Area Attractions

ARTS

De Grazia Gallery in the Sun

Located one mile north of Sunrise Drive at 6300 N. Swan Road in Tucson. The unique adobe building was designed and built by the late Tucson artist, Ted De Grazia, widely known for his popular pictures of angels and Indian children. The gallery houses many of his original paintings, bronzes, and ceramics. Next to the gallery is the Mission in the Sun, an open-air chapel De Grazia built and decorated with frescoes. The gallery includes a shop where reproductions, books and prints are sold. No admission fee.

Tucson Museum of Art & Historic Block

624-2333
Web Site: www.tucsonarts.com

Located in downtown Tucson at the corner of Main Ave. and Alameda St. TMA features displays of its fine collections as well as traveling exhibitions. The museum and its Historic Block are situated on the site of Tucson's Spanish Presidio, established in 1775. Featured on the block are five distinctive homes built between 1850 and 1907. Visit the Museum Shop and the Library and enjoy luncheons at Cafe a la C'Art, 628-8533, Mon-Fri and first Sunday only. Admission fee Tues-Sun, except free on first Sunday of each month.

FAMILY FUN

Colossal Cave

647-7275
Web Site: www.colossalcave.com

Located 22 miles south of Tucson. I-10 east to the Vail/Wentworth exit 279, then seven miles north. Considered to be the world's largest dry cavern, its complex lighted passageways, chambers, and myriad crystal formations were once a shelter for prehistoric people. Take a guided cave tour. Picnic areas, campsites, and Western trail rides are also available. Admission fee.

Mount Lemmon

Web Site: www.mtlemmon.com

Located 35 miles from Tucson. Take Tanque Verde Road east to Catalina Highway, then north to Summerhaven or Ski Valley. With an altitude of 8,250 feet, Mt. Lemmon provides winter skiing, a chance to see the leaves turn color in the fall, and a place to cool off in the summer. There are about 150 miles of hiking trails, and several gift shops and restaurants. Toll Road.

Old Tucson Studios

883-100
Web Site: www.oldtucson.com

Located 12 miles west of downtown Tucson in Tucson Mountain Park at 201 S. Kinney Road. Take Speedway Blvd. west and follow the signs. This replica of 1860's Tucson is a theme park and movie set that has more than 300 films, TV shows and commercials to its credit. It features staged gunfights, stagecoach rides, live entertainment, restaurants and shops. Watch for special holiday events. Admission fee.

Reid Park Zoo

791-4022

Web Site: www.tucsonzoo.org

Located on 22nd Street between Alvernon and Country Club. This small zoo has carefully created natural habitats and multi-species exhibits for over 300 species of mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds from all over the world. Limited number of strollers and wheelchairs are available. Watch for special holiday events. Admission fee.

HERITAGE AND CULTURE

Amerind Foundation Museum

1-520-586-3666
Web Site: www.amerind.org

Located 64 miles east of Tucson at 2100 N. Amerind Rd. I-10 to Dragoon Rd. exit 318 and proceed east one mile. This is an archaeological research facility and museum devoted to Native American culture and history. The museum displays jewelry, pottery, baskets, crafts, and other items unique to native people of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. Admission fee.

Arizona Historical Society Museum

628-5774
Web Site: www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org

Located at 949 E. Second Street near the University of Arizona campus. AHS has the world's largest collection of Arizona history, artifacts, documents, and photographs and offers a variety of experiences for children and adults. Follow the exploration and development of Arizona from the first entry of Europeans in 1540, through exciting times under the flags of Spain and Mexico, to territorial Arizona in the 1800's. Featured are period rooms, the Mining Hall mine shaft replica, and photo exhibits. Admission is free with a donation requested.

Arizona State Museum

621-6281
Web Site: www.statemuseum.arizona.edu

Located on the University of Arizona campus in the first northside building just inside the main gate, at Park and University Blvd. ASM, as the oldest and largest anthropological museum in the Southwest, specializes in materials relating to the prehistoric Hohokam, Mogollon, and Anasazi cultures, as well as the living American Indian cultures of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. The excellent collections of ASM are available for research, exhibitions, and education. Admission: donation suggested.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

294-2624
Web Site: www.emol.org/tucson/sanxavier/sanxavier.html

Located nine miles southof Tucson. I-19 to exit 92, on San Xavier Road in the midst of the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. Called The White Dove of the Desert, the structure is an impressive example of Spanish mission architecture. This northernmost mission of Father Eusebio Kino was established in 1629. Now maintained by the Franciscans, San Xavier is an active Tohono O'odham church and school. Taped 15 minute lectures are given every hour. Museum and gift shop. No admission fee. Donations requested.

St. Anthonys Greek Orthodox Monastery

1-520-868-3188
Web Site: www.stanthonysmonastery.org

Located 8 miles South of Florence along Highway 79, turn East at mile marker 124 and go to the end of Paisano Drive. In July 1995, five fathers came to this location from the Holy Monastery of Philotheou, Mount Athos, Greece, and began working to build St. Anthonys Monastery. There are beautiful chapels and gardens to tour. Review the web site information. Call to ensure access on the day you want to attend. There is a specific dress code in keeping with the religious nature of the site. All visitors are asked to stop at the bookstore upon arrival. No fee.

