Things to Do in Tucson, Arizona

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum houses over 230 types of animals and 1,200 plant species on 98 acres where visitors get to explore and learn about Arizona's Sonoran Desert in a natural setting. The museum, one of the top Tucson attractions, was founded in 1952 and features an aquarium, unique botanical gardens, an art gallery, a natural history museum, and a zoo.

Two miles of walking paths take visitors through the desert habitat and the museum’s fascinating exhibits, including Desert Grassland, Life on the Rocks, the Cat Canyon, and the Desert Loop Trail.

2021 North Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-883-1380, Map

Saguaro National Park is best known as the home to the giant saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American West. Saguaros are found only in a very small part of the United States and are therefore fiercely protected. Saguaro National Park extends to the Tucson Mountain District, which is home to the coyote, desert tortoise, and Gambel’s quail. It also reaches the Rincon Mountain District, where the pine and mixed conifer forest provides shelter to black bears, Arizona mountain king snakes, Mexican spotted owls, and white-tailed deer.

A visit to this fascinating park is one of the best things to do in Tucson AZ. The park’s mission is to protect all species of the Sonoran desert through research, education, and conservation. The park has a number of guided tours and interpretative programs for visitors.

Tohono Chul Park is a 49-acre botanical garden, cultural museum, and nature preserve. Tohono Chul means “desert corner” in the language of the indigenous Tohono O’odham people of southern Arizona.

Located in Casas Adobes, a suburb of Tucson, the objective of Tohono Chul Park is to teach visitors about the art, culture, and nature of the Sonoran Desert area, allowing them to better appreciate and enjoy everything the area has to offer. If you are wondering what to do in Tucson with kids, this is a great place to visit.

With the Santa Catalina Mountains in the background, the park is a truly beautiful place, and is also home to various types of wildlife like birds, bobcats, and the reptilian Gila monsters. Some of the exhibits include Desert Palm Oasis, Ethnobotanical Garden, Geology Wall, Riparian Habitat, and Sonoran Seasons Garden.

7366 North Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ, Phone: 520-742-6455, Map

White Stallion Ranch is located about 21 miles west of downtown Tucson just next to Saguaro National Park. It is a traditional dude ranch that offers accommodations, meals, horseback rides, and riding lessons.

The Ranch also has a heated pool, a recreation room and exercise room, and a petting zoo. If you are looking for things to do in Tucson with kids, this is a great place to visit. Guests may select from several types of horse rides: all-day rides, half-day rides, fast or slow rides, mountain rides, wine and cheese rides, or beer and Cheetos rides. The White Stallion is the perfect place for children and families, and it caters to all levels of riders.

White Stallion Ranch, 9251 West Twin Peaks Road, Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-297-0252

The St. Philips Farmers Market is not to be missed on your trip to Tucson. It is one of the biggest markets in Southwestern Arizona and brings together many local farmers and vendors every Saturday and Sunday.

The market has an excellent reputation for the high quality of the produce sold there, including a diverse selection of locally grown vegetables and fruit. In addition to produce, vendors sell flowers, freshly brewed coffee, pretzels, homemade soaps and baskets.

St. Philips Farmers Market, St. Philip's Plaza, 4380 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-261-6982

Arizona State Museum is the perfect place to take in the incredibly rich cultures of the Southwest all in one place.

This museum, run by the University of Arizona, has a number of permanent collections and frequent temporary exhibits, all of which are fascinating. Some of the most significant collections are the collection of 25,000 baskets and other woven pieces made by Southwest Indians. There is also a collection of more than 20,000 whole vessels of truly magnificent Southwest Indian pottery – it is the largest collection of its kind in the world.

The Museum also houses the largest American government repository of archeological artifacts dug up from Arizona soil. The Museum organizes frequent activities and special events for the whole family, such as Culture Craft Saturdays.

Arizona State Museum, 1013 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-621-6302

The Children's Museum Tucson is all about learning through play and is one of the top Tucson attractions for families. The museum’s thirteen permanent exhibits are interactive and incredibly entertaining, providing children with an opportunity to learn while doing what they enjoy most - playing.

Some of the most popular exhibits are Bodyology, Tucson Electric Power’s Electri-¬City, the Art Studio, Build It, Public Safety, Whistle Stop, and Pet Vet.

The Museum opened its doors in 1986 as a non-profit organization. Today, it has 17,000 square feet of space completely dedicated to inspiring children’s imagination and helping them gain a sense of self-confidence.

The museum also organizes special events such as Kidpendence Day, which celebrates the 4th of July the kids’ way. There is also a Wee World, designed especially for children under four.

200 South 6th Ave., Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-792-9985, Map, Facebook

The Tucson Desert Art Museum was opened in 2013 with the objective of celebrating the art of the Desert Southwest and educating visitors about the rich history, culture, and art of the Tucson Desert in the process.

The Museum has 25,000 square feet of space that are filled with exhibits, classrooms, meeting rooms, an auditorium, a library and a painting studio.

Some of the most important museum exhibits are the collections of Hopi and Navajo textiles that date back to before 1940, with treasures such as chief’s blankets, art textiles, and Yei weavings.

The Tucson Desert Art Museum is one of the best things to do in Tucson AZ for art lovers. The collection of paintings includes some of the biggest names of the Southwest: Peter Nisbet, Thomas Moran, Maynard Dixon, and Ed Mell. The Museum is a rare and enticing establishment where one can learn about the history of the region through its people’s art.

7000 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-202-3888, Map

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is an enchanting place that displays over 300 antique and modern room boxes and dollhouses with the hopes of showcasing and preserving the art, history, and architecture of making miniatures.

There are three permanent collections: The Enchanted Realm, The History and Antiques Gallery, and the Exploring the World Gallery. The Enchanted Realm, a magical world of tiny woodland creatures, fairy castles, witches, and snow villages. The History and Antiques Gallery shows pieces from different historic periods, including a miniature house from 1775, one of the oldest in the US.

The Exploring the World Gallery displays miniatures from other cultures, among them the cultures of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Thailand. The Museum is a private non-profit organization created by Patricia and Walter Arnell. It offers numerous outreach programs, a summer camp program, and guided school tours.

4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-881-0606, Map

A favorite destination for well-respected Tucson art lovers, the University of Arizona Museum of Art had a modest beginning with a single art exhibition in 1924. Its first gallery was housed in the University Library.

In 1955, the museum moved to its new home on the university campus. It can be found on Olive Road. The Museum’s collections feature pieces from several different eras and cultures, but the American and European art (with pieces dating from the Renaissance up until today) is probably the main attraction.

The museum’s collections are open to researchers, students, and the general public; everyone is welcome to wander through numerous exhibitions and popular events.

Once a month, a museum speaker chooses to highlight a few works that are not on display at the time. The museum’s goal is to “empower and engage audiences of all ages and experiences by providing them with a new awareness of visual culture.”

University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 North Olive Road, Tucson, Arizona, Phone: 520-621-7567, Map