16 Things to do in Tucson, Arizona: Museums, Hikes, Scenic Drives & History
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Date: 2023-08-24
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Comments and reviews: 27
Shelly
I was born and raised in Tucson and lived there until I was 24 (1993. I spent a year in Sierra Vista (which I greatly preferred, probably because it was different lol) then moved to Western Oregon in 1994. I have not been back since. Lately, my husband and I have been talking about going since he's never been there. Many of the places on your list are ones that I've told him are must-sees. I'm also hoping the planetarium at the UofA is still open, I want to show him the AF base (mostly because I grew up about a mile from there) and I'm hoping the person below who said Old Tucson will be opening again soon is right because it was always one of my favorite places. I'm also hoping the Golf n Stuff/Things (can't remember which one it was last lol) next to Trail Dust Town is still open because they have no good mini golfing here. Of course, we'll have to go to Eegee's and Lucky Wishbone, too! Thanks for the video, it actually made me miss Tucson a little lol! I'll show it to him so he can get a better idea of the things I've told him about.
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I was born and raised in Tucson and lived there until I was 24 (1993. I spent a year in Sierra Vista (which I greatly preferred, probably because it was different lol) then moved to Western Oregon in 1994. I have not been back since. Lately, my husband and I have been talking about going since he's never been there. Many of the places on your list are ones that I've told him are must-sees. I'm also hoping the planetarium at the UofA is still open, I want to show him the AF base (mostly because I grew up about a mile from there) and I'm hoping the person below who said Old Tucson will be opening again soon is right because it was always one of my favorite places. I'm also hoping the Golf n Stuff/Things (can't remember which one it was last lol) next to Trail Dust Town is still open because they have no good mini golfing here. Of course, we'll have to go to Eegee's and Lucky Wishbone, too! Thanks for the video, it actually made me miss Tucson a little lol! I'll show it to him so he can get a better idea of the things I've told him about.
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Ryan
Lived in Tucson the last 2 years. Absolutely glad to have moved back to the Midwest. Not completely knocking Tucson but definitely not for everyone. A lot of trash and homeless all over the city and suburbs. No express way through out town so traveling from one side of town to another can take up to an hour depending on traffic.
Pros are Arizona and Tucson in general has probably the Best sunsets in the U. S. and the people are genuinely friendly for the most part.
Beautiful in some places but but 9 months od brutally hot summers are not for me. To test it out sit in a lawn chair and with a hair dryer blowing in your face. That's what summer night are in Tucson.
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Lived in Tucson the last 2 years. Absolutely glad to have moved back to the Midwest. Not completely knocking Tucson but definitely not for everyone. A lot of trash and homeless all over the city and suburbs. No express way through out town so traveling from one side of town to another can take up to an hour depending on traffic.
Pros are Arizona and Tucson in general has probably the Best sunsets in the U. S. and the people are genuinely friendly for the most part.
Beautiful in some places but but 9 months od brutally hot summers are not for me. To test it out sit in a lawn chair and with a hair dryer blowing in your face. That's what summer night are in Tucson.
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De
Mt Lemon and Sabino Canyon would be my recommendations. The Foothills of Tucson is the place to stay and hang out along River Road. Great golf courses and resorts in that area. Downtown Tucson is tired and run down. Old Tucson used to be a fun stop west of Tucson which was a great movie set to many old, iconic western movies made, by John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood to name a few. I believe it burned down years ago and was not replaced. A short drive from Tucson in the direction of Benson, leads you to Tombstone, a fun historic stop.
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Mt Lemon and Sabino Canyon would be my recommendations. The Foothills of Tucson is the place to stay and hang out along River Road. Great golf courses and resorts in that area. Downtown Tucson is tired and run down. Old Tucson used to be a fun stop west of Tucson which was a great movie set to many old, iconic western movies made, by John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood to name a few. I believe it burned down years ago and was not replaced. A short drive from Tucson in the direction of Benson, leads you to Tombstone, a fun historic stop.
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Mike
In 1966, when I was in high school, I did a summer program at the University of Arizona. We toured many of these same sites. I saw the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum when it was far smaller (been a member ever since, and toured the Titan missile base when it was still operational. Now, THAT was a tour! Unfortunately our transportation was an old school bus with no air conditioning, and when we were leaving (or trying to, they declared an alert as an exercise and sealed the base. We sat in the baking sun inside that bus for 45 minutes.
