Tucson Vacations

Vacation Guide to Tucson

A Tucson vacation offer visitors the chance to experience the stark beauty of Arizona without sacrificing the comforts of home. Whether you stash your saddlebag in a lively downtown apartment or hang your Stetson in a stylish desert ranch, southwestern hospitality comes as standard. This vibrant city offers a wide range of vacation possibilities, from cultural extravaganza to nature safari. Whether you’re viewing iconic paintings by Jackson Pollock in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, bar-hopping on bohemian Fourth Avenue, or hiking the trails through the giant cacti of Saguaro National Park, Tucson vacation rentals provide the perfect base.

Tucson City Guide

Tucson, nicknamed the Old Pueblo, is Arizona’s oldest city with a unique blend of Indian, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo heritages. It is the second-largest city in the state. Tucson is a modern city with high-tech industries and world-class cultural events, yet it retains the charm of its desert frontier roots. Tucson is an Indian word which translates as “water at black mountain.” Located beside the Santa Cruz River, it has been home to Indian Villages and farms for at least 2,000 years.

TucsonIn 1700, Father Kino established the first Spanish mission, San Xavier, at the Indian village of Bac, 10 miles south of Tucson. Tucson was founded in 1175 as a Spanish presidio (or military garrison) to protect settlers from Apache raids. It was governed by Mexico from 1821 until 1854 when the Gadsden Purchase made it a part of the United States. Tucson was once the territorial capital of Arizona. The city is the Pima County seat and, at an elevation of 2,389 feet, is known for mild winters.

ATTRACTIONS

Classical cultural events include symphony, opera, ballet, dance and theater. Popular arts are represented by country and western, rock, folk and jazz clubs. Sports range from professional baseball, golf and tennis to college programs including the very popular University of Arizona football, baseball and basketball games.

Other area attractions include:

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum.
Set on 100 acres of wild desert. Features over 300 animal species and 1,300 types of plants.

Biosphere 2.
A glass-enclosed, airtight environment in which 8 people attempted to live for 2-years. Now mainly a popular tourist destination.

Kitt Peak Observatory.
The observatory sits atop a 6,882-foot mountain, and features 5 major telescopes, tours, a visitor’s center and exhibits.

Old Tucson Studios.
Theme park and movie studio, built in 1939 and used for more than 300 film and television productions.

Saguaro National Park.
65,000-acre park featuring one of the world’s largest saguaro stands.

San Xavier Mission.
this 200-year-old church features brightly colored fresco murals, elaborately carved wood and magnificent altar pieces.

Tucson Museum of Art.
The museum houses a collection of pre-Columbian and Western art, as well as special traveling exhibits.

Mount Lemmon.
At over 9,000 feet, this popular recreational area provides ample opportunities for hiking, camping, picnics and, in winter, skiing.

Journey through Tucson history

A stroll through downtown Tucson is a veritable walk through history. Explore a Hohokam Indian site to learn more about this prehistoric tribe, rent a bicycle and pedal through the narrow streets of the Barrio Viejo, or tour the reconstructed fortress of the Presidio San Agustin, which dates back to the heyday of the Old West. El Presidio, the city’s oldest neighborhood, Barrio Santa Rosa’s listed 19th-century landmarks, and the area of Iron Horse, romantically named for its proximity to the railroad, all have their own stories to tell—and the best way to hear them is on a guided tour led by an experienced local.

Tucson’s family favorites

Reid Park Zoo is one of Tucson’s most popular family attractions. The inhabitants are housed within 4 different habitats, showcasing among others the Asian tiger, the African giraffe, and the South American spectacled bear. The elephant enclosure is the highlight of the zoo’s successful breeding program of these gentle giants. Tucson Botanical Gardens display the indigenous flora of Arizona, including an extensive collection of cacti, native crops, and edible wild plants. Visitors can wander through multiple environments embellished with exotic stones and minerals and shaded by mature trees.

Hot tips for Tucson accommodations

Tucson’s desert climate brings hot, sunny summers and mild winters, with short transitions between the 2 main seasons. Rainfall occurs more frequently than in neighboring desert cities because of Tucson’s relatively higher elevation, and winter snows linger on the mountain peaks. Visitors can expect dry, hot days and cool nights throughout spring and early summer. The monsoon season typically begins around July, bringing high humidity and flash floods, followed by a return to dry heat around October. Tucson vacation rentals with a pool will transform the dusty desert into a refreshing oasis, so booking early is highly recommended.

Tucson’s wild neighbors

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offers up-close encounters with the indigenous animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert. This fascinating facility combines a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and natural history museum. If you’re staying in a downtown Tucson vacation rental, a trip to the museum is a great way to expand your horizons and learn more about the ecology and wildlife on your doorstep. Habitats include the Colorado River, grassland, canyons, and caves. Follow the Desert Loop Trail to view javelinas, coyotes, and lizards, or spot brown bears, cougars, and white-tailed deer in the mountain woodlands exhibit.

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