Tumacacori National Historical Park

1-520-398-2341
Web Site: www.nps.gov/tuma

Located 48 miles south of Tucson. I-19 to exit 29 near Tubac. The park preserves three 18th century Spanish mission ruins: Tumacacori, Guevavi, and Calabaza missions, which were established by Father Eusebio Kino. At Tumacacori, visitors find the adobe church, museum, mission garden, and other adobe ruins. Living History Tours are available by appointment. "La Fiesta de Tumacacori", a free multicultural celebration, takes place the first weekend of December. Admission fee.

Tombstone

Office of Tourism: 1-888-457-3929
Web Site: www.cityoftombstone.com

Located 73 miles southwest of Tucson, Tombstone is known as the town too tough to die. Now a National Historic Site, its attractions include the Bird Cage Theater, Boothill Graveyard, Camillus Fly Studio, OK Corral, and Rose Tree Museum. Tombstone Courthouse Museum exhibits recall the turbulent 1880s period of Arizona history. Admission fees to attractions.

Tubac

Chamber of Commerce: 1-520-398-2704
Web Site: www.tubacaz.com

Located approximately 45 miles south of Tucson. I-19 to exits 40 and 34. Tubac was once the site of a Spanish presidio built to protect nearby missions and settlements. Take a tour of the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Modern Tubac is known as an artists' community with more than 80 shops, galleries, and restaurants. The town sponsors a multi-day art festival in February and Luminaria night in December.

STATE PARKS

Catalina State Park

628-5798
Web Site: www.desertusa.com/azcatalina/azcatalina.html

Located at 11570 N. Oracle Road/Highway 77 at mile marker 81, the park is at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Hiking trails are accessible from the park including the Romero Canyon Trail, which leads to a beautiful area with clear pools shaded by sycamore and oak trees. Guided bird walks, wildflower walks, and nature hikes are available weekly through winter and spring months. Horseback riding trails, camping, picnic tables, and grills are also available. Admission fee (members free).

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Reservations: 1-520-586-2283
Web Site: www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html

Located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson between Benson and Sierra Vista. Take I-10 east to exit 302, then take State Highway 90 about nine miles south. Discovered under the Whetstone Mountains, Kartchner Caverns, a "live" cave, features dramatically illuminated formations of indescribably intricate shapes and sizes. The Discovery Center features exhibits on the Throne/Rotunda Room and the Big Room. The auditorium has a six-screen multimedia presentation on the discovery and development of the caverns. In addition to the caverns and the Discovery Center, the park offers year-round campsites, hiking, picnicking, and an amphitheater. Reservations are necessary for the caverns. No reservations needed for entrance to the park. Separate admission fees for Kartchner Caverns and the State Park.

Oracle State Park

Information 1-520-896-2425
Web Site: www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/oracle.html

Located on Mount Lemmon Road in Oracle, the park contains many hiking trails, picnic and group use areas, the Center for Environmental Education, ramadas, the Arizona Trail, and the historic Kannally Ranch House. Tours are conducted on weekends. Call for current schedule. Admission fee.

Saguaro National Park

Web Site: www.desertusa.com/sag/du_sag_index.html

Saguaro West: 733-5158
Go west on Speedway to Kinney Road, turn north.

Saguaro East: 733-5153
Go east on Speedway or Broadway to Freeman Road, turn right to Old Spanish Trail, turn left.

Since 1933 the extraordinary giant saguaro cactus has been protected within SNP. Preserved along with it are many other members of the Sonoran Desert community...other cacti, desert trees and shrubs, and animals. Both Districts are open daily sunrise to sunset except Christmas. And both have visitor centers with stores, museums, programs, and guided walks. Admission fee.

NATURE AND ECOLOGY

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

883-2702
Web Site: www.desertmuseum.org

Located 14 miles west of Tucson in Tucson Mountain Park at 2021 N. Kinney Road. Take Speedway west and follow the signs. This internationally famous "living" museum houses over 1300 kinds of plants and 300 species of animals that live in enclosures designed to replicate their natural habitat. Docents lead walking tours and give live demonstrations with plants and animals. Wheelchair accessible. Admission fee (members free).

Drachman Agua Caliente Park

Web Site: www.pima.gov/nrpr/index.htm

Located on the northeast side of Tucson at 12325 E. Roger Road. Go east on Tanque Verde past Houghton Road and north on Soldiers Trail. Mountain views, towering palms, and a small lake are the centerpieces of this amazing oasis. Feed the ducks and watch the fish that are at home in the hot spring for which the park is named. No admission fee.

