Jim and Tessie’s guidebook
Outdoor Activities
This is the trail right by our condo complex. You will have private access to the trail. After 20 minutes of hiking, you will enter the national forest. Every turn you make, you get a different view of Catalina mountains, and a view of the city if you look back. Hiking early in the morning and listen to the birds chatting and singing non-stop!
23 locals recommend
Ventana Canyon Trailhead
6601 N Resort DrThis is the trail right by our condo complex. You will have private access to the trail. After 20 minutes of hiking, you will enter the national forest. Every turn you make, you get a different view of Catalina mountains, and a view of the city if you look back. Hiking early in the morning and listen to the birds chatting and singing non-stop!
It’s open 24 hours, you just need to pay for parking. Check for current rate. If you have a national parks pass, parking is free - display it so rangers can see it easily.
457 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadIt’s open 24 hours, you just need to pay for parking. Check for current rate. If you have a national parks pass, parking is free - display it so rangers can see it easily.
Fort Lowell Park
2900 N Craycroft Rddesert animals and habitat, amazing sunset, friendly staff, and the bird show!
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rddesert animals and habitat, amazing sunset, friendly staff, and the bird show!
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon WayFlandrau Science Center & Planetarium
1601 E University BlvdWindy Point Lookout
930 Catalina HwyOne of the best places to watch sunset in Tucson!
Douglas Spring Trailhead
14306 E Speedway BlvdHave you seen a Capybara? How about an African dog? We have them here! It’s not a big zoo but it’s interesting!
169 locals recommend
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E Zoo CtHave you seen a Capybara? How about an African dog? We have them here! It’s not a big zoo but it’s interesting!
Saguaro National Park
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
4455 E Camp Lowell DrPima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdPatagonia Lake State Park
400 Patagonia Lake RdA large part of this park was burned in 2020 known as Big Horn Fire. When we visited in 2021, we were happily surprised to see a lot of plants that had grown back. Beautiful wild flowers in the spring!
192 locals recommend
Catalina State Park
11570 North Oracle RoadA large part of this park was burned in 2020 known as Big Horn Fire. When we visited in 2021, we were happily surprised to see a lot of plants that had grown back. Beautiful wild flowers in the spring!
If you wonder how complicated the design of this earth is, go visit Biophere 2. You won't regret it!
156 locals recommend
Biosphere 2
32540 S Biosphere RdIf you wonder how complicated the design of this earth is, go visit Biophere 2. You won't regret it!
Golf N' Stuff
6503 E Tanque Verde RdFun place for kids
Impressive Airshow, completely free! Fun for the whole family. Read the "before you go" information on the website.
Thunder And Lightning Over Arizona
Impressive Airshow, completely free! Fun for the whole family. Read the "before you go" information on the website.
It’s unbelievable that we are in the city while on the bike loop, and yet it feels that we are totally surrounded by the mountains. People walk, Hogg, walking their dog
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
It’s unbelievable that we are in the city while on the bike loop, and yet it feels that we are totally surrounded by the mountains. People walk, Hogg, walking their dog
The change of landscape as you drive up to 9000 ft is eye opening. Download app Mt Lemmon Science Tour to listen on your way up, for fascinating fun or homeschooling extra science credits.
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
The change of landscape as you drive up to 9000 ft is eye opening. Download app Mt Lemmon Science Tour to listen on your way up, for fascinating fun or homeschooling extra science credits.
City/town information
Mountains, endless trails, outdoor activities all year round, wild life, sunshine, and diverse food options.
108 locals recommend
Tucson
Mountains, endless trails, outdoor activities all year round, wild life, sunshine, and diverse food options.
The University of Arizona
1200 East University BoulevardPima Community College - West Campus
2202 W Anklam RdTucson Music Hall
260 S Church AveFood scene
El Charro Cafe Ventana
6910 E Sunrise DrOldest Mexican restaurant in Tucson. Very good food.
Flying V Bar & Grill
7000 N Resort Drrelaxing place for a nice night out
Noodleholics
3502 E Grant RdAuthentic Chinese noodle dishes from all over China!
Pretty authentic Sichuan cruise from China. Highly recommend if you like spicy food!
14 locals recommend
Jun Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
2933 E Grant RdPretty authentic Sichuan cruise from China. Highly recommend if you like spicy food!
Poco & Moms Cantina
7000 E Tanque Verde RdThe Quesadillas
2418 N Craycroft RdKorea House Restaurant
4030 E Speedway BlvdFatman Kitchen
Kingfisher
2564 E Grant RdLa Encantada
2905 E Skyline DrOutdoor, upscale mall right by the mountain!
Chef Wang 状元楼
356 E Grant Rdauthentic Chinese restaurant
MOD Pizza
Gluten free options
Monsoon Chocolate
234 E 22nd StNeighborhoods
grocery stores, restaurants, medical facilities, schools, library, etc.
Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
Basha's Supermarket
6900 E Sunrise DrOwned and operated by locals.
There is an organic salad bar with organic dressings, a hot food bar with meat, vegetables, starch, and soup. There is an indoor and an outdoor dining area. Nice place for a quick and relaxed meal.
Whole Foods Market
There is an organic salad bar with organic dressings, a hot food bar with meat, vegetables, starch, and soup. There is an indoor and an outdoor dining area. Nice place for a quick and relaxed meal.
Dusenberry-River Library
5605 E River RdLoews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N Resort DrBanner - University Medicine Primary Care Clinic
BASIS Tucson North
Catalina Foothills High School
Esperero Canyon Middle School
University High School
CVS Pharmacy
Walgreens Pharmacy
Tucson Medical Center
5301 E Grant RdTraveler advice
Customs and culture
Hotel Congress
History of Tucson