Destination Guides > North America > USA > Southwest USA > Arizona > Tuscon
Tuscon
Arizona’s second-largest city is a popular stop for travellers driving along Interstate 10 and many people stop here en route to Mexico (the Nogales border crossing is a little over an hour south of town).
Aviation enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the excellent Pima Air & Space Museum and the nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base where around 5000 aircraft are kept in storage.
Practical Information
Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
110 S Church Avenue, Tuscon
Tel (520) 624 1817 or 800 638 8350
Website www.visittuscon.org
Coming & Going
AIR
Tuscon International Airport (tel (520) 573 8000; website www.tucsonairport.org), has flights to Mexico and major US cities. The airport is 14.5km south of downtown Tucson and bus 11 ($1) runs between the airport and the city centre.
BUS
Greyhound buses stop at 2 S 4th Avenue. There are direct buses to major cities in Arizona, California and New Mexico.
TRAIN
Amtrak trains stop at the train station at 400 E Toole Avenue.
Local Transport
Tucson is well served by a local bus service and there is also a tram that runs between 4th Avenue and the University of Arizona. Buses cost $1 (with free transfer) and the tram fare is 25c.
Accommodation
Roadrunner Hostel
346 East 12th Street, Tucson, AZ 85701
Tel (520) 628 4709
Tucson International Hostel (Hotel Congress)
311 East Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701
Tel (520) 622 8848
Sights
Arizona Historical Society Museum
This museum has exhibits on local history.
949 E 2nd Street, Tucson
Tel (520) 628 5774
Admission free
Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm
Arizona State Museum
The Arizona State Museum has anthropological exhibits on Native American culture.
University Boulevard, Tucson
Tel (520) 621 6302
Admission free
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm
Biosphere 2
This massive research project consists of a 27m-high structure that contains five artificially created eco-systems: desert, marsh, ocean, rainforest and savannah. The Biosphere is a 30-minute drive outside Tucson and is open by guided tour.
Route 77 N
Tel 800 838 2462
Website www.bio2.com
Admission $20
Open 8.30am-5.30pm, last entry 5pm
Center for Creative Photography
This Center for Creative Photography is one of the world’s leading showcases of photography. It’s exceptional collection includes much of Ansel Adams’ and Edward Weston’s work.
1030 N Olive Avenue, Tucson
Tel (520) 621 7968
Website www.creativephotography.org
Admission free
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Arizona’s dry desert climate makes it ideal for storing aircraft in a relatively rust—free environment and the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson is home to around 5000 airport. Tours of the facility can be booked on (520) 618 4806.
Flandrau Science Center
Exhibits at this science museum include hands-on science exhibits plus a collection of meteorites. There is also a planetarium in the centre.
Corner Cherry Avenue & University Mall, Tucson
Tel (520) 621 7827
Website www.gotuasciencecenter.org
Admission $3; $5 including planetarium
Open Mon-Tue 9am-5pm, Wed-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
Pima Air & Space Museum
This excellent aviation museum features over 250 aircraft, making it a must for aviation enthusiasts.
6000 E Valencia Road, Tucson
Tel (520) 574 0462
Website www.pimaair.org
Admission $11.75-13.50
Open 9am-5pm daily (last entry 4pm)
Presidio Historic District
This interesting area of downtown Tucson, bordered by Alameda and Franklin Streets and Court and Main Avenues, is worth a look.
Tucson Museum of Art
This small art museum exhibits 20th century art and also has a collection of pre-Colombian artefacts.
140 N Main Avenue, Tucson
Tel (520) 624 2333
Website www.tucsonmuseumofart.org
Admission $5
Open Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm
University of Arizona Museum of Art
Although this art museum has a permanent collection of European art, most exhibits are devoted to art produced by students of the University of Arizona.
N Olive Avenue, Tucson
Tel (520) 621 7567
Admission free
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sun noon-4pm
