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 See Nogales, Mexican border town |
200 East 35th Street Tucson, AZ 85713 United States +1 520 791 0210 |
This operator conducts coach tours of Northern and Southern Arizona, day trips to Tombstone, Bisbee, and Phoenix, and a city tour of the Old Pueblo including all the historic sights and lunch at Old Town Artisans. Because Tucson is so close to the Mexican border, visitors might also consider a day trip to the colorful Arizona/Mexican town of Nogales. Coaches pick up at some hotels, call for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Canyons and cliffs |
11570 Oracle Road Tucson, AZ 85740 United States +1 520 628 5798 |
Located about 12 miles north of the city on Arizona Highway 77 (Oracle Road), this park affords the best views of the canyons and domes of the Catalina Mountains. A multitude of birds, snakes and lizards inhabit the lower regions, while deer and bighorn sheep roam the high country. The park offers an interpretive trail of an ancient Hohokam village. Picnicking and camping are available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Angela Wagner |
 Photo: Paige Laase |
 Photo: Jennifer Lorca Root |
 Photo: Laura Song |
 Photo: garibaldicu |
 Photo: Paul Steele |
 Photo: The Artist Formerly |
 Photo: Anne Canright |
 Photo: David Mintz |
 Photo: Mikhail Siskoff |
 Photo: Matt Townsend |
 Photo: Richard Oed |
 Photo: davidb8701 |
 Photo: hullraisere |
 Photo: Raquel Hirai |
 Photo: Mel Cortez, Iowa |
 Photo: emily churchill |
 Photo: Jay Shuga |
 Photo: AZ Bird-brain |
 Photo: Dora Snyder |
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Spectacular vistas |
7180 North Alvernon Way (trailhead) Tucson, AZ 85718 United States +1 520 299 1771 |
This is a pretty fair climb, but it's worth all the sweating and panting it requires: the vistas from different vantage points are simply stunning. Once you're past the trailhead on Alvernon Way, you'll encounter a fork giving you the choice between the Finger Rock and the Pontatoc Trail. The Finger Rock Trail climbs about 4,000 feet in elevation, stretched over approximately five miles. The hike takes you along the saguaros, prickly pears and ocotillos of the Sonoran Desert vegetation zone up to the jagged, pine-covered peaks of the Catalina Mountains Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Charles Miles |
 Photo: Laurie C. Switzer |
 Photo: Andrew Harris |
 Photo: Jason Meffe |
 Photo: Laird Close |
 Photo: Vimala |
 Photo: Robert C. Hutchinson  |
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Off-Roading in the Desert |
12200 East Tanque Verde Road Tucson, AZ 85749 United States +1 520 977 6615 http://www.hummertoursoftucson... |
Hummer Tours of Tucson is here to provide you with a fun and unique way to see and explore beautiful Southern Arizona. Whether you are visiting the area, or call the Sonoran Desert home, Hummer Tours of Tucson can find an adventure perfect for you. They offer many different trails to choose from ranging from easy trails to take in the scenery to some of the most rugged terrain that will put your Hummer and its off road capabilities to the test. Prices start at USD99 with tours lasting one to eight hours. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Kitt Peak National Observatory |
Highway 86 and Junction 386 (12 miles from this point, atop Kitt Peak) Tucson, AZ 86534 United States +1 520 318 8726 http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpvc |
Southern Arizona's clear skies are ideal to host the world's largest observatory. Located 56 miles southwest of Tucson on top of a rugged mountain range, Kitt Peak features the world's largest collection of telescopes and frequently contributes to important astronomical discoveries. The observatory is open to the public. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: motionblur |
 Photo: Todd Blackwell |
 Photo: anais sonder |
 Photo: Jeff Medkeff |
 Photo: Robert Chehoski |
 Photo: Race700 |
 Photo: Jeffery Sterner |
 Photo: Bill Korn |
 Photo: H. Krug |
 Photo: Dominik Kreutz |
 Photo: Ross DeMeyere |
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Birds, bears and bobcats |
Exit 63 off Interstate 10 End of 16-mile paved road Tucson, AZ 85747 United States |