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In 1966, when I was in high school, I did a summer program at the University of Arizona. We toured many of these same sites. I saw the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum when it was far smaller (been a member ever since, and toured the Titan missile base when it was still operational. Now, THAT was a tour! Unfortunately our transportation was an old school bus with no air conditioning, and when we were leaving (or trying to, they declared an alert as an exercise and sealed the base. We sat in the baking sun inside that bus for 45 minutes.
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hziebart
My husband has just been offered a good job at the AF basewe plan to visit there in two weeks (the company hed work for is flying us there to see it/feel it out)
Wondering, especially from those of you who LIVE there, where should we be looking at area-wise for the best charter schools and real estate options?
We are moving from a little town in Oregon where we were raised and moved back to after having kids.
Any and all advice/recommendations from locals are WELCOME!
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My husband has just been offered a good job at the AF basewe plan to visit there in two weeks (the company hed work for is flying us there to see it/feel it out)
Wondering, especially from those of you who LIVE there, where should we be looking at area-wise for the best charter schools and real estate options?
We are moving from a little town in Oregon where we were raised and moved back to after having kids.
Any and all advice/recommendations from locals are WELCOME!
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Jonathan
We are not really city folks although we have found some we really like and Tucson is one of them. It does a great job combining the natural with the cultural--come to think of it that may be why we find certain cities enjoyable while others not so much.
We would highly recommend staying at the Hotel McCoy while in the area. It is such a jewel and so much better than staying in a typical cookie cutter one.
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We are not really city folks although we have found some we really like and Tucson is one of them. It does a great job combining the natural with the cultural--come to think of it that may be why we find certain cities enjoyable while others not so much.
We would highly recommend staying at the Hotel McCoy while in the area. It is such a jewel and so much better than staying in a typical cookie cutter one.
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JpadIceCoffee
The drive to Mt Lemmon is worth it for the view and to get away from the Tucson heat as it is like 75\80F up there during summer. A great humm bird feeding\ watching spot is the Santa Rita lodge parking spot and Madera Canyon for day\overnight hiking, when weather gets cooler. Southern AZ is nationally known for the migrant bird stop during winter. I also add Kartcher Cavern if you have an extra day stay.
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The drive to Mt Lemmon is worth it for the view and to get away from the Tucson heat as it is like 75\80F up there during summer. A great humm bird feeding\ watching spot is the Santa Rita lodge parking spot and Madera Canyon for day\overnight hiking, when weather gets cooler. Southern AZ is nationally known for the migrant bird stop during winter. I also add Kartcher Cavern if you have an extra day stay.
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Mary
You missed some VERY cool things: Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tubac, Tumacocori Mission (a bit south of Tucson, Saguaro National Park East, Catalina State Park. Not sure I'd recommend University of AZ unless there is an event to see as parking is impossible. And if you visit in January and February there's the Tucson Gem and Mineral show (largest in the world) and the Tucson Rodeo.
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You missed some VERY cool things: Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tubac, Tumacocori Mission (a bit south of Tucson, Saguaro National Park East, Catalina State Park. Not sure I'd recommend University of AZ unless there is an event to see as parking is impossible. And if you visit in January and February there's the Tucson Gem and Mineral show (largest in the world) and the Tucson Rodeo.
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Hugh
Ill admit its a beautiful area, however its not without its problems
Be mindful of the autonomous vehicles. The drivers in the vehicle but definitely not paying attention to there surroundings. No one yields upon entering the freeway
We lived almost six years in the area, but finally had enough and moved to southern New Mexico. Lower cost of living, nicer weather and friendly people.
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Ill admit its a beautiful area, however its not without its problems
Be mindful of the autonomous vehicles. The drivers in the vehicle but definitely not paying attention to there surroundings. No one yields upon entering the freeway
We lived almost six years in the area, but finally had enough and moved to southern New Mexico. Lower cost of living, nicer weather and friendly people.
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Mike
Great video. .. but! I worked in media a long time and have just a few tips: 1. If you using a darker based make up, consider blending it down your neck. In some shots you look like your wearing a dark mask. 2. There is an adjustment to you phone/camera that will flip signs around. It's in settings. GREAT VIDEO! A good watch and very professionally produced! Just a few tips.
