Tucson’s Terrific 12: Your Ticket to an Unforgettable Arizona Adventure

Towering saguaro cacti stand guard over the rolling desert. Nearby, a Spanish mission shares centuries-old tales. In midtown, colourful murals celebrate the city’s Hispanic roots. Welcome to Tucson, Arizona – where the great outdoors meets a thriving cultural scene. Ready for a trip like no other? Let’s explore the 12 best Tucson attractions to fill your itinerary.

1. Saguaro National Park

• Start your Tucson adventures at Saguaro National Park. This 37,116-hectare park is split into the Tucson Mountain District to the west and the Rincon Mountain District to the east.

• Take the scenic 13-km Cactus Forest Loop Drive to spot towering saguaros, some over 60 feet tall and 200 years old! The easy 0.5-km Signal Hill Trail leads to ancient petroglyphs etched by the Hohokam people.

• Top hiking trails include the challenging 11-km Douglas Spring Trail, with panoramic city views, and the family-friendly 1-km Freeman Homestead Trail through a saguaro forest.

• Visit in April to see the saguaro blooms or in August for the lush desert after the rains.

2. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

• Part zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, and aquarium, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum houses over 200 animal species and 1,200 plant types on 98 acres. It’s one of the top Tucson attractions for families!

• See desert natives like coyotes, javelinas, Gila monsters, and Mexican wolves. Watch raptor free flights and learn about venomous creatures.

• Walk through a limestone cave, peer into an aquarium with Sonora River fish, and explore a replica underground mine.

• The Warden Aquarium showcases the diversity of the Gulf of California. Touch stingrays and sea stars in the tide pool!

Admission:

• $24.95 for adults

• $13.95 for kids 3-12

• Free for children under 3

Hours: Open daily 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (October-February); 7:30 am – 5:00 pm (March-September)

3. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

• Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains features a lush riparian habitat with streams, waterfalls, and saguaro-dotted hillsides. It’s one of the best free things to do in Tucson today!

• Take the 45-minute, 5.6-km narrated tram ride ($12 adults, $7 kids 3-12) along Sabino Creek to reach scenic trailheads.

• Hike through seven creek crossings to the cascading Seven Falls, or trek the challenging 10.5-km Blackett’s Ridge Trail for 360-degree canyon vistas.

• Cool off with a dip in Hutch’s Pool, a natural swimming hole reached via an 7-km hike from the Sabino Canyon parking lot.

4. Old Tucson

• Transport back to the Wild West at Old Tucson, a famous film location turned theme park. Over 400 movies and TV shows were shot here, including “Rio Bravo” and “Little House on the Prairie.”

• Watch live shows like gunfights and saloon musicals. Pan for gold, ride the C.P. Huntington train, and witness a “high noon” shootout on Main Street.

• Enjoy BBQ at Big Jake’s and sarsaparilla at the Grand Palace Saloon. Kids will love the antique carousel!

Admission:

• $34.95 for adults

• $17.95 for kids 4-11

• Free for children under 4

Hours: Open Thursday-Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (plus Mondays on select holiday weekends)

5. Mission San Xavier del Bac

• Known as the “White Dove of the Desert,” the striking Mission San Xavier del Bac was founded in 1692 by a Jesuit missionary. The current church was built from 1783-1797.

• Marvel at the Baroque facade, with its intricately carved columns and statuary. Inside, the ornate altar is covered in gold leaf and colourful frescoes adorn the walls and ceiling.

• Join a 45-minute docent-led tour to learn about the mission’s history, architecture, and restoration. You can also attend Catholic mass.

• The mission is located on the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. Visit the museum to see indigenous artefacts and buy fry bread from stalls outside.

Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm daily

Tours:

• Monday-Saturday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 11:30 am

• Call (520) 294-2624 to confirm tour times

6. Pima Air & Space Museum

• Aviation buffs shouldn’t miss the Pima Air & Space Museum. Spanning 80 acres, it’s one of the world’s largest aerospace museums with over 400 aircraft!

• See historic planes like WWII bombers, an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, and a rare German V-1 rocket. The Space Gallery houses an Apollo capsule, moon rock, and Sputnik replica.

• Take the one-hour docent-led walking tour of the grounds. Then board the bus for an exclusive tour of the nearby “Boneyard,” the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group with 4,400 unused aircraft!

