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Tucson Show Guide

  Sights & Attractions:
  While you're in town, steal a few hours and enjoy some of the interesting culture and sights that Tucson has to offer.
All phone numbers are area code 520. Where the number is listed with its area code, you must dial the entire number or the call will not go through.
 
EXPLORING TUCSON
DAY TRIPS
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
 RECREATION
SHOPPING

top EXPLORING TUCSON
ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center, 1421 W. Pima Rd. (I-19, Exit 80); 625-7513. Open-pit mine and mill tours, award-winning exhibit center, and gift shop featuring books, Southwestern arts and crafts, and much more. Open Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16711 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail; 647-7275. Largest dry, 72-degree cave in the country. Old Spanish Trail, 22 miles southeast of Tcson. Fascinating crystal formations. Guided tours, museum trails, library, picnic area. Amisssion fee.

Coronado National Forest, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd; 749-8700. Hiking, walking, cycling, birding, visitor center. Shuttle available. Admission fee.

Dark Mountain Brewery/Winery, 1360 E. Benson Hwy., I-10 East, Exit 279; 762-5777. Arizona's first commercial winery. Tours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 12-5 p.m. Sun. Tours are on the hour. Live music Sat. 7-10 p.m.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Located at Craycroft and Golf Links; 228-3900 or 228-3358. The largest outdoor aircraft storage facility in the world is also the home of the A-10 Combat Crew Training and OA-37 Forward Air Control Operations. Tours 9 a.m. Mon. and Wed. Reservations required, call Pima Air at 574-0762.

Fourth Avenue, Called Tucson's “most unique shopping district,” the Avenue has numerous boutiques, stores, and restaurants. The Old Pueblo Trolley offers rides between Fourth Avenue and the University of Arizona.

Garden of Gethsemane, 602 W. Congress St.; 791-4873. This statuary garden depicting Biblical scenes has been a Tucson landmark since 1945. The work of Felix Lucero is maintained by the Knights of Columbus. Open daily 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Mission San Xavier Del Bac, 1950 W. San Xavier Rd.; 294-2624. Historic landmark and active Tohono O'odham Native American parish church. Museum and gift shop.

Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, 10300 Ski Run Rd., located 30 miles northeast of Tucson; 576-1400. The highest peak in the Santa Catalina mountains, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley offers visitors a chance to picnic, camp, and fish in the vast pine forest. Incomparable skiing. Admission fee.

Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Rd; 883-0100. Southern Arizona's premier outdoor entertainment venue features a full array of live shows, legendary gunfights, thrilling stunts, saloon musicals, and stagecoach adventures. Some of the biggest Hollywood legends have walked these streets, the setting for hundreds of major motion pictures. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission fee.

Reid Park Zoo, 1100 S. Randolph Way; 791-4873. Located on E. 22nd between Randolph Way and Country Club Rd. Gathers animals from around the world in a Tucson oasis.

Saguaro National Park, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail; 733-5100. Park established to preserve Sonoran Desert vegetation, especially the saguaro cactus. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. Admission fee.

Sentinel Peak (“A” Mountain), 1000 S. Sentinel Peak Rd.; 791-4873. So named because it once served as a lookout point. Popular for its view of the city. The large “A” is whitewashed annually by University of Arizona students.

Sosa/Carrillo/Fremont House, 151 S. Granada Ave. (in the Convention Center complex); 622-0956. One of the city's oldest adobe residences, circa 1880, it was occupied by Territorial Governor Fremont and his family. Open Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte; 742-6455. Features nature trails, demonstration gardens, geology wall, art and cultural exhibits, recirculating stream, and ramadas. Open daily 7 a.m.-sunset. Call for exhibit hall/museum, green house, and tea room hours. Wheelchair access. Donations accepted.

Tucson Arts District, Greater downtown area including Congress St. & Broadway, El Presidio neighborhood and Fourth Ave.; 624-9977. Defined with bright banners, this area joins 20 galleries with arty shops, cafes, and fine dining. On the first and third Saturday night of the month, the neighborhood becomes a festival of street performers and artisans.

Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way; 326-9255. A collection of gardens including cactus, wildflowers, children's garden, herbs, and Native American crops. Classes, gift shop. Open daily 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission fee.

top DAY TRIPS
Benson (Head east on I-10 for 46 miles.) Located in beautiful San Pedro Valley. Serves as the western gateway to scenic and historic attractions of Cochise County, the final frontier of the “Old West.” For more information, contact its chamber of commerce at (520) 586-2842.

Biosphere 2 Center, 32540 S. Biosphere Rd., Oracle; (520) 896-6200. Visit the famous under-glass environment that's become one of the most important and exciting projects of the '90s. Tours inside the sphere are now available. Open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission fee.

Bisbee (90 miles from Tucson; head east on I-10 and then take 80 South.) Historic mining town founded in 1880. Guided tours, lodging, museums, art, and antiques. For more information, contact its chamber of commerce at (520) 432-3554 or (866) 224-7233.

Chiricahua National Monument 13063 E. Bonita Canyon Rd., Willcox (120 miles east of Tucson), (520) 824-3560. Often called the “Wonderland of Rocks,” this area was once home to the Chiricahua Apache Indians and their leader Cochise. Amazing rock formations.

Douglas (117 miles from Tucson; go east on I-10 and continue onto 80 south.) Get a taste of the “Old West” with a Mexican flavor. Its history as an internationally-important trading center makes this town an interesting visit. Contact its chamber of commerce, (520) 364-2477, for more information.

Lordsburg (2 1/2-hour drive east of Tucson on I-10) Visit the area where Billy the Kid once rode, and tour the ghost towns of Shakespeare and Steins in New Mexico. Features rock shops and a historical museum, and food and lodging for an overnight stay. For more information, contact its chamber of commerce, (505) 542-9864.

Nogales (63 miles south of Tucson on I-19.) This Mexican border town is filled with the color and flavor of Mexico. Cross over to Nogales, Mexico, for shopping, or stay in the States and check out the Arizona Vineyards for free tours and tastings. Call (520) 287-3685 for more information from its chamber of commerce.

Pearce/Sunsites (60 miles from Tucson, take I-10 east to 191 South.) The ghost town of Pearce combines with the nearby village of Sunsites to create the hub of Cochise County, a quiet mountain valley community. For more information, contact its chamber of commerce at (520) 826-3535.

Sierra Vista (70 miles from Tucson, take I-10 east to 90 South) 4,700-foot elevation in the Huachuca Mountain range. Home of Fort Huachuca, Coronado National Memorial, and the Mile-High Ramsey Canyon Nature Conservancy. Contact its chamber of commerce at (520) 458-6940 for more information.

Tombstone (70 miles from Tucson; head east on I-10 and then south on 80.) Known as “the town too tough to die,” this entire city is a registered national historic landmark. Visit the Bird Cage Theatre, Crystal Palace Saloon, and O.K. Corral. For more information, contact its tourism association at (888) 457-3929.

Tubac (45 miles south of Tucson on I-19.) The oldest European settlement in Arizona, it is presently centered around an internationally known artists' colony where more than 80 shops offer a wide array of work by both local and international artists. Visit the Tubac Center of the Arts, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m daily. For more information, contact its chamber of commerce at (520) 398-2704.

top MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Amerind Foundation Museum, Off I-10 between Benson and Willcox.; 586-3666. Features archeological and ethnographic exhibits of Native American cultures. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Arizona Historical Society Museum, 949 E. 2nd St.; 628-5774. Museum run by the official state agency that collects and records the history of Arizona. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed on Sundays.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd.; 883-2702. An internationally-known “living” museum. The New York Times said it's "the most distinctive zoo in the United States." Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission fee.

