Things to Do
The soul of the Sonoran Desert. The flavor of the Southwest. Tucson means Wide Open Spaces and plenty of room to unplug, and explore
Discover the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and learn how diverse a living desert can be at Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, or at the Children's Museum where kids can get an introduction to this unique environment with interactive exhibits. Travel through time to the unique architectural and cultural legacy of Mission San Xavier del Bac or to a century of military and aerospace history with 300 vintage-to-modern aircraft at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
​
Explore wide-open spaces by hiking the mountain ranges that circle the Old Pueblo or wandering wilderness preserves and parks. Witness all the beauty of the American Southwest from the cascades of Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon to the majestic cacti of Saguaro National Parks East & West, or the high-pine and aspen forests of Mt. Lemmon, to the otherworldly depths of Colossal Cave Mountain Park and Kartchner Caverns State Park®.
​​
​
​
Epic adventures await throughout the state, from breathtaking hikes and mountain bike rides to water skiing and white-water rafting.
​
With so much to see and do in Arizona, deciding what to experience can be hard. Check out the Arizona visitor guide to learn about must-see attractions and places to make the most of your trip.
​
Arizona is located in the American Southwest. It is the 48th state admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912. The word Arizona derives from the Aztec Indian word "arizuma," which means "silver-bearing."
​
Arizona’s most famous and now official nickname, “The Grand Canyon State” celebrates its most iconic feature, the Grand Canyon. Arizona is also known as the “Copper State” revealing its abundance in this mineral.
Approximately 85 percent of Arizona’s land comprises national forests, national parks, recreation and wilderness areas, wildlife preserves and Indian reservations. In addition, Arizona is home to several of the world’s “sky islands,” which are mountains surrounded by valleys that boast wide-ranging ecosystems of plant and animal life.
​