Southern Arizona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Fox Theatre showing heritage elements, theatre scenes and street scenes
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Old Tucson Studios featuring mountains, tranquil scenes and desert views
Southern Arizona
The iconic, cactus-lined deserts of Southern Arizona hark back to the days of the Old West, while the rest of the region offers trendy cities and lush vineyards.

Southern Arizona looks like a classic painting of American deserts. Drive through dusk-red plains lined with saguaro cacti and backed by dramatic rock formations. These familiar landscapes still manage to hide some surprises, including a thriving wine region and charming towns soaked in Americana.

Follow in the footsteps of Spanish conquistadors, who explored this land as early as the 1540s. Three centuries later, Southern Arizona boomed with the arrival of prospectors seeking copper and silver. Visit the Arizona History Museum to learn about Geronimo, the legendary Apache leader who fought in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century.

Stroll around artistic Tucson, which combines the Old West with modern, stylish Arizona. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum examines the landscapes of the region while the Old Tucson Studios have preserved atmospheric sets from old western movies. Don’t miss the Arizona State Museum and the University of Arizona Museum of Art.

Embrace the cowboy spirit of Tombstone, the town that was the home of Wyatt Earp. Listen to stories of outlaws and sheriffs at the informative museum in the Tombstone Courthouse. Nearby, colorful Bisbee is an old mining town with a welcoming, pedestrianized center lined with 19th-century homes.

Strike out into the wilderness yourself, taking plenty of water to explore these atmospheric deserts. Follow the Echo Canyon Loop Trail through the Chiricahua Mountains or drive out to Chiricahua National Monument, famed for its gravity-defying rock pillars. The geological wonders continue underground in breathtaking Kartchner Caverns State Park.

Sip on the delectable products of the Santa Cruz Valley, Southern Arizona’s very own wine country. Find tasting sessions and cellar tours in the vineyards that surround towns such as Sonoita and Elgin.

Board a flight from 19 destinations around America and Mexico to reach Tucson International Airport. Visit in winter for beautiful light in the empty desert regions or mild days in Tucson. Explore in spring and fall, when the weather doesn’t get too hot and the cacti are in bloom.

Where to stay in Southern Arizona

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Catalina Foothills

If you're spending some time in Catalina Foothills, La Encantada and Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club are top sights worth seeing.

Catalina Foothills
Downtown Tucson

Downtown Tucson

4/5(3 area reviews)

Theatres, river views and live music are some highlights of Downtown Tucson. Make a stop by Fox Theatre or Rialto Theatre while you're exploring.

Downtown Tucson
Tucson Botanical Gardens which includes a park

Midtown

If you're spending some time in Midtown, McKale Center and Arizona Stadium are top sights worth seeing.

Midtown
Tohono Chul Park showing desert views and outdoor art

Casas Adobes

Casas Adobes is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Tohono Chul Park and Catalina Golf Course while you're in town.

Casas Adobes
Old Tucson Studios showing tranquil scenes and heritage elements

Tucson Estates

If you're spending some time in Tucson Estates, Tucson Mountain Park and Old Tucson Studios are top sights worth seeing.

Tucson Estates
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Tanque Verde

Tanque Verde is noteworthy for its golf courses, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Agua Caliente Park and Saguaro National Park.

Tanque Verde
3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
3 out of 5
7411 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ
The price is AU$144 per night from 20 Jan to 21 Jan
AU$144
includes taxes & fees
20 Jan - 21 Jan
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,142 reviews)
Very nice place.
"It was nice and clean, and the staff was very pleasant and accommodating. Our trip was very short and brief, but things went well."

Reviewed on 15 Jan. 2025

3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
4.5 out of 5
7000 N Resort Dr, Tucson, AZ
The price is AU$464 per night from 20 Jan to 21 Jan
AU$464
includes taxes & fees
20 