USA Today | Travel | Contributor Cicely A. Richard, Leaf Group—Tucson Arizona is nestled between four major mountain ranges—Santa Rita, Rincon, Santa Catalina and Tucson. Saguaro cactus, desert plants and wildlife dot surrounding mountain peaks. Even in downtown Tucson, visitors see local wildlife darting across major streets, and guests can explore desert life in several areas in the city. Historic sites that represent Tucson’s contribution to the arts offer educational and entertaining activities for adults and children.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tucson’s Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a natural history museum, walking tour and zoo all in one. This museum consists of a 2-mile-long path meandering through a 21-acre desert terrain. Its landscape contains more than 300 animal species and more than 1,200 plants. Visitors may come face to face with Gila monsters, mountain lions, snakes, prairie dogs, roadrunners and javelinas (wild pigs). The reptile room features several species, including diamondback rattlesnakes and Mexican beaded lizards.
The museum's Center for Sonoran Desert Studies schedules education programs for adults and children and wildlife demonstrations. To ensure peaceful interaction between visitors and animals, rangers watch for animals on the path. The museum and center are open daily; and hours of operation vary throughout the year. September through May, admission is $13 for adults and $9.50 for children age 6 to 12; June to August, admission is $9.50 for adults and $2.25 for children. Prices are current as of February 2010. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743 520-883-2702 desertmuseum.org
Old Tucson Studios
Old Tucson Studios is the shooting location of more than 300 film and television productions, including “Gunfight at the OK Corral,” “The Lone Ranger,” “Bonanza,” “Lilies of the Field” and “Tombstone.” The History Channel used this site for an episode of its “Investigating History” television series, when it recounted the events surrounding Wyatt Earp’s gunfight at the OK Corral.
Although a fire destroyed some of the old sets, Old Tucson still offers daily activities, such as reenactment of a bank robbery, shootout and other western-themed shows. Tours of the property highlight places used in famous movie scenes. In one section of the studios, guests can pan for gold or take a ride in the miniature train. Hours of operation vary throughout the year. As of February 2010, admission is $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for children age 4 to 11. Old Tucson Studios 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85735 520-883-0100 oldtucson.com
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Covering five acres, Tucson Botanical Gardens consists of 16 gardens, including the Backyard Bird, the Prehistoric, the Butterfly, the Zen and the Children’s Discovery gardens. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and include a history of the botanical gardens, information about native plants and identifying birds that visit your gardens. Each month, this facility schedules presentations, such as its Butterflies from Around the World.
Educational programs for adults and children teach the basics of planting gardens that thrive in Arizona and about plant diversity found around the world. The Seven Cups Tea House in the Grove of Peace and Harmony serves hand-harvested, organic Chinese teas and Japanese desserts under grapefruit trees. Tucson Botanical Gardens is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As of February 2010, admission was $7 for adults and $3 for children age 4 to 12. Tucson Botanical Gardens 2150 N. Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ 85712 520-326-9686 tucsonbotanical.org
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When you visit Tucson and the Tucson real estate community Saguaro Ranch, we encourage you to follow Covid 19 protocols that include wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer and social distancing. To learn more about luxury homes for sale in Tucson and estate lots for sale, contact Mike Conlin of Miramonte Homes at (520) 429-4773 to be put on the guest list and to arrange your own tour. Brokers are protected.
