7 Must-do things in Tucson, AZPosted by Beni Restea on November 25th, 2020 As the second-largest city of Arizona, Tucson is the county chair of Pima County and known for its amazing natural surroundings and exceptionally sunny days. It’s perfect for escaping the cold weather chosen by many snowbirds who flee south during winter. Huddled up in the middle of five mountains, the valley that houses Tucson brings life to amazing cactus fields that many people have only seen on the big screen. When compared to Phoenix, AZ, it’s difficult to see which one is better, but Tucson definitely has nature as a card up its sleeve. Located an hour away from Mexico, the city of Tucson, AZ has deep roots in Hispanic heritage. Also known as “Old Pueblo” this sunny city is a monument to history, a canvas for nature’s wonders and the go-to destination for any Mexican cuisine lover. Having also been named a World City of Gastronomy, Tucson is a place where not only restaurants gather crowds, but coffee roasters as well as microbreweries. The residents of Tucson, AZ have many things to pride themselves on considering the breathtaking desert flora and fauna, the eye-catching architecture, golden history and cultural heritage. As one of the cities to visit in Arizona, picking only 7 must-do things in Tucson, AZ is not an easy task but we’ll try to bring some light on the unique elements that this city can bring to the table.
For those wishing to visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, just drive west through Tucson Mountain Park and in 27 minutes you should be there. The museum covers over 98 acres of land but it feels more like a zoo as 85% of the exhibits and experiences are outdoors. The whole complex consists of a zoo, a botanical garden, an art gallery, a natural history museum and an aquarium. Here you get the chance to learn about the flora and fauna typical to the Sonoran Desert as there are over 200 species of animals and around 1,000 types of plants throughout the museum. With over 400,000 visitors every year, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the state.
This time you’ll have to go north for about 29 minutes and stop between the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest. The canyon is perfect for those looking for a thrilling afternoon with hikes available as well as trekking if you really want to test your limits in search of an adventure. With wonderful views and a surprising waterfall, given the fact that this canyon is in the middle of the desert, the Sabino Canyon is a treasure of nature that humans can experience at their own leisure. On those hot Tucson summer days, you can even go for a swim in the Sabino Creek or picnic surrounded by cacti. Those that are less enticed about hiking the canyon can take a tram and enjoy a narrated tour of the mountain foothills.
There are over 91,000 acres available for those who want to explore the wilderness that homes and pays homage to the saguaro cactus, a well-known symbol of America’s wild west. Split into two districts the park has miles upon miles of hiking trails that zigzag through millions of saguaro cacti. On the west side of Tucson, 23 miles from downtown there is the Tucson Mountain District of the park which is recommended for its amazing sunsets by many visitors. However, 13 east of downtown Tucson you can visit the Rincon Mountain District of the park which is also worth a few hiking trips. The best time of year to visit in either Spring or Autumn as the summer heat can be quite overwhelming for those unused with temperatures that surpass triple digits. During the summer, it is best to restrict your visits in the morning when the sun isn’t as strong and has yet to heat up the ground.
To the south of Tucson, after a 13-minute drive down I-19, this breathtaking example of 18th-century architecture is located in the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. Also known as the White Dove of the Desert, this Roman Catholic Church is a must-see attraction for those who visit Tucson. This National Historic Landmark is still a place of worship and prayer, many of its visitors are coming here on pilgrimage. Architecturally speaking San Xavier del Bac has been influenced by Byzantine, Mexican, Renaissance, and Moorish styles that the visitors can observe daily as the site is open to the public. A nonprofit organization also offers tours in order to raise money to preserve and restore the mission.
If the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum may have been limited to the flora and fauna that live in the desert area, visitors can see over 500 species of animals from all over the world. It spreads over 20 acres of land and was opened in the 1960s. Today, visitors can see elephants, giraffes, rhinos and giant tortoises in the four different areas of the zoo. Located only 7 minutes away from downtown, the Reid Park Zoo is a perfect past time for an eventful family weekend as children are mesmerized by the large animals or by the chance to interact with some of them. Feeding the giraffes always gathers an audience. If the animals are less open to dealing with excited children, there’s also a wet play area and carousel available that’s very appreciated by children.
As one of the largest museums in the world to exhibit aircrafts and spacecrafts, the Pima Air & Space Museum covers over 80 acres and showcases more than 350 examples of aeronautical engineering. If you or someone in your family is a history buff or aerospace buff, this is the perfect opportunity to see the history of this particular industry. From a historical tour of the United States Air Force to the Russian MiGs on display or the X-15A-2, the record-breaking plane from 1964, this museum has it all. From its shy beginnings of only 48 aircrafts to exhibit in the 1970s, the museum managed to expand its yard through ticket sales and admission fees alone, and today it is visited by people from all over the country.
Ever since 1964 these gardens have been blooming across the 5 acres and managed to fascinate visitors within the city’s borders. The Tucson Botanical Garden is a testament to the strengths of Tucson flora that manages to withstand some of the harshest conditions in the U.S and thrive. Made up of 16 different gardens, visitors can take their time and learn about the plant life in the city as well. The Zen garden can offer a moment of peace and tranquility for those that are struggling with stress and the butterfly garden, with over 400 butterflies, will inspire anyone with the magical combinations of colors. ConclusionDiscovering a city like Tucson, AZ takes time and energy and provides enough excitement to the explorer. If you want to become an explorer it would be wise to get in touch with the local real estate agents in Tucson, AZ as this isn’t your everyday bustling city. While it does have half a million residents the natural landscape that it resides in is quite bewildering and it will surely ensnare you. The dry summers are perfect for those snowbirds that want to live somewhere hot but keep away from the humidity of coastal towns and still enjoy a great life. While it is located in the desert, an arid and harsh environment, the city shines through as a great place to live for its residents and a great place to explore for everyone. Let us know in the comments below if you had the chance to do anything from the list above. Like & Share with your family and friends especially if they love Mexican food as these places are all around restaurants with proper spicy Mexican cuisine.
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