Don’t miss the best parts of this beautiful city in the Sonoran Desert, read these Tucson Travel Tips before you go!
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 Tucsonexploring Mount Lemmon, the Airplane Graveyard, a Nuclear Missile Silo (for my teenage boys) and stopping by the always breathtaking San Xavier Mission.
Are you planning a trip to Tucson? There are so many amazing things to do and I don’t want you to miss out.
Before you go, you really need to read through these Tucson Travel Tips, shared by myself and your very own frugal friends!
Related: Easy Ways to Get Free Gas Gift Cards for Road Trips!
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’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…
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How to Visit Tucson for Free!
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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.
- 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 all the very best Tucson travel tips and things to do shared by your frugal friends…
Tucson Travel Tips – The Best Things to Do
Dee said: “Saguaro National Park, the Desert Museum and the Pima Air Museum”
Jamie said: “Local stuff! Walk down 4th Ave, Mt. Lemmon, “A” mountain, downtown nightlife, eat at Eegees, Mi Nidito, El Guero Canelo, and Tanque Verde Swap Meet.”
Michelle said: “Eat at Eegees. For sure. And there are coupons on their site, so it’s frugal AND yummy!”
Stephanie said: “Eat at In-N-Out! Go to Tombstone.”
Desiree said: “San Xavier Mission, Desert Museum, Tombstone, and the Pima Air Museum.”
Josie said: “I loved Old Tuscon Studio, ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Museum, and Rattlesnake Bridge.”
Amy said: “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 said: “The airplane graveyard…near the airport as I recall.”
Julie said: “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.”
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…
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Eva said: “Biosphere 2 – north of Tucson.”
Aimee said: “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! {Budget Travel Hacks}
Kristin said: “Sabino Canyon, ‘A’ Mountain, Mount Lemmon.”
Michelle said: “Kartchner Caverns, Tubac… both outside of Tucson. Plus you’ll get the best Mexican food you’ll EVER eat!”
Aimee said: “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 said: “Mission San Xavier is beautiful, Tubac – great art town. (south of Tucson past Green Valley)”
Britani said: “If you go hiking wear appropriate shoes as dangerous things crawl about unseen. Don’t forget water, too.”
Jamie said: “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 said: “The Gaslight Theater has hysterical, family friendly dinner theater. Slapstick humor, pulling the crowd into the action, such a fun evening. Also, you must get an Eegees when you need to cool down…. it’s a chain of restaurants only in Tucson with the best shaved ice you will ever have.”
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks! 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…
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Abbey said: “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 said: “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.”
Steph said: “Have a Mac N’ Cheese Burger from Lindy’s on 4th… yuuummmm!”
Stephanie said: “Eat at Beyond Bread… at least stop by for dessert!”
Alyssa said: “I live here! Sonoran Desert Museum for sure. And make a day trip to Kartchner Caverns. As far as food, I second the burger at Lindy’s recommendation, and swing by an Eegees and grab their signature drink (its similar to Italian ice but way better)!”
Elizabeth said: “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. Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park make a good nature day and Old Tucson is great for shopping.”
Frugal Tucson Vacation Tip: Don’t forget to cash in your Swagbucks for Free Gas Cards, Free Hotels, and Free Airfare, too!
How to Travel for Free or Cheap {Budget Travel Hacks}
What To Pack for Tucson Arizona:
Best Baby Travel Gear
Traveling with Baby? Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials! I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!
Suitcases
Now that you’ve read through all of these incredible Tucson Travel Tips… are you ready to get packing for Arizona? Make sure you’ve got some good sturdy luggage with wheels to take along! Fun and unique prints on luggage are always great, because it always seems like every suitcase at the airport or hotel is black, right? Someone will be a lot less likely to walk off with your luggage when it’s got a unique color or print!
Large Travel Purse
Every great trip starts with a large purse, right? I have one large purse I save just for trips, and it’s perfect for storing my Kindle, Maps, Snacks, and even my Camera! I never leave on a trip without it, and am always grateful for that extra space!
Travel Pillow
Make sleeping on those long flights a whole lot easier when you pack a comfy travel pillow!
Don’t board your plane without these 11 Carry On Must Haves! They’re a lifesaver on long flights!
Now that you’ve scored this list of Tucson Travel Tips, are you dreaming of more Arizona Getaways? Start planning and dreaming with these fun tips below…
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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!
Jeri Gilstrap says
Ben’s Bells Project- Free
Mary Lou Pidd says
The Madaras Gallery at 1535 E Broadway has beautiful art for every budget!
Niki says
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!