Why go
- City in Arizona, United States.
- 2 curated must-see attractions on record, including Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
- 1 hand-picked place to stay.
- Served by Tucson International Airport (TUS).
History
Tucson is the county seat of and the most populated city in Pima County, Arizona, United States. It is the second-most populous city in Arizona with a population of 542,630 at the 2020 census, behind the capital city, Phoenix, while the Tucson metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 1.08 million residents and is the 52nd-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Tucson and Phoenix anchor the Arizona Sun Corridor. The city is 108 mi (174 km) southeast of Phoenix and 60 mi (97 km) north of the United States–Mexico border. It is home to the University of Arizona.
Must-see attractions
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743 · desertmuseum.org
Outdoor
24 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Where to stay
9251 W Twin Peaks Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743 · whitestallion.com
151 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701 · marriott.com
720 W Silverlake Rd, Tucson, AZ 85713 · hotelmccoy.com
82 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 · unicornzebratucson.com
311 E Congress St #1811, Tucson, AZ 85701 · hotelcongress.com
1222 S Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85713 · thealicehotel.com
8600 E Rockcliff Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750 · canyonranch.com
306 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711 · lodgeonthedesert.com
960 S Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745 · ihg.com
1015 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 · royalsunhoteltucson.com
777 W Cushing St, Tucson, AZ 85745 · wyndhamhotels.com
1300 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 · redroof.com
222 S Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745 · sonesta.com
930 E 2nd St, Tucson, AZ 85719 · hilton.com
880 E 2nd St, Tucson, AZ 85719 · marriott.com
665 N Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745 · wyndhamhotels.com
280 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 · hilton.com
3855 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 · hilton.com
705 N Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745 · choicehotels.com
251 S Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711 · hilton.com
1 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 · marriott.com
445 S Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711 · hilton.com
5335 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711 · hilton.com
141 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 · hilton.com
1900 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719 · marriott.com
102 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711 · hilton.com
750 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85713 · choicehotels.com
Restaurants & places to go
American, Brunch, Fries, Pastry, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Brunch eatery serving breakfast, lunch, and baked goods in a cozy indoor space Opening hours: Mo-Fr… · raptorcanyoncafe.com
Mexican, Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant in Tucson, AZ Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:00AM to 9:00PM, Fri - Sat: 11:00AM to 10:00PM · 5602 E Speedway Blvd,… · laparrillasuiza.com
Native American, Mexican, Restaurant · Tohono Oʼodham and Mexican cuisine · 2615 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, 85713 · cafesantarosa.net
Bagel, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-15:00 Features: takeaway · 3843 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716 · locations.brueggers.com
Hot Dog, Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 10:00-22:15; Fr,Sa 10:00-22:45 Features: takeaway · 3761 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716 · order.portillos.com
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: 09:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 7920 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85710 · arbys.com
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:30-00:00; Fr,Sa 10:30-01:00, Su 10:30-00:00 Features: takeaway · 2505 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · blackjackpizza.com
Chicken, Korean, Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-20:30 · 6310-12 East Tanque Verde Road · restaurants.bonchon.com
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 06:00-22:00; Tu 06:00-23:00; We 06:00-22:00; Th 06:00-21:00; Fr-Su 06:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 1960 West… · bk.com
Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 04:00-20:00; Sa-Su 05:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · 2553 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · locations.dunkindonuts.com
Breakfast, Pancake, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway, delivery · 4040 East 22nd Street, Tucson, 85711 · restaurants.ihop.com
Juice, Fast Food · Opening hours: 08:00-18:00 Features: takeaway · 2904 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · locations.jamba.com
Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 11:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 1303 East University Boulevard, Tucson, 85719 · pandaexpress.com
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-Sa 10:45-23:30; Su-Th 10:00-23:00 · 5285 #151 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, 85711 · peiwei.com
Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 · 5061 North Oracle Road, Tucson, 85704 · redlobster.com
Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 06:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-21:30 · 2130 East Ajo Way, Tucson, 85713 · rudysbbq.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 04:30-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 2807 North Campbell Road, Tucson, 85719 · starbucks.com
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 1111 South Wilmot Road, Tucson, 85710 · locations.tacobell.com
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 15:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-21:00 · 968 West Irvington Road, Tucson, 85714-2437 · texasroadhouse.com
Corn Dog, Fast Food · Opening hours: Fr-Su 11:00-23:00; Mo-Th 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 2786 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · order1.usakor.com
