic Area
• Lemmon Recreation Site
• Palisades Interpretive Visitor Center

At these sites, you can use the Coronado Recreational Pass or the National Pass/America the Beautiful Pass. You can purchase either of these passes at the Palisades Ranger Station or National Park district offices. 

Mount Lemmon is filled with outdoor activities and some of the most picturesque sceneries that Arizona has to offer that you won’t want to miss if you’re in Tucson. 

3. Old Tucson Company

While it’s easy to see Tucson’s natural beauty wherever you are in the city, finding the Old West influence may be more challenging. To get a full picture of Tucson, its culture, and its history, you can’t ignore the history of the wild, wild West. Old Tucson Company is the best place to tap into this cultural and historical aspect of Tucson. 

Old Tucson Company was originally built in 1939 to be a movie theatre, but just for one movie – Arizona. Now, it serves as southern Arizona’s premier film production location, and is home to over 400 commercial film and television productions. Old Tucson Company is more than that, however, as it is certainly a unique Old West attraction. We enjoyed this attraction with live action stunt shows, musicals, comedies, films, vintage rides for children, and other special events, Old Tucson offers visitors a special experience where they will be transported back to the wild West.  I especially enjoyed the museums that held archives from shows as Little House on the Prairie, the “Mankato” scenes were shot here along with the show The High Chapperel.  You can see the church and motel scenes form The Three Amigos, the train from Back to the Future and just so much more! We went on a horse back ride and our tour guide and owner of the horses we rode, was a stunt man in a ton of movies.  One of which was the Tombstone movie from 1993 with Kurt Russel and Val Kilmer and he explained the scene he was in towards the end of the film. 

Helpful information to note:

• Old Tucson is open year-round, with hours depending on the season  
• The company is located 10 miles away from downtown Tucson 
• General admission ranges based on age group and residency, starting for free for children under four and reaching $21.95 for adults
• There are separate tickets for special events and groups
• Frequent visitors can purchase an annual pass and/or join the Old Tucson Company Rewards Program
• Old Tucson Company is pet friendly, so bring the pups! 

4. Tohono Chul

Tohono Chul is Tucson’s premier botanical gardens, located in the Casas Adobes suburb of Tucson. Translating to “desert corner,” Tohono Chul was named from the Tohono O’odham language. The Tohono O’odham are the indigenous southern Arizonians. Tohono Chul are gardens with a mission, as they intend to enrich the lives of visitors by connecting them to the wonders of nature, culture, and art through the Sonoran Desert. 

With over 49 acres of gardens, you can enjoy a diverse variety of nature at Tohono Chul. The gardens include themed gardens, nature trails, monarch butterflies, and a multitude of birds to enjoy. While desert land may be easily recognizable, Tohono Chul gives “desert” a new meaning with its lush and pristine gardens. 

These gardens are also well-known for one of the best views of the Santa Catalina mountains, which you can enjoy over a cup of tea at the Tohono Chul Garden Bistro. The Bistro is popular for both Tucson’s visitors and locals, as it boasts delicious southwestern cuisine with an even greater spectacular view. 

Tohono Chul is also home to art galleries, with both rotating and permanent exhibitions by local artists. If you love local art, especially that inspired by the natural beauties in Arizona, you won’t want to miss the Tohono Chul gift shops as well. 

The grounds and gardens are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and the exhibit house, museum, and gift shops are open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Admission fees vary depending on membership and age.

5. Kitt Peak National Observatory

While many of Tucson’s outdoor activities are best during the day, this must-do might be better at night. The Kitt Peak National Observatory is located 55 miles southwest of Tucson, on Kitt Peak of the Quinlan Mountains in the Sonoran Desert. It is located on Tohono O’odham Nation land. Founded in 1958, Kitt Peak National Observatory is an astronomical observatory, holding one of the largest selections of optical and radio telescopes in the world, as well as other astronomical instruments. When founded, the observatory was home to the largest solar telescope in the world. 

Today, Kitt Peak National Observatory works in conjunction with other astronomy facilities in research projects and astronomical developments. Those interested in learning more about the observatory can do so through Kitt Peak’s Visitor Center, which is open daily from 9 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. Daytime visitors can take a guided tour, go to an exhibit, or participate in other events. Reservations are not necessary for a general daytime visit. 

A big part of Kitt Peak National Observatory is its famous Nightly Observing Program and other nighttime programs. It’s so fascinating because during the Nightly Observing Program, you are taught about astronomy and the night sky, including learning how to spot constellations and finding hidden objects with binoculars. You’ll even be able to view deep sky objects with the Kitt Peak telescope. The Nightly Observing Program is Kitt Peak’s most well-known event and is available by reservation only. 

There are a variety of other nighttime programs offered, such as the Dark Sky Discovery Program, Night of the Marvelous Moon, Overnight Telescope Observing Program, and more. See more on the programs and program details on the website page. 

6. Center for Creative Photography

The University of Arizona’s Center for Creative Photography is both an academic art museum and study center for the history of photography. The center opened in 1975 with the archives of five photographers and now has grown to hold over 270 archival collections, boasting some of the most well-known twentieth century photographers. In the 270+ collections, there are over eight million archival objects present, ranging from negatives, scrapbooks, memorabilia, work prints, and more. Additionally, the center holds over 110,000 individual photographs from over 2,200 artists. 

The Center for Creative Photography is a museum, study center, and research collection. You can see the center’s collections in-person, as well as view certain objects online. Exhibitions and events are both open to the public and free, though donations are accepted. The center is located in Tucson on the University of Arizona’s campus.  

7. Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum

Do you like trains?  In the late 1800s, the development of the Southern-Pacific Railroads was integral to Tucson’s growth and development. Before that, even, was the aforementioned 1854 Gadsden Purchase, giving Tucson to the United States from Mexico. Considering the historical context, it makes perfect sense that Tucson is home to the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum, a non-profit museum dedicated to the hobby of model railroading. 

The Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum started with only twenty-five members in 1980, but has now grown to over 130 members. The museum opened to the public in 1988. Now, it’s run by a group of enthusiastic toy train lovers, who have gathered an impressive collection of vintage and classic trains of various sizes and scales. The museum holds nine operating layouts inside, one garden layout outside, and a ride-on train circling the property.You are allowed to interact with the trains, operate them, and learn about them through the displays and tours. 

Predominantly run by volunteers/train enthusiasts, the museum grows and changes every year. Every visit to Tucson warrants a visit to this museum, as each experience will be different from the last. If you’re a train lover, consider becoming a member of the museum. 

Helpful information to note:

• The museum is only open on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• The museum is not open in June, July, or August
• There are various events throughout the year that visitors can attend

8. Biosphere 2

Owned by the University of Arizona and located just north of Tucson in Oracle, Arizona is Biosphere 2. One of Arizona’s most unique facilities, Biosphere 2 is a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, a facility for public education, and a home to scientific discovery and discussion. The facility is dedicated to research and comprehension of global scientific issues, aiming to facilitate research, teaching, outreach, and learning about Earth, its systems, and its place in this universe. 

While the Biosphere 2 has been around since 1991, it has only been owned by the University of Arizona since 2011. You can participate in an array of activities, exhibits, tours, and events. In the Biosphere 2, these are the following biomes under glass: ocean with coral reef, mangrove wetlands, tropical rainforest, savanna grassland, and fog desert. If you are interested in Earth, life, the environment, and the universe, Biosphere 2 is a must-do for you. 

Helpful information to note:

• Biosphere 2 is open every day of the year, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day
• Under the Glass tours are offered daily from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though visitors should arrive by 3:45 p.m. to attend the final tour of the day
• Under the Glass tours include a short film and a guided tour to each of the biomes – visitors can explore the Ocean Gallery and habitat after the tour is over
• Under the Glass tours require walking up and down stairs, visit the website for accessibility information
• See the tours page for information on family tours, history tours, and more 
• Admission fees range from $14-$21, depending on age, veteran status, and student status 

9. Pima Air and Space Museum

Sitting on over 80 acres of land in Tucson, Arizona, the Pima Air and Space Museum is one of the world’s largest aviation and space museums that is not government funded. The museum is home to over 350 historical aircrafts, ranging from the Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner with six indoor exhibit hangars. You can read more about their offerings on the museum aircraft page. 

Pima Air and Space Museum opened to the public in 1976, but looks much different now than it did then, as it grows and develops immensely year by year. Though it opened in 1976, the concept for Pima Air and Space Museum was born ten years prior, during a celebration of the United States Air Force. Two commanders noticed that World War II and 1950s aircraft, then stored on the base, were quickly disappearing. Base officials began to move aside and preserve various types of aircraft. The public and local community loved the viewing the aircraft, but the display aesthetics were unsatisfying. Ten years later came Pima Air and Space Museum. 

If you are unable to visit in-person, you can still virtually visit Pima Air and Space Museum through live stream footage. But, an in-person visit to their exhibits or events is definitely preferable. The Pima Air and Space Museum is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the final admission is at 3 p.m. It is closed for both Thanksgiving and Christmas day.   

10. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Last but most definitely not least on this list is The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (also known as just The Desert Museum). Ranked as the number one attraction in Tucson and one of the top ten museums in the country, The Desert Museum is definitely worth a visit. When you think of a museum, you probably think of a building filled with art or history. The Arizona-Sonora Museum is the essence of Arizona, as it honors all that Arizona has to offer by being 85 percent outdoors. 

Made up of a botanical garden, zoo, art gallery, aquarium, and natural history museum, The Desert Museum is spread out over 98 acres of land, with 21 acres holding two miles of walking paths through different desert habitats. Visitors can see over 242 species of animals, 56,000 individual specimens of plants, and a comprehensive regional mineral collection. 

Along with its touristic draw, the Desert Museum is working towards conserving the Sonoran Desert region through its various conservation and research programs. The Desert Museum’s Art Institute also encourages conservation and education surrounding conservation, through art education and gallery exhibits. If you’ve visited or read about the Sonoran Desert, you may be familiar with the museum’s publishing division, as they have produced over 40 books and guides about the Sonoran Desert region. 

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was founded in 1952 and serves as a model for museums around the world, especially those concerned with conservation and preservation of natural habitats. Much like any other museum, The Desert Museum offers tours, events, exhibits, and children’s programs. With so many different aspects in the museum, you can only imagine the endless opportunities to learn. There is a special emphasis on youth education, so consider checking out the learn page on the website before visiting – you may find a program or event for your child that you weren’t aware of before. 

Helpful information to note:

• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is open every single day of the year
• Museum hours vary by season, so check the website hours page for the summer or winter hours before visiting 
• Admission fee varies by age and season. Children under three and members are admitted free of cost
• The Desert Museum closes by 5 p.m. year round and it is recommended to arrive by 4 p.m. at the latest, as it generally takes at least two hours to see the museum

As you can see, Tucson is stock-full of outdoor and indoor activities. Even better, there are many things to do both in and around Tucson. If you’re looking for your next adventure, consider Tucson. Bonus, these are just the top ten things to do! There is so much more that is not on this list, spanning from parks to museums, and from restaurants to nightlife. Get to Tucson and enjoy that all it has to offer.