Tucson has a variety of tours, hikes, museums, and gardens. Discover the wonders and hidden gems that lie in Tucson. Here are 10 things to do while in Tucson.
Old Tucson Studios
Travel back in time to the days of the Wild West with saloons, six shooter pistols, and can-can dancers. Located at the base of the Tucson Mountains sits the Old Tucson Studios, voted one of the best western movie sets by True West magazine and is among five one-of-a-kind Tucson sites by USA Today. Become immersed in gunfights, stunt shows, and can-can dances. By the end of the day you can take home a grand souvenir: a family western portrait, old western clothing included, perfect for framing. Tickets are $16.95 for adults, $10.95 for children. The Second annual Wild West Days, celebrating western heritage, will take place Friday, April 1 to April 4. Tickets are $16.95 for adults, $10.95 for children. 520.883.0100, www.oldtucson.com
Pima Air & Space Museum
Being one of the largest aviation museums in the world, you won't want to miss cruising by here. With a collection of over 300 air and spacecrafts from around the world, including some rare and one-of-a-kind items, it is truly a sight to see on the 80-acre plot. Some of the collection includes President John F. Kennedy's Air Force One, SR-71 Blackbird, and a rare World War II German V-1 “buzz-bomb”. Tours are offered at the "Boneyard", the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. Tickets are $15.50 for adults, $9 for children. 520.574.0462, www.pimaair.org
Reid Park Zoo
Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh, my! No, this isn't a Wizard of Oz movie montage, but some of the animals at the Reid Park Zoo, located in the center of Tucson. Its 17-acre campus includes giraffes, polar bears, rhinos, zebras, elephants, as well as curious animals such as the mandrill, macaw, lar gibbon, and the newest additions, saurus cranes. Perfect for a warm, sunny day is the Kenya Get Wet, an interactive wet play area. Bring the whole family for a fun day of sun, water, trains and animals to boot. Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for children. 520.791.4022, www.tucsonzoo.org
Biosphere 2
Recently named one of the 50 must see “Wonders of the World” by Time Life Books is the Biosphere 2, located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Inside you will find a thriving tropical rainforest, fog desert, mangrove wetlands, a Savannah grassland, and an ocean complete with coral reef. Learn more about this exciting technology with the “Let's Talk Science!” lecture series. Tickets for the Biosphere 2 are $20 for adults, $13 for children, tours included in the price. 520.838.6200, www.b2science.org
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Discover nature's precious treasures at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. On the property you will find numerous gardens. Herb, wildflower, iris, aloe, and cactus are just a few gardens here. Now open is Butterfly Magic, where hundreds of rare and exotic tropical butterflies from Asia, Australia, Africa and Central America glide freely throughout the exhibit. Tickets for the butterfly exhibit are just $12 for adults, and $6.50 for children. General admission for the Botanical Gardens is $8 for adults, $4 for children. 520.326.9686, www.tucsonbotanical.org
Sabino Canyon
Go on an adventure at Sabino Canyon, located in the Coronado National Forest in Tucson. The Sabino Canyon Trail tour will take you on a 45-minute tour which covers 3.8 miles of land and includes nine stops along the way. Go ahead and hike a number of trails including Blackett's Ridge Trail and Telephone Line Trail. Tickets for the Sabino Canyon Trail are $8 for adults, $4 for children. For a more integrated hike, take the Bear Canyon Trail tram, a two-mile tour that travels to the trail head of Seven Fall, with three stops along the way. Feel free to get off at any stop, where you can hike different trails. Just be prepared to wait at least an hour for the next tram! Tickets for the Bear Canyon Trail are $3 for adults, $1 for children. 520.749.2861, www.sabinocanyon.com
eegee's
You can't leave Tucson without stopping by eegee's, a local favorite for scrumptious frozen treats. Every month they have a special flavor, April being Orange Dream. Although they only have three everyday flavors, (Strawberry, Lemon, Pina Colada) there's no denying the popularity of this restaurant. The food is also to die for. Now having 22 locations, there's an eegee's near you. So what's stopping you from trying it! www.eegees.com
Vistoso Golf Club
FOUR! Get your golf on at the Vistoso Golf Club. The beautiful, award-winning 18-hole course is a golfer's dream, with perfect, mountain scenery surrounding. Golf Digest gave the Vistoso a 4.5 star rating out of 5, and has also been rated as one of the best public courses in Tucson. Rates start at $59, and after 1:30 p.m., rates start at $25. 520.797.9900, www.vistosogolf.com
Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum is the triple threat, fit for mother nature. Being a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden, it is the place to visit to kill three birds with one stone, per say. Experience over 300 animal species, 1,200 types of plants, and 21-acres of desert. 100-acres of Sonoran Desert is displayed as well, which is one of the most inspiring asset to the ASDM. Tickets prices vary based on months. 520.883.2702, www.desertmuseum.org
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Come take a tour of one of Tucson most historic sites. At the Mission San Xavier del Bac, time stands still. The beautiful Spanish architecture stands out against the barrin surroundings and transports you back to the 18th century. In 1963, it was recognized as a U.S. national landmark. 520.294.2624, www.sanxaviermission.org
