Top 24 Things To Do In Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a lively desert city just over an hour from the Mexico-US border.

The town, located in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by five mountain ranges, is known for natural beauty, outdoor activities, Latin culture and architecture, ample sunshine, and fantastic food. In fact, it’s one of only two cities in the United States given UNESCO’s status as a City of Gastronomy.

Planning a visit and wondering what to do? These are some of the best things to do in Tucson, Arizona!

The Best Things To Do In Tucson, Arizona

Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains and features steep rock cliffs, lush desert vegetation, and snowmelt-fed creeks flowing almost year-round. It’s perfect for hiking or a scenic drive, making a top place to visit in Tucson.

The canyon is home to one of the most popular hikes in the Tucson area, Seven Falls. It’s an 8.3 mile out and back trail featuring seven waterfalls and a swimmable creek. Seven Falls is definitely worth the effort, but there are shorter hikes as well, if you’d prefer.

Those up for a scenic drive, hop in the open-air Sabino Canyon Crawler park shuttle. The 1-hour round trip route includes an audio tour and nine shuttle stops for hiking, biking, and viewpoints. The canyon is closed to private vehicles, but the shuttle is a great alternative.

Historic Fourth Avenue District 

Fourth Avenue is the core of Tucson and one of the most historic areas as well. The district is full of fun, colorful buildings, lively murals, and lots of local shops and restaurants. 

Shops vary from boho boutiques, vintage stores, art galleries, and the famous Food Conspiracy Co-op. When you’re worn out and ready to refuel, there are countless bars and restaurants to choose from.

This is a great place to walk around and see the heart of Tucson during your visit.

Drive Catalina Highway through Mount Lemmon

Catalina Highway, also called Mt. Lemmon Highway, takes you to the upper reaches of the Santa Catalina Range. The highway ascends 6,000 feet over a 27 mile stretch, showcasing drastically different landscapes along the way.

You’ll begin in the lower elevations of the lush Sonoran Desert, as you climb you’ll find dense fields of saguaros transitioning into bushy landscape. The drive eventually gives way to ponderosa pines, ending in the forested town of Summerhaven, here temperatures average 30 degrees cooler than in Tucson.

This is an especially popular activity in summer, as a way to escape the city’s intense heat.

Pima Air & Space Museum 

Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government aviation museums in the world, featuring approximately 400 historic aircrafts.

The museum sits on 80 acres with six exhibit hangars and a “boneyard” containing retired military planes as far as the eye can see.

The museum has been accessible to the public since 1976 and is a Tucson favorite. It’s a really cool feature of the city and definitely worth checking out.

Saguaro National Park

While in Tucson, you’ll definitely want to visit Saguaro National Park. It’s home to more than 1,100 species of plants, with the towering Saguaro cactus being the most famous.

The saguaro is North America’s largest cactus, it’s slow growing but eventually stands around 40 feet and can easily weigh over a ton. It’s really mind-boggling to see such a large cactus.

Saguaros require a very specific climate to survive and therefore only grow naturally in small sections of the Sonoran Desert. If conditions are just right, as they are in this national park, you’ll find saguaros forests stretching for miles. 

Saguaro National Park has two separate sections on either side of Tucson, the western Tucson Mountain District and the eastern Rincon Mountain District.

The west is smaller but features more dense sections of saguaros. The east has less saguaros, but the ones they have are more mature, meaning they’re generally larger and have more arms. 

Both sides offer a handful of short hikes with scenic views, nature trails, and epic sunset views.

Historic San Xavier Mission 

While visiting Tucson, be sure to check out San Xavier Mission. This Spanish Catholic Church is considered to be the best preserved example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.

This National Historical Landmark was built in 1797 of low-fire clay brick, stone, and lime mortar.

The site is free to all visitors for self-guided tours.   

Tucson Botanical Gardens 

The Tucson Botanical Gardens are a wonderful place to visit thanks to ample beauty and a huge variety of desert plants. 

