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Breakers Water Park - If you're serious about having fun in the water this is the place to come. This water park is more than 20 acres and includes the Splash Zone, seven large water slides, munchkin marsh pool area, the Breakers Bay Wave Pool, volleyball courts and ramadas for group functions. Open from the end of May to the beginning of September.
8555 W. Tangerine Road, Marana Phone: (520) 682-2304
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium - Located on the University of Arizona campus, the Planetarium appeals to everyone of all ages. Hands-on science exhibits, planetarium shows, a mineral museum, nighttime telescope viewing, and a science store. Also located here is the Heliochronometer, the largest single-piece sundial in the nation. Cherry Avenue and University Boulevard. (520) 621-STAR
Asarco Mineral Discovery Center - Visit the center for a better understanding of the importance of copper to the history and economy of Arizona. Open-pit mine tours and an exhibit center illustrate mining. Open Tuesday thru Saturday with a gift shop and picnic area. Located outside of Tucson in Sahuarita - 1421 W. Pima Mine Road.
Phone: (520) 625-7513
Biosphere 2 Center - The 250-acre site is devoted to deepening the understanding of Earth systems vital to the policies and decisions that will affect Earth's future. At Biosphere you can take a "World of Discovery" tour in the three-acre glass-enclosed research laboratory. This is the world's largest controlled environment facility for terrestial and marine plant growth and experimental climate change science. There are also multimedia exhibits, an ocean-viewing gallery, an observatory, shops, a hotel and conference center, and a restaurant. Open daily. Located 20 miles north of Tucson at 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Oracle. Phone: (520) 825-1289
Kitt Peak National Observatory - The Kitt Peak Visitor Center is open daily and offers free public tours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Kitt Peak has 22 optical and two radio telescopes representing eight astronomical research institutions. The observatory supports nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the sun. The Nightly Observing Program is available by reservation. Tohoho O'odham Reservation, 56 miles southwest of Tucson via Highway 86. Visitor center: (520) 318-8726
Old Tucson Studios - This famous film location is now a western theme park. Offering live-action entertainment, simulated gunfights, thrilling stunts, stagecoach adventures, saloon musicals and an array of games, rides, shops, and saloons. Special events are scheduled year-round including major concerts, festivals, sporting events and children's activities. 201 W. Kinney Road Phone: (520) 883-0100, Ext. 0
Reid Park Zoo - Originally named Randolph Zoo this zoo has a nice display of over 500 exotic animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats. Travel from the mountains of South America through the Asian rain forest and to the African savanna. 1100 Randolph Way (Zoo entrance is located at 22nd Street and Randolph Way). Phone: (520) 791-4022
San Xavier del Bac Mission - This active Tohono O'odham parish church is known as the "White Dove of the Desert". It is considered one of the finest examples of mission architecture in the United States. Built from 1783 to 1797 by Franciscan priests with native labor, it is a mix of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexico Renaissance architecture. It also has been called the "Sistine Chapel of North America" because of its exquisite interior artwork. The mission is a historic landmark on the San Xavier Indian Reservation. 1950 W. San Xavier Road Phone: (520) 294-2624
Tubac - The oldest European settlement in Arizona founded in 1752. Today the town is an internationally known art colony with the remains of a historic mission. Located 45 miles south of Tucson. For information call the Tubac Chamber of Commerce (520) 389-2704
Tohono Chul Park - This is a privately run 37-acre Sonoran Desert preserve tucked away on the Northwest side of Tucson. The parks name means "desert corner". Featuring a winding nature trail through various gardens, a renovated historic home contains the Exhibit Hall which offers changing exhibits of art that convey an appreciation of the environment and reflect the area's ethnic legacy. There is also the Tea Room, and the Greenhouse and Musuem Shops. Tours are offered daily, both guided or with a map. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte Phone: (520) 575-8468
Tucson Botanical Gardens - Discover the variety of plant life that thrives in southern Arizona and pick up some ideas for your own garden. The five-acre site includes 16 different gardens containing more than 1200 types of plants. Some of the demonstration gardens include a historical garden, an herb garden, a butterfly garden, a Mexican-American garden, and a cactus and succulent garden. There are numerous fountains, the historic Porter home, a gift shop, a nursery, and daily tours and classes. Open daily except New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. (520) 326-9686
Tucson Area Museums
Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum - This is a living museum containing the animals and plants that inhabit the Sonoran Desert. Everything from plants to reptiles and insects and from mammals and birds to fish. There are more than 300 species of native wildlife and 1,300 varieties of desert plants. Many unique exhibits including minerals found within the area, gift shops, cafes and fine dining. You should definatly fit this unique museum into your visit. 2021 N. Kinney Road. (520) 883-1380, Ext. 135
Arizona Historical Society Museum - Located near the entrance to the University of Arizona, the museum features exhibits illustrating state history from the museum features exhibits illustrating state history from the Spanish colonial days to the present. The society also maintains the Fremont House, Fort Lowell Museum, and the Downtown Museum. 949 E. 2nd Street (520) 628-5774
Arizona State Museum - A Smithsonian Institution affiliate, this museum is the home of an official project of Save America Treasures: The Pottery Project" 20,000 pots, 2,000 Years. The museum offers exhibits, public programs, a library, a museum store, and numerous publications programs, a library, a museum store, and numerous publications on the American Indian cultures of Arizona and northern Mexico. Northeast of teh Main Gate at Park Avenue and University Boulevard on the University of Arizona campus. (520) 621-6302
Fort Lowell Museum - The museum, in Fort Lowell Park, depicts life on a frontier Arizona military post. Permanent and changing exhibits show the Apache Wars and Army history.
