Tucson Attractions - Search for Cheap Airline Tickets to Tucson

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Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona. Though the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro is significantly larger, Tucson is more attractive because of its (comparatively) cooler weather and easier access to the natural sights of the Sonaran Desert.

A unique blend of cultures, a penchant for the arts and a long history combine to give Tucson a unique atmosphere. These characteristics, as well as the rugged, mountainous desert, make Tucson one of the Southwest’s top vacation destinations.

Here are the biggest and best attractions in Tucson.

Budget

The Center for Creative Photography (University of Arizona campus) is an interesting exhibit hall featuring photography from the Southwest. Tucson was the stomping grounds of famed landscape photographer Ansel Adams. The tradition lives on at the center, which sometimes displays collections of his works.

Titan Missile Museum (1580 W. Duval Mine Rd) is both an interesting piece of history and a harsh reminder of how close the US and Soviet Union came to nuclear war. During the Cold War, Titan was a working missile silo.

Tohono Chul Park (7366 N. Paseo del Norte) is a park with gardens and trails as well as a tea house and art gallery. It is a nice oasis of nature among Tucson’s urban attractions.

Value

Mission San Xavier del Bac (1950 W. San Xavier Rd) is one of the oldest missions in the Southwest. Originally constructed in the late 1700s when the area was still controlled by Spain, it was recently resorted. San Xavier is one of those missions that you might picture in your imagination: unearthly white walls and an airy interior.

Tucson Botanical Gardens (2150 North Alvernon Way) are located smack in the middle of the city. The gardens house one of the best collections of desert plant life in the nation. It is an old venue, dating back to the 1920s. Some of the original adobe buildings are as interesting and photo-worthy as the gardens themselves.

Splurge

The Tucson Gem Show takes place each winter. The city turns into a convention center for precious stone dealers and gem aficionados. Shows, exhibits and sales take place at numerous venues around the city. Gems are only part of the show. There are other unique and rare collectables like dinosaur fossils for sale.

Tucson has a vibrant wine scene. The area is filled with working wineries and wine bars. While not quite as widespread as its sister scene in California, this is, nonetheless, a place where wine-lovers will feel at home. In addition to the grape-based beverages, there are several successful micro-breweries in Tucson as well.