Sights and landmarks in Tucson

Sights and landmarks in Tucson

1. See

   Arizona History Museum

   This museum is devoted to the history of Tucson and the surrounding area, with relevant displays.

   Mon-Thu 9AM-4PM, Fri 9AM-8PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM·$8 (adults), $6 (seniors), $5 (students), $4 (children 7-17), free (children under 7)

2. See

   Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

   More like Biosphere II than a walled institution, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is part zoo, part natural history museum and part botanical garden all in one Tucson attraction. From tarantulas to black bears, coyotes to scorpions, the museum-zoo is an entrancing and full-contact tribute to the Sonoran desert's wildlife (the wire fences are nearly invisible and the hummingbirds in the buzzing, walk-in aviary seem to think you are the attraction). Give yourself time to soak in the Southwest splendor and if time is all you have, the Museum is also on the fringes of Saguaro National Park, home to the world's largest forests of Saguaro cacti.

   Oct-Feb 8:30AM-5PM, Mar-Sep 7:30AM-5PM·$14.50/adult, $5/child (Sep-May); $12/adult, $4/child Jun-Aug

3. See

   Center for Creative Photography

   The center was founded by Ansel Adams, and routinely features works of famous (and not-so-famous) photographers. When they have their Ansel Adams collection up it is a must see.

   Tue-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat 1PM-4PM·Free, donations accepted

4. See

   Colossal Cave Mountain Park

   A "dry" cave with 3½ miles of mapped passageways. The cave was used by pre-Columbian Native Americans, and rediscovered in 1879. Also on park grounds are a cowboy ranch museum, a butterfly garden, horseback trails, and picnic and camping facilities.

   Daily 8AM-5PM, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tours hourly, last tour at 4PM·Park: $5 (auto), $1 (bicycle); cave: $16 (adults), $9 (children 5-12)

5. See

   De Grazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District

   A collection of buildings on a 10-acre site, designed and built by well-known Arizona painter Ettore 'Ted' DeGrazia (1909-1982); the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A gallery showcases the artist's work in six permanent collections as well as special rotating exhibits, and a gift shop onsite sells good quality reproductions of some of his work. In early December the grounds also host the annual Fiesta de Guadalupe. The chapel is closed due to fire damage.

   Daily 10AM-4PM; closed 1 Jan, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas·$8 (adults), $5 (children 12-18), free (children under 12)

6. See

   El Tiradito

   The Castaway

   El Tiradito is the only shrine to a sinner in North America. In the 1880s, a young man had an affair with his mother-in-law. When caught in the act, his father-in-law shot him and he stumbled from bed and ran out of the house. He dropped dead on this spot, and because he had not confessed his sins, he could not be buried in the church yard. His family and friends interred him where he fell, but remembered him with candles and flowers. People still burn candles and leave offerings today. Best visited at dusk or after dark.

7. See

   Fort Lowell Museum

   Fort Lowell was a US Army post, active in the late 19th century during the Apache Wars. Most of the adobe structures are now in ruins, but the commanding officers' quarters have been reconstructed and now house a small museum, with exhibits focused on military life on the frontier. The building also has a small gift shop.

   Thu-Sat 10AM-4PM·Free, donations welcome

8. See

   Mission San Xavier del Bac

   The "White Dove of the Desert" is a Tucson mission. Pure white and pristine against a hot desert backdrop, and still heady inside its elaborately colored and muraled interior from centuries of supplication, the Mission San Xavier del Bac was finished in 1797 when Arizona was still New Spain. It has been cleaned and restored by professional art conservators who worked with and trained members of the community.

9. See

   Old Pascua Museum and Yaqui Cultural Center

   Museum that features more than 4000 artifacts on display from the old Pasqua tribe, displayed in a home built in 1926 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

   Tue-Sat 9AM-1PM·Free (donations welcome)

10. See

    Old Tucson Studios

    Ever notice that Hollywood's Old West, the backdrop for the gun-slinging and cryptic comments of Hollywood's Western icons – Wayne, Eastwood, Douglas and Newman – has much in common with the Wild West of today's Tombstone and Geronimo? They've all been filmed at the Old Tucson Studios, which were built in 1939 for the making of the William Holden film Arizona. Still an active film, TV and commercial set, it's also a nostalgia-themed park, with main drag shootouts, corseted can-can dancers, educational shows, pre-Prohibition saloons, restaurants, and gift shops.

11. See

    Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio

    Tom Philabaum built his first glass studio in 1975, and opened the adjacent gallery in 1982. Together they represent one of the most enduring art endeavors of present-day Tucson. Visitors are able to watch the glass blowing process in the studio, and shop the impressive collection of contemporary glass art from artists around the country.

