Double rainbows, spectacular sunsets, hot yellow sun and cool pale moon in the same azure sky, towering saguaro and purple mountains majesty, over 350 days of perfect weather—this is Tucson, and it doesn’t get much better than this! The city’s personality is a combination of great climate, modern metropolitan area, artsy college town, incredible landscapes, ethnic and cultural diversity, upscale resorts, high-tech business, and the Old West.
Many people on their first visit to Tucson are pleasantly surprised by what they find. Shaped by the images of old Western films and television shows, newcomers often expect to see cowboys strutting dusty streets, rattlesnakes under every rock, and townsfolk traveling by buckboard and stagecoach. What they find instead is a bustling city with seasonal bumper-to-bumper traffic, a tall gleaming skyline, and a thoroughly modern, but easygoing, lifestyle.
Tucsonans take great pride in our colorful history and its many cultural influences. Mexico is just 60 miles to the south, and with Tucson’s large Hispanic population, its influences are everywhere—from architecture to dining, entertainment to street names.
The Native American population is a small percent, but the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui tribes have been here for centuries, and their influence impacts Tucson in numerous ways from art to music.
Casual and laid-back are words that are often used to describe Tucson. You’ll find that the lifestyle here is relaxed and sophisticated. There are many terrific hidden treasures in this town alongside the more obvious natural and man-made wonders. Exploring and discovering the secrets and history of Tucson is part of what makes living here special. There’s something for everyone.
There is so much to see and do in Tucson. You’ll find it all here: sophisticated art museums and galleries, cowboy ghost towns, an internationally renowned desert museum, and spectacular natural wonders like Colossal Cave, Saguaro National Park, and Sabino Canyon. There are many hidden treasures here, too, like tiny shrines, historic buildings, and hummingbird gardens. We cover lots of them in this chapter, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Plan to take a lot of time in Tucson to do justice to the many amazing natural and man-made attractions in and outside of town. (See the Kidstuff chapter for activities geared more toward the younger set.)
Kids thrive in Tucson, with its fresh air, sunny skies, beautiful parks, and wildlife galore. There aren’t many places left where you can see coyotes, hawks, owls, quail, snakes, and javelinas all right in your own backyard. You’ll find lots and lots of things to do here indoors and out. One-of-a-kind museums, stargazing, cowboy towns, kid-friendly art, music, theater, and many more unique hidden treasures are here for children of all ages.
Back in the 1860s, when Tucsonans wanted a little culture—and entertainment—they’d attend one of the many Mexican puppet shows or circuses that traveled through town. Performances would be outdoors, of course, and in order to enjoy the evening show, the audiences had to build bonfires using old cacti.
The arts scene in Tucson is quite different these days. Today you’ll find symphony orchestras, jazz, bluegrass festivals, the state opera, ballet companies, folk and modern dance companies, art museums that rival bigger cities in scope, numerous art galleries, and several diverse local theater companies.
Venues have changed, too. Although we still enjoy many fine productions under the stars, Tucson audiences can attend performances at everything from a large arena setting to a small intimate theater. Indeed, Tucson has lived up to the Wall Street Journal calling it “a mini-mecca of the arts.”
Overview
Music lovers will be thrilled at the many options available. Tucson supports annual blues, jazz, bluegrass, mariachi, Western music, and folk festivals and the UA Music School hosts numerous wonderful concerts throughout the year. Local support organizations make sure that each of these types of music can be heard year-round, many times for free. And the bar and club scene in town (see the Nightlife chapter) offers all types of live music just about any night of the week.
Tucson theater audiences can enjoy productions that range from major Broadway plays and musicals by professional touring companies to original works, experimental plays, multicultural works, and classical theater staged by local professional and community groups. The stage could be a park, a concert hall, the University of Arizona, or a small, experimental theater that seats 20 people. Pima Community College also plays an active role in the dramatic arts. The University of Arizona Theater Arts Department, with its Repertory Theatre, is one of the nation’s oldest theater departments, and outdoor concerts and plays are held at the DeMeester Outdoor Performing Arts Center.
Dance offerings range from a classical ballet troupe to Afro-American/Latino, Native American, and Mexican folk dancers.
Art galleries and museums are plentiful. Many of the art galleries are located in and around downtown, but others can be found citywide. The Tucson Museum of Art, the University of Arizona Art Museum, and the Center for Creative Photography, which is located on the UA campus, boast many fine exhibitions and collections. Pima Community College’s Art Museum, located at the Center for the Arts on campus, is another fine example of the diversity of sites where art is exhibited.
Tucson has long been recognized as a creative and prolific center for the literary arts. For more than 30 years, the University of Arizona Press has been publishing award-winning books. The university’s creative writing program also boasts the country’s largest, in size as well as scope, writing program (it’s been rated among the top 10 in the nation). The UA’s Poetry Center and Tucson’s annual Poetry Festival have done wonders in bringing poetry out of the literary closet and into the public’s ear. Tucson has fast become a haven for regional and national writers alike. The late Edward Abbey and Joseph Wood Krutch are writers from Tucson’s past. Today nationally prominent writers such as Barbara Kingsolver, J. A. Jance, N. Scott Momaday, Alberto Urrea, Nancy Mairs, Tom Miller, Charles Bowden, Richard Shelton, Leslie Marmon Silko, Peter Wild, and Jane Miller are just a few of the names associated with Tucson’s writing community. Many are featured at the annual Tucson Festival of Books (see the Festivals & Events chapter).
The Tucson performing arts season typically runs from September to May. During this period the University of Arizona and Pima Community College are in session, and the snowbirds—winter visitors escaping the snow of the Northeast and Midwest—become temporary residents of the Old Pueblo, making for larger audiences. In the summer major events decrease; though the literary scene remains constant, many smaller theaters continue to perform, and the art galleries and museums remain open.
What follows is an overview of the arts scene in Tucson. We have included several of the support organizations because they are extremely influential when it comes to championing local art and artists.
It’s difficult to imagine wanting to leave Tucson, but the reality is that southern Arizona has much to offer. In this chapter we give you some ideas on great day and weekend trips not to be missed!
The choices are so great that we’ve really only scratched the surface here. We’ve selected some destinations that both visitors and residents consider to be must-sees if they get the chance, plus a few others that are relatively undiscovered. Most of the weekend getaways included here are within a three-hour drive of Tucson. A few are a bit farther, but we include them because they’re especially appealing destinations.
For most of the weekend getaways, we’ve mapped out an itinerary that highlights a number of locations, attractions, and activities. You may not get to them all, but at least you’ll be informed enough to make a choice about what you absolutely can’t miss and what can wait until next time. Even if you’re just searching for a day trip, be sure to read the sections on getaways as well—they contain lots of ideas for day trips. Conversely, the day trips described here can easily be turned into getaways—we even give a few tips on how best to do that.
Whatever your destination or its duration, it’s always best to call ahead and confirm the seasons and hours they’re open, prices, and any age restrictions so that you won’t be disappointed on arrival. Likewise, contact the chambers of commerce or visitor centers for your destinations; they’ll provide lots of useful information, even if you’re making last-minute plans. And last but not least, get a good map.