Area
Attractions
Whatever you enjoy doing whether it's ziplining in the desert, visiting the Sonoran Desert Museum, or visiting the Pima Air and Space Museum, there are lots of things to do in Tucson and the surrounding areas. Click on the links below to find out more.
TUCSON PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Featuring about 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII).
For more info visit: https://pimaair.org/
TUCSON SONORA DESERT MUSEUM
The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors!
The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.
-
21 interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats
-
242 animal species
-
Plants from 1,200 taxa — 56,000 individual specimens
-
One of the world's most comprehensive regional mineral collections
For more info visit:
TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Tucson Botanical Gardens, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Tucson, strives to be recognized and respected as the best small public garden in America.
For more info, visit https://tucsonbotanical.org/
MOUNT LEMMON
For those hotter months, take a drive up to Mount Lemmon. Rose Canyon Lake peaks at 9,171 feet, is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, and is one of the Sky Islands in Coronado National Forest. Sky Islands offer drastically different environments as the elevation changes rapidly. The Sky Island Scenic Byway is the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada in a stretch of only 26 miles! Be sure to visit the Cookie Cabin while you're there.
For more info, visit:
https://www.visitarizona.com/places/parks-monuments/mount-lemmon/
BIOSPHERE 2 SCIENCE RESEARCH
The world's largest earth science experiment. Discover the world in a 3.14-acre laboratory with active research systems spanning from ocean to desert environments and so much more.
For more info, visit: https://biosphere2.org/
TUCSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Have an easier trip by flying into Tucson's International Airport. It's much smaller and simpler to navigate through than the Phoenix airport.
For more info, visit: https://www.flytucson.com/
TUCSON REID PARK ZOO
The Zoo, founded in 1965 with a collection of birds, prairie dogs, farm animals, and a few squirrel monkeys, has expanded to a 24-acre campus that houses hundreds of animals in naturalistic exhibits and annually hosts more than 500,000 visitors. Reid Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
For more info, visit: https://reidparkzoo.org/
TUCSON MUSEUM OF MINIATURES
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures' collection of miniatures includes over 500 antique and contemporary dollhouses and room boxes, while special exhibitions highlight the breadth and diversity of the art of miniatures.
For more info, visit: https://theminitimemachine.org/
WINTERHAVEN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
in TUCSON
Winterhaven is a December event featuring homes upon homes with impressive light shows and holiday displays. This holiday event has been running annually for over 70 years! If you're in town during this wonderful event, be sure to check it out. You can walk the neighborhood, or enjoy it on a hayride, party bike, or trolley.
TOPGOLF in TUCSON
Not a golfer, no problem. Golf experience is not necessary. Topgolf is a fun, family event. Play outdoors in a climate-controlled environment where you can enjoy the golf bays in year-round comfort with HDTVs in every bay and throughout their sports bar and restaurant. You can use their complimentary golf clubs or your own. Take aim at the giant outfield targets and their high-tech balls will score themselves.
Click here for more info about Top Golf.
GOLF COURSES in TUCSON
Tucson golf resorts certainly hold their own, starting with Casino Del Sol and its $25 million Sewailo golf course designed by former PGA Tour player Notah Begay III and Ty Butler.
Tucson is the former home of the Tucson Open, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, and the former home of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain. In addition, Tucson boasts one of the country's better municipal golf scenes, led by the two golf courses at historic Randolph Park.
http://www.golfarizona.com/courses/tucson/
Click here for Top-Rated Golf Courses in Tucson
TUCSON PARTY BIKES
Want to see Tucson in a different way? Then, reserve your private group, old pueblo pub crawl, or Winterhaven event on Arizona's party bike. The bikes have a rockin’ sound system, LED party lights, an electric helper motor, and VIP drink specials. Adult beverages are allowed on board. The party bike is perfect for partying with your friends and family to enjoy a celebration, special event, or just for fun!
Reserve a private pedal tavern party or grab seats on a guided pedal bar crawl — and don’t forget your favorite adult beverages!
Click here for more info about the AZ Party Bikes.
OLD TUCSON EVENTS
Old Tucson is one of Arizona’s top Wild West attractions, featuring live action stunt shows, musicals and live entertainment, vintage rides for the kids, genuine southwest BBQ and special events throughout the season. Step back in time as you make your way through town, walking the same streets made famous by movie legends such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Elizabeth Taylor, Steve Martin, Sharon Stone and Martin Short.