Arizona State Museum, 1013 E University Blvd., University of Arizona campus; 621-6302. Exhibits focus on the prehistoric and modern Native American cultures and their impact on the Southwest. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. noon-5 p.m.

Center For Creative Photography, University of Arizona campus, 1030 N. Olive Rd.; 621-7968. Changing photographic exhibitions. Also available is a photographic library and research collection.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Rd.; 299-9191. Unique adobe museum designed by the artist himself. Featuring DeGrazia originals along with rotating exhibits. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, University of Arizona campus; 621-4515. Exhibit halls and 16-inch telescope. Admission fee for shows only. Astronomy store. Open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 7-9 p.m. The Planetarium now also houses the University of Arizona Mineralogical Museum. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The mineral displays emphasize the wide variety of minerals, gemstones, and fossils found throughout the state.

Fort Lowell Museum, 2900 N. Craycroft Rd.; 885-3832. Contains furnishings and exhibits recreating life on a military post during the frontier era. Open Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m-4 p.m.

International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W. Gates Pass Rd.; 617-0100. More than 290 species of mammals and birds from around the world. Restaurant and gift shop open Mon.-Tues., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Located at 950 N. Cherry Ave.; 318-8163. Conducts frontier research in astronomy and operates three national centers for astronomers, including Kitt Peak National Observatory, the world's largest collection of optical telescopes. Donations accepted.

Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Rd.; 574-9658. More than 200 aircraft on display, representative of America's aviation history. Guided tours. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission fee.

Titan Missile Museum, Duval Mine Rd., Green Valley; 625-7736. World's only ballistic missile museum. Adults $7.50. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Tucson Children's Museum, 200 S. 6th Avenue; 792-9985. Interactive educational health and science exhibits geared toward children. Open Tues.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. Closed Mon. Admission fee.

Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.; 621-7968. The TMA consists of several historic buildings, including La Casa Cordova, which houses its ever-changing collection of fine arts and crafts exhibits, along with its permanent collections. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. Admission fee.

University of Arizona Museum of Art, University of Arizona campus (corner of Speedway & Park); 621-7567. A comprehensive collection, with special exhibits focusing on the Middle Ages and 20th-century art. Open Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. Closed Sat.

top RECREATION
Ballooning: Bicycling (Rental):
  • Broadway Bicycles, 140 S. Sarnoff, 296-7819
  • Bargain Basement Bikes, 428 N. Freemont Ave., 624-9673

Casinos:

Golf Courses (Open to the public):
  • Arthur Pack Desert, 9101 N. Thornydale Rd., 744-3322
  • Dorado Country Club, 6601 E. Speedway, 885-6751
  • El Rio, 1400 W. Speedway, 791-4229
  • Fred Enke, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., 791-2539
  • Quail Canyon, 590 N Oracle, 887-6161
  • Randolph, 602 S. Alvernon, 791-4653
  • Santa Rita Country Club, 16461 S. Houghton Rd., Corona, 762-5620
  • Hilton El Conquistador (9 holes), 10000 N. Oracle Rd., 544-1770
  • Silverbell Municipal, 3600 N. Silverbell Rd., 791-5235
  • Starr Pass Golf Club, 3645 W. Starr Pass Blvd., 670-0500
  • Sun City Vistoso, 1495 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley, 825-0428 (private)

Horseback Riding:

  • Big Sky Rides at Desert Trails , 6501 W. Ina Rd., 744-3789
  • Pusch Ridge Stables, 13700 N. Oracle Rd., Catalina, 825-1664
  • Pantano Stables, 4450 S. Houghton Rd., 298-8980.