Pastry, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 07:00-21:00, Fr 07:00-22:00, Sa 08:00-22:00, Su 08:00-21:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 845 East… · bywoops.com
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-19:00 · 3587 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716 · blvckbobatea.com
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-Su 11:30-21:00; Tu-Th 16:00-21:00 · 434 North 4th Avenue, 85705 · carusositalian.com
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-14:25; Mo-Su 17:00-20:45 Features: delivery · 2727 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · tucsonindiaoven.com
Noodle, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00 Features: delivery · 2741 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · maruplus.com
Wings, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 3122 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, 85719 · wingstop.com
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Sa-Su 11:00-21:00; Fr 13:00-21:00 Features: vegan options, halal, step-free access · 2310 North Country Club… · aspasiarestaurant.com
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-20:30 · 6310-12 East Tanque Verde Road · restaurants.bonchon.com
Ethiopian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 Features: step-free access · 758 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, 85701 · cafedesta.com
Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 · 2739 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716 · tucsondingtea.squarespace.com
Turkish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 · 2945 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716 · istanbultucson.com
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:30-21:00; Sa-Su 17:00-21:00 · 1719 East Grant Road, 85719 · karunasthaiplate.com
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-20:30 Features: takeaway · 4210 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85712 · kazokusushitucson.com
Contemporary American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00 Features: air conditioning · 3800 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, 85718 · laluztucson.com
Comfort, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 10:00-15:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · 2990 North Campbell Avenue, 85719 · lovinspoonfuls.com
Cuban, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00 Features: step-free access · 1929 East Grant Road · mojocuban.com
Pasta, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00; Tu off Features: outdoor seating · 2555 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716 · roccoslittlechicago.com
Kebab, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:30; Su 12:00-20:30 · 5855 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, 85711 · shishkebabhouseoftucson.com
Salad, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 5501 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85712 · saladandgo.com
Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa, Su 07:00-20:00; Mo, Tu off · 7000 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, 85715 · pocoandmoms.com
Ramen, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:30-21:00; Mo 11:30-20:20 · 4610 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85712 · kiwami-ramenbar.com
African, Arab, Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-20:30; Fr-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 10:00-20:00 · 3565, Ste 171 East Speedway Boulevard, 85716
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Vietnamese restaurant · 250 South Craycroft Road, Tucson · misssaigontucson.com
Greek, Restaurant · Greek restaurant · 4590 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson · opasbest.com
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · 2955 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85716-3824 · raijinramen.com
405 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Tucson International Airport (TUS) 7.4 mi to the centre
Tucson, AZ, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 11 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines…) · direct flights to 16 destinations incl. Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 11 airlines, 16 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-300, 73C, 737-800) · 5 routes: Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 737-800, 73C) · 4 routes: Chicago*, Las Vegas*, Los Angeles*, San Jose*
- American Airlines AA (M83, MD-80, CRJ, CRJ-900) · 4 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles*, Phoenix*
- United Airlines UA (CRJ, CRJ-700, ERJ) · 4 routes: Denver*, Houston*, Los Angeles*, San Francisco*
- US Airways US (M83, MD-80, CRJ, CRJ-900) · 4 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Phoenix*
- Alaska Airlines AS (CRJ, CRJ-700, 73J) · 3 routes: Los Angeles*, Portland*, Seattle
- Delta Air Lines DL (M90, CRJ) · 3 routes: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City*
- Air France AF (M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Alitalia AZ (M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (M90) · 1 route: Atlanta*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Marana Regional Airport (AVW) 21 mi to the centre
Marana, AZ, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Pinal Airpark (MZJ) 30 mi to the centre
Marana, AZ, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Ryan Field 15 mi to the centre
Tucson, AZ, US
La Cholla Airpark 16 mi to the centre
Oro Valley, AZ, US
Schuk Toak Farms Landing Field 20 mi to the centre
Tucson, AZ, US
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tucson International Airport (TUS); 29 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: TUS has direct flights to 16 destinations on 11 airlines (incl. Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Tucson, Arizona. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Bus · Arizona · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Jet card, management · Managed fleet across US bases · Locally based jet card and aircraft management with private terminals in ~20 US cities.
Helicopter, by-the-seat · Helicopters, seaplanes, jets via partners · By-the-seat helicopters Manhattan–JFK/Newark and the Hamptons; jet charter through partners.
Membership charter · King Air 350i, Citation, Hawker, Global · US membership and on-demand charter; Delta Air Lines is a major shareholder.
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, light to ultra-long-range · Charter, management and FBOs at Van Nuys and Orange County; the original Hollywood jet operator.