Continuing our effort to educate our clients about all things relevant to the Tucson market, we’ve provided a list of attractions throughout the surrounding Tucson area. The list below includes museums, landmarks, and recreational activities to street fairs and other cultural institutions. Click on the highlighted title names for additional information or visit the Tucson Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau for a wealth of Tucson area activities.
Tucson Area Natural and Museum Attractions
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – A remarkable facility featuring many of the most spectacular desert plants and wildlife, this museum is a must see for any new Tucson resident or visitor. Located approximately 20 minutes west of downtown Tucson this makes it an easy visit. Team Woodall Tip: It’s advisable to visit the museum during the mornings and late afternoons, particularly when hot, in order view the wildlife when they’re most active. Also wear appropriate footwear and clothes as the museum is a more natural habitat than a typical zoo and substantial walking is required.
- Kartchner Caverns – This “live” cave which is still constantly growing different formations is a remarkable look into the beauty of underground exploration and was only fairly recently discovered back in 1974. Team Woodall Tip: Call ahead for tour reservations.
- Pima Air & Space Museum – For aviation aficionados this is a splendid look at a variety of exciting aircraft including the vaunted SR-71. As one of the largest aviation museums in the country this tour should satisfy the most die hard aviation enthusiast. Team Woodall Tip: For an even more in-depth experience, schedule a tour offered at the Pima Air Museum of the neighboring Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), known as “the Boneyard.”
- Biosphere 2 – This former highly publicized facility was constructed to research and develop self-sustaining space-colonization technology and in the early 1990’s underwent two missions where its residents were sealed into the facility for extended periods of time. Now currently operated by the University of Arizona, it provides a fascinating look into this past history and serves as an ongoing research lab. Team Woodall Tip: Plan to spend approximately 2 hours at the facility and to allow for plenty of travel time as the facility is located considerably to the north of Tucson off of Oracle Road.
- Titan Missile Museum – An amazing look into a previously functional Cold War Era nuclear missile facility, this unique museum surprises people by how exciting and riveting the tour is even for those not typically into military or political themes. Team Woodall Tip: Call ahead to schedule your tour and for an even greater experience, arrange your trip for one of the Beyond the Blastdoors Tours.
Tucson Festivals & Cultural Events
- Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase – The city welcomes visitors from around the globe for this unique, two-week event that stretches across the downtown Tucson area. Many of the events are free, but some have limited access and are open only to dealers. Team Woodall Tip – Book your hotel reservations well in advance as rooms throughout Tucson are hard to come by during this event.
- La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Tucson Rodeo) – A family friendly event spanning nine days that centers around the Tucson Rodeo, this event began back in 1925 as a way to lure winter visitors to town and is such an attraction that most school districts provide two days off of school during it. There are a number of towns, particularly in the West, which have a rodeo come to town but few of them are such an integral part of a town’s culture. This tradition, which has grown into the largest non-motorized parade in the world, is fun for all ages and features bands, floats, horses, and more.
- 4th Avenue Street Fair – Another Tucson tradition is 4th Avenue Street Fair which is held twice a year, once in the Spring (March/April) and again in late Fall (December). If you’ve never been yet, then you’re missing a Tucson tradition that dates back 45 years to 1970 when the first event was held. With crowds ranging between 200,000 – 350,000 it is one of the premier street fairs in the country. On display are over 400 arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, street musicians, jugglers, and street performers. The event is also kid friendly with face painting, balloons, demonstrations, and other activities geared to a younger audience.
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