TUCSON TROLLEY TOURS
Tucson Trolley Tours local guides will help you find tons of hidden gems Tucson has to offer. Their goal is to take you from Tourist to Trailblazer so after the tour, you"ll know where to go to find the things you'll love about Tucson.
MOUNTAIN & ROAD BIKING IN TUCSON
There are so many options for biking in Tucson. Whether you like mountain biking, road biking, or biking downtown, you will find it here in Tucson, AZ.
Here is some helpful biking information to help you find what you want. Click on the links below:
Sonoran Desert Mountain Biking
Downtown and surrounding areas rental bikes
Bike trails and maps in Tucson
CHUCK HUCKELBERRY "THE LOOP"
The Chuck Huckelberry Loop is a system of paved, shared-use paths and short segments of buffered bike lanes connecting the Cañada del Oro, Rillito, Santa Cruz, and Pantano River Parks with the Julian Wash and Harrison Road Greenway in Tucson. More than 136 miles of paved pathways and bike lanes have already been completed with additional trails to come.
Click here to find out more about "The Loop."
TUCSON GEM AND MINERAL SHOW
The Tucson Gem and Mineral show is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world! This is a seasonal event that happens every February. If interested, book your reservation early as most vacation rentals, hotels, and motels fill up during this time.
TUCSON MURALS and SCULPTURES
Tucson is known for its artistic displays throughout the city. As you visit Tucson, be sure to look around to find murals (nearly 60 of them) and art displays. Local, national, and international artists have invested in Tucson's artistic nature. You never know what you might find on a simple trip to the grocery store (pictured above).
Click here for a link to a murals map.
TUCSON STAR TOURS
Tucson Star Tours offers private stargazing sessions with cutting-edge telescopes and knowledgeable astronomers. It is a mobile observatory that brings large telescopes and knowledgeable astronomers to your location for an enlightening tour of the universe.
With a telescope that’s all yours for the night and the attention of an astronomer to guide you, it’s an extraordinary experience that will leave you in awe of the cosmos.
Click here to find out more about Arizona Star Tours.
Note: Photo shown is a stock image.
DESERT DIAMOND CASINO in TUCSON
This casino is 35 minutes from Windfeather Resort. Located at 7350 S Nogales Hwy, Tucson 85756.
DESERT DIAMOND CASINO in SAHUARITA
This casino is 40 minutes from Windfeather Resort. Located at 1100 W Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita 85629.
CASINO DEL SOL
This casino is 50 minutes from Windfeather Resort. Located at 5655 W Valencia Rd, Tucson 85757.
BIRD WATCHING
There are over 500 species of birds in the Tucson area.
If you have a half-day: Choose any of these urban oases: Agua Caliente Park, Sweetwater Wetlands, The Loop, Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens.
If you have a full day: Sabino Canyon; Mt. Lemmon; Florida Wash for desert and grassland birds; Madera Canyon for oak woodland birds and hummingbirds; Catalina State Park; Madera Canyon; Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.
TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY
Tucson Audubon inspires people to enjoy and protect birds through recreation, education, conservation, and restoration of the environment upon which we all depend.
They work for a future in which the people of southeast Arizona are connected to their natural world through birds, and they protect and use our natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.
ARIZONA ZIPLINE ADVENTURES
Arizona Zipline Adventures EcoTour includes a ride on five ziplines that range in length from 400 ft. to 1,500 ft. The tallest zipline is 80 ft high! They also have moonlight and sunset zipline experiences as well.
They are located just 50 minutes northeast of Windfeather Resort.
Find out more about ziplining by clicking here.
COLOSSAL CAVE MOUNTAIN PARK
The Colossal Cave Mountain Park has three cave tours available. The Classic Cave, Ladder, and Wild Cave tours are designed for all skill levels and varying tour lengths ranging from 40 minutes to 3.5 hours! They have a cafe and gift shop available as well.
Colossal Caves is located just 50 minutes south of Windfeather Resort.
For more information, click here.
(Photo above was NOT taken at Colossal Cave Park)
KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK
At 21 feet 3 inches (Throne Room) Kartchner Caverns is home to one of the world's longest soda straw stalactites! The tallest and most massive column in Arizona, Kubla Khan measures 58 feet tall (Throne Room) and is the world's most extensive formation of brushite moonmilk (Big Room). They also boast the first reported occurrence of “turnip” shields (Big Room) and the first cave occurrence of “birdsnest” needle quartz formations. You will also experience many other unusual formations such as shields, totems, helictites, and rimstone dams. Many of the formations you will see have been continuously growing for tens of thousands of years. Located 1 hour south of us. For more information, click here.
