Tucson Newcomers Guide

TOP AREA ATTRACTIONS

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
Preserves more than 150 miles of hiking trails within the saguaro-filled Rincon Mountains. 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, 733-5153

ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM

An outdoor museum providing visitors with up-close experiences with plants and animals of the desert. 2021 N. Kinney Rd., 883-2702

REID PARK ZOO

Housing more than 400 animals, including bears, elephants, anteaters, and giraffes. 1100 S. Randolph Way, 791-3204

TOHONO CHUL PARK

A 49-acre nature park with trails, gardens, exhibits, greenhouse, and tearoom. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, 742-6455

PIMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Home to the Pima County Fair as well as other outdoor shows and concerts. 11300 S. Houghton Rd., 762-9100

PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK/SONOITA CREEK

Includes a 21⁄2-mile lake offering boating, fishing, and picnicking. Off AZ Hwy. 82, seven miles south of Patagonia, 520-287-6965

KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK

Featuring an underground living cave, hummingbird garden, hiking trails, and campsites. 2980 Rte. 90, Benson, 520-586-2283

OLD TUCSON STUDIOS

A working movie location with behindthe- scenes tours and attractions. 201 S. Kinney Rd., 883-0100

MT. LEMMON SKI VALLEY

The closest ski slope to Tucson, with 21 trails and three ski lifts. 10300 E. Ski Run Rd., Mt. Lemmon, 576-1321

TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORIC BLOCK

Consisting of a notable permanent art collection as well as changing exhibits and five restored homes in the El Presidio Historic District. 140 N. Main Ave., 624-2333

Copyright © 2008 Inside Tucson Business Book of Lists. Attractions ranked by total attendance in 2007. Reprinted with permission.

Editor’s note: After reviewing this list of top 20 attractions, we noticed three great places not mentioned. For an exciting day outdoors, try Sabino Canyon, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., 749-8700. Or for a taste of local culture, visit Mission San Xavier del Bac, 1950 W. San Xavier Rd., 294-2624. And just south of Tucson off I-19 lies the artists’ community of Tubac, 398-2704, www.tubacaz.com.

For more popular area attractions, see Tucson Guide’s “101 Things to Do.”

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