2900 N. Craycroft Road (520) 885-3832
Pima Air & Space Museum - One of the world's largest privately funded aerospace/aviation museums. You can walk around the airplanes or take motorized docent-led tours. There are 250 vintage aircraft, and thousands of aerospace artifacts. Among the displays are helicopters, homebuilts (experimental), hang gliders, ultralights, drones and missiles. There are nearly 50 interpretive exhibits among the galleries. Nice memorabilia displays of artifacts from each war. 6000 E. Valencia Road. (520) 574-0462
Titan Missile Museum - The world's only remaining Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile complex is a National Historic Landmark and may be toured. The Titan II is a second-generation, liquid-fueled ballistic missile and the largest Inter-Sontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) ever developed by the United States. 1580 W. Duval Mine Road, Sahuarita. (520) 625-7736
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block - The museum's permanent collection includes pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial to contemporary and world fold art. The museum is located in the El Presidio Historic District. 140 N. Main Avenue. (520) 624-2333
University of Arizona Mineral Museum - The museum has over 16,000 mineral specimens in its main collection and 6,000 in its micromount collection. Minerals, gemstones, and meteorites from around the world are on display in the Flandrau Science Center. Several large chunks of the Diablo Canyon fall that created Arizona's meteor Crater are here. Cherry Avenue and University Boulevard (520) 621-4227
University of Arizona Museum of Art - This museum holds a permanent collection of art spanning from the 15th century Spanish retablo of Ciudad Rodrigo to the flower power of Georgia O'Keeffe. Containing more than 4,500 paintings, sculptures and works on paper dating from the sixth century B.C. to today. The collections emphasize the artistic traditions of Europe and the United States, but artistic traditions of Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world are well represented. Located on the University of Arizona campus - Speedway Boulevard and Park Avenue. (520) 621-7567
Tucson Historic Sites
Spanish settlers built the Tucson Presidio in 1775 around the Spanish military garrison, and a mission was established within the walled Presidio called San Agustin del Tucson. The walls of the Presidio is what gave Tucson the nickname of the "Old Pueblo". Within the present courtyard of the Pima County Courthouse there are markers that indicate the position of the Presidio wall when it was erected. In downtown Tucson is an area know as the Presidio and there are many homes that were built in the 19th century that have been preserved and most are on the National Historic Register. There is a walking tour (map available at the Convention & Visitors Bureau) in the heart of downtown Tucson. For more information call: (520) 624-1817
· Arizona Historical Society Downtown Museum - 140 N. Stone Avenue. This museum features the "History is the Heart of Tucson" exhibit. Admission is free. Phone: (520) 770-1473
· St. Augustine Cathedral - Located on 192 S. Stone Avenue. The building facade is built of sandstone and was modeled after the Cathedral of Queretaro, Mexico. Built in 1897 and partially rebuilt in the late 1960's. It's Mexican baroque architecture, with a sandstone facade and beautiful stained glass windows.
· Fremont House - 151 S. Granada Avenue. One of Tucson's oldest adobe buildings has been restored to the period around 1880 and displays 19-th century furnishings and memorabilia as well as changing exhibits. This historic home is owned by the Arizona Historical Society Tucson Museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
· El Presidio Park - 100 block of Church Avenue. The park is located in the southern half of the original Presidio.
· Charles O. Brown House - 40 W. Broadway. The section at the south end of the patio is the original structure, done in Mexican Territorial.
· Fish House - 120 N. Main Avenue. This 1868 home has 15-foot beamed ceilings with saguaro rib lacings and is now the home of the El Presidio Gallery.
· Garces Footbridge - Located on Congress Street between Church and Granada Avenues. This bridge is a memorial to Francisco Garces, the first pastor of San Xavier del Bac Mission.
· J. Knox Corbett House - 180 N. Main Avenue. This brick and stucco building was built in 1906 and a nearby plaque marks the northwest corner of the Presidio wall.
· Pima County Courthouse - 155 N. Church Avenue. This structure is a blend of Southwestern and Spanish Architecture. A portion of the original Presidio wall is displayed and markers in the courtyard indicates where it originally stood.
· Stevens Home - 150 N. Main Avenue. The Stevens home and the Fish house were the social center of Tucson society in the 19th century.
