Don’t miss the best parts of this beautiful city in the Sonoran Desert, read these Tucson Travel Tips before you go!
Then finish planning your Arizona Vacation with these must-read tips for Phoenix, Sedona, and The Grand Canyon.
Tucson Travel Tips
Are you planning a trip to Tucson, Arizona? I’ve put together my top Tucson Travel Tips to make sure you don’t miss out on a thing!
I love living just 2 hours from Tucson and try to visit as often as possible.
In fact, I just spent to 2 really fun days in Tucson exploring Mount Lemmon, the Airplane Graveyard, a Nuclear Missile Silo (for my teenage boys) and stopping by the always breathtaking San Xavier Mission.
Before you visit Tucson, here’s what you need to know…
Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (21 Budget Travel Hacks)
Is Tucson Worth Visiting?
It sure is! Many people wonder… is Tucson underrated? And I would have to say yes!
There are so many lush dessert hikes and hidden gems worth visiting in Tucson.
If you’ve never been, you really should try to visit at least once.
How Do I Spend a Day in Tucson?
From outdoor adventures, to movie set tours, and air museums to wildlife sanctuaries, there are so many amazing this to do in Tucson, Arizona!
Here are my Top Tucson Travel Tips…
Catalina State Park
Get away from the crowds and enjoy a hike at Catalina State Park just north of Tucson in Oro Valley.
I loved seeing Roadrunners and a large variety of other desert critters all throughout the park!
Mount Lemmon
For a beautiful scenic drive, take the road to the top of Mount Lemmon.
Be sure to stop and enjoy the views along the way.
Sabino Canyon
Pay to take the tram to the top of Sabino Canyon.
Start the ride in the Sonoran Dessert and end in the a forest of trees!
San Xavier Mission
Enjoy a free tour of the San Xavier Mission during the week and learn about the history of the largest Mission in Arizona.
Tumacácori National Historical Park
Visit the San José de Tumacácori Mission about 45 minutes south of Tucson.
Pima Air and Space Museum
Visit one of the largest airplane museums in the country, just northeast of the Tucson Airport.
Plan ahead and schedule a tour of the massive “Airplane Boneyard.”
Titan Missile Museum
Take a 1 hour tour to see an actual decommissioned Titan II ICBM in a silo just south of downtown Tucson.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
This is one of the most beautiful zoo experiences you’ll find in Arizona. Not only can you get up close to the animals, the dessert scenery is stunning!
The Desert Museum is located just outside of the south entrance to Saguaro National Park West.
Alyssa writes: “I live here! Sonoran Desert Museum for sure.”
Anne writes: “The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum was awesome.”
Patagonia Lake State Park
Enjoy some amazing bird watching, boating, swimming and camping at Patagonia Lake south of Tucson.
Don’t forget to bring your binoculars and your zoom lens for your camera!
You’ll definitely be glad you did!
Now keep reading for even more best Tucson travel tips and things to do shared by your frugal friends…
Tucson Travel Tips – The Best Things to Do
Dee writes: “Saguaro National Park and the Pima Air Museum”
Jamie writes: “Local stuff! Walk down 4th Ave, Mt. Lemmon, “A” mountain, downtown nightlife, Mi Nidito, El Guero Canelo, and Tanque Verde Swap Meet.”
Stephanie writes: “Go to Tombstone.”
Laura writes: “Sabino Canyon-tram ride and hiking”
Sue writes: “See the saguaros at Saguaro National Park. Amazing!”
Desiree writes: “San Xavier Mission, Tombstone, and the Pima Air Museum.”
Josie writes: “I loved Old Tuscon Studio, ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Museum, and Rattlesnake Bridge.”
Amy writes: “I lived there! So beautiful. Old Tucson Studios is great… see where John Wayne and many others filmed! Be sure to take the movie tour there (on the list of daily events)! Ride horses and see lots of shows! Hollywood of the west!”
Jeanette writes: “The airplane graveyard…near the airport as I recall.”
Julie writes: “Davis Monthan Airbase (has a plane graveyard you can see from road), Colossal Cave, Kartchner Cavern, Pima Air Museum (personal fave, I grew up with visiting Ruth Dailey Helm who was a WASP in WWII. She is featured there and at airport). There is also an observatory nearby.”
Linda writes: “Come a bit south and visit San Xavier Mission, Tubac, Tumaccori and visit the golf club where Tin Cup was filmed!”
Score a Deal on your Tucson Car Rental! There are so many beautiful places to explore around Tucson… and you’ll need a car to see most of them!
There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use! Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…
21 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars
Eva writes: “Biosphere 2 – north of Tucson.”
Aimee writes: “Saguaro National Park. Go to Windy Pt. Vista at night on the way up Mt. Lemmon Hwy and look at the city lights.”
Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (20 Budget Travel Hacks)
Kristin writes: “Sabino Canyon, ‘A’ Mountain, Mount Lemmon.”
Michelle writes: “Kartchner Caverns, Tubac… both outside of Tucson. Plus you’ll get the best Mexican food you’ll EVER eat!”
Aimee writes: “Take a telescope if you can… the stars are awesome there because there are no street lights!!!! Also, you will need a reservation for Kartchner Caverns, FYI”
Nicole writes: “Mission San Xavier is beautiful, Tubac – great art town. (south of Tucson past Green Valley)”
Britani writes: “If you go hiking wear appropriate shoes as dangerous things crawl about unseen. Don’t forget water, too.”
