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Tucson Attractions
Bus Tours
Gray Line Tours, (520) 622-8811 or (800) 276-1528, offers sightseeing tours to Tucson's major sites as well as trips to Nogales, Mexico, and the Grand Canyon. Overnight and multiple-day tours are available. Reservations are advised.
Walking Tours
Guided group 2-hour walking tours of the downtown historic districts depart the Arizona Historical Society/Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House Sat. at 10, Nov.-Mar.; phone (520) 622-0956.
For those who prefer to explore the city and its environs on their own, the Official Visitors Guide to Metropolitan Tucson, distributed by the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, 100 S. Church Ave., contains walking tour information; phone (520) 624-1817 or (800) 638-8350. Visitors may also pick up a visitors guide at the Tucson Visitor Center at 110 S. Church Ave., Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Sat.-Sun. 9-4.
Another self-guiding tour invites visitors to follow the Presidio Trail, a bright turquoise stripe painted on the sidewalks that wind through the heart of downtown Tucson. The 2.5-mile trail begins at the intersection of Church and Washington streets and passes more than 20 numbered historical sites, including the Arizona Historical Society/Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House and the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block . A map and brochure are available at the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau and some local businesses.
Sports and Recreation
Tucson's city parks and Pima County parks offer facilities for almost any activity. A number of swimming pools and tennis, racquetball and handball courts are available as well as picnic areas, playgrounds, and soccer and ball fields. For information about facilities and reservations for their use contact the Pima County Parks and Recreation office at 3500 W. River Rd., (520) 877-6000, or Tucson Parks and Recreation at 900 S. Randolph, (520) 791-4873.
Tucson's climate is made to order for golf addicts. More than 40 courses are in the vicinity--everything from world-renowned resorts to public access courses. Some were designed by Robert Cupp, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hill, Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus and other noted architects.
Among the courses in Tucson are: Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, Pusch Ridge Golf Course, (520) 544-1770 or (520) 544-1800, 10000 N. Oracle Rd. and 10555 N. La Cańada Dr.; Omni Tucson National, (520) 575-7540, 2727 W. Club Dr.; Randolph Municipal, (520) 791-4336, 600 S. Alvernon Way; Santa Rita, (520) 762-5620, 16461 S. Houghton Rd.; and Ventana Canyon, (520) 577-4061, 6200 N. Clubhouse Ln. Also in the area is Canoa Hills, (520) 648-1880, at 1401 W. Calle Urbano in Green Valley.
For those who prefer the more rugged outdoors, the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau's visitors guide contains a map and listings of the camping areas in Arizona; phone (520) 624-1817 or (800) 638-8350.
Hiking is probably the best way to discover the flora and fauna of this desert environment. Trails are abundant in Tucson Mountain Park. The Santa Catalina Mountains also are accessible and offer many areas of unspoiled beauty. Trails into the Catalinas can be found at the north end of Alvernon Way, the north end of Campbell Road, and at 1st Avenue and Magee Road. Hiking permits are required for these areas.
Empty vehicles will be towed if a permit is not displayed.
Permits can be obtained from Pima County Parks and Recreation. Catalina State Park, (520) 628-5798, has trails that can challenge the experienced hiker but not intimidate the novice; two longer trails begin at the end of the park's paved road. For more information about hiking phone the county's recreation office at (520) 877-6000.
Another great way to see the countryside is on a trail ride. Several stables offer half-day, full-day and overnight horseback riding trips into the mountains and desert. Check the telephone directory for listings. Skiing is available at Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, a scenic 30-mile drive northeast from Tucson. The southernmost ski area in the nation, Mount Lemmon offers both downhill and cross-country skiing. A sky ride on the ski lift is offered during the off season. For information about snow conditions phone (520) 576-1400.