This riparian area in the Santa Rita Mountains 38 miles south of Tucson is a bird watcher's paradise. More than 200 species of birds have been spotted here, sharing their habitat with such unusual animals as javelinas, coatamundis and mountain lions. An 11-mile round trip hike takes you from sparse desert vegetation at the bottom of the canyon to green pinion and juniper forests near the top of Mt. Wrightson. Bring plenty of food and water, as there are no services along the trail. The lower portion of the canyon offers a popular picnic spot for Mexican-Americans and large families. Take the Continental (63) exit from I-19, then follow the signs. Access is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Holly H |
 Photo: Jordan |
 Photo: ccantor |
 Photo: Michael Frans |
 Photo: Bill Brymer |
 Photo: jworley |
 Photo: Mick Jeffries |
 Photo: Kristina |
 Photo: Dell Thornhill |
 Photo: Andrew Goss |
 Photo: R. S. Walker |
 Photo: Greta Polo |
 Photo: Tom Merigan |
 Photo: forsmanchloe |
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The height of Tucson's scenic landscape |
Catalina Highway Tucson, AZ 85619 United States +1 520 624 1817 (Convention & Visitors Bureau) |
See Tucson from a birds-eye view. Take Catalina Highway 30 miles through the Coronado National Forest, where giant Saguaro cacti tower and a variety of desert vegetation blooms year around. Stop at the Seven Cataracts and Windy Pointe Vista for scenic views of untamed mountain landscape surrounding the distant lights of Tucson. Visit Ski Valley. The lift operates year-round offering visitors a ride to the sky. Follow signs to Summerhaven, and browse the rustic shops or book a cozy Mount Lemmon cabin. Make a day of it! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kurt Neurauter |
 Photo: Geoff Stearns |
 Photo: mikiedoggie |
 Photo: Kent Abercrombie |
 Photo: Brett Kotlus |
 Photo: Thomas Stapelberg |
 Photo: Carl Ekman |
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 Photo: Eric Durr |
 Photo: John Chedsey |
 Photo: Frank Kloos |
 Photo: Cassie Hough |
 Photo: Michael Whitfield |
 Photo: Ling Seow Kang |
 Photo: Jayant Pratap |
 Photo: corey knafelz |
 Photo: Andrew Myers |
 Photo: mps6006 |
 Photo: John |
 Photo: Cindy Laughlin |
 Photo: Chuck and Kelly Konopa |
 Photo: ronald_johnson@ameritech.net |
 Photo: Herb |
 Photo: Todd Dixon |
 Photo: www.GiovanniRomeo.co |
 Photo: Henrique Cabral |
 Photo: Drennen Brown |
 Photo: Josie Fraser |
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Western-themed Theme Park |
201 South Kinney Road (I-10 south to Speedway exit; drive west following the signs) Tucson, AZ 85735 United States +1 520 883 0100 http://www.oldtucson.com/ |
Referred to as "Hollywood in the Desert," Old Tucson Studios is the most famous movie studio in the world. Plan to take the entire family and spend an entire day immersed in the "Old West" theme. Take care, you might run into bandits while strolling the streets or witness a bank robbery in progress. More than 350 movies have been filmed in this studio, now home to commercial photography, film and television productions. Admissions: adults $14.95; kids $9.45; under 4 are free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Chinky Liban |
 Photo: Evan Agee |
 Photo: Jerome Berner |
 Photo: Cara-Mia |
 Photo: Beate Hartvigsen |
 Photo: Julia Ryan |
 Photo: Bernita, BreAnna, Bianca, & Posh Adventure |
 Photo: Bert |
 Photo: shrike_ecm |
 Photo: john p |
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An emerging artists' colony |
Highway 77 Tucson, AZ 85623 United States +1 520 896 9322 (Chamber of Commerce) |
This former mining town, about 40 miles north of Tucson, has rapidly become another destination for art tourists. It's not a complete art colony like Tubac, but you'll find several shops along the main road featuring the work of local artisans, and there are more interesting things to do and see there than first meets the eye. Some of these interesting things include Columbia University's Biosphere 2, Peppersauce Canyon, the Arcadia Ranch Museum for local artifacts plus several Mexican restaurants. This town is definitely worth a trip. Take Oracle Road north to the fork at Oracle Junction, then turn right on AZ Highway 77. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andy Schile |
 Photo: Clioe |
 Photo: Edward M. Barrett |
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A desert canyon gem |
End of Magee Road Tucson, AZ 85737 United States |
Pima Canyon rivals Sabino Canyon in grandeur, and it just never gets as crowded. From the parking lot at the end of Magee Road, the trail takes you into a pristine high-desert canyon that seems to be hundreds of miles from any urban area. You're likely to see most of the birds common to the Sonoran Desert such as cardinals, rock wrens and band verdins, but the real treat for any hiker is to watch the silhouette of a golden eagle soaring above the cliffs; if you're really lucky, you might even spot some Bighorn Sheep high on the rocks above you. You can turn around anytime, or decide to continue the strenuous hike all the way up to Mt. Lemmon. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Gary Tenen |
