Tucson Attractions
The 44 attractions in this database associated with Tucson, ranked by the site's overall score.
44 attractions
#2 · Historic Site
Mission San Xavier del Bac
A Spanish colonial mission completed in 1797 on the Tohono O'odham Nation, widely considered the finest Spanish colonial architecture in the United States and still an active parish church.
#3 · Historic Site
Old Tucson Studios
Ever notice that Hollywood's Old West, the backdrop for the gun-slinging and cryptic comments of Hollywood's Western icons – Wayne, Eastwood, Douglas and Newman – has much in common with the Wild West of today's Tombstone and Geronimo? They've all been filmed at the Old Tucson Studios, which were built in 1939 for the making of the William Holden film Arizona.
#4 · Museum
Pima Air & Space Museum
One of the largest aerospace museums in the world, holding around 400 aircraft across 80 acres. It sits beside the Air Force boneyard at Davis-Monthan, and runs bus tours into it. Independently operated, not a government facility.
#5 · Observatory
Kitt Peak National Observatory
The largest collection of optical telescopes in the world, on Tohono O'odham land at 6,880 feet, hosting more than twenty telescopes operated by different institutions.
#6 · Natural Landmark
Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak is a 2,897 ft (900 m) peak in the Tucson Mountains southwest of downtown Tucson, Arizona, United States. The valley's first inhabitants grew crops at the mountain's base, along the Santa Cruz River. The name "Tucson" is derived from the O'odham Cuk Ṣon ([tʃʊk ʂɔːn]), meaning "the base [of the mountain] is black".
#7 · Natural Landmark
Tucson Mountains
The Tucson Mountains (O'odham: Cuk Doʼag) are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona, United States. The Tucson Mountains, including Wasson Peak, are one of four notable mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson Basin. The Santa Catalina Mountains lie to the northeast, the Rincon Mountains are to the east of Tucson, and the Santa Rita Mountains lie to the south.
#9 · Zoo or Aquarium
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Part zoo, part botanical garden and part natural history museum, presenting the Sonoran Desert ecosystem largely outdoors along two miles of walking paths.
#10 · Historic Site
El Tiradito
El Tiradito is the only shrine to a sinner in North America. In the 1880s, a young man had an affair with his mother-in-law. When caught in the act, his father-in-law shot him and he stumbled from bed and ran out of the house. He dropped dead on this spot, and because he had not confessed his sins, he could not be buried in the church yard.
#11 · Historic Site
Miracle Mile Historic District
The Miracle Mile Historic District, located on North Stone Avenue, Drachman Street, Oracle Road and Miracle Mile in Tucson, Arizona, United States, was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.#12 · Natural Landmark
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
A "dry" cave with 3½ miles of mapped passageways. The cave was used by pre-Columbian Native Americans, and rediscovered in 1879. Also on park grounds are a cowboy ranch museum, a butterfly garden, horseback trails, and picnic and camping facilities.
#13 · Historic Site
Cathedral of Saint Augustine
The Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Spanish: Catedral de San Agustín) is the cathedral and mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson. It is located in Tucson, Arizona in the United States.
#14 · Historic Site
Rialto Theatre
The Rialto Theatre is a performance theater and concert venue located on Congress Street in downtown Tucson, Pima County, southern Arizona. The cinema−theater and surrounding Rialto Building commercial block were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
#15 · Landmark
McKale Center
McKale Center at ALKEME Arena is an athletic arena in the southwest United States, located on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. As the home of the university's Wildcats basketball team of the Big 12 Conference, it is primarily used for basketball, but also has physical training and therapy facilities. Its construction is marked with a large copper cap that has oxidized brown.
#16 · Historic Site
Fox Tucson Theatre
The Fox Tucson Theatre is located in downtown Tucson, Arizona, United States. The theater opened on April 11, 1930 as a performance space in downtown Tucson. It hosts a wide spectrum of events and concerts featuring a variety of performing talent, ranging from ballets, to jazz, contemporary pop, world music and rock acts.
#17 · Landmark
Hi Corbett Field
Hi Corbett Field is a baseball park in the southwestern United States, located in Tucson, Arizona. With a seating capacity of approximately 9,500, it was the spring training home of the Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball, and is currently home to the University of Arizona Wildcats of the Big 12 Conference.
#18 · Zoo or Aquarium
Reid Park Zoo
Cares for more than 500 animals. The zoo has a state-of-the-art facility for treating cancers with radiation and heat therapy, and treats animal patients from zoos all over the country.
#19 · Natural Landmark
Gates Pass
Gates Pass is a mountain pass along the crest of the Tucson Mountains. The road through the pass is a scenic route west of Tucson, Arizona. The road from the east is West Anklam Road which merges with West Speedway Boulevard in the city just east of North Camino De Oeste.
#20 · Natural Landmark
Tumamoc Hill
Tumamoc Hill (O'odham: Cemamagĭ Doʼag Horned lizard mountain) is a butte located immediately west of "A" Mountain and downtown Tucson, Arizona. It is home to many radio, television, and public safety transmitters. The 860-acre ecological reserve and U.S.
#21 · Landmark
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Kino Sports Complex is a multiple-use sports complex in Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox formerly utilized the complex's main ballpark, Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, for Cactus League games each March and had their minor league complexes on-site. The ballpark was also home to the Tucson Sidewinders of the Pacific Coast League for the team's last decade in Tucson, running from the stadium's 1998 opening season to the 2008 season.
