Tucson Guidebook: Top Places to Visit & Things to Do

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Things to Do: 

• Hiking
• Bicycling
• Camping
• Night Hikes
• Cactus Gardens
• Guided programs

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. It is one of the top places to visit in Tucson.

Website: 

https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

Things to Do: 

• Mountain Biking/Cycling
• Rock Climbing
• Camping
• Skiing (Winter season)
• Star Gazing
• Dining

Mount Lemmon is one of the top places to visit in Tucson. It is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, topping out at more than 9,000 feet. Visit this mountain retreat to cool off in the warmer months and to enjoy a snowy playground in winter. Top cyclists from around the world come here to train on one of the best tests of climbing and descending in the country. 

Website:

https://mtlemmon.com/mt-lemmon-attractions/

Things to Do: 

• Walking
• Hiking
• Wildlife viewing
• Photography
• Swimming holes
• Sabino Sunsets

Come to Sabino to see water in the desert. Between steep rock cliffs and unique desert vegetation you will find riparian corridors. It is one of the top places to visit while you're in Tucson.

Many local people call Sabino Canyon their second home. Visitors walk, jog, hike, wildlife viewing, photography and so much more. If you want to bicycle in, the Canyon times are limited to after 5pm. There are over 30 miles of trails. 

Website:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=75425

Things to Do: 

• Walking
• Biking
• Hiking
• Wildlife viewing
• Photography
• Sunsets

Sentinel Peak also known as “A” Mountain, is a prominent landmark, hiking trail, park and sunset-watching destination in the Tucson Mountains, deserves a spot in out Tucson Guidebook. 

Every day, hundreds of people walk, bike and drive on Sentinel Peak Road, which climbs and encircles Sentinel Peak Park. The 2,897-foot mountain is made up of several layers of igneous rock representing various types of volcanic activity, though the mountain itself is not a volcano. Sentinel Peak and the surrounding Santa Cruz Valley have a rich archaeological history dating back over 4,000 years.  

Website:

https://www.visittucson.org/listing/sentinel-peak-a-mountain/1253/

Things to Do: 

• Bird Watching
• Enjoy a picnic
• Go on a walk or run
• Take your dog for a walk
• Picturesque background

Agua Caliente, literally meaning hot water, is a unique 101-acre park that features a perennial warm spring and pond that is home to an exceptionally rich mix of plants and animals. Discover the millennia-old history and stewardship of Agua Caliente Park, one of Pima County's most beloved public spaces and top places to visit in Tucson.

Website:

https://www.tucsontopia.com/agua-caliente-park/

Things to Do: 

• Walking
• Butterfly Watching
• Nature Photography

The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a beautiful oasis with themed gardens, including a butterfly greenhouse, a Zen garden, and a cactus and succulent collection. It’s a great spot for leisurely walks and nature photography making it one of the top places to visit in our Tucson Guidebook.

Website:

https://tucsonbotanical.org/

Things to Do: 

• Walking
• Animal Watching
• Nature Photography

Just a short drive south, Reid Park Zoo offers an up-close look at animals from around the world. It’s perfect for families or anyone who enjoys wildlife. 

Gene C. Reid Park

This large park adjacent to the zoo features walking trails, picnic areas, a duck pond, and plenty of green space for relaxing or playing outdoor games.

Website:

https://reidparkzoo.org/

Things to Do: 

• Walking
• Shopping
• Dining
• Drinking

The Historic Fourth Avenue Shopping District, is a must visit in our Tucson Guidebook. Nestled between University Boulevard and 9th Street in central Tucson, is a vibrant hub for shoppers seeking unique and artistic treasures. Located between downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona, this eclectic area features over 100 boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, making it a must-visit destination for exploration and discovery.

Website:

https://fourthavenue.org/

Things to Do: 

• Golfing

Randolph Dell Urich Golf Course is a nearby course provides a well-maintained layout with scenic views and a challenge for golfers of all levels.