Jeep Tours:

  • Mountain View Adventures, 4995 N. Casa Grade Hwy., 292-1183
  • Sunshine Jeep Tours, 9040 N. Oracle Rd., 742-1943
  • Trail Dust Jeep Tours, 1665 S. Craycroft Rd., 747-0323

Movie Theaters:

  • Grand Cinemas, 265 W. Valencia Rd., 746-1823
  • Century Gateway 12 Theatre, 770 N. Kolb Rd., 792-9000
  • Century Park 16 Theatre, 1055 W. Grant Rd., 620-0750

Sabino Canyon Tours, 5900 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.; 749-2861. A desert oasis nestled in the Coronado National Forest. Sabino Canyon offers narrated scenic tours with hiking trails and picnic areas open year-round. A must for visitors. Daytime rides 365 days a year.

Tucson Greyhound Park, 2601 S. 3rd Ave.; 884-7576. Greyhound racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and clubhouse dining. Open seven days a week year-round.

top SHOPPING
Antique Center, 5001 E. Speedway Blvd.; 323-0319. Largest antique mall in Southern Arizona, featuring 75 dealers who offer unique antiques and collectibles. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Antique Mall, 3130 E. Grant at Country Club Rd.; 326-3070. Awarded the “Best of Tucson” for three years; features vintage and modern jewelry as well as antiques. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

B & B Cactus Farm, 11550 E. Speedway Blvd.; 721-4687. Tucson-grown cacti, miniature to specimen, and stoneware dish gardens. Packaging for travel or shipping. Open Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Cowtown Boots, 5190 N. Casa Grande Hwy.; 888-0290. Boots in all sizes and colors for men, women, and children. Authorized P.R.C.A. Rodeo Headquarters. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Corral West Ranchwear, Inc., 4525 E. Broadway; 322-6001. Offers Western and work wear for men, women, and children, along with boots, hats, accessories, and gifts.

DACS Commercial Services, 5521 E. Speedway Blvd.; 545-1200. Storage and transport of freight as well as packing and shipping to all locations. Specializing in trade show exhibitor and buyer services.

Foothills Mall, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.; 742-7191. Fashion boutiques and famous manufacturers' outlet stores joined by Cineplex Odeon theaters and fine restaurants.

The Kaibab Shops, 2837-41 N. Campbell Ave.; 795-6905. Serving Tucson for more than 50 years with the finest selection of Indian arts and crafts, Southwestern clothing, gifts, and Kaibab moccasins. Also Nambe Foundry Outlet.

Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Ave.; 622-0351. Restored 1860s adobe in historic El Presidio. This 15-room marketplace features Arizonan handcrafted work, Indian and Latin American folk art. Open Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun. noon to 5 p.m.

Park Mall Shopping Center, 5870 E. Broadway at Wilmot Rd.; 748-1222. Three major department stores joined by 120 fashion, gift, and jewelry shops. Offers courtesy hotel shuttle.

Philabaum Glass Gallery and Studios, 711 S. 6th Ave.; 884-7404. Contemporary art glass gallery featuring sculpural works, unique jewelry, designer gifts, and glass-blowing workshops. Open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Shipping Depot, 3959 E. Speedway Blvd., Ste. 311; 326-3118. Offers a wide variety of packaging supplies, custom crating and packing, and shipping from one to 10,000 pounds, including overnight delivery. Free estimates available.

Tanque Verde Greenhouses, 10810 E. Tanque Verde Rd.; 749-4414. Cacti from all over the world that can be packaged for travel and mail.

Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Rd.; 293-7330. The city's largest mall offers more than 200 stores and restaurants including The Broadway, Dillard's, and J.C. Penney.

Tucson Store Fixtures, 112 West Grant Rd.; 623-0064, (800) 442-1290. Arizona's largest showroom of new and used fixtures. Features a wide selection of display and store essentials like glass cube units, counter-top displays, acrylic risers, and much more. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. during the gem shows.

Western Warehouse, 3719 N. Oracle Rd.; 293-1808. Tucson's largest Western store. Wide selection of name-brand Western wear for the family. Other locations: 6701 E. Broadway Blvd., 3030 E. Speedway Blvd., and Santa Cruz Plaza, Ajo at I-19.

Portions of these listings were reprinted courtesy of the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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