#22 · Museum
Arizona State Museum
Founded in 1893, the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest, on the University of Arizona campus. Its Southwest Indian pottery collection is the largest of its kind anywhere.#23 · Landmark
The Loop
The Loop is a network of shared-use paths in metropolitan Tucson, Arizona maintained by Pima County. Once complete it will comprise 131 miles (211 km) of paved trails dedicated to cyclist, pedestrian, and equestrian use. By 2014, the network was 85% complete, with over one hundred miles in place.#24 · Historic Site
San Pedro Chapel
A historic Sonoran-style adobe chapel, built in 1915 and on the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately the church is usually only open for special events, but it can be freely appreciated from the outside.#25 · Natural Landmark
Tucson Mountain Park
This minor mountain range to the southwest of the city has an excellent trail network for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The park has many healthy stands of saguaros. The higher-elevation trails provide beautiful views, and are a popular place to photograph sunsets.#26 · Museum
Arizona History Museum
This museum is devoted to the history of Tucson and the surrounding area, with relevant displays.#27 · Museum
Center for Creative Photography
The center was founded by Ansel Adams, and routinely features works of famous (and not-so-famous) photographers. When they have their Ansel Adams collection up it is a must see.#29 · Museum
De Grazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District
A collection of buildings on a 10-acre site, designed and built by well-known Arizona painter Ettore 'Ted' DeGrazia (1909-1982); the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A gallery showcases the artist's work in six permanent collections as well as special rotating exhibits, and a gift shop onsite sells good quality reproductions of some of his work.#30 · Museum
Fort Lowell Museum
Fort Lowell was a US Army post, active in the late 19th century during the Apache Wars. Most of the adobe structures are now in ruins, but the commanding officers' quarters have been reconstructed and now house a small museum, with exhibits focused on military life on the frontier. The building also has a small gift shop.#31 · Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson
Hosts exhibits of regional and national contemporary art.#32 · Museum
Old Pascua Museum and Yaqui Cultural Center
Museum that features more than 4000 artifacts on display from the old Pasqua tribe, displayed in a home built in 1926 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.#33 · Museum
Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio
Tom Philabaum built his first glass studio in 1975, and opened the adjacent gallery in 1982. Together they represent one of the most enduring art endeavors of present-day Tucson. Visitors are able to watch the glass blowing process in the studio, and shop the impressive collection of contemporary glass art from artists around the country.#34 · Museum
Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House Museum
A remnant of Tucson's old barrio which survived and is now surrounded by the Tucson Convention Center, this historic adobe house was built in the 1870s.#35 · Museum
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum
A small museum devoted to the history of the railroads in southern Arizona, housed in the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. The star attraction is the Southern Pacific Railroad 1673 steam locomotive. Docents and volunteers available to answer questions about the locomotive on Saturdays. For other times, tours can be arranged upon request.#36 · Botanical Garden
Tohono Chul Park
"Tohono chul" means "desert corner" in the Tohono O'Odham's (desert people's) language, and this haven in the midst of Tucson's burgeoning north side offers a tea room, gift shop, bookstore, and art gallery in the middle of trails and gardens. There are extensive botanical exhibits explaining the native plants, and a wonderful plant-sale area in which to buy them for your own garden.#37 · Botanical Garden
Tucson Botanical Gardens
This beautiful oasis in the heart of Tucson was the home of Bernice and Rutger Porter. Dating to the 1920s, the earliest buildings on the property were constructed of adobe bricks made right on site. True to the vision of Mrs. Porter, Tucson Botanical Gardens is a place of beauty, inspiration and education about the natural world.#38 · Museum
Tucson Museum of Art
A museum complex housed in a collection of historic adobe houses, this museum hosts exhibits of regional contemporary art, as well as the Arizona Biennial. Its permanent collection of Latin American and pre-Columbian art is particularly noteworthy. There is a well-stocked shop in the lobby that is open during museum hours.#39 · Museum
University of Arizona Museum of Art
Houses an extensive of American and European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, with excellent rotating exhibits. A highlight of the collection is the 15th-century Spanish altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo.#40 · Landmark
Centennial Hall
A venue for classical music, dance, jazz, and musicals. Tickets can be purchased online.#41 · Landmark
Funtasticks Family Fun Park
Park with different activities such as waterslides, bumper boats, go-karts, minigolf and arcade games. It has a fast food restaurant.#42 · Landmark
Leo Rich Theater
The venue for concerts sponsored by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, and Tucson's primary space for ballet, theater, and musicals. Tickets can be purchased online.#43 · Landmark
Tucson Arena
The venue is part of the Tucson Convention Center, though it isn't Tucson's largest indoor arena (that would be the Arizona Wildcats' McKale Center). It hosts a number of events throughout the year including local events, concerts, Monster Truck shows, and circus performances. It has been the home for the Tucson Roadrunner American Hockey League (AHL) team.#44 · Landmark
Tucson Music Hall
The home of Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Opera. Tickets can be purchased online.
About this list
Attractions are associated with the nearest recognisable destination rather than by municipal boundary, so a place just outside Tucson still appears here if that is how visitors reach it. 2 of these publish an official visitor count, together recording 1,227,774 visits in their most recent reported year.
Near Tucson
The closest attractions outside Tucson, measured from the places listed above rather than from a town centre nothing occupies.
- McMath–Pierce Solar Telescope — 0.1 miles away, Altar Valley
- Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope — 0.4 miles away, Altar Valley
- Hugh Norris Trail — 2.8 miles away, Saguaro National Park
- Valley View Overlook Trail — 2.9 miles away, Saguaro National Park
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area — 3.3 miles away, Santa Catalina Mountains
- Manning Cabin — 3.3 miles away, Saguaro National Park
Browse more nearby: Pima County · Statewide ranking