Website:

https://www.tucsoncitygolf.com/randolph-dell-urich-golf-course/

Things to Do: 

• Golfing

Arizona National Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, was voted best public golf course in Tucson, Arizona. Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains and abutting the Coronado National Forest, Arizona National follows the rugged natural flow of the land across shady mesquite-lined arroyos and skirts craggy rock outcroppings.

Website:

https://www.arizonanationalgolfclub.com/

Things to Do: 

• Golfing

Forty Niner Country Club is an upscale, semi-private facility designed by William Francis Bell. The course opened in 1961 and though not as demanding as the many desert-style courses in the area, the tree lined fairways and tightly guarded doglegs pose the same challenges it did almost 50 years ago when the club hosted the PGA Tour’s Tucson Open in 1963-1964.

Website:

https://www.fortyninercc.com/

Things to Do: 

• Golfing

Fred Enke Goldf Course offers golfers an interesting and challenging approach to golf course design. The major features of the course are its vast teeing areas, large greens, strategic bunkers and sand traps, and most important of all, its concept as a semi-arid, limited turf course. Grass is used only on the tees, ball landing areas, and greens, with undisturbed native plants comprising the remainder of the landscaping. Golfers have the option of four teeing areas. They range from 6,800 to 5,000 yards. Because of the hilly terrain, golf carts are recommended.

Website:

https://www.tucsoncitygolf.com/fred-enke/

Sonoita, Arizona, is truly a unique destination in our Tucson Guidebook, and while there’s plenty to share about this charming area, here are the top three things you should know:

• Cooler High Country: Situated at a higher elevation, Sonoita offers a refreshing climate compared to Tucson or Phoenix. To put it in perspective, the nightly lows in Phoenix are often similar to our daytime highs here.

• Arizona’s Wine Capital: This region is Arizona's premier wine country, officially recognized as an American Viticultural Area by the ATF. With over 40 years of active wineries and ranching and farming traditions dating back to the 1830s—and over 4,000 years of agricultural history—the area is a testament to time-honored craftsmanship and fertile soil.

• Easy to Reach: Sonoita is just a 45-minute drive from Tucson, and getting to spots like Hops & Vines couldn’t be simpler. From I-10, take two scenic turns: head south (right) onto Highway 83, drive 16 miles, then turn east (left) onto Highway 82 at the stop sign. In just 2 miles, you’ll find it on your left.

Come explore the charm, history, and flavors of Sonoita!

Things to Do: 

• Wine tasting
• Private Tours
• Cycling
• Hiking

Although wine is a great reason to come down to AZ Hops and Vines, eventually you will want to eat, and Sonoita has some very fine restaurants – some of the best in Arizona. There are also gift shops, artisan studios and other cottage-industry businesses here, ranging from Native American jewelry and rugs, fine apparel, alpacas, cycling, caverns, hiking, handmade pottery, and all sorts of other stuff.

Website:

https://www.azhopsandvines.com/

Things to Do: 

• Wine tasting
• Private Tours
• Cycling
• Hiking

The oldest commercial vineyard and winery in Arizona, Sonoita Vineyards was started in 1974, opened in 1983 and now includes over 30 acres of vines. Located in Southern Arizona, Sonoita Vineyards is roughly an hour southeast of Tucson and 3 hours from Phoenix. Perched at an elevation of 5,000 feet among rolling grasslands, the vineyard is surrounded on three sides by soaring mountain ranges. This hillside planting protects the vines from harsh winds and frost. Aided by the unique growing conditions of the Sonoita Appellation (AVA – American Viticultural Area), the winery consistently creates award winning wines ranging from crisp and fruity to bold and complex.

Website:

https://www.sonoitavineyards.com/

Things to Do: 

• Walk the historic Downtown
• Attend the OK Corral reenactment
• Tour an old mine
• Dining, etc...

Tombstone is the perfect day trip from Tucson to get glimpse of the old Wild West. Tombstone has something for everyone… whether it’s an interest in the Wild West, mining, the paranormal, the natural environment, or even the fine arts, you can find a way to be entertained. 

Website:

https://thelifestyletravelers.com/is-tombstone-arizona-worth-visiting