14 Best Things To Do In Green Valley, AZ - Updated 2024

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things to do in green valley arizona

Green Valley is a census-designated place in Arizona with a fairly small population. Outdoor enthusiasts love this place because there is plenty of hiking, cycling, and birdwatching spots in the area. It’s also a great destination to enjoy a family vacation or a golf retreat. Guests flock to this area because of its many tourist spots and its proximity to Tucson, which means it isn’t hard to find vacation rentals in Green Valley.

Don’t wait any longer. Stay in one of the top Airbnb vacation rentals for your trip, and read on to find out about the top things to do in Green Valley, AZ.

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1. Tee off at Haven Golf Course

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Haven Golf Course opens this SATURDAY, October 1 after a fantastic overseed! Come join friends for a great round of golf, and stay for a famous Haven Bloody Mary. See you this weekend!

Posted by Haven Golf Club on Wednesday, September 28, 2016

This large golf course has both 9-hole and 18-hole courses, catering to any skill level. If you are a beginner and are seeking to learn more about the sport, this facility can offer golf lessons. In case you get hungry after a game, there is a lounge on site that offers some breakfast and lunch selections, such as sandwiches, hotdogs, and burritos. Traveling as a group? You can enjoy both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages while you are here as the place offers fruit juices, hot chocolate, and refreshing beers. You can also rent a golf cart for yourself for a fee of 20 USD.

Haven Golf Course

Address: 110 N Abrego Dr, Green Valley, AZ 85614, United States

Website: Haven Golf Course

Opening hours: 7:30am - 5:30pm (daily)

Price: 24 USD onwards

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2. Satisfy your cravings at Manuel's Mexican Restaurant

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

And the award for best breakfast goes to? . . . You, for dining with us! [We're open for takeout and limited capacity in house dining.]

Posted by Manuel's Mexican Restaurant on Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Craving some authentic Mexican food? Offering a wide range of Mexican dishes, from huevos rancheros to enchiladas, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant is definitely worth visiting while you are in Green Valley. Some of the most popular items on the menu are fish tacos, chile chicken, and flat enchilada. After a satisfying meal, you can cleanse your palate with a delicious dessert, like Mexican flan. Catering to all types of customers, this restaurant also offers options for the little ones.

Manuel's Mexican Restaurant

Address: 121 W Duval Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85614, United States

Website: Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 8pm (closed on Sun)

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3. Stroll through Desert Meadows Park


The Green Valley Gardeners licensed a 4.2-acre (1.6-hectare) park property at 999 South La Huerta in Green Valley to be used as a botanical garden for the enjoyment of all the garden-loving friends in the community. This is a lovely neighborhood park that everyone can visit, and it’s also run by volunteers. A lovely pavilion sits on the property, which is a nice spot to enjoy views of the scenic landscape or birdwatch.

Desert Meadows Park

Address: 999 S La Huerta, Green Valley, AZ 85614

Website: Desert Meadows Park

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

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4. Catch great finds at Green Valley Farmer's Market

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Heirloom Farmers Markets on Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Every Wednesday until 2 pm, you will find a wonderful array of crafts, produce, food trucks, and more. Tourists should definitely try the Sonoran hot dogs, or go for the burgers, pizza, and pies. This farmers’ market isn’t overly large but there will be enough to interest you. From jewelry booths and craft booths to soap and lotion sellers, you won’t be able to leave without making a purchase. There is also woodwork, glasswork, and other homemade items. It is always fun to check out the market on Wednesday!

Green Valley Farmer's Market

Address: Esperanza and Hwy 19, Green Valley, AZ 85614

Website: Green Valley Farmer’s Market

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5. Stop by Historic Hacienda de la Canoa

Canoa Ranch HQ HD NRHP 04001158 Pima County, AZ
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jon Roanhaus

If you are interested in ranching and history, Historic Hacienda de la Canoa is a fascinating place to visit. Walking tours are offered every Tuesday and Saturday. Admission is a free-will offering, and all money goes towards restoration costs. This tour may not be recommended for young children but is great for teens and adults who love horses, ranching, and history!

Historic Hacienda de la Canoa

Address: 5375 I-19 Frontage Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85622

Opening hours: 7am - 4pm (daily)

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6. Spend some downtime at Arid Garden


Nature lovers will never meet downtime during their trip to Green Valley. Arid Garden is situated on West Camino Del Arrendajo. You will be greeted with flora that is local to Arizona and states with similar geological features. A visit to Arid Garden is also the perfect opportunity for a mini photoshoot, so don’t forget to bring your camera. The attraction is open 24 hours daily. It’s the perfect nighttime destination if you’re not much into the nightlife scene.

