Tucson Frequently Asked Questions | Things to Do in Tucson (2024)

Airlines that serve Tucson directly include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country, United, and Via Air. There are nonstop flights to and from major cities across the United States, and for the most current information, visitflytucson.com.

FlyTucson.com

Tucson has many options for getting around, from shuttles, taxis, and rental cars to public buses and the Sun Link Streetcar (within our urban core), plus rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. There are relatively long distances between the different areas of the city, so having an independent mode of travel is vital. For a comprehensive list of these options with relevant links, visit ourlocal transportation page here.

Getting Around

Before you start your adventure, be sure to visit ourSouthern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center. You can’t miss us – we’re located in downtown Tucson, inside the Historic Pima County Courthouse at115 N. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701. Call toll-free: (800) 638-8350 or go to visitsouthernarizona.com/. Hours: Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Closed on these holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.The visitor center includes various exhibits, a theater, gallery and other neat features designed to introduce you to new places and provide inspiration to guide your journey.

WILDCAT PARENTS & VISITORS

Parents and visitors, consider yourself part of the extended family. Get to know the ins and outs of being a Wildcat – up close and personal with these online visitor information links.

Visit the Visit Tucson online calendar of events.

No Code: We love casual cool, but you might want to pack a fancier outfit or two for upscale dining adventures or excursions at museums and galleries. Most of the time, you’ll be quite comfortable in the non-summer months in light pants and a shirt of some kind. A hat is a very good idea year-round.

Fall/Winter/Spring:Layers are advisable, as there can be a wide gulf between daytime highs and overnight lows. (You might feel all four seasons in a single February day here.) Winter may require something a bit heavier after dark. And if you want to strut your Western wear, that’s okay, too!

Summer: The daytime highs consistently rise over 100 degrees F (32C). We suggest breathable long-sleeved clothing, along with hats, sunglasses, and sunblock. In general, limit outdoor activities that time of year to very early (before 7 a.m.), or after sundown (around 8 p.m.).

Always Carry Water: This is the Sonoran Desert, with Tucson sitting at an altitude of 2,643 feet (806m) above sea level. It may require a bit of an adjustment depending on where you’re coming from.

Tucson, with more than 340 days of sunshine a year, is primarily a dry climate, thanks to our location in the middle of the desert. Our monsoon rainy season stretches from mid-July through mid-September, producing epic thunderstorms and microbursts. Most of the year we’ve got plenty of sunshine and opportunities to explore the desert or hang out by the pool.

Average Tucsonhigh and low temperatures by month, plus rainfall and more.

Average Weather In Tucson

TheTucsonGem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcasehas been a draw for treasure hunters from every corner of the globe for more than 65 years! It’s hands down the biggest event on our calendar and we know once you experience the dazzling variety of wares for sale and the welcoming community around it, you’ll be back.

TucsonGem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase

Tucson's spectacular skyline features our five mountain ranges, all of which contain fantastic hiking and mountain biking for all experience levels. Tucson is also a Gateway Community to the 800-mile Arizona Trail.

• The sun rises over the Rincon Mountains on the east side
• Our legendary sunsets silhouette the Tucson Mountains on the west
• Flanking the north and northeast are the prominent Santa Catalina Mountains
• Rising to the south and southeast are the Santa Rita Mountains
• The Tortolita Mountains shelter the northwest

Arizona is in the Southwest area of the United States between California and New Mexico. Tucson is an hour's drive from the Mexico border and less than two hours from Phoenix.

Tucson's Nearby Mountain Ranges

Tucson is the 33rd largest city in the United States and the 52nd largest metropolitan area with an estimated population of 545,975.

Tucson, Arizona Population

Cyclists, mountain bikers, and anyone who loves to ride their bike will experience bliss here. In addition to five surrounding mountain ranges with countless trails, and an ascent from Tucson to Mt. Lemmon that draws Olympic-caliber cyclists, especially inwinter, Tucson also has The Loop. The Loop is more than 130 miles of paved, car-free multi-use pathencircling the city and ... along with Tugo Bike Share … makes for endless exploration of our stunning natural surroundings! For more on how toRide Tucson.

Ride Tucson

It’s true! In December of 2015, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) named Tucson as the first city to be named aCity of Gastronomyin the United States. Much more than a nod to our spectacular Mexican cuisine, it’s a comprehensive award that encompasses "our region's rich agricultural heritage, thriving food traditions, and culinary distinctiveness.”

City of Gastronomy

It’s a serious pursuit, with award-winning chefs that draw other chefs and foodies from around the world to study our borderlands food scene. You’ve probably got a favorite Mexican spot wherever you’re coming from, but after you taste some of the terrific locally-owned eateries along The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food, with our unique flavors and region-specific dishes … you’ll want more.

Mexican Food

The name Tucson itself comes from the Hohokam words “chuk shon,” roughly translating to ‘at the foot of the black mountain’, referring to dwellings by Native Americans that have called this area home for more than 4,000 years. That makes this one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in North America! The modern era ofTucson’s historybegan on August 20, 1775, with the founding of Presidio San Agustin del Tucson by Spanish settlers who first arrived in the late 1600s, having built Mission San Xavier del Bac.

Medical and recreational (age 21 and over) usage of marijuana is now legal in Arizona, within regulations. Please refer to theArizona Department of Health Services - Marijuana pagefor details.

Arizona Department of Health Services - Marijuana