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Great video. .. but! I worked in media a long time and have just a few tips: 1. If you using a darker based make up, consider blending it down your neck. In some shots you look like your wearing a dark mask. 2. There is an adjustment to you phone/camera that will flip signs around. It's in settings. GREAT VIDEO! A good watch and very professionally produced! Just a few tips.
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Ariz1517
Tucson is a complete dump and is stuck in a liberal time zone of 1985. Roads suck no interstate system homeless everywhere no decent jobs old mf staying in left lane going 25 unbelievable. Moved back to cave creek and Im so happy restaurants o plenty nice people everywhere my life is good again. And everybody still wears masks lol its a trip
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Tucson is a complete dump and is stuck in a liberal time zone of 1985. Roads suck no interstate system homeless everywhere no decent jobs old mf staying in left lane going 25 unbelievable. Moved back to cave creek and Im so happy restaurants o plenty nice people everywhere my life is good again. And everybody still wears masks lol its a trip
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The
That's it! I'm going to have to go back to Arizona now. I spent 3 months in Phoenix for work and I explored the area along with Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Monument Valley, and Page. I fell in love with those areas, but never made it to Tucson. I'm happy to have another excuse to go back.
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That's it! I'm going to have to go back to Arizona now. I spent 3 months in Phoenix for work and I explored the area along with Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Monument Valley, and Page. I fell in love with those areas, but never made it to Tucson. I'm happy to have another excuse to go back.
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Jim
Nice job, but for one significant Ooops! . on the slides, it's consistently misspelled TuSCon. Nope, it's TuCSon. and you did miss some biggies. The Boneyard (largest airplane storage facility in the world). bird watching paradise. Paul McCartney's ranch (yes, THAT Paul McCartney). well, you'll just have to come back.
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Nice job, but for one significant Ooops! . on the slides, it's consistently misspelled TuSCon. Nope, it's TuCSon. and you did miss some biggies. The Boneyard (largest airplane storage facility in the world). bird watching paradise. Paul McCartney's ranch (yes, THAT Paul McCartney). well, you'll just have to come back.
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Eileen
Just found this - we were just here last week. Wish I had seen your video before that! We only had one day in Tucson - so we went to Suguaro Natl Park (both east and west) and the Titan Missile. After seeing your post, I want to go back and do more. Have you been to the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix?
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Just found this - we were just here last week. Wish I had seen your video before that! We only had one day in Tucson - so we went to Suguaro Natl Park (both east and west) and the Titan Missile. After seeing your post, I want to go back and do more. Have you been to the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix?
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Biker
Way cooler than I was expecting! I thought it would just be cacti and desert which isn't that fascinating to me. Loving all the cool sights like the museums and restaurants.
At 7: 19 you said, it's incredible how many there are in relation to the miniatures. Audibly, that sounds funny. like a pun! Haha.
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Way cooler than I was expecting! I thought it would just be cacti and desert which isn't that fascinating to me. Loving all the cool sights like the museums and restaurants.
At 7: 19 you said, it's incredible how many there are in relation to the miniatures. Audibly, that sounds funny. like a pun! Haha.
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Bill
I grew up in Tucson. Its the most boring city with the most corrupt government. The traffic is terrible because the few wealthy corrupt elites would never allow proper roads to be built and they would steal all the tax payers money.
It has so much potential that is constantly squashed by corruption.
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I grew up in Tucson. Its the most boring city with the most corrupt government. The traffic is terrible because the few wealthy corrupt elites would never allow proper roads to be built and they would steal all the tax payers money.
It has so much potential that is constantly squashed by corruption.
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Outback
Thanks! Bring or rent bikes and do the loop trail to check out the murals (My avatar is part of one as well as my desktop background. We rode about 32 miles and saw dozens of fabulous murals and other art works, plus a family of javelina crossing the trail. I'd definitely do that again!
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Thanks! Bring or rent bikes and do the loop trail to check out the murals (My avatar is part of one as well as my desktop background. We rode about 32 miles and saw dozens of fabulous murals and other art works, plus a family of javelina crossing the trail. I'd definitely do that again!
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Mike
Two things. You forgot to mention that you can Summit Mt Lemmon by taking a ski lift to the top. It really is an incredible experience. Also you cant go to Tucson without stopping in at Tombstone! Its an incredibly iconic destination with the site of the most famous gunfight of all time!