    Winter: Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM; summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day): Tue-Sat 11AM-4PM

12. See

    Pima Air & Space Museum

    Features over 400 historic aircraft on an 80-acre (32 hectares) site with five hangars, three of them devoted to World War II. Veterans and volunteers are often on hand to answer any questions, and there are daily walking tours of the grounds. There is an onsite restaurant.

    Daily 9AM-5PM (last admission at 3PM); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas·Admission for 1-day pass: $19.50 (adults), $15.25 (Pima County residents), $16.75 (seniors), $13 (children ages 5-12), free (children under age 5); for 2-day pass: $26 (adults), $20.25 (Pima County residents), $22.75 (seniors), $15.50 (children ages 5-12), free (under age 5)

13. See

    Reid Park Zoo

    Cares for more than 500 animals. The zoo has a state-of-the-art facility for treating cancers with radiation and heat therapy, and treats animal patients from zoos all over the country.

    Jun-Aug: daily 8AM-3PM, Sep-May: 9AM-4PM·Adult $9, senior $7, child 2-14 $5

14. See

    San Pedro Chapel

    A historic Sonoran-style adobe chapel, built in 1915 and on the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately the church is usually only open for special events, but it can be freely appreciated from the outside.

15. See

    Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House Museum

    A remnant of Tucson's old barrio which survived and is now surrounded by the Tucson Convention Center, this historic adobe house was built in the 1870s.

    Thu-Sat 10AM-4PM·Free, donations welcome

16. See

    Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

    A small museum devoted to the history of the railroads in southern Arizona, housed in the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. The star attraction is the Southern Pacific Railroad 1673 steam locomotive. Docents and volunteers available to answer questions about the locomotive on Saturdays. For other times, tours can be arranged upon request.

    T-Thu 11AM-3PM, Fri Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 11AM-3PM, engine with cab visits Sat 10AM-1PM·Free

17. See

    Tohono Chul Park

    "Tohono chul" means "desert corner" in the Tohono O'Odham's (desert people's) language, and this haven in the midst of Tucson's burgeoning north side offers a tea room, gift shop, bookstore, and art gallery in the middle of trails and gardens. There are extensive botanical exhibits explaining the native plants, and a wonderful plant-sale area in which to buy them for your own garden. Many kinds of desert birds are frequent visitors.

18. See

    Tucson Botanical Gardens

    This beautiful oasis in the heart of Tucson was the home of Bernice and Rutger Porter. Dating to the 1920s, the earliest buildings on the property were constructed of adobe bricks made right on site. True to the vision of Mrs. Porter, Tucson Botanical Gardens is a place of beauty, inspiration and education about the natural world.

    Sat-Wed 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Thu Fri 8:30AM - 8PM·Adult $15; student, senior 62+, or military $13, child 4-17 $8, child under 4 years free

19. See

    Tucson Museum of Art

    A museum complex housed in a collection of historic adobe houses, this museum hosts exhibits of regional contemporary art, as well as the Arizona Biennial. Its permanent collection of Latin American and pre-Columbian art is particularly noteworthy. There is a well-stocked shop in the lobby that is open during museum hours.

    Tue Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·$12 (adults), $10 (seniors), $7 (students/children 13-17), free (children under 13); free on 1st Th of month from 5PM-8PM

20. See

    University of Arizona Museum of Art

    Houses an extensive of American and European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, with excellent rotating exhibits. A highlight of the collection is the 15th-century Spanish altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo.

    Wed 9AM-5PM, Thu 9AM-8PM, Fri Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·$8 (adults), $6.50 (seniors), free (students)

21. See Not mapped

    Barrio Viejo

    Barrio Histórico

    One of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods, much of the barrio was destroyed when the Tucson Convention Center was built. There are many colorful adobe buildings housing shops, galleries, and residences. Best explored on foot.

22. See Not mapped

    Tram Tour

    As the grounds are so large, a tour tram is offered for those who do not wish to walk. The guided tour lasts one hour and covers 1½ miles and more than 150 planes. Departure times vary, so it is best to call ahead or inquire at the entrance.

    Price is in addition to museum admission: $6 (adults), free (children under 6)

23. See

    Children's Museum Tucson

    200 S 6th Ave

    Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM·$6 (children 1-18), $8 (adults), $6 (seniors); $2 2nd Sa of the month

24. See

    Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson

    MOCA

    Hosts exhibits of regional and national contemporary art.

    Wed-Sun noon-5PM·$8 (adults), $5 (students/seniors), free (veterans, military, children under 17); free on last Su of every month

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tucson (CC BY-SA 4.0).