Top Things To Do In Tucson

Despite its growing size, Tucson still embodies its small-town charm. This helps it stand out against metropolitan behemoth Phoenix and ritzy Scottsdale. Deeply rooted in Hispanic heritage, the wide variety of cultural activities in Tucson draw in travelers looking for a change of pace.

Not all of Tucson’s attractions come from beyond the border. This southwestern town is home to the University of Arizona, the first university in the Arizona territory. Between the college atmosphere, its rich history, and natural splendor, this Pima County town is a one-of-a-kind oasis offering many unique things to do.

Adventure Pass to Phoenix & Tucson’s Top Attractions
Phoenix and Tucson Attractions Access from Pogo Pass
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4.5
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1,799 ratings
$119.98 $69.99
42% discount_off
Pogo Pass in Phoenix and Tucson for One
Up to 57% Off on MIni Golf at Golf N' Stuff - Tucson
Up to 57% Off on MIni Golf at Golf N' Stuff - Tucson
6503 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson4.5 mi
4.7
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3,143 ratings
$24.25 $19$15.58
 Sale Ends 6/10
18-holes of golf and one park attraction for one
Up to 51% Off on Glassblowing/Stained Glass Class at Sonoran Glass School
Up to 51% Off on Glassblowing/Stained Glass Class at Sonoran Glass School
633 West 18th Street, Tucson3.1 mi
4.9
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566 ratings
$160 $99$81.18
 Sale Ends 6/10
Glass Flower Blowing Experience for Two People
Up to 55% Off on Pool / Billiards at Clicks Billiards And Sports Bar Tucson
Up to 55% Off on Pool / Billiards at Clicks Billiards And Sports Bar Tucson
3325 North 1st Avenue, Tucson3.8 mi
4.8
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248 ratings
$44 $24.20$19.84
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Two Hours of Pool and Two Drinks Per Person for Two People
Up to 43% Off on Handcraft Class at Sonoran Glass School
Up to 43% Off on Handcraft Class at Sonoran Glass School
633 West 18th Street, Tucson3.1 mi
4.9
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566 ratings
$60 $42$34.44
 Sale Ends 6/10
Fused Sun Catchers Class for Two
Up to 52% Off on Beer Tasting / Flights at BlackRock Brewers
Up to 52% Off on Beer Tasting / Flights at BlackRock Brewers
1664 South Research Loop, Tucson6.2 mi
4.6
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426 ratings
$8.50 $5$4.10
 Sale Ends 6/10
Beer Flight of 4 Beers
2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 Paintball Passes with Safety Gear and Gun from Paintball USA Tickets (Up to 91% Off)
Paintball USA Tickets — Up to 91% Off
2 Locations13.7 mi
4.3
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11,202 ratings
$70 $9$7.38
 Sale Ends 6/10
Two Open-Play Passes with Safety Gear and Gun Rental for Two People
Private Dance Classes for Up to Two at Dream Dance (up to 84% Off). Three Options Available.
Up to 84% Off Private Dance Classes at Dream Dance
405 East Wetmore Road, Tucson5.1 mi
4.9
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95 ratings
$125 $25$20.50
 Sale Ends 6/10
Three 30-Minute Private Sessions for Up to Two People with One Group Lesson and Dance Party
One, Two Private In-Person or Virtual Dance Lessons for Couple or Individual (Up to 85% Off)
Up to 85% Off Private In-Person or Virtual Dance Lessons
12 Locations2.9 mi
4.7
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446 ratings
$115 $28.75$23.58
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One 40-Minute Private In-Person or Virtual Dance Lesson for Couple or Individual

The clear skies make for a beautiful backdrop as you explore the desert city. The galleries in the Catalina Foothills district offer respite from the more rigorous outdoors activities, as do the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

The best things to do near Tucson include:

  • Learning about the Copper state at the Arizona State Museum
  • Marveling at the stars and planets at the Kitt Peak National Observatory
  • Taking a photo with the giant A on Sentinel Peak
  • Hiking through the Saguaro National Park
  • Exploring the University of Arizona Campus