Admission:

• $18.50 for adults

• $10 for kids 5-12

• Free for children under 5

• Boneyard tours are an extra $10

Hours:

• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (last admittance at 3:00 pm)

• Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

7. Tucson Botanical Gardens

• The 5.5-acre Tucson Botanical Gardens features 16 specialty gardens showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Sonoran Desert.

• Stroll through the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Zen Garden, Prehistoric Garden, and Butterfly Garden. Kids will love the model train display!

• The Butterfly Magic exhibit (October-April) immerses you in a tropical conservatory with hundreds of live butterflies. Learn how to attract them to your own garden.

• Attend a guided bird walk, gardening class, or art workshop. Savor lunch at Café Botanica, known for its prickly pear margaritas.

Admission:

• $15 for adults

• $8 for students

• $13 for seniors & military

• $8 for kids 4-17

• Free for children 3 & under

Hours: Open daily 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

8. Reid Park Zoo

• Home to over 500 animals from around the globe, the 24-acre Reid Park Zoo is another of the top Tucson attractions for families.

• See African lions, Andean bears, Aldabra giant tortoises, flamingos, and elephants. At the Conservation Learning Center, learn how the zoo helps protect wild habitats.

• Feed the giraffes ($5) and ride the Conservation Carousel ($2). In October, attend the family-friendly HowlOween nights with costumed characters and trick-or-treat stations.

• Dine with a zoo view at the Zoofari Café and buy plush animals at the gift shop.

Admission:

• $10.50 for adults

• $8.50 for seniors

• $6.50 for kids 2-14

• Free for children under 2

Hours: Open daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (October-May); 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (June-September)

9. Gaslight Theatre

• For a fun Tucson night out, catch a show at the Gaslight Theatre. This beloved local venue stages hilarious musical comedy spoofs of classic movies and pop culture.

• Cheer for the hero and boo at the villain during melodramas like “The Lone Stranger” (Lone Ranger) and “Spider-Guy” (Spider-Man). Sing along to olios after the main show.

• Families will love the special effects, slapstick comedy, and audience interaction. It’s one of the most entertaining things to do in Tucson AZ!

• The theatre concessions serve popcorn, pizza, and beer. Arrive early to get good seats in the intimate 200-seat space.

Showtimes: Evenings at 7:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm

Tickets:

• $23.95 for adults

• $21.95 for students, seniors, and military

• $13.95 for children 12 & under

10. Trail Dust Town

• Step back in time at Trail Dust Town, a replica 1880s Western village with unique shops, restaurants, and attractions.

• Browse Native American jewellery at Indian Village, buy homemade fudge at Chocolate Falls, and customize a cowboy hat at Dragoon Street Hats.

• Take an old-time photo at Four Bucks A Pic, ride the 1920s coin-operated Merry-Go-Round, and pan for gold at Polly Anna Mine.

• On weekend evenings, Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros stage gunfights in the street!

• Eat mesquite-grilled steaks at Pinnacle Peak or homestyle Mexican at La Mariposa.

Hours: Most shops open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; restaurants open later

Admission: Free to enter; rides and shops priced individually

11. Children’s Museum Tucson

• With over 40,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits, the Children’s Museum Tucson is a top pick for stuff to do in Tucson with kids under 10.

• Little ones can shop at the farmer’s market, examine X-rays at the vet clinic,

Getting Around Tucson

Many tucson attractions for families are easily walkable or a quick ride share away, especially in the downtown core. If you plan to explore some of the farther-flung hiking trails or do a lot of independent exploring, renting a car may make sense.

Keep in mind that many areas outside the city limits may have spotty cell service. An international roaming plan, like Airtel’s easy-to-use Postpaid International Roaming Packs, can help ensure you stay connected wherever your adventures take you in and around Tucson. With data to use map apps, check trail conditions, make reservations, and share photos, you’ll be ready for whatever the desert brings.

Whether you’ve come for the cacti or the cuisine, the stuff to do in tucson arizona offers a vibrant mix of outdoor adventures, fascinating history, and singular Southwest spirit. Tuck into a Sonoran hotdog, hike among towering saguaros, and soak up those famous desert sunsets. The Old Pueblo awaits.