 Photo: Maggieness |
 Photo: Andrew Young |
 Photo: Christopher Moran © |
 Photo: David Boswell |
 Photo: John Togasaki |
 Photo: Laura Hulse |
 Photo: Larry Sloma |
 Photo: Kathrine Bamfield |
 Photo: Candace Glass |
 Photo: Carsten Horz |
 Photo: Gary Freiburger |
 Photo: Angela Hoover Dorton |
 Photo: Dana Underwood |
 Photo: beloron |
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A tram ride into the canyon |
5600 North Sabino Canyon Road Tucson, AZ 85750 United States +1 520 749 2861 / +1 520 749 2327 (Shuttle Information) http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/corona... |
Of all the natural attractions in and around Tucson, Sabino Canyon is certainly the most popular. This large chasm in the Santa Catalina Mountains is where ancient Hohokam people built irrigation dams while mammoths roamed the ground. Access is free, but there is a charge for parking. Highlights are swimming (conditions allowing) in clear pools after a six-mile hike to Seven Falls and summer evening shuttle rides by pre-paid reservations. Sabino tram and bear shuttles rides are available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: nikoncognac |
 Photo: Curtis Morgan |
 Photo: Ian Wajand |
 Photo: jono jasberg |
 Photo: Kevin Lee |
 Photo: Maroy Melin |
 Photo: Eyz |
 Photo: SecondChld |
 Photo: anna_wolitzky |
 Photo: Mike Garrone |
 Photo: a_journey_man |
 Photo: Kurt Langheld |
 Photo: Erica |
 Photo: robert becker |
 Photo: Issey Umeda |
 Photo: Mark Krueger |
 Photo: Chin-Chung Wu |
 Photo: vlc4649 |
 Photo: kenkopal |
 Photo: Philippe Bierny |
 Photo: Heather Traxler |
 Photo: leo stefan |
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 Photo: Douglas Sitvarin |
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 Photo: Randy Rohde |
 Photo: Sam Storicks |
 Photo: Kevin Turausky |
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 Photo: Catherine Gallagher |
 Photo: Jim Grandy |
 Photo: Ted |
 Photo: lostulalume |
 Photo: Wayne Elgin |
 Photo: Eve L'Ecuyer |
 Photo: Ellen Meiselman |
 Photo: Kati Wilson |
 Photo: Franklin Christos |
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A park in the desert |
2700 North Kinney Road (Westside) Heidi Schewel 3693 South Old Spanish Trail (Eastside) Tucson, AZ 85743 United States +1 520 749 7720 http://www.saguaro.national-pa... |
Designated in 1994 and covers Tucson from two sides, Saguaro National Park gives protection to native and animals and plants, most prominently the stately Saguaro cactus is a well-known icon of the Arizonan and Mexican deserts. Both locations have loop roads for driving and cycling, visitor's centers, bookstores, hiking trails, picnic areas and exhibit centers. The Westside park also has a remarkable ancient petroglyph site. Rangers offer special interpretative hikes on request. There is no admission fee for the Westside; however, the Eastside park charges for per car. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Marc Shandro |
 Photo: Matt Peeples |
 Photo: JMG |
 Photo: jrrosenberg |
 Photo: Derek DeVries |
 Photo: Lee Harkness |
 Photo: Kenny Stuck |
 Photo: Theo Albers |
 Photo: Leone |
 Photo: Lyle Ford |
 Photo: Philip J. Monahan |
 Photo: spauldi1 |
 Photo: Hsien-wei Wayne Peng |
 Photo: Roxane Velozo |
 Photo: Jonathan Reinink |
 Photo: Russell Schuetz |
 Photo: Adam Delezenne |
 Photo: Candace B. Paulman |
 Photo: Gary Sanders |
 Photo: W.W. Dyall |
 Photo: phil Prehn |
 Photo: Teryn Gull |
 Photo: Curt Blanchard |
 Photo: P. Bovin - NPS |
 Photo: Kingston_Ron |
 Photo: catherine paganucci |
 Photo: Kelly Anderson |
 Photo: Pascale Saravelli |
 Photo: Wilson Hardcastle |
 Photo: alisser |
 Photo: Arlen E. Breiholz |
 Photo: Jonathan Gittins |
 Photo: 34ever |
 Photo: Scott |
 Photo: Yuko Watanabe |
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Miles of hiking trails |
Mount Lemmon Highway (Coronado National Forest) Tucson, AZ 85619 United States |
Enjoy cool air and mountain scenery at this ragged mountain range north of the city. Crowned by 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon, the range dominates the Tucson basin and offers 150 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty. The drive up passes cliffs and canyons, lined with saguaro cactus, through pinions and junipers, to cool pine forests and lakes near the top. Some campgrounds charge a fee for overnight stays. Take Tanque Verde Road east to Catalina Highway (Mount Lemmon Highway). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Adam Fritzler |
