Day Trips

Explore Southern Arizona

	Outdoor Recreation Explore our spectacular landscape and world-famous caverns; or just kick back and relax in our natural hot springs.
	Heritage & Culture Trace Southern Arizona’s colorful history from pre-historic Native American settlements to Wild West boom towns.
	Western Experience Discover the authentic Old West and walk in the footsteps of legends like Wyatt Earp, Pancho Villa and Cochise.
	Missions & Churches Tour centuries old Spanish missions to wonders of modern architecture.
	Military History Learn about Native American warriors, Spanish conquistadors, Mexican rebels, the U.S. Cavalry and see relics of the Cold War.
	Plants & Animals Discover our lush desert with an incredible variety of plants and animals that have adjusted to the unique environment.
	Bird Watching Located along the migratory path between Canada and Mexico, Southern Arizona is a birder’s paradise.
	Astronomy Tour some of the world’s most-respected observatories and enjoy the same “good seeing” as the pros.
	Wineries Sample the wonderful bouquets and tastes of wines made right here in Arizona wine country.
	Shopping From modern malls, to quaint antique shops and one-of-a-kind art and Native American crafts, Tucson is a fun shopping experience.
	Area Visitor Centers As you venture away from Tucson stop in at local visitors centers for great travel information no matter where you are.
	Photography Southern Arizona is a photographer’s delight. Nature, architecture, people, panoramic landscapes—the variety of subject matter is unique and endless. Capture the colorful character of the Southwest.

Breakfast: Start with a Southwestern-style breakfast at Lodge on the Desert, an Arizona landmark since 1936. Centrally located, this boutique hotel is an urban oasis of orange trees, regal palms, and native cacti. The current expansion project does not lessen the fine dining experience here.

Early morning: Tour Tucson Botanical Gardens, an in-town refuge designated as one of "America's Best Secret Gardens." Take advantage of the delightful mornings here and explore 16 different areas representing a variety of gardening traditions and botanical themes.

Late Morning: Explore Reid Park Zoo where more than 400 animals are housed in naturalistic habitats. The zoo's relatively compact size makes for an easy walk, even for young children. Surrounding the zoo is Tucson's largest park, with playgrounds, picnic areas, and a duck pond.  

Lunch: After a morning of walking, satisfy your appetite with a hearty lunch at Sam Hughes Place. This contemporary addition to the historical University of Arizona neighborhood features a menu of American favorites.

Afternoon: Discover what goes on behind the scenes at the Phoenix Mars Lander mission control center at the University of Arizona. Visit the Sonett Visitor's Center, Mondays through Fridays, 8am to 5pm, to see a model of the U of A's powerful HiRISE camera, which is taking pictures of Mars from aboard the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

Late Afternoon: Stroll across campus to Main Gate Square, a pedestrian-friendly block with unique merchants, casual restaurants, and outdoor plazas. Go to the UA Visitor's Center for campus information and help arranging walking tours. On weekends, ride the Old Pueblo Trolley to and from the Fourth Avenue Shopping District.

Dinner: Dine on the patio while listening to live music at one of the more than 30 restaurants, cafés, and pubs representing an international range of cuisines at Main Gate Square.

Evening: Walk across campus to catch an exciting planetarium show, such as "MarsQuest," at Flandrau: The UA Science Center, Thursdays through Sundays. Gaze at the night sky through the 16-inch telescope at the center's public observatory.