Tucson Travel Guide
Tucson is surrounded by a ring of mountain ranges with the Santa Catalina Mountains as a backdrop. Found in the Sonoran Desert, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and one of the most attractive holiday destinations in Arizona.
Combining the amenities of a modern metropolis with a small-town atmosphere, the almost constant sunshine and dry desert air provide an oasis where visitors can rest and rejuvenate by the popular health resort.
Its proximity to the Mexican border is evident in its architecture and cuisine, and a long history that has left the city with a dynamic legacy of Spanish, Mexican, American, and Native American influences.
With naturally eroded cliff forms, cacti, bird life, and old cowboy towns in the area, Tucson is also a good central base from which to explore the many natural wonders beyond the city limits. Horseback riding and hiking along the wilderness trails are excellent ways to explore the region.
Nearby attractions include the Saguaro National Park, with the highest concentration in the world of the desert-symbol Saguaro cactus, the Spanish-style Mission San Xavier del Bac, and the first-class Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum that features almost every kind of local desert fauna and flora in an outdoor setting.
The old mining town of Tombstone attracts crowds of tourists to the site of the shootout at the O.K. Corral, the most famous shootout in Wild West history. There's no reason to ignore Tucson's city centre though. With a number of museums, parks, shops, restaurants, and nightspots, Tucson has a lively atmosphere that will keep any visitor thoroughly entertained.