Are you planning to visit Tucson, Arizona any time soon? If not, start organizing an itinerary because you are obviously missing out. Have you heard of the Tucson Rodeo? Sounds fun, right? If you visit Tucson in February, you might be able to take part in this fantastic annual festival. Aside from that, Tucson also has a fascinating all-souls procession in November, Tucson Modernism Week in October, and the Tucson Folk Festival in May. Truly, Tucson is a beautiful city with rich heritage and charming culture. But aside from all these, there is so much more this city can offer. Take a look at this article and let this be your guide for the best cheap things to do in Tucson, Arizona. Feel free to browse below.
1. Play some exciting mini golf at Golf N’Stuff
If you are looking for a fantastic place to bring the family, you should check out Golf N’Stuff. They’ve been operational for almost 40 years now providing entertainment and memorable experiences. It features a huge amusement park with diverse activities and games such as miniature golf courses, bumper boats, and go-karts. Aside from that, there are also video games and arcades for everyone’s enjoyment. Surely, kids and kids at heart will love this entertainment haven.
Golf N’Stuff
Address: 6503 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715, USA
Website: Golf N’Stuff
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 10am - 9pm; Thurs: 10am - 10pm; Fri & Sat: 10am - 12am
2. Hike through Linda Vista trail
Tucson is known for its fascinating desert landscape and warm climate. If you are into hiking and sightseeing, you should head over Linda Vista and try exploring it through the trail. During the hike, you will see Lush Sonoran Desert vegetation that features beautiful flora, marvelous mountain ranges, and a picturesque view of the sunset if you travel before twilight. Don’t forget to bring your camera and enjoy the rest of the experience that is one for the books.
Linda Vista trail
Address: 730 E Linda Vista Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737, USA
Website: Linda Vista trail
Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)
Price: Free admission
3. Have an artsy night at Tucson Museum of Art
If you want to witness the beauty and distinctiveness of the Tucson art scene, don’t forget to visit the Tucson Museum of Art. It features a wide collection of almost 8,000 objects such as paintings, sculptures, murals, and a lot more. We suggest that you visit it on the first Thursday of each month as it gives guests free passes from 5pm to 8pm. Enjoy a night of live music, live performances, gallery experiences, and art-making events.
Tucson Museum of Art
Address: 140 N Main Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
Website: Tucson Museum of Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: From 7 USD
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4. Take a relaxing break at the Aqua Caliente Park
If you are a stranger visiting the vibrant city of Tucson, you should not miss visiting the Aqua Caliente Park. It is a vast natural park with so much history and authentic Tucson vibes. There is so much in store for guests visiting it, from lovely landscapes and scenic views to breathtaking art galleries, to a significant and remarkable historic building. There are also professional guides to provide you with some tidbits of knowledge about this charming Tucson attraction.
Aqua Caliente Park
Address: 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
Website: Aqua Caliente Park
Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 5 USD
5. Check out the breathtaking photo collection at the Center for Creative Photography
Established in 1975, the Center for Creative Photography located in the Tucson Campus of University of Arizona is the center of Arizona’s photography scene. It houses a collection of magnificent photographs taken by famous photographers and their archives. If you are into photography, most especially film photography, this is a sweet haven for you. You will witness and understand the development of photography throughout the years and can apply them to your craft.
Center for Creative Photography
Address: 1030 N Olive Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
Website: Center for Creative Photography
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat: 1pm - 4pm; (closed on Sun and Mon)
Price: Free admission
6. Say a prayer at the Mission San Xavier del Bac
Founded in 1692, Mission San Xavier del Bac is a marvelous and historic Spanish Catholic Church. Tourists who come to the city of Tucson make sure to pay a visit to this sacred church to say a few prayers of thanks and wishes. Its original mission is to be of service to the people of Tucson but since its establishment, people from different places have come to be married, baptized, or regularly attend mass here in the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Address: 1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746, USA
Website: Mission San Xavier del Bac
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free admission
7. Explore the University of Arizona Museum of Art
Managed by the University of Arizona, University of Arizona Museum of Art is a fascinating art museum in the city of Tucson that features a collection of approximately 6,000 works of art from freehand drawings to sculpture to paintings and many more. Most of the artworks showcased here are heavily influenced by the Renaissance era. The University of Arizona Museum of Art along with Arizona State Museum, Arizona Historical Society, and Center for Creative Photography, form a cluster of museums called “the Museum Neighborhood”.
Arizona Museum of Art
Address: 1031 Olive Rd, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Website: Arizona Museum of Art
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: From 7 USD
8. Wander around and see all the animals at Reid Park & the Zoo
If you are planning a fun-filled day with your family, Reid Park & the Zoo is a fantastic place to add to your itinerary. Surely, the kids will love to spend some time here as they marvel at the uniqueness of the animals and the charm of wildlife. All in all, this remarkable zoo houses around 500 animals separated into four different zones according to the features of their natural habitat. One cool thing about Reid Park & the Zoo is that you can celebrate your birthday party here and they even let people volunteer in their free time.
Reid Park & the Zoo
Address: 3400 E Zoo Ct, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA
Website: Reid Park & the Zoo
Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)
Price: From 6.50 USD
9. Party the night away at Main Gate Square
Main Gate Square is like the center of the sights, sounds, and eats of Tucson. It is a melting pot of people from different places shopping is different retail shops, dining in excellent eateries and cafes, and jiving to the sound of live music. If you want a dose of authentic Tucson culture, you should check out the Main Gate Square. To top it all off, every Friday night, it holds fantastic concerts where both locals and tourists can dance to the ecstatic groove. Bring a friend and enjoy a night of music and partying.
Main Gate Square
Address: 814 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
Website: Main Gate Square
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free admission
10. Learn fascinating things about the city's transportation system in Southern Arizona Transportation Museum
Certainly, Tucson, Arizona has so much in store for its tourists. To complete your memorable experience in the city, pay a visit to the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum. It is a remarkable tourist destination in Tucson that features a collection of significant artifacts related to the transportation of Southern Arizona. You may also form a group and arrange a guided tour of the facility for a more detailed experience with lots of fun facts and important information about this attraction.
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum
Address: 414 N Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
Website: Southern Arizona Transport Museum
Opening hours: Wed, Thu, Sun & Tue: 11am - 3pm; Fri & Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free admission
Exciting Tucson
Tucson is certainly a vibrant city with so much to offer from beautiful desert landscapes, to the fascinating first-Thursday-of-the-month tradition in the Tucson Museum of Art, to a plethora of other fantastic tourist attractions, and more. If you are stranger to the city of Tucson, the wide range of attractions and activities may overwhelm you. So, better take advantage of this guide and be sure to try everything on it while you are in the city. Have a fabulous vacation ahead.
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