· Romero House - Meyer Avenue and Washington Street. Built in 1868 over a part of the original Presidio wall.
· La Casa Cordova - 175 N. Meyer Avenue. This house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features exhibits that trace the Presidio history.
· Old Town Artisans - 186 N. Meyer Avenue. Between 1862 and 1875 the front two rooms were built and feature saguaro-rib ceilings. This building contains a collection of native American, Western and Mexican paintings, sculptures, prints, jewelry, clothing, furniture and crafts. You'll find traditional and contemporary work by artisans from Arizona and elsewhere.
· Julius Kruttschnidt House - 197 N. Main Avenue. 1886 American Territorial adobe house. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
· Sam Hughes House - 223 N. Main Avenue. The original structure was built in 1864 and as the family grew the house was enlarged.
· Owl's Club Mansion - 378 N. Main Avenue. Once a gentlemen's club this 1901 building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
· El Charro - 311 N. Court Avenue. Built of stone from Sentinel Peak by the stonemason who worked on the St. Augustine Cathedral.
· Homes located at 405 thru 411 N. Meyer Avenue. This row of homes is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tucson ~ Arts Programs, Dance & Music
Live Arts/Pima Community College - Music, modern dance, theatre, and comedy. Center has a 426-seat theater, studio theater, recital hall, and gallery. Performances are low cost or free.
MUSE - Located in the old YMCA building, the center has arts, rehearsal, and gallery space and a 700-seat venue for concerts, theater, and other events and offers arts programs and tours.
516 N. 5th Avenue. (520) 903-0918
UA Presents/University of Arizona - This program presents more than 40 events each year, including Broadway hits, star performers, music, ballet, modern dance, and performance art. Info:
Tucson ~ Dance
Ballet Tucson - Season begins in November and goes through May with annual performances such as teh Dance and Dessert concert that takes place in February. Tickets: (520) 903-1445
Dance Southwest - This Tucson company collaborates with other Arizona artists and arts organizations to produce classical and contemporary ballets. Performances are held at the Pima Community College Center for the Arts. 425 E. Broadway, #103. (520) 690-7260
Tucson Regional Ballet - Tucson Regional Ballet's season includes the December production of A Southwest Nutcracker - a version of The Nutcracker set in 1880's Tucson. Performances are held at the Tucson Convention Center. 2100 N. Wilmot Street, #221. (520) 886-1222
Tucson ~ Music
Arizona Opera - Arizona Opera's performances are held at the Tucson Convention Center Music Hall, where English translations of the operas are projected above the stage. 3501 N. Mountain Avenue. (520) 293-4336
Catalina Chamber Orchestra - This group presents classical favorites and new works by regional composers. The season runs from October through April, with a free children's concert in Reid Park each June.
(520) 624-0170
Tucson Area Recreation
Colossal Cave Mountain Park - Discovered in 1879, the cave had been in use for centuries by prehistoric peoples. Listed on the National Historic Places the cave is filled with crystals and has tours. This is not a living cave. Located 22 miles east of Tucson, very scenic drive. For hours and general information call: (520) 647-7275
Mount Lemmon - A 9,157-foot peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains, has the nation's southernmost ski area, Mount Lemmon Ski Valley (520-885-1181). Chairlift rides give visitors year-round scenic views. Campgrounds, hiking trails, pine forests, and shopping/dining at the Summerhaven Village. The average temperature on Mt. Lemmon is about 20 degrees cooler than in Tucson. The 6.5-mile Butterfly Trail will take you to the top.
Santa Catalina Ranger District: (520) 749-8700
Saguaro National Park - The park preserves saguaro cactus and other desert vegetation, occupies regions east and west of Tucson. The exotic saguaro, which may live up to 200 years, can grow to a height of 50 feet, and weigh more than 10 tons, can thrive for as long as five years without water. Its unique blossom is Arizona's state flower. There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails, visitor centers, and scenic drives. Both districts of the park are open daily, 7am to sunset. Visitors centers are open daily, 8:30am to 5pm daily.
Saguaro National Monument (East): 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail (520) 733-5153
Saguaro National Monument (West): 2700 N. Kinney Road (520) 733-5158
Tucson Mountain Park - Made up of 20,000 acres, this Sonoran desert natural preserve is located a few miles west of Tucson. Hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, picnicking, and camping at Gilbert Ray Campground. The campground has 30 amp electric for RV's, and community water faucets at common areas. Dump station and potable water available for RV's. Generator use is prohibited. 8 miles west of Tucson on Speedway Boulevard and Kinney Road. Nearby to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum.
Info: 520-877-6000
Catalina State Park - Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this desert park features many varieties of plants and animals, and is popular with bird-watchers. Picnicking and camping areas and trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are on-site, and the ruins of an ancient Hohokam village lie near the park's entrance. 9 miles north of Tucson on Highway 77. Info: (520) 628-5798
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