Arid Garden

Address: 1004 West Camino Del Arrendajo, Green Valley, AZ 85622, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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7. Admire the scenery at Quail Creek Country Club

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Quail Creek on Monday, October 28, 2019

Much like a typical country club, guests of Quail Creek Country Club enjoy numerous amenities, including fabulous dining venues, a fitness center, a spa, a sports center, and an excellent golf course. This championship course presents an enjoyable challenge for novices as well as avid golfers. Besides these facilities, this country club also makes a great wedding venue and offers a plethora of family-friendly activities such as barbeques and summer camps.

Quail Creek Country Club

Address: 2055 E. Quail Crossing Blvd., Green Valley, AZ 85614

Website: Quail Creek Country Club

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Nearby options

8. Visit Titan Missile Museum

Titan II Missile in Silo
Source: Photo by Flickr user Luke Jones used under CC BY 2.0

The Titan Missile Museum is the only remaining Titan II site open to the public, allowing you to re-live a time when the threat of nuclear war between the US and the former Soviet Union was a reality. This is an activity highly recommended for kids and adults alike. The museum is open daily from October to May but closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes, but guests are encouraged to explore on their own, too, so self-guided tours of the topside are possible.

Titan Missile Museum

Address: 1580 W. Duval Mine Rd., Sahuarita, Arizona 85629

Website: Titan Missile Museum

Opening hours: October - May: 9:45am - 5pm (daily); June - September: Thu - Mon: 9:45am - 5pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

Price: 1 - 13.50 USD

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9. Check out Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa grande national monument 3 coolidge, arizona may 27, 2008 (marcegottlieb wikimedia)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marc E. Gottlieb

If you’re looking for a historic site to add to your itinerary, check out Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona. Although it’s a 1.5-hour drive from Green Valley, this unique site is worth a visit, especially for history enthusiasts. Dating back to the early 14th century, it now showcases the ruins of a walled compound, remnants of a village, and the irrigation system used by early farmers.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Address: 1100 W Ruins Dr, Coolidge, AZ 85128

Website: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

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10. Explore Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Colossal Cave Park - Entry
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Eegorr used under CC BY 3.0

If you’re looking forward to outdoor adventures in Arizona, add Colossal Cave Mountain Park to your itinerary. Located in Vail, Arizona, this park is about a 50-minute drive from Green Valley. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to Colossal Cave and La Posta Quemada Ranch. Visitors can book the Classic Cave Tour, which is family-friendly, or go for the more adventurous Ladder Tour and Wild Cave Tour, which involves squeezing into dark corners and tight passageways.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Address: 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641

Website: Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

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11. Go on a hike at Catalina State Park

Mountain biking 50 Year Trail Catalina State Park
Source: Photo by Flickr user Dougit Design used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Catalina State Park sits adjacent to Coronado National Forest and offers many trails. The 50-Year Trail is great for mountain bikers, the Canyon Loop Trail for horseback riders, and if you want an easy hike, head to Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail, which is a 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) loop. Enjoy nature and don’t forget your camera!

Catalina State Park

Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737

Website: Catalina State Park

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

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12. Spend a day outdoors exploring Madera Canyon

Madera Canyon
Source: Photo by Flickr user Katja Schulz used under CC BY 2.0

Madera Canyon is situated on the northwestern face of the Santa Rita Mountains, just 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from Geen Valley. It’s part of the Coronado National Forest and is a great tourist attraction with plenty of visitor-friendly amenities like campsites, trails, and picnic spots. It’s also a great place to go birdwatching since various bird species can be spotted here.

Madera Canyon

Address: Santa Rita Mountains, AZ

Website: Madera Canyon

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

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13. Pay a visit to Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

MMT FLWO Amado AZ 10359
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Wars used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Some of the best activities near Green Valley include exploring Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory near the town of Amado and about 25 minutes away from Green Valley. It was once called the Mount Hopkins Observatory due to its location, but it was renamed to honor American astronomer Fred Lawrence Whipple. If you’re interested in all things astronomy, this is a great pit stop on your way to Green Valley!

Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

Address: 670 Mt Hopkins Rd, Amado, AZ 85645

Website: Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

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14. See San Xavier Mission (Mission San Xavier del Bac)

things to do in green valley arizona | see san xavier mission (mission san xavier del bac)

Green Valley, Arizona’s tourism is not complete without San Xavier Mission. A 20-minute drive from Green Valley, this historic landmark is a great place for history buffs and Catholics (and definitely worth the short drive). Completed in 1797 as part of a Catholic mission, the church is the oldest example of European baroque architecture in Arizona and is one of the most visited sites in the state. To this day, San Xavier Mission is still a working church and visitors can even attend mass. If you’re not religious or simply want to visit during non-service hours, you will still get to see the church’s incredible original statues and mural paintings.

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Visit Green Valley

Green Valley has a lot of educational experiences to offer, along with fun outings for the family. So why not make a trip soon? Have fun and let us know if this list helped you decide on what to do in and near Green Valley, AZ!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Travel evolved into a delightful habit for Hridhya after her marriage and relocation to Malaysia. Residing in Southeast Asia for the last seven years has unveiled a myriad of opportunities for this...Read more

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