10 Fun Activities in Tucson
What is there to do in Tucson, Arizona, you ask? Great question! Tucson is full of fun things to do, whether you’re a family of five, a couple of working professionals or enjoying your golden years.
Check out this list of the top 10 Tucson activities. What will you do the next time you’re out and about in Tucson?
1. Biosphere 2
Come check out Biosphere 2 where tour guides take you through and explain the ins and outs of this giant living science center. Explore a tropical rainforest, desert, savannah and an entire ocean all from an intricate trail system designed for visitors. Time Life books recently named Biosphere 2 “one of the 50 must-see wonders of the world.”
2. 2nd Saturdays Downtown
This urban street festival takes place every 2nd Saturday of the month, and features a wide variety of live music, food trucks, entertainment for the whole family, and tons of shopping. Downtown Tucson is a historic area that has recently been transformed into a modern hub of culture by the businesses and people that call this place home. See when the next event takes place by visiting http://www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com/.
3. Hot Air Balloon Rides
Get a birds-eye view of Tucson and take in all its glory from a hot air balloon. Hot air balloon rides make a romantic date for special occasions like birthday and anniversaries. Enjoying the sunset from a hot air balloon is truly a breathtaking, once in a lifetime experience. There are currently two major companies that do hot air balloon tours in Tucson. They are Fleur de Tucson Balloon Tours and Tucson Adventures. Click here for more info on these hot air balloon rides.
4. Hiking
September through March are the best months to go hiking in Tucson, Arizona. It’s a great way to explore the great outdoors where you’ll find trails to match all interests. From bird watching trails to canyon trails, to steep climbs up into high mountains, you’ll find something for everyone in Tucson’s plethora of hiking trails.
5. Gem and Mineral Shows
Winter season is gem and mineral season if you are visiting or living in Tucson, Arizona. Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one gem and mineral show that comes to Tucson every year. In fact, there are more than 40 gem shows that come to town in the short span of just three weeks! These events draw people from all over the world… more than 55,000 visitors come to Tucson to marvel over some of the most rare and precious gems and minerals on the planet. And if you’re a Tucson resident who needs their gem fix during other parts of the year, you’ll be happy to know that people can visit some gem show venues by appointment!
6. Golf
You won’t find golf courses like these anywhere else in the world. Designed by world-famous stars like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio, many of Tucson’s golf courses are nestled into desert mountain foothills, offering picturesque views of this glorious city. There are also plenty of golf events to attend year round, such as the WGC Accenture Match Play Tournament, which is held at The Golf Club Dove Mountain. For more info, visit http://www.visittucson.org/things-to-do/golf/.
7. Horseback Riding
If you want to get out of the city a little bit, hopping on a horse can be a great way to do so. For example, Arizona Horseback Experience is one company that offers many different horseback rides just southeast of Tucson. You can head up a mountain into higher elevations and cooler weather, as well as take trips to historic places. They offer everything from 3-hour rides and wine-tasting rides to 5-day pack trips in the mountains.
8. Stargazing
Southern Arizona is the “Astronomy Capital of the World,” mainly because it has some of the clearest skies in the US. Tucson has tons of observatories and stargazing tours to choose from, so you’ll never get bored. Here are some places where you can go to get a professionals view of the sky:
- Arizona Star Tours
- Flandrau Science Center
- Kitt Peak National Observatory
- Mt. Graham International Observatory
- Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
9. Tucson Art Walk
Every first Saturday of the month is when you can take a walking tour of Central Tucson Gallery Association’s participating businesses, galleries, and museums to get your fill of classy art of all kinds. It on Congress near 4th and 6th avenue and takes place between September and June. For more info visit http://www.firstsaturdayartwalks.com/.
10. Visit Caves & Caverns
Ready for a walk on the wild side? Check out some of Tucson’s epic caves and caverns for an adventure of a lifetime! There are caves for explorers of all ages and abilities, from underground nature preserves to historic caves used for refuge by outlaws in the 1880s. Some companies provide tours of Tucson caves and caverns, while some you can explore on your own.
So there you have it! Some of the 10 most fun Tucson activities. Now get out there and start having some fun in the Tucson sun.
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