Of all the natural attractions in and around Tucson, Sabino Canyon is certainly one of 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. The canyon and its surrounding area is a beautiful natural oasis thriving with desert flora and fauna, including a variety of cacti, butterflies and flowers, along with clear pools of water. You can reach the canyon via a picturesque hike or opt for the tram which offers spectacular views of the forest along the way.
The Reid Park Zoo is one of the major attractions in the city. Due to its relatively small size, the zoo can be explored at a leisurely pace in less than two hours. In their natural habitats, the wild animals make for a fascinating sight. From giraffes, tigers to peacocks, rhinos, elephants and bears, Reid Park Zoo has them all and many more.
Tucson Botanical Gardens is a major tourist attraction in the city that's not meant just for plant lovers. Apart from a rich collection of cacti and desert wildflowers, the gardens offer an educational walk around the history of the native Tohono O'odham Indians and the efforts of local scientists to preserve native seeds. Don't miss the wonderful Nuestro Jardin, the traditional Mexican-American neighborhood garden, or the shaded restaurant patio.
Located in downtown Tucson, the Tucson Children's Museum offers interactive exhibit areas that allow children to explore and discover things for themselves. The different exhibits here are constantly changing, but in the past have included Dinosaur Canyon, the TCM Bakery and Farmer's Market, Wee World, the ZOOMzone, and the Ocean Discovery Center. Parents just love bringing their children here because not only will the little ones have a great time, but they will learn something as well.
Located at the University of Arizona campus, the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is the place to go for astronomy buffs of all ages. Attend the special planetarium shows here, complete with high definition digital dome projection. Kids will have fun participating in the hands-on science exhibits and exploring the history of planet earth at the mineral museum. The planetarium show themes change every month, but the fact that their star projector can show over 8,000 stars never changes.
Center For Creative Photography is one of the nation's finest museums of photographic art. Founded in 1975 with the aid of world-renowned photographer Ansel Adams as part of the University of Arizona Art Complex, the Center is now an established institution offering public access to its large photo collection and research facilities. Today it is home to over 200 archival photo collections, as well as 90,000 photos by over 2,200 photographers. Gifts and photo publications are available at the on-site gift store.
Want to try some hands-on archaeology? Here is a non-profit organization encouraging visitors to participate in digs at the Sabino Canyon Ruin in the Catalina Mountains foothills. You can actually do the digging for pots buried in a mock archaeological site, then make your own American Indian artifacts. Call in advance. Reservations are required.
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 flora-fauna and people of the mountains and deserts of Tucson. Water and soda are provided and special arrangements can be made for barbecues and picnics.
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.
This gallery is one of the oldest places in the Southwest, to showcase the people and the wildlife of the American West. All the art, at Settlers West Galleries, is representational, and the owners make a point of selecting the finest in the field. Painters Howard Terpning, Kenneth Riley, and Harley Brown are among the Western artists featured. There is a fine art as well as a book and print gallery for you to browse and select a souvenir from the West.
Copper Mine Brewing Company is a startup brewery in Tucson. They have started off with serving six different types of craft beer on taps like Imperial Brown Ale, Copper Ale, Pale Ale, Irish Red Ale, Blue Agave Hibiscus Blonde Ale, etc and a few more will be added making it ten craft beer taps. All beers served are of high quality and are tasty. Those who prefer snacks with their drinks can buy their food from the food trucks parked at the front of the brewery; they generally serve German and Mexican fast food items which go well with the beers. This is an ideal place to come and enjoy a pint of beer after a day’s work or simple enjoy a weekend drinking beer in the company of friends.