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Two things. You forgot to mention that you can Summit Mt Lemmon by taking a ski lift to the top. It really is an incredible experience. Also you cant go to Tucson without stopping in at Tombstone! Its an incredibly iconic destination with the site of the most famous gunfight of all time!
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Andrellie
Thanks again for the amazing tour! You never disappoint your followers. I'll put this on our bucket list for this winter. We have visited 21 National Parks since the pandemic Bec of your amazing videos. You are such a great advocate. Nice to have a glimpse of the twins too!
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Thanks again for the amazing tour! You never disappoint your followers. I'll put this on our bucket list for this winter. We have visited 21 National Parks since the pandemic Bec of your amazing videos. You are such a great advocate. Nice to have a glimpse of the twins too!
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C-TOS
I was at Mt. Lemmon a few years ago before returning home after a work trip, you are right that the trip up to the mountain is long on a vehicle. The climate on May is very rewarding when the valley around the mountain is on the triple digits and near the summit is on the 60s.
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I was at Mt. Lemmon a few years ago before returning home after a work trip, you are right that the trip up to the mountain is long on a vehicle. The climate on May is very rewarding when the valley around the mountain is on the triple digits and near the summit is on the 60s.
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Leah
Sabino Canyon is fun! You can take the shuttle to the top and theres a paved trail too. Lots of cougars in that canyon probably because theres a stream running through it. I took the shuttle($! Theres also a nice gift shop and little museum/educational displays of wild life.
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Sabino Canyon is fun! You can take the shuttle to the top and theres a paved trail too. Lots of cougars in that canyon probably because theres a stream running through it. I took the shuttle($! Theres also a nice gift shop and little museum/educational displays of wild life.
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Susan
I haven't seen Arizona in a few years but, it was amazing! I miss it. If you decide to go, don't forget your sunglasses, hat and lots of water. It is hot. Hot, hot, HOT. Did I mention it was hot? Late October is perfect. Like summer but not letscooksteakonthehood hot.
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I haven't seen Arizona in a few years but, it was amazing! I miss it. If you decide to go, don't forget your sunglasses, hat and lots of water. It is hot. Hot, hot, HOT. Did I mention it was hot? Late October is perfect. Like summer but not letscooksteakonthehood hot.
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Mark
Good job, especially covering the Titan II ICBM Missile site. How come you didn't include the airplane graveyard at Davis Monthan AFB? That is a great tour of all the old airplanes.
As an ex Titan Missile crewmember I'm glad you included that.
Thank you,
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Good job, especially covering the Titan II ICBM Missile site. How come you didn't include the airplane graveyard at Davis Monthan AFB? That is a great tour of all the old airplanes.
As an ex Titan Missile crewmember I'm glad you included that.
Thank you,
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Ben
Dang it's crazy that I have been to a lot of these mesuems as a kid in school and always found them quite interesting but as a kid I never took too much time to actually think about what I was looking at. I'm definitely going to have to revisit all of these.
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Dang it's crazy that I have been to a lot of these mesuems as a kid in school and always found them quite interesting but as a kid I never took too much time to actually think about what I was looking at. I'm definitely going to have to revisit all of these.
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mark
6: 42 is the exact same bridge from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, where Indy cut the bridge in half as he was fleeing the bad guys, whom fell into the crocodile infested waters below. //The launch code for the Titan Missle 10: 16 is password123.
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6: 42 is the exact same bridge from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, where Indy cut the bridge in half as he was fleeing the bad guys, whom fell into the crocodile infested waters below. //The launch code for the Titan Missle 10: 16 is password123.
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Rich
Another recommendation is Madera canyon south of Tucson, which also has the Smithsonian institute observatory visitors center on Mt. Hopkins. Madera canyon is in my opinion a better visit than Sabino canyon, while your in that area, visit Tubac as well.
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Another recommendation is Madera canyon south of Tucson, which also has the Smithsonian institute observatory visitors center on Mt. Hopkins. Madera canyon is in my opinion a better visit than Sabino canyon, while your in that area, visit Tubac as well.
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Norman
Wife and I want to thank you for these great videos of south western US. They are our go to videos for our current vacation through this area in our RV. We love all of them include those with your father. Keep them coming and we will keep watching.
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Wife and I want to thank you for these great videos of south western US. They are our go to videos for our current vacation through this area in our RV. We love all of them include those with your father. Keep them coming and we will keep watching.
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