Surrounded by desert and mountains, Tucson offers scenic views and an abundance of outdoor activities for visitors, including horseback riding and rock climbing. The downtown area features numerous art galleries, shopping centers and restaurants. Arizona's second-largest city, which was part of Mexico from 1821 to 1854, contains plenty of other notable tourist attractions.
See American black bears, native desert plants and dinosaur skeletons at the Arizona-Desert Museum, which functions as a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum. More than 1,200 plant species and 300 animal species are on display. Live animals include endangered species such as Mexican wolves, ocelots and thick-billed parrots and desert species including mountain lions and Gila monsters. The museum contains the skeleton of a Sonorasaurus dinosaur that was discovered in southern Arizona, as well as gems, minerals and other fossils. Guided walking tours provide close encounters with bighorn sheep and otters. Daily demonstrations include butterfly walks and bird walk tours. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is open daily. Call (520) 883-1380 or visit the website below for hours of operation and cost of admission.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 883-1380
http://www.desertmuseum.org/
Ride on a 1920s carousel, pan for gold and watch a live western performance at Trail Dust Town. The town, which was originally built as a movie set, features brick streets, a town center and gazebo, wooden boardwalks and a shooting gallery. Other attractions include the Museum of the Horse Soldier, which honors the United States Cavalry, and the CP Huntington Railroad, which takes visitors for rides around the town. Western stunt shows are performed daily. Shops and restaurants, including a cowboy steakhouse and saloon, are located in the town as well. Call (520) 296-5442 or visit the website below for additional information.
Trail Dust Town
6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Tucson, AZ 85715
(520) 296-5442
http://www.traildusttown.com/index.htm
Study the works of famous 20th century photographers at the Center for Creative Photography. The center, located on the University of Arizona campus, houses the archived works of more than 2,000 North American photographers, including Ansel Adams, Harry Callahan and Edward Weston. The archives contain photographs, albums, negatives, manuscripts, audio-visual material and work prints. The center features temporary exhibitions and offers private study sessions by appointment. Call (520) 621-7968 or visit the website below for hours of operation or to schedule a private study session.
Center for Creative Photography
The University of Arizona
1030 N. Olive Road
P. O. Box 210103
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 621-7968
http://www.creativephotography.org/
Kids can climb through a rope maze, visit a coral reef and ride a police motorcycle at the Tucson Children's Museum. Interactive exhibits include a doctor's office, an art studio, an electricity maze, walls that can be drawn on with light pens and a music area. The museum also features life-size animated dinosaurs, an elevated train, a performance hall and a mouse house. Preschoolers can wander through a rain forest filled with soft sculptures. Special events take place throughout the year. The museum is open all year from Tuesday through Sunday. Call (520) 792-9985 or visit the website below for further information.
Tucson Children's Museum
200 S. 6th Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 792-9985
http://www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org/
