For those who venture off the beaten path, Tucson is proud to be a little out there; a natural oasis from the unoriginal and pretentious that inspires the free spirit in us all.
Geography Located in the heart of southern Arizona, in the diverse ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is about 1 miles (177 km) south of the Arizona state capital Phoenix and 70 miles (112 km) north of the US-Mexico border. At an elevation of 2,389 feet (728 m) above sea level, metropolitan Tucson covers nearly 500 square miles (46.45 m 2 ). Surrounded on all sides by five picturesque mountain ranges and nestled between both branches of Saguaro National Park (East & West), Tucson is a place that beckons you to explore without boundaries. Sitting atop the Santa Catalina Mountains is the alpine summit of Mount Lemmon, which at 9,157 ft in elevation (2791 m) it is the tallest peak in southern Arizona. Compared with the Tucson valley, summer temperatures among the mountain's lush aspen groves and Ponderosa pine forests are 20 to 30 degrees cooler year-round. TUCSON'S FIVE MOUNTAIN RANGES Santa Catalina Rincon Santa Rita Tucson Tortolita
Weather Tucson s dry, fresh air and average annual 350 days of sunshine make it the perfect place for outdoor activities. And though summer does get hot, low humidity and easy access to cool escapes nearby mean you can enjoy the region's diverse surroundings all year long. Temperatures and rainfall in the Sonoran Desert vary widely depending on the season and elevation. Hats, sunglasses and plenty of drinking water are essential items no matter the season. Fahrenheit Celsius Max Min Max Min January April In early spring, dress in layers, as sunny days give way to chilly nights. Snowmelt from higher elevations brings the desert to life, making this a great time to enjoy outdoor activities, witness colorful wildflower displays, and view wildlife. JANUARY 65 37 18 4 FEBRUARY 69 40 20 5 MARCH 74 43 23 7 APRIL 82 50 27 MAY 90 57 32 14 May September Temperatures rise during this time of year. Be vigilant about sun protection and staying hydrated. Late summer monsoon rainstorms spawn spectacular sunsets and lightning shows, so have your camera and rain gear ready. JUNE 0 67 38 20 JULY 1 74 37 23 AUGUST 98 72 36 22 SEPTEMBER 95 67 34 20 October December Warm days and comfortably cool evenings make fall the perfect season for outdoor sporting events, concerts, hiking, cycling, al fresco dining and much more. OCTOBER 86 55 29 14 NOVEMBER 74 44 23 8 DECEMBER 66 38 18 4
Time zone Arizona is in the Mountain Standard Time Zone and does not make the seasonal adjustment for daylight savings time. getting here There are many ways to get to Tucson, including daily direct flights into Tucson International Airport (TUS), from US cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, just to name a few. For international visitors, multiple carriers feature flights to Phoenix, including British Airways which has a daily flight from London. Getting from Phoenix to Tucson takes less than two hours via the I- freeway. Both the I- and I-8 are also great for visitors looking to experience southern Arizona by way of California, providing drivers with a direct route to Tucson from both Los Angeles and San Diego. accommodations Tucson s diverse accommodations are attractions in their own right. Soothe your mind and body at a desert oasis like Miraval Resort & Spa or Canyon Ranch, two of the world s top destination spas. Saddle up for an authentic Western adventure at one of our cozy guest ranches. Or relax and flourish at a variety of luxurious resorts where pro-caliber golf and tennis, inspired cuisine, sparkling pools, and spectacular hiking trails can be found just steps away from your room.
17 SEDONA & GRAND CANYON LOS ANGELES PHOENIX SCOTTSDALE 202 MESA 60 60 202 QUEEN CREEK 60 347 77 177 FLORENCE 347 SAN DIEGO 84 84 8 CASA GRANDE PICACHO N Ironwood Forest Nat l Monument Picacho Peak State Park Pinal Airpark Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Saguaro Nat l Park West Old Tucson 79 TORTOLITA TUCSON ORO VALLEY 77 Biosphere 2 CATALINA Mt Lemmon TUCSON 86 Mission San Xavier Del Bac Pima Air & Space Museum Salt Lake City AJO CALIFORNIA NEVADA Las Vegas GRAND CANYON UTAH Denver COLORADO 86 Kitt Peak National Observatory 286 Titan Missile Museum 19 V PACIFIC OCEAN Los Angeles San Diego Rocky Point MEXICO Flagstaff ARIZONA Phoenix TUCSON Albuquerque NEW MEXICO Buenos Aires Nat l Wildlife Refuge TUBAC SANTA RITA Tumacacori National Historic Park SEA OF CORTEZ Hermosillo TEXAS SASABE, SONORA TUMACACORI MEXICO 19 RIO RICO *Maps not to scale MEXICO NOGALES, AZ NOGALES, SONORA
RINCON 77 CITY MI KM Albuquerque 451 726 Bisbee 90 144 Denver 892 1436 Flagstaff 257 411 Globe 6 170 Grand Canyon 338 541 Lake Havasu 317 507 Las Vegas 413 665 Los Angeles 488 785 Nogales, Mex. 70 112 CITY MI KM Oro Valley 14 23 Phoenix 115 184 San Diego 4 660 Sedona 230 367 Scottsdale 117 188 Sonoita 47 75 Tombstone 70 112 Tubac 44 70 Yuma 240 384 LEGEND 77 Coronado National Forest Nature Parks & Reserves SAN MANUEL GALIURO PINALENO Attraction / Landmark SANTA CATALINA AIL 82 83 Sabino Canyon Saguaro Nat l Park East Colossal Cave Mountain Park 82 SONOITA San Rafael Ranch State Park ELGIN Kartchner Caverns State Park WHETSTONE 90 90 FORT HUACHUCA HUACHUCA 92 82 WINCHESTER ST. DAVID 80 San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area 90 80 191 DRAGOON TOMBSTONE BISBEE PEARCE WILLCOX 191 ELFRIDA 186 181 80 DOUGLAS LAS CRUCES Chiricahua Nat l Monument CHIRICAHUA NEW MEXICO NEW MEXICO MEXICO AGUA PRIETA, SONORA MEXICO