For fans of the national pastime, several Major League Baseball teams are participants in the Cactus League. The National League's Arizona Diamondbacks and American League's Chicago White Sox conduct spring training at Tucson Electric Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way; phone (520) 434-1021. The Colorado Rockies practice at the US West Sports Complex at Hi Corbett Field, in Gene C. Reid Park off E. Broadway; for ticket information phone (520) 327-9467.
The AAA Pacific Coast League's Tucson Sidewinders, the Arizona Diamondbacks' farm team, also play their games at Tucson Electric Park from April through September.
The University of Arizona's Wildcats excite crowds during the football and basketball seasons. Home football games are played at Arizona Stadium, and basketball teams square off at McKale Memorial Center.
The Tucson Fireballs professional soccer team plays at Catalina High School throughout the summer. Soccer is played all year by two area leagues. Matches are held most Sundays at Jacobs, Reid and Udall parks.
Greyhound racing is available at Tucson Greyhound Park, (520) 884-7576, 2601 S. 3rd Ave. at 36th Street. The dogs race Tuesday through Sunday, year-round.
Note: Policies concerning admittance of children to pari-mutuel betting facilities vary. Phone for information.
Shopping
Tucson is filled with specialty shops containing Mexican and Native American handmade items. Among the featured items are baskets, cactuses, feathered and furred kachina dolls, silver and gold jewelry, moccasins, Pueblo pottery, Navajo rugs and Western wear. A popular place to find such purchases is Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Ave.; phone (520) 623-6024 or (800) 782-8072.
Within a one-block adobe restoration area the works of more than 150 local artists are displayed, along with Native American and Latin folk art. The Mercado, Broadway and Wilmot, encompasses 20 shops with similar offerings as well as Oriental works.
For shopping with an old-time Western flavor, Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., offers a variety of wares, including Western apparel, leather goods, antiques, fine arts and jewelry; phone (520) 296-4551.
Downtown Tucson's shopping district stretches along 4th Avenue between University and 9th streets, where everything from antiques to the latest fashions can be purchased. Lovers of flea markets will find varied goods at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, Palo Verde Road just south of Ajo. The swap meet is open to visitors for bargaining Thurs.-Fri. 3-11 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
University of Arizona fans will find an array of items bearing the school's name at Arizona Wildwear, 905 E. University Blvd. Souvenirs and T-shirts are popular items.
For one-stop shopping in air-conditioned comfort, Tucson offers four shopping malls: El Con Mall, near downtown at 3601 E. Broadway at Alvernon; Foothills Mall, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. at Ina Road; Park Place, east at 5870 E. Broadway at Wilmot; and Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Rd. The major department stores in these malls are Dillard's, Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney.
Performing Arts
When it comes to theater, Tucson offers many choices. Top billing is given to the Arizona Theatre Company, 330 S. Scott Ave., (520) 622-2823, Arizona's professional state theater. This premier company performs six plays during its September through May season at the Temple of Music and Art. A forum for experimental theater is The Invisible Theatre, (520) 882-9721, 1400 N. 1st Ave., which stages six plays between September and June.
Entertainment for the entire family is available at the Gaslight Theatre, (520) 886-9428, 7010 E. Broadway, where melodramas encourage audience participation; reservations are required. The University of Arizona adds to Tucson's theater offerings. The school's resident company, (520) 621-1162, presents its offerings of musicals and serious drama in spring, summer and fall, while the UA Presents series brings national touring companies to Centennial Hall.
No bit players, Tucson's opera company plays a major part in the performing arts arena. Accompanied by a full orchestra in the Tucson Convention Center from October through April, members of the Arizona Opera, (520) 293-4336, present five operas.
Completing the cultural scene are the city's orchestras. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, (520) 882-8585, plays both classical and pop music in the Tucson Convention Center September to May. Under the desert skies at the Reid Park Bandshell, the Tucson Pops Orchestra, (520) 722-5853, entertains audiences in the spring and fall. From September through May the University of Arizona's Centennial Hall resounds with sounds from Broadway shows to jazz to chamber music performed by guest artists and musicians.
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