1. Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum

Further broaden your scientific horizons at Biosphere 2, Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, and Titan Missile Museum. Learn more about these and other space, science, and tech attractions.

 

2. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Branch out on the nature paths at Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson. Learn more about these and other area gardens.

 

Woman holding a large owl with two children standing beside her pointing at a map

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

 

3. Arizona State Museum

Delve deeper into culture and heritage at Amerind Museum, Arizona History Museum, Etherton Gallery, Jewish History Museum, and Tucson Presidio Museum. Learn more about these and other museums.

 

4. Catalina State Park

Keep on trekking at Oracle State Park, Patagonia Lake State Park, Picacho Peak State Park, or Roper Lake State Park. Learn more about these parks.

 

landscape with rocky mountain side and desert hills

Pusch Ridge - Santa Catalina Mountains Tucson

 

5. Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium

Keep your focus skyward with tours of Kitt Peak National Observatory, Mt. Graham International Observatory, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, Whipple Observatory. Learn more about these space, science, and tech attractions.

 

6. Colossal Cave Mountain Park

You can also head underground for a different caving experience at Kartchner Caverns State Park. Learn more about our local caves.

 

Kids Exploring Colossal Cave

Colossal Cave

 

7. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

There's even more fun to be had at Children’s Museum Tucson/Oro Valley, Reid Park Zoo, Trail Dust Town and Tucson Wagon and History Museum. Learn more with these trip ideas.

 

8. Mission San Xavier del Bac

Find other examples of historical architecture at St. Augustine Cathedral, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, and Tumacácori National Historical Park. Learn more.

 

Exterior of Mission San Xavier del Bac

Exterior of Mission San Xavier del Bac

 

9. Mt. Lemmon

Set your sights on such other birding hotspots as Madera Canyon, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Ramsey Canyon, Sabino Canyon, and Sweetwater Wetlands Park. Learn more about national parks and forest areas.

 

Rock Climbing near Mt. Lemmon

Windy Point Vista on Mt. Lemmon

 

10. Pima Air & Space Museum

Check out other ways to get around at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum and Franklin Auto Museum. Learn more.

 

Pima Air & Space Museum

Pima Air & Space Museum

 

11. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block

Be further inspired at the Center for Creative Photography, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Learn more about local museums.

 

12. Saguaro National Park

Discover even more Sonoran Desert beauty at Ironwood Forest National Monument, Saguaro National Park East and West, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Learn more about national parks and forest areas.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

 

Explore some of the world's top attractions and some of Arizona's best-kept secrets here.