(Photo above was NOT taken at Kartchner Caverns)
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK (WEST & EAST)
Saguaro National Park has two districts geographically separated by the city of Tucson. The Rincon Mountain District (RMD) is often referred to as Saguaro East, while the Tucson Mountain District (TMD) is often referred to as Saguaro West. The park is named for the large saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment.
The west side park is closest to Windfeather Resort, just a 40 minute drive.
For more information, click here.
CATALINA STATE PARK
Taking the Canyon Loop on the left side will bring you up close and personal to some old saguaro cacti. The right side of the trail isn't as pretty so it's up to you if you want to do the full loop or go back the way you came. There are several other beautiful trails to enjoy as well.
Located just 15 minutes to the East of Windfeather
For more information, click here.
SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. You will see a lot of cacti and desert vegetation on these hikes. During certain times of the year, Seven Falls will have water flowing.
Located about 40 minutes from Windfeather Resort.
For more information, click here.
COBRA ARCADE BAR
Cobra Arcade Bar Tucson is 21+. You can find a collection of rotating arcade games, and DJs at this location. All of their games run on tokens and there is a token machine onsite.
Located just 25 minutes from Windfeather Resort.
For more information, click here.
.jpg)
HELICOPTER TOURS
VOLARE HELICOPTERS OVER TUCSON
Capture breathtaking views of the Tucson Mountains, Catalina Mountains, Downtown Tucson, or the Boneyards at Davis-Monthan or Pinal Airpark. Doors-off flights available upon request.
Located just 40 minutes from Windfeather Resort.
Presidio San Agustin del TUCSON MUSEUM
A re-creation of the Tucson Presidio built in 1775 and other historic spaces.
Travel back in time at the Tucson Presidio Historic Museum to learn about life as an early Tucsonan. Experience the area’s flagship walking tours where docents share facts about early Native Americans, Presidio residents, and Territorial Period settlers who lived in the Santa Cruz Valley.
See archaeological remains of a pit house. Walk along the original Presidio wall. Experience a 150-year-old classic Sonoran Row house. Watch historical re-enactments and demonstrations.
Located just 25 min from Windfeather Resort (16 miles).
For more information, click here.
SKYDIVING IN ARIZONA
There are a couple of places to skydive.
The closest one to Windfeather Resort is located about 20 minutes away. For more information on this one, click here.
The one Kim did is located in Eloy (between Tucson and Phoenix), about 50 minutes from Windfeather Resort. They are the largest skydiving center in the world. They placed #1 for newcomers to experience skydiving for the first time.
Both places offer tandem skydiving.
For more information about the one located in Eloy, click here.
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides follow a unique balloon flight path over the Sonoran Desert, Tucson Mountains, Saguaro National Park West, and the agricultural expanse of Avra Valley and is unmatched in its scenic beauty and outstanding hot air balloon flight conditions.
They offer 'Sonoran Sunrise' flights, followed by a delicious continental champagne brunch. These hot air balloon flights are over an hour long, sometimes much longer, depending on a combination of factors.
Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides flies October through April, seven days a week, weather permitting.
Located about 35 minutes from Windfeather Resort. The location is at the IHOP on Grant Rd., near I-10.
For more information, click here.
TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA
For over 135 years, the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral has captured the imagination of filmmakers, historians, and novelists – masking the complex backdrop behind the deadly tensions that exploded on October 26, 1881.
After the Civil War, America’s industrial growth spurred rapid Westward expansion. Boomtowns like Tombstone provided fertile ground for continuing the war’s sectional strife. Northern businessmen and Texas cowboys brought their economic, political, and social conflicts with them into the Arizona Territory.
Located about 1.5 hours from Windfeather Resort.
For more information, click here.
KICK ROCKS GYM
This trailblazing facility blends high-intensity interval training kickboxing classes with an awesome indoor bouldering wall and genuine connection. Check out their drop-in rates and meet a new friend!
Located just 3 miles from Windfeather Resort.
For more information, click here.
SWEETWATER WETLANDS
Sweetwater Wetland’s 18 acres of cattail marshes, open-water ponds, and mature cottonwoods and willows attract both human and non-human visitors. The park’s top yearly visitor groups include more than 250 species of native and migrating birds and more than 4,000 birdwatchers.
It's located 20 min from Windfeather Resort.
Click here for more information.