Tucson is a beloved city for residents and visitors alike, and there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained, young and old. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Tucson or you have lived here all your life, Tohono Chul Park is one of those attractions that’ll keep you coming back again and again. In offering guests a dose of nature, art and culture, this award-winning park and garden always makes for a fascinating and educational outing for the entire family.

Tohono Chul Park was named one of the World’s Great Botanical Gardens by Travel + Leisure and it was listed by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 22 Secret Gardens in the U.S., and it’s easy to understand why. Tohono Chul Park features beautiful gardens and nature trails, art exhibits, special events like lectures and concerts, guided tours and classes, a charming tea room for dining, shopping opportunities and more.

The variety of activities and attractions along with the changing seasons make for a different experience each time you visit Tohono Chul Park. If you’re looking to stroll through the gardens, you may witness a flash flood irrigating the Sin Agua Garden or find beautiful wildflowers growing rapidly during the springtime. The park is also convenient for guests of varying ages as it includes a Children’s Garden for younger visitors and the Sonoran Seasons Garden and Hummingbird Garden, which are easy to find for those with limited mobility or time.

Tohono Chul Park also includes plenty to keep the art enthusiast excited, as it was awarded the prestigious Lumie Award in 2009 and works to display regional artwork of the Southwest in their adobe Exhibit House, which was built as a private home in 1937. In addition, the park includes a Gallery which features smaller-scale artwork and more focused shows. The exhibits change every four to six weeks, and a way to stay on top of all of the artistic happenings at Tohono is to log on to the park’s Web site.

Finally, what would a peaceful afternoon out be without a great meal to go with it? The Tohono Chul Park Tea Room is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea (it is a tea room, after all). Managed by Chef Albert Hall and his wife Lila Yamashiro (owners of the award-winning Acacia at St. Philips Plaza), the Tea Room has a gorgeous outdoor courtyard setting and delicious food to match. Meals at the Tea Room are created from primarily local, organic and sustainable ingredients and always feature a regional flare.

For more information on Tohono Chul Park, visit www.tohonochulpark.org.