 Photo: D. Bryan Johnson |
 Photo: Tim Stahmer |
 Photo: Michael Stone |
 Photo: Michael Estes |
 Photo: jeremy.rmiller |
 Photo: vickigupta |
 Photo: Matt Ried |
 Photo: Eleys |
 Photo: William Bauer |
 Photo: John Gardner |
 Photo: FrozenChris |
 Photo: Brianne Ince |
 Photo: Andy12-74 |
 Photo: Micah Caudle |
 Photo: Paul Westcott |
 Photo: Jennifer Cora |
 Photo: Juliet Bresler |
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Explore the Southwest in a train |
11415 South Contractors Way Tucson, AZ 85714 United States +1 520 747 0346 / +1 800 666 0346 http://www.sierramadreexpress.com |
See the Old West the way the first settlers did. The Sierra Madre Express allows you to explore northern Mexico from the comfort of a refurbished rail car, view the scenic beauty of fabled Copper Canyon, relax in the beach resort of San Carlos on the Gulf of California, or visit Mexico's colonial cities. This is for travelers who love the romance and nostalgia of train travel. Passengers usually spend a few nights in Mexican inns and hotels, as well as on the train. Call ahead for schedules and prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Guided tours with cowboys |
1220 South Alvernon Way 22nd Street and Alvernon Tucson, AZ 85711 United States +1 520 579 9330 |
The tour guides here dress up as cowboys, carrying guns and other indispensable western paraphernalia, to make your trip as authentic as possible. Travel to wild places on rough roads in an open jeep, while the guides explain, to the best of their knowledge, the geology and archaeology of the country. Destinations are Reddington Pass and Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains, plus Windy Point during the summer months for a first-hand experience of the monsoons that lash the area in July and August. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Daina Dajevskis |
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A day in the Tortolitas |
9040 North Oracle Road Tucson, AZ 85737 United States +1 520 742 1943 http://www.sunshinejeeptours.com |
This company takes visitors on open jeep tours into the Tortolita Mountains, northwest of Tucson to see the wildlife and archaeology of that rugged terrain. You'll be riding in a 4-wheel drive jeep on bumpy gravel roads, but that's the only way to get there. The guides will take desert critters like snakes and tarantulas on the trip for you to view and touch. Trips usually feature a barbecue at the end of the day. Such a deal! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Off road southern Arizona |
1665 South Craycroft Road Tucson, AZ 85711 United States +1 520 747 0323 |
Trail Dust Adventures specializing in jeep trips to the Tortolita Mountains and the Reddington Pass east of the Catalina Mountains. These are ecology tours run by very knowledgeable tour guides concentrating on the fauna, flora and people of the mountains and deserts of Tucson. Water and soda are provided and special arrangements can be made for barbecues and picnics. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Call of the Wildcats |
Cherry Avenue and University Boulevard (Visitor Center) Tucson, AZ 85721 United States +1 520 621 5130 / +1 520 621 2211 |
You've heard that wild cats roam the Sonoran Desert. Visit the historically significant U of A campus and discover that Wildcats rule the playing field as well. Tour the grounds, first broken for construction in 1887 and experience the sites, sounds and action that helped make this campus one of the top-rated schools in the nation today. Take in a light and laser show at Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium or a stage show at Centennial Hall. Wildcat souvenirs are available for sports enthusiasts of all ages. Contact the Visitor Center in advance for a guided walking tour, hosted by a U of A student. Visitor parking and public transportation are available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Prabjit Virdee |
 Photo: Bill Walsh |
 Photo: Tim Stahmer |
 Photo: Lisa Johanna Hyde |
 Photo: William Liow |
 Photo: Juliana Diaz |
 Photo: Robert Garcia |
 Photo: Andrew Wyss |
 Photo: MaHusain |
 Photo: Aliyah Vinikoor |
 Photo: Matt Holzmann |
 Photo: Ralph Toyama |
 Photo: Romantchou |
 Photo: Jesse Gill |
 Photo: Randy Graham |
 Photo: Project Vote Smart |
 Photo: Matthew Contreras |
 Photo: Katherine Kershaw |
 Photo: Eric Fortin |