Luoghi imperdibili del quartiere
Tucson is an official City of Gastronomy and received this distinction from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) because the food here tells a story that dates back 4,000 years. The city's culinary heritage is a tapestry of Mexican and Native American traditions. We have lots of amazing restaurants here in Tucson. You will never go hungry!
If you enjoy art, the Tucson Historic Warehouse Arts District is a community of artists, innovators, makers, and local business owners striving to revitalize downtown Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson Museum of Art and multiple independent art galleries are nearby, including the Degrazia Gallery, a historic gallery in the foothills of Tucson.
Historic Fourth Avenue is where we have a biannual Street fair. There are lots of shops and quirky places to poke around in. It, too, is near downtown Tucson. Google it for dates.
TUCSON GEM AND MINERALS SHOW: a must-see
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world. It has enjoyed international stature since the 1970s. Google it for exact dates. Hotels book up quickly, so plan ahead.
Tucson has a rich heritage and a beautiful desert landscape. We are in the Sonoran Desert, the only desert with Saguaro cactus. The area also has many other cactus trees and shrubs, beautiful mountains and rock formations, and unique animals and birds.
We will list a few of our favorite things to do here in Tucson.
Saguaro National Park
Contrary to the popular notion that desert landscapes are barren and uninhabitable, Saguaro National Park is teeming with life. The unique climate, combined with varied topography, leads to an incredible diversity of species throughout the Sonoran Desert and within Saguaro National Park.
Mount Lemmon :
Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, at more than 9,000 feet. In the warmer months, visit this mountain retreat to cool off and enjoy a snowy playground in the winter.
Sabino Canyon:
Water in the desert is always a welcome sight, especially when summer temperatures heat up. Sabino Canyon has year-round water sources that swell during the rainy seasons and again with winter snow runoff from Mount Lemmon. Many hikes lead to swimming holes in the canyon. I highly recommend it. Sabino Canyon is a wonderful but very popular natural area near Tucson. There is an entrance fee, but a National Parks Pass gets you in for free. At the base, there is a gift shop, information area, and restrooms.
Desert Museum: a must-see
The Museum is regularly listed as one of the top ten zoological parks in the world due to its unique approach to interpreting the complete natural history of a single region (in our case, the Sonoran Desert and adjacent ecosystems). It is a wonderful place to visit with groups or alone. Lots of educational information is available, and guides are present to answer questions. It is well worth a few hours to explore and learn about the desert. There are also great photo opportunities.
Pima Air and Space Museum:
The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government-funded aviation and space museums in the world. It features over 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner.
FUN DAY TRIPS
Almost Mexico:
If you want to experience Mexico without crossing the border, Nogales, Arizona, is only one hour away. You can also park on the US side and walk across the border to shop. You will need a passport or Trusted Traveler card, such as a Global Entry card.
Tubac, Tombstone and Bisbee
On the I-19 highway, from Tucson to Nogales, there is an art town called Tubac. Tubac offers an astonishing array of premium galleries, unique shopping, fine art, and dining. Here, one can also find world-renowned birding, hiking (or strolling), biking, holistic health and spa treatments, wine tastings, and art classes.
Tombstone and Bisbee, Arizona, are east of us, and you can do Tombstone and Tubac on the same-day trip.
Tombstone is home to the OK Corral, the legendary honky-tonk Bird Cage Theatre, the Oriental Saloons, and the Tombstone Epitaph, the longest-running newspaper in the West.
Bisbee, Arizona, is famous for its turquoise. A haven for creatives, this historic mining town has maintained its authentic Western quirk to the delight of visitors. Over the past century or so, Bisbee has transformed from a booming mining town to an arts and culture community.
Biosphere 2:
University of Arizona Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe.
Karchner Cavern: a must see
Kartchner Caverns is home to One of the world's longest soda straw stalactites: 21 feet 3 inches (Throne Room). The tallest and most massive column in Arizona, Kubla Khan, is 58 feet tall (Throne Room).The world's most extensive formation of brushite moon milk (Big Room)
We hope you come to stay with us here in sunny Tucson, Arizona, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Agape!
