WELCOME TO TUCSON
A blend of natural beauty, a warm climate, and an affordable cost of living.
Visit Arizona's second-largest city, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and a year-round outdoor playground. You can be secluded or social in Tucson. The city's central core is a vibrant area with the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue and a lively downtown.
Tucson, Arizona, offers a blend of natural beauty, a warm climate, and an affordable cost of living, making it a good place to live for those drawn to outdoor recreation, food and culture.
WHAT TO LOVE
-
-
Affordable Cost of Living:Tucson has a lower cost of living than the national average.
-
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities:The city is surrounded by mountains and desert landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.
-
Rich Culture and History:Tucson has a rich history and culture, with a vibrant downtown area, unique festivals, and a growing food scene.
-
Warm Climate:Tucson enjoys a warm climate with mild winters and hot summers, making it a good place to live for those who enjoy warm weather.
-
Dark Skies:Tucson is known for its dark skies, making it a great place for stargazing.
-
DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING
After a satisfying day exploring the Old West, there’s nothing like returning to our desert city to experience the unique blend of food, music, dancing, and overall vibrant Tucson, AZ, nightlife. No matter which area of town you choose, you’ll find adventure and smiling, laughing, friendly faces.
Stitch together an exciting night by following the Tucson nightclubs of Congress Street District to the always animated Fourth Ave District. Revisit those college days next to the University of Arizona in the ever-spirited Main Gate District.
Take your pick from breweries, country/western saloons, college bars, theaters, comedy clubs, LGBTQ bars and clubs, live music venues, and casinos. With most establishments serving until 2 a.m., there’s plenty of time to soak in that irresistible, laid-back Tucson vibe.
From high-end cocktail menus created by certified mixologists to classic dive bar ambiance, you'll find that Tucson's bar scene has plenty of options to mix it up.
Try local wines and craft beers, Tucson's own award-winning Whiskey del Bac, small-batch mezcal straight from Mexico, and cocktail blends inspired by our title as of City of Gastronomy - prickly pear margarita, anyone?
In an era where every city claims culinary prowess, Tucson stands out as a true food destination. We champion our vibrant, chef-driven restaurants, eclectic array of international flavors, and unparalleled Mexican cuisine. What elevates Tucson's culinary scene above the rest? Is it the accolades in magazines or the praises from bloggers? Tucson has plenty of those, but we also were designated as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the U.S.
The region’s rich agricultural heritage, thriving food traditions, and culinary distinctiveness is why Tucson recieved this honor. Dining in Tucson is more than just a meal – it's an immersion into the essence of the Sonoran Desert, echoing the sun-soaked terrain and the vibrant melting pot of cultures that call this place home.
Discover where excitement and entertainment meet the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just looking for a fun night out, Tucson's casinos have something for everyone.
Experience the thrill at Desert Diamond Casino or indulge in the luxury of Casino Del Sol— located adjacent to the Tohono O'odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribal land. With a mix of slot machines, table games, live entertainment, and top-notch dining, these casinos offer endless fun. Ready to play? Plan your visit to Tucson and let the good times roll!
THINGS TO DO
More than just saguaros and Sonoran hot dogs, Tucson, AZ is a cultural and natural hub where visitors can experience the Southwest as it was meant to be. In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson offers a modern perspective of the old west.
The city is home to a wide range of museums, historic sites, hiking trails, golf courses, and some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world, giving visitors plenty to do during their visit. From our gardens and zoos to our museums and university campus, Tucson’s unique beauty shines through our wide range of attractions and our vibrant downtown districts.
Discover the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and learn how diverse a living desert can be at Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, or at the Children's Museum where kids can get an introduction to this unique environment with interactive exhibits. Travel through time to the unique architectural and cultural legacy of Mission San Xavier del Bac or to a century of military and aerospace history with 300 vintage-to-modern aircraft at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
Explore wide-open spaces by hiking the mountain ranges that circle the Old Pueblo or wandering wilderness preserves and parks. Witness all the beauty of the American Southwest from the cascades of Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon to the majestic cacti of Saguaro National Parks East & West, or the high-pine and aspen forests of Mt. Lemmon, to the otherworldly depths of Colossal Cave Mountain Park and Kartchner Caverns State Park®.
Lots of places talk about their "Great Outdoors" but here in Tucson we don't just talk the talk, we walk the walk - or take the hike, depending on how you look at it. That's right, we aren't too shy to say that our outdoors are a little bit greater than most places you might visit. Whether you're looking for a hardcore backcountry adventure or just a leisurely stroll in the solitude of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson offers plenty of room to roam.
From the otherworldly beauty of Saguaro National Park to the rugged expanse of the Coronado National Forest and the region's Sky Island mountain ranges, in southern Arizona, getting outside is not just a hobby, it's a way of life.
"A mini mecca for the arts" is how one Wall Street Journal reporter described Tucson, marveling at the depth of artistic expression found here. The city has long been a beacon for creatives looking to draw inspiration from the strange beauty of the Sonoran Desert, not to mention the blend of cultures that birthed an aesthetic unlike any other. From visual nomads like Ansel Adams to desert natives like Tucson's own Ted Degrazia, this area has captured the imaginations of artists for as long as anyone can remember.
This creative culture is shared by passionate locals at classes and workshops where you can create your own masterpieces, indoors and out. Shoppers can also find plenty of treasures handmade by Tucson artists and makers at local shops, fairs, and open studio tours.
Visit Tucson recognizes and respects that Tucson resides on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Tucson is home to the O’odham and the Yaqui tribes. Learn more about Native American Culture at VisitTucson.org/native-american-culture
Trying to sum up Tucson's deep-rooted history in a few paragraphs just isn't possible. One would need to read through thousands of pages from the countless books that have been written about this area by obsessed writers and historians. Equally as impossible would be to try and decouple this history from the region's unique blend of cultures. They are inextricably linked.
Any way you look at it, the narrative begins thousands of years ago with ancient Indigenous peoples who first settled this land, most notably the Hohokam. In fact, after studying numerous sites along the Santa Cruz River, adjacent to what is today Downtown Tucson, archeologists have determined that humans have been here for over 12,000 years. This estimate means that the Tucson region is likely the oldest continuously inhabited area in the United States. This legacy continues today through the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tohono O'odham Nation, forming the foundation of the vibrant cultural landscape for which Tucson is known.
SCHOOLS
As the largest school district in Southern Arizona, Tucson Unified offers more unique learning opportunities than any other district in the region. We strive to deliver an educational experience that best fits the needs of your child.
We provide a well-rounded and supportive academic environment at each of our elementary, middle, and high schools. Our academic and support services teams focus on nurturing the whole child, academically, intellectually, and socially.
Whether your child would do best in a comprehensive school, magnet school, alternative school, or exceptional education environment, we are ready to work with you to select the right school for your family's needs.
