Travel Tips for Visitors to Tucson, AZ

This Sonoran Desert Valley City is surrounded by five mountain ranges with an unparalleled beauty blending nature and culture. Tucson is surrounded by natural areas that include Catalina State Park, Coronado National Forest, Sagurao National Park and Ironwood Forest National Monument. Tucson is known for being the real, natural Arizona.

Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona and located in the Southwest United States in Pima County. Its name was derived from the 1700's when Spanish missionaries and soldier came to the region to establish the Presidio San Austin del Tucson and Mission Xavier del Bac which are the most historic icons and historic structures in the region. Once part of Mexico, Tucson became part of the US in 1854 in the Wild West days.

Today Tucson's population is over one million and includes students and employees at the University of Arizona. Its climate averages 350 days a year of warm dry air and outdoor recreation is ideal. Tucson is known for outdoor adventures, culture and heritage, golf, arts and southwest dining. Lodging includes hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, spas and guest ranches.

Things to do:

There are countless trails for every level of hiking and biking. Horseback Riding is also a popular outdoor activity at guest ranches for that cowboy experience and public stables in Tucson. With five mountain ranges surrounding the city, there are countless opportunities for rock climbers of every level. There are also popular outdoor activities such as family fun, desert plants and animals, caves and astronomy.

Heritage

Southern Arizona has a diverse and interesting history. Visitors can explore reenactments of the famous gunfight at OK corral. Visitors also can explore ancient Native American sites from Murry Springs to Dankworth village. Tubac is the first European settlement and there are trails forms by the early Spanish explorers. Chief Cocchise and the Apache Indians left a fascinating legacy in Dragoon Mountains.

Golf

Outstanding courses and a mild climate make Tucson one of the favorite golf destinations. The variety of courses range from traditional to tough desert courses. Designs by Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jr. make golfing in Tucson great any time of the year.

Arts

Tucson has been named the mini mecca for the arts by the Wall Street Journal due to its numerous and diverse cultured opportunities. Tucson has its own ballet company, professional theatre, opera and symphony. There are also specialty museums as well as art that include the UA Museum of Art, Tucson Museum of Art and the Center of Creative Photography. Galleries and Studios number 35 in the city alone. There are over 215 art organizations.

Culinary

Known for Southwest and Mexican cuisine, Tucson is known for brightly colored restaurants and mesquite-fired grills. Janos, The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol and El Charro Café are only three of the top named restaurants in Tuscon.

Additional Event information, travel tips and lodging can be found at the website www.visit tuscon.org. There are a host of other magazine and internet sites to discover this Southwest paradise.