Events in TucsonView All

Adventure Pass to Phoenix & Tucson’s Top Attractions
Phoenix and Tucson Attractions Access from Pogo Pass
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4.5
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1,799 ratings
$119.98 $69.99
42% discount_off
Pogo Pass in Phoenix and Tucson for One
Tour for Four or Eight People at Southern Arizona Transportation Museum (48% Off)
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum — 48% Off Tours
414 N Toole Ave, Tucson2.4 mi
4.5
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90 ratings
$12 $6.25
48% discount_off
Tour for Four People
Year-Long Individual or Family Membership at The University of Arizona Museum of Art (Up to 42% Off)
Up to 42% Off at The University of Arizona Museum of Art
1031 North Olive Road, Tucson2.0 mi
4.8
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25 ratings
$50 $29
42% discount_off
Year-Long Individual Membership
Experience the Magic of the Movies at Universal Studios Hollywood - Your Ultimate Entertainment Destination!
Universal Studios Hollywood Admission Tickets
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
4.6
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4,755 ratings
$154 $109
29% discount_off
1-Day General Admission Tickets
Admission to SeaWorld San Diego with Optional Dining (Up to 35% Off)
Up to 35% Off Admission to SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Drive, San Diego
4.6
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589 ratings
$109.99 $79.99
27% discount_off
SeaWorld San Diego Single Any Day Admission for One (Ages 3 and Up)
Up to 48% Off on Museum at Superstition Mountain Museum
Up to 48% Off on Museum at Superstition Mountain Museum
4087 E Apache Trl., Apache Junction
4.7
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470 ratings
$17.50 $11$9.02
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Four adult Admissions and Four Icy Cold Sasaparillas
Gunfight Show Old Tombstone
Gunfight Show Old Tombstone
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4.1
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160 ratings
$10.26
Gunfight Show Old Tombstone
Boy George & Culture Club: The Letting It Go Show with Howard Jones and Berlin on August 18 at 7 p.m.
Boy George & Culture Club w/Howard Jones – Up to 52% Off
2121 N 83rd Ave, Phoenix
$41.75 $20
52% discount_off
Boy George & Culture Club: The Letting It Go Show at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on August 18, 2023
310+ bought
Hot Summer Nights with TLC, Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston on July 7 at 7 p.m.
TLC, Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston – Up to 43% Off
2121 N 83rd Ave, Phoenix
$35.30 $20
43% discount_off
Events at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on July 7, 2023
1,000+ bought

The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum has it all, including outdoor exhibits, a zoo, and botanical gardens. And the Pima Air & Space Museum has both relics and prototypes of past aircrafts.

For Hollywood buffs, Old Tucson Studios is a former set for TV westerns like “El Dorado” and “Little House on the Prairie.” Today, it’s a family-friendly theme park.

Popular attractions for tourists near Tucson include:

  • Driving out to see the scientific wonder of Biosphere 2
  • Exploring the historic San Xavier del Bac Church
  • Seeing nationally protected saguaro on Cactus Forest Drive
  • Visiting the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
  • Walking the Turquoise Trail in Downtown Tucson for history

Since the expansion of the University of Arizona, Tucson continues to grow economically. The city relies heavily on “snowbirds,” the annual visitors who migrate south during colder months.

Exciting activities near Tucson include:

  • Grabbing a cup of joe at Crave Coffee Bar
  • Unleashing your inner teenager at the Tucson Mall
  • Getting a quick and clean cut at jcuts
  • Trying some authentic Mexican cuisine at Goyitas
  • Catching the latest blockbuster at Harkins Theatres Tucson Spectrum 18

Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson has it all — live music, food vendors, and the first floor turns into a dance floor when the sun goes down. For a taste of the Tucson nightlife, University of Arizona students will direct you to Fourth Ave., downtown Tucson, or one of the city’s many nearby casinos.

Nighttime activities near Tucson include:

  • Dancing on the rooftop at the Playground Bar & Lounge
  • Trying your luck at winning it big at the Casino del Sol
  • Enjoying the daily happy hour or the late night food at Dante’s Fire
  • Listening to live mariachi at Guadalajara Fiesta Grill
  • Having dinner and drinks at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails

Spend the day out in the desert at the White Stallion Ranch just west of Tucson. Experience a wide range of family-friendly dude ranch activities, including horseback lessons, a petting zoo, and meals.

Some fun things to do with kids near Tucson include:

  • Play with the animals at the Funny Foot Farms
  • Bounce off the walls at the get Air trampoline park
  • Spend the day riding rides at the Funtasticks Family Fun Park
  • Spend the day learning at the Children's Museum Tucson
  • Play a round of putt putt at Golf N’ Stuff

Tucson hosts the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil event every winter. The event brings thousands to town to trade, collect, and hunt. It’s held in a number of different locations, creating outdoor and indoor activities throughout Tucson.

There are several things to do indoors in Tucson:

  • Find your inner balance with yoga at Studio 520
  • Get a mani and pedi at A Lasting Touch salon
  • Sip some wine and learn to paint with Paint Nite
  • Learn the mysteries of science at the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
  • Relax with a full body therapeutic massage at Zen by Olivia

Nestled near the Saguaro National Park and the Santa Catalinas, Tucson offers plenty of things to do outdoors. And with a history steeped in the earliest years of Spanish exploration of the southwest, there are abundant sightseeing opportunities at each monument and museum.

Other active things to see and do in Tucson include:

  • Riding your bike all around Tucson on the Loop
  • Hiking the Signal Hill Trail to see ancient petroglyphs
  • Visiting the animals at the Reid Park Zoo
  • Exploring the Sabino Canyon located in the Santa Catalina Mountains
  • Admiring the desert landscape up close on the Douglas Spring Trailhead