Sabino Canyon

749-2327
Web Site: www.sabinocanyon.com
Recorded Information: 749-2861

Located on the northeast side of Tucson, near the intersection of Sabino Canyon Road and Sunset Drive. This picturesque site features a visitor center with exhibits that explain the geology, history, and nature lore of the region, a marked nature trail, hiking trails, narrated shuttle tram rides up and down the canyon, and picnic areas along a tumbling stream. Admission fee.

Tohono Chul Park

Administration: 742-6455
Restaurant: 797-1222
Web Site: www.tohonochulpark.org

Located west of Oracle Road and north of Ina Road at 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. Tohono Chul is a 49 acre desert preserve established to promote the preservation of arid regions and provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the desert. Self-guided tours take visitors along nature trails, to display gardens, cactus ramadas, and a greenhouse. A restaurant, art gallery with changing exhibits, and gift shops are also on the grounds. Watch for special events. Admission fee.

Tucson Botanical Gardens

326-9686
Web Site: www.tucsonbotanical.org

Located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. This collection of gardens includes a xeriscape demonstration garden, an historic Tucson garden, spring wildflower garden, tropical greenhouse surrounded by fruit and shade trees, and an iris garden. The gardens are landscaped with more than 500 different native desert plants, herbs, and flowers. Tours and classes are offered. Special events include Fiesta de los Chiles, Luminaria Night, and Home Garden Tour. Call for dates. Admission fee.

SPACE, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY

Asarco Mineral Discovery Center

Information Line 1-520-625-7513
Web Site: http://www.asarco.com
Reservation Line (Groups of eight or more) 520-625-8233

Located 15 miles south of downtown Tucson. I-19 to exit 80 at Pima Mine Road. The center offers an inside look at an operating open-pit copper mine. Displays and exhibits in the Discovery Center explain the history and process of mining. Discovery Theater shows presentations related to mining and minerals. Admission to the Center is free but there is a charge for the one hour bus tour which includes views of the mining operations and a visit inside one of the copper mills. Admission fee for tour. Senior (62) discounts.

Biosphere 2 Center

1-520-838-6200
Web Site: www.bio2.com

Located north of Tucson on Oracle Road/Highway 77 at mile marker 96.5. The center is an environmental research, teaching, and learning facility. Inside the 7,200,000 cubic foot glass and space frame structure, Biosphere 2 contains a tropical rain forest, savanna, marsh, desert, a million gallon salt water ocean complete with a coral reef, and a human habitat which now houses interactive exhibits. The 3/4 mile tour includes the Biosphere Theater, Demonstration Labs, Human Habitat, Climate and Earth Exhibit, Ocean Viewing Gallery, restaurants, and gift shop. A Technical Tour is available at additional charge by reservation only. A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent. CALL for tour times. Admission fee with AAA, college student, military, and senior discounts available.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC)

574-462
Web Site: http://www.dm.af.mil/

Located at 6000 E. Valencia in Tucson. I-10 to exit 267. Davis-Monthan is home to AMARC, a 2,600 acre open-air warehouse for aircraft, missiles, components, and support equipment. Aviation enthusiasts will view, by bus tour only, the more than 5,000 aircraft currently stored here. The Pima Air and Space Museum conducts tours. Reservations suggested. Admission fee.

Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium

621-STAR (7827)
Web Site: www.flandrau.org

Located on the University of Arizona campus at N. Cherry Avenue and E. University Blvd., the center has interactive exhibits dealing with sound, light, optical illusions, magnetism, and astronomy. The planetarium theater presents science, cultural, and laser light shows. In the public observatory a 16-inch telescope is available for night viewing. The lower level of the Science Center, the Mineral Museum, displays fine gems, meteorites, and mineral specimens from around the world. Admission fee.

Kitt Peak National Observatory

318-8726
Recorded Information: 318-8200
Web Site: www.noao.edu/outreach/kpoutreach.html

Located 56 miles southwest of Tucson via State Route 86. Allow 90 minutes of drive time from Tucson. Take I-10 to I-19 south. In less than one mile take the Ajo Way/Hwy 86 exit 99. The observatory houses the world's largest collection of ground-based optical telescopes, conducts research in astronomy, and monitors the sun and stars. There are 3 tours daily lasting 1 hour. The Nightly Observing Program is available by reservation only and an admission fee is charged.

Pima Air and Space Museum

574-462
Web Site: www.pimaair.org

Located at 6000 E. Valencia in Tucson. I-10 to Valencia Road exit 267, east two miles to museum entrance. On 80 acres of land are displayed more than 250 restored vintage aircraft representing America's aviation history. PA&SM runs tours for AMARC at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Admission fee.

Titan Missile Museum

625-7736
Web Site: www.pimaair.org (select Titan etc.)

Located 25 miles south of Tucson in Sahuarita. I-19 south to exit 69 going west 1/10th mile past La Canada to entrance at 1580 W. Duval Mine Road. This formerly active Titan ICBM complex is the only U.S. site that has not been destroyed. On an underground tour you can see a massive roll back silo door, visit the launch control center, and watch demonstrations of monitoring and countdown procedures. Admission fee.