Spend an afternoon walking through popular gardens such as the Cactus & Succulent Garden and Butterfly Garden or check out the Yocum Rock & Mineral Collection. 

The gardens also offer numerous special events throughout the year, as well as classes and temporary exhibits. 

Go Biking

Tucson is one of the top cities in the country for biking, and with over a hundred miles of trails in the area, there are ample opportunities for riders of all levels.

If road cycling is your thing, The Loop is a 131-mile network of multi-use trails and paved paths completely free of cars.

The Oro Valley is one of many great areas for mountain bikers, offering a variety of trails for all skill sets.

Bike enthusiasts, be sure to check out Cyclovia. This is a lively community event, held twice a year, where city streets are closed and beer gardens assembled for a fun day of car-free biking. Also check out El Tour de Tucson, one of the largest cycling events in the US.

Catch A Game At The University Of Arizona

Watching an Arizona sporting event is one of the best things to do in Tucson no matter the time of year.

Football games at Arizona Stadium are always a blast in the fall, or check out popular sports like baseball, softball, gymnastics, and volleyball throughout the year.

Men’s and women’s basketball both play at the McKale Memorial Center in the winter months and usually have fantastic teams.

Check out the upcoming athletics schedule at Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Sonora Desert Museum is a fusion between a zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, and art gallery.

The museum does an excellent job showcasing the Sonoran Desert’s unique ecosystem and amazing biodiversity while also telling the cultural and geological history of the area.

Spend the entire day here viewing the botanic gardens, aquarium, art gallery, museum, and animal exhibits. They even have special displays and demonstrations throughout the day.

Exhibits are 85% outdoor, so this is a great winter activity.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Morning person or not, a sunrise hot air balloon ride is a must consideration in Tucson. 

The desert landscapes, surrounding mountains, and lush canyons that make up the region are extra special from above.

Hot air balloons launch before sunrise and rides are typically 1 – 1.5 hours. There are a handful of guides here, all of which are reputable and run year-round.

Tucson Museum Of Art

This museum is a celebration of cultural and artistic heritage throughout the Southwest and around the world. View display work from numerous artists through the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits. 

Popular events and markets are also sprinkled throughout the year. Additionally, lectures and classes are on offer for those looking for a deeper understanding of the artwork.

This is a great indoor activity if it’s a particularly hot day in Tucson.

Go Golfing

Tucson is one of the most popular golf destinations within the US, and for good reason.

The weather allows for golfing year-round, although the summer is blistering, so it’s more renowned for the cooler months. The scenery here is on par with some of the best golf destinations in the world, and because there are so many courses to choose from, the prices are generally on the more reasonable side.

Starr Pass, Sewalio at Casino Del Sol, and Arizona National are among the most reputable public course options near the city, and if you are able to find your way onto the Gallery at Dove Mountain or La Paloma, those come highly recommended as well.  

Arizona History Museum

If you’re interested in learning about the state’s past, head over to the Arizona History Museum. The museum tells the story of Arizona’s past, from Native American and Spanish colonial times to the present, via exhibits and artwork collections.

Displays of Spanish colonial treasures, old western artwork, mining artifacts, and even a 1912 Studebaker car are accessible to the public, plus lots more.

Hike “A” Mountain (Sentinel Peak)

A hike to the top of Sentinel Peak, or “A” Mountain, is a Tucson rite of passage.

The urban hike follows a paved 1.7 mile path and rewards hikers with 360-views of Tucson. It’s rated easy, although it’s a bit steep in sections, and the trail is especially popular at sunrise and sunset.

DeGrazia Gallery In The Sun

DeGrazia Gallery In The Sun is a 10-acre National Historic District created by celebrated artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia.

The beautiful property houses six art installations depicting native life in the Southwest, as well as the Mission in the Sun, which DeGrazia built himself.

This is a really stunning indoor / outdoor space that’s worth seeing during your time in Tucson.

Lake Day

Looking to cool off during a hot day in Tucson? There are a surprising number of lakes near this desert city.

Patagonia Lake State Park is a favorite thanks to their sandy beach, swimming options, plus kayak and pontoon rentals. The lake is 1.5 hours from Tucson, but worth the effort.

Rose Canyon Lake is another option, a mountain lake surrounded by pine trees only an hour from Tucson. It’s more popular for fishing, hiking, and camping.

Silverbell and Kennedy Lake are your best urban options, ideal for fishing or a walk around the water.

Tohono Chul Park Botanical Gardens & Galleries

Another popular garden in Tucson is Tohono Chul Park Botanical Gardens, a nearly 50-acre public garden and nature preserve that also houses art galleries. 

General admission to the park provides access to the multiple nurseries, museums, shops, and bistros. There’s a ton of variety here making it easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring the property.

Additionally, special events, such as workshops, classes, concerts, and guided tours are held throughout the year. 

Visit A Farmers Market

Visit a farmers market to enjoy an Arizona day outdoors while supporting local vendors and finding great deals on fresh produce.

In addition to wonderful local produce, many markets also include local handmade items, food trucks, and more, all in a charming open-air setting.

Heirloom Farmers Market hosts a number of markets throughout the city year-round and St. Philips Farmers Market is a popular year-round weekend market.

If you’re not in town when a farmers market is going, check out Mercado San Agustín instead. This is a charming open air marketplace with a collection of restaurants and retail shops.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Located in the Rincon Mountains, just 30 minutes from Tucson, is Colossal Cave Mountain Park where you’ll find one of the largest dry caves in North America. 

Visitors can explore the beautiful caves while learning about Colossal’s interesting history and geological features during a guided tour. 

The park offers various cave tours as well as horseback riding, both bookable throughout the year at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.

Join A Food Tour

Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, one of only two cities in the United States with the title, which is a seriously impressive accolade.

While there are many restaurants to enjoy on your own, a food tour is a must-consideration as well. This is a great way to try new foods while learning about Tucson.

Tucson Food Tours is the most popular guide in town, but there are additional options as well.

Visit A Brewery Or Vineyard

While food is extremely popular here, craft beer and local wine are beloved as well.

Tucson’s home to about 20 breweries, each showcasing a variety of beers, from light pilsners to hoppy IPA’s, alongside a few funky brews.

While you can find breweries in the heart of town, if it’s a vineyard you seek, you’ll have to drive a bit.

Sonoita and Elgin are neighboring towns about an hour south of Tucson, both known for laid-back vineyards serving up unique Arizona flavors across 20 wineries. It takes some effort to get here, but most would agree it’s worth it.

Attend An Event

Attending a Tucson event is a guaranteed way to have a good time. From golf tournaments and biking events, to gem shows and rodeos, the city’s always got something fun going on.

A few popular annual events include:

• Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase
• Tucson Rodeo & La Fiesta de los Vaqueros
• El Tour de Tucson
• Cyclovia
• Arizona Bowl
• 4th Ave Street Fair
• Cologuard Classic PGA Tour Championship
• Tucson Festival Of Books

For upcoming events, check out Visit Tucson.

Go For A Day Trip

If you have the time, it’s worth exploring the beautiful nature and fun towns surrounding Tucson as well.

A few popular day trip options include:

• Mount Lemmon
• Bisbee
• Sonoita & Elgin
• Patagonia Lake State Park
• Willcox
• Madera Canyon
• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
• Picacho Peak State Park
• Nogales, Mexico
• Chiricahua National Monument
• Phoenix

As you can see, there are so many great things to do in Tucson, Arizona. I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your desert getaway and have the best time!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Arizona guides!

More Information For Your Arizona Vacation:

• Flagstaff, Arizona Guides
• Grand Canyon Guides
• Page, Arizona Guides
• Sedona, Arizona Guides