Jamie writes: “Nice hike in Sabino Canyon; Hike to 7 falls; Peppersauce Canyon; Peppersauce Cave; the prison camp on Mt Lemmon; Mission San Xavier; Madera Canyon. Don’t forget Tombstone and Bisbee are also close.”
Sally writes: “The Gaslight Theater has hysterical, family friendly dinner theater. Slapstick humor, pulling the crowd into the action, such a fun evening.”
Cheryl writes: “Lived there for 30 years! Hiking is fun but BRING PLENTY of WATER! Tombstone is a short drive away for the old west. Downtown has great places to check out for nightlife!”
Abbey writes: “Go to see the current show at The Gaslight Dinner Theater… usually fun and not overly expensive. It is very appropriate for both children and adults.”
Tina writes: “If you have kids go to the Children’s Museum Tucson. Museum of Miniatures. The University of Arizona campus is beautiful… nice for a walk and Main Gate Square.”
Alyssa writes: “Make a day trip to Kartchner Caverns.”
Christa writes: “Must see places are Old Tucson, San Xavier Mission, and the Sonoran Desert Museum. If there’s time to travel a little extra, drive on to Tombstone- so much old west history there.”
Tara writes: “Saguaro National Park is really cool. We liked the West side best.”
Elizabeth writes: “Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park make a good nature day and Old Tucson is great for shopping.”
Where to Eat in Tucson
Bruce writes: “Kiss of Smoke BBQ is a must!!!”
Lora writes: “Take a drive up Mt. Lemmon and have a fresh baked cookie the size of a plate at the Cookie Cabin!”
Stephanie writes: “Eat at Beyond Bread… at least stop by for dessert!”
Tianna writes: “Eat at the Wildflower Bread Co. Get the Lemon Ricotta pancakes. They are to die for.”
Tasty Tip: Rudy’s Bar-B-Q is one of my favorite spots to get barbecue! I recommend getting your Brisket moist with extra bark. Then finish off your meal with some Creamed Corn and Banana Pudding… YUM!
Anne writes: “A meal at El Charro was delicious.”
Meg writes: “Eat at Boca for the most amazing tacos, and Tohoku Chul Garden and Bistro for brunch.”
Laura writes: “Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse for steak is fun.”
Sarah writes: “There’s a little restaurant and B&B on the way to the Desert Museum, Coyote Pause Cafe that is amazing!”
Rosanna writes: ‘Go to El Charro for the Carne Seca and chimichangas. Then Cafe A La C’Art for one of their amazing desserts.”
Stephanie writes: “Eat at In-N-Out!”
Alyssa writes: “As far as food, get a burger at Lindy’s, and swing by an Eegees and grab their signature drink (its similar to Italian ice but way better)!”
Steph writes: “Have a Mac N’ Cheese Burger from Lindy’s on 4th… yuuummmm!”
Elizabeth writes: “Stop and get an Eegees for sure! It is a Tucson treasure! A cold cross between shaved ice and a slushy and so great on a hot afternoon.”
Sally writes: “You must get an Eegees when you need to cool down…. it’s the best shaved ice you will ever have.”
Angelica writes: “You must go to an Eegee’s and try a sonoran hotdog! You need to listen to us natives, LOL”
Cheryl writes: “Fantastic mexican food- Love El Sur (22nd and craycoft). Also try sonoran hotdogs on the southside of town, and Eegees is a big deal in Tuscon.”
Jim writes: “Look on Diners Drive-ins & Dives map for great spots to eat!”
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks in Tucson! With all the fresh air, sunshine, and play time… you just might be needing a caffeine fix! There are lots of Starbucks locations around Tucson, so check this out…
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
How To Visit Tucson On A Budget
So You’re Planning a Trip to Tucson? To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Tucson Trip Fund’.
Need to increase your travel fund stash? One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here are my favorite tricks for ramping up the vacation budget…
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Where To Stay in Tucson
Wondering how to plan the perfect hotel stay for your next vacation?
It’s so much easier than you think! Don’t book your next hotel without knowing these secrets shared by Hotel Staff and Frequent Travelers…
75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know
Melissa writes: “Stay at The Tuxon Hotel.”
In addition to hotels, be sure to also check out VRBO for lodging on your trip to Tucson. They have so many vacation rentals listed by owner. I’ve personally stayed at multiple VRBO rentals, and loved every one. Not only were they often significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came with a full kitchen. One even had in-room laundry!
Amanda writes: “It’s beautiful there. You can find some reasonable and gorgeous homes for rent in the mountains. It’s a small town, but it’s worth a visit.”
Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO?
These little known hacks will save you SO much money! Check this out…
How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO
More Money Saving Tucson Travel Tips
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More Fun and Frugal Southwest Vacation Ideas
So now that you’ve scored this list of Tucson Travel Tips, are you dreaming of more Getaways to Arizona and the Southwest?
Start planning and dreaming with these fun tips below…
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65 Sedona Travel Tips (Can’t Miss Spots)
45 Grand Canyon Travel Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss
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So… do YOU have any Tucson Travel Tips to share?
What are some of your favorite places to see, things to do, etc?
Leave a comment & share!
Ben’s Bells Project- Free
The Madaras Gallery at 1535 E Broadway has beautiful art for every budget!
I grew up in Tucson as well, and when I bring my kids back to visit, Eegees, El Guero Canelo, San Javier Mission, Gates Pass, Saguaro National Monument, Tanque Verde Swap meet, Willcox and Tombstone are all on the list. 4th Ave is great, as well! So much! Just a beautiful state!