2026-04-28-TucsonToDo
Natural/Outdoor Saguaro National Park — Split into east (Rincon Mountain) and west (Tucson Mountain) districts. West side has denser saguaro forest, paved Bajada Loop Drive, and petroglyphs at Signal Hill. East side has longer backcountry trails and the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum — Part zoo, part botanical garden, part natural history museum. Live animals in naturalistic desert habitat. Raptor free-flight demonstrations at specific times. One of the better wildlife institutions in the American Southwest. Mount Lemmon / Sky Island Scenic Byway — Drive from Sonoran desert floor (2,400 ft) to spruce-fir forest (9,157 ft). Temperature drops roughly 5°F per 1,000 ft elevation. Summerhaven village at top; Ski Valley operates in winter. Sabino Canyon — No private vehicles. Tram or on-foot access. Seven stream crossings, canyon walls, rock formations. Dawn and dusk best for wildlife. Colossal Cave Mountain Park — Dry cave, historically used as outlaw hideout. Trail system on surrounding park land.
Cultural/Historical Pima Air & Space Museum — One of the largest aviation museums in the world. 300+ aircraft on outdoor grounds and in hangars. Adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB; AMARG boneyard tours available (separate reservation required). Tumacacori National Historical Park — 45 min south on I-19. Spanish colonial mission ruins, 18th century. Better preserved architecture than nearby Tubac. Barrio Viejo / El Presidio Historic District — Intact 19th-century adobe architecture. Walking distance to the Tucson Museum of Art. Mission San Xavier del Bac — Active Tohono O'odham parish, 18th century Spanish colonial baroque. Called "White Dove of the Desert." Interior murals largely original.
Food/Neighborhood 4th Avenue — Dense restaurant and bar strip, walkable. Congress Street / Downtown — Hotel Congress (built 1919, John Dillinger was captured here), Fox Tucson Theatre, local dining. Mercado San Agustín — Westside market, food vendors, local shops. Tucson is a James Beard Foundation "America's Classic" city for Sonoran-style Mexican food. Carne seca, Sonoran hot dogs, green corn tamales, and chimichangas (originated here) are the regional specifics.