ITINERARIES Day 1 Begin your day with a tour at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which tells the unique story of the Sonoran Desert region. More than 300 species of live animals and 1,400 species of plants indigenous to the Sonoran Desert are exhibited in naturalistic habitats. #1 attraction requires 2 hours. Old Tucson, the famous movie location and theme park. The wild west comes alive as you step back in time. Mock gunfights and can-can revues. Great location for lunch. Requires 2 hours. Saguaro National Park West, part of the U.S. National Park Service gives you breathtaking views of our saguaro forest. Requires 1 hour. Day 2 Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, a true desert oasis, provides a narrated ground-tram ride that is 45-minutes in duration. This is a pristine riparian canyon territory that showcases the plant and animal life of the region. Tram operates on the hour. Requires approximately 1.5 hours. Head west to DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, a unique adobe compound which offers a glimpse of our Native American culture through art. Requires 1 hour. La Encantada a luxury outdoor shopping experience. A number of locally owned restaurants are available for your lunch options. Drive south to the Pima Air & Space Museum, where more than 300 aircraft are on display, representative of America s aviation history. This impressive aircraft collection ranges from the first (a replica of the Wright flyer) to the ultimate flying machine, the famous SR-71A Blackbird. Requires 3 hours.
ITINERARIES Tucson the foodie city: Named by UNESCO in 2015 as City of Gastronomy, the first in America! Dine at any one of the many unique locally owned restaurants in Downtown Tucson. Day 3 Become familiar with Tucson s past, present, and future on a city tour including historic sites in the downtown area. We suggest the walking tour of the El Presidio Turquoise trail which is a 2 ½ mile-long loop trail through downtown. The trail highlights sites of historic interest and is marked by a turquoise stripe on the sidewalk. Shopping at Old Town Artisans, located in downtown Tucson s El Presidio Historic District. Visit museums, shops, and galleries with contemporary and traditional art and fine crafts from a variety of local artists. Requires 3 hours. Local tour providers available. Mission San Xavier del Bac, the oldest intact European structure in Arizona and one of the finest examples of Spanish mission architecture in the United States. Founded in 1692 by a Jesuit missionary, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, the mission was created to serve, as it still does, the Tohono O odham ( Desert People ) of the village of Wa:k. Visitors can learn about the history, architecture, culture, and surroundings of the mission, known as The White Dove of the Desert, during docent-led tours. Approximately 45 minutes. 23 Miles of Mexican Food Enjoy dinner at one of Tucson s many awardwinning Mexican restaurants like El Charro or Café Poca Cosa.
arts Tucson rivals many bigger cities when it comes to visual and performing arts. With the renowned Tucson Symphony Orchestra, a professional ballet, opera and theater companies as well as dozens of arts festivals, galleries and studios scattered throughout the city s 11 districts, it's no wonder Tucson has been acclaimed as a trend-setting artistic community for decades. Visiting artists will find inspiration around every corner with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and let their creativity run free. Music-lovers can also get into the groove at any of the city's countless live music venues including the historic Rialto and Fox Tucson theaters, both of which host eclectic lineups, regularly featuring some of the hottest acts from around the globe. day trips Tucson is also a jumping-off point for many exciting southern Arizona day trips. Within easy driving distance are the Old West mining towns of Tombstone, Bisbee, Douglas and Ajo; southern Arizona s wine country near Willcox, Elgin and Sonoita; shops, galleries and art festivals in Tubac and Patagonia; spectacular rock formations in Chiricahua National Monument; and a taste of Mexico in Nogales, Sonora, just 70 miles south.
cuisine Tucson earned the United States first UNESCO City of Gastronomy title in December 2015, joining cities in Brazil, Sweden and Chengdu. Tucson s casual settings, fresh ingredients and unapologetic passion for food gives it a flavor of its own with a rich culinary heritage influenced by Mexican and Native American traditions in food and drink. Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of Tucson s agricultural legacy, and local chefs and mixologists provide a sense of place by using regional ingredients like cholla buds, prickly pear syrup and mesquite flour to creatively flavor their dishes. The city s 0-plus local restaurants include those that make up the Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food. main attractions Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Pima Air & Space Museum Mission San Xavier Del Bac Old Tucson Biosphere 2 Kartchner Caverns Sabino Canyon Saguaro National Park East & West Mt. Lemmon Sky Center Kitt Peak National Observatory
For more information about travel to Tucson including group tours and professional meetings, go to VisitTucson.org 800.638.8350 0 S. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701