Although it’s Arizona’s second city, Tucson has several attraction sites that match Phoenix, the state capital.
The city is home to many cultural sites, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
Whether you love relaxing as you watch the sunset or walking and enjoying fine foods, you can never get bored in Tucson.
Here is an overview of the best things to do in Tucson.
1. Tucson Botanical Garden
The Tucson Botanical Garden is a must-see when visiting Arizona’s second city.
Established in the 1970s, the facility spans five acres and has 16 individual gardens.
Like most nature walks, this botanical garden offers breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere.
It’s a short drive from the city center, and walking through it lets you get close-up views of bromeliads, orchids, and succulents.
If you adore different plant types, ensure you visit this garden!
2. Fourth Avenue District
Fourth Avenue, colloquially known as ‘Fourth’ to locals, is a famous street that attracts most tourists with its variety.
It has the best restaurants, great shopping centers, and many more. It even has a solar-powered bookstore!
The Fourth is arguably Tucson’s busiest street – university students, downtown workers, tourists, and white-collar professionals all converge here to dine, wine or shop.
And regardless of your budget, you will find something to suit you.
Every winter and spring, the neighborhood organizes a Street Fair, which hundreds of thousands attend to enjoy the best of art, food, and music.
The Avenue has fantastic nightlife, with several bars and nightclubs allowing you to drink and dance late into the night.
3. 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group
Do you fancy a visit to an aircraft cemetery? If so, you should visit the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group.
This holds the world’s most extensive collection of defunct military airplanes.
The 2600-acre complex, commonly called the ‘Boneyard,’ has thousands of retired aircraft, including almost all models used by the US military since the Second World War.
After World War II – The armed forces parked airplanes at this complex to salvage parts. Since then, more planes have been added, including civilian models like Boeing.
The region’s climate makes it ideal for storage, as deterioration occurs slowly.
Due to its unique appearance, the yard is often used for staging post-apocalyptic movies.
4. El Charro Café
Arizona’s proximity to the border means a visit to Tucson feels incomplete without trying out Mexican cuisine.
The El Charro is the best place to have this, being one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the US.
Since its inception in 1922, the El Charro has had the best chefs, each perfecting their recipes.
However, the joint is renowned for its iconic beef, which can be seen dangling at the restaurant’s entrance daily.
The dangling beef is called carne seca. It looks like jerky, featuring thin beef slices marinated in garlic and lemon juice before being hung to dry in the hot sun.
Upon ordering, chefs bake it in ovens and serve it alongside cheese crisps, enchiladas, tacos, etc.
5. The University of Arizona and Arizona State Museum
The University of Arizona covers a massive part of Tucson’s central business district.
Its student population contributes to its liveliness, with old architectural masterpieces and attractive modern grounds to explore.
The institution is one of the most prestigious in America. Besides having different outstanding architectural styles, it houses the Arizona State Museum.
The museum has over 6,000 exhibits, making it the perfect place to quench the thirst for unique art.
You can explore fine art from the Renaissance period, including:
- hand drawings
- paintings
- prints
- sculptures
- and prints
The standout pieces in the museum are:
- the Altarpiece by Cuidad Rodrigo
- the Robert Priseman Collection
- and the Samuel H. Kress Collection
You can also explore the Modern Art Gallery to see the role of humans in today’s world.
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6. San Xavier del Bac
The San Xavier del Bac, also called the White Dove of the Desert, is a Spanish Catholic Mission established in the 18th century by explorers.
The church is one of the last-standing Spanish colonial architecture in the country.
Before walking through the church, you can watch a 20-minute video as a guide.
It makes it easier to walk through the magnificent carvings, frescoes, paintings, and sculptures.
7. Sosa-Carillo-Fremont House
Most of the time, you experience the 19th-century lifestyle in movies. However, the Sosa-Carillo-Fremont House allows you to taste how people lived in the past first-hand.
Locals call it the Carillo House, known after one of Tucson’s most powerful families during its construction.
A visit to this site enables you to recognize Sonoran row house design, special exhibits, and period furnishings.
8. Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway
Mt. Lemmon has multiple spectacular views that nature lovers and photographers will find beautiful.
It spans 40 kilometers, allowing you to reach the mountains’ peak while exploring the diverse terrain. The beauty of it is going through deserts and lakes.
When you arrive at the mountain’s summit, you can view the city and the nearby Sonoran Desert.
You can also camp, hike, or ski if the weather allows.
9. Saguaro National Park
The Saguaro National Park has a peculiar outline – it consists of two sections, each on either side of the city.
It’s named after the gigantic cacti species that demarcate its shape.
The park, established in 1933, surrounds the Tucson and Rincon ranges and is part of the Sonoran Desert.
Despite having a spread wilderness, its standout feature is the swathe of thorny saguaro cacti that grow up to 40 feet tall.
Whether walking, biking, or riding a horse, it’s a trip you will live to remember.
Conclusion
You can visit Tucson throughout the year because of its warm climate.
However, the best times to visit are between April and May and September and October. These are best because you can avoid the heat and tourist congestion.
A mixture of ancient and modern design, Tucson offers the serenity and calmness you desire.
It has the best contemporary culture on Fourth Avenue, while the numerous museums and nature walks allow you to enjoy the best of history.
