Tucson Travel Guide, Arizona

Tucson’s rich Spanish influence is represented in the architecture, culture, celebrations, cuisine and lifestyle. A city of over half a million people, it is surrounded by suburbs and small towns that contribute to the metropolitan area.

Tucson is accessed by the I-10, from Phoenix and Santa Monica, California to the northwest, and through El Paso, Texas toward Florida to the east and the I-19, which heads south to Nogales and Mexico. Tucson is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert and water is provided by  the Central Arizona Project (CAP), treated wastewater, and some groundwater.

Tucson is beloved for its historic neighborhoods like Barrio Libre, Barrio Anita, and Barrio Tiburón, which contains a lively arts district. El Ollo refers to the Mexican-American and Mexican immigrant neighborhood and the historic Sam Hughes neighborhood. Tucson’s downtown is a mix of old and new buildings.

Tucson has just the summer and winter seasons and is subject to the monsoon-like heavy rains during June and July. Low humidity makes the summer days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit bearable. Winters are pleasant with temperature ranging between 64°F and 75°F.

Tourism and the University of Arizona are the main contributors to the city’s economic development. The University draws many cultural events and tourism boasts many resorts, hotels, golf courses and recreational developments.

Among the many celebrations and exhibits that Tucson hosts yearly are the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show and the Tucson Folk Festival. The Fourth Avenue Street Fair actually takes place twice annually in December and March, and offers arts and crafts, food vendors and street performers. The Fiesta de los Vaqueros, or rodeo week, consists of rodeo events, a huge parade and a festival of food and drink.

 The All Souls Procession is modeled after the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and represents the African, Anglo, Celtic, and Latin American cultures. Costumed people gather to honor and celebrate the deceased.

Tucson’s many attractions include the Arizona Historical Society, the Fremont House, a preserved original adobe house and the Fort Lowell Museum, which commemorates the 'Indian Wars'. The Tucson Museum of Art  contains nearly 6,000 objects and the University of Arizona Art Museum includes works by well known artists such as Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Tourists enjoy visiting the Mission San Xavier del Bac located 10 miles (16 km) south of the city and the Tohono O'odham nation reservation on which it is located, and the Old Tucson Studios, which is a movie studio and theme park for classic Westerns.

The Pima Air & Space Museum is a collection of over 250 modern and historical aircraft and it offers bus tours to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) which showcases out-of-service US military aircrafts. The Titan Missile Museum is a Titan nuclear missile silo that was built during the Cold War but is now a favorite tourist draw.

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• Kitt Peak National Observatory
  travel tip by windykaty posted more then 30 days ago
  First the drive up to the main Visitor Center on top of Kitt Peak is stunningly beautiful, then the guided tour in the Kitt Peak National Observatory just overwhelms you with information. The tour guide is really passionate about its...
• Café Terra Cotta
  travel tip by tibi posted more then 30 days ago
  A beautiful little restaurant that features Southwestern cuisine, the Cafe Terra Cotta is located on Sunrise Drive and is a local favorite in Tucson. Their creative dishes, stylish inside welcome customers who will return several times...
• Houston's Horseback Riding
  travel tip by Sandro posted more then 30 days ago
  For friends or families with younger/older children, Houston's Horseback Riding in Tucson offers the best outdoor activity you can get. Either you want to take part at a guided trailing tour or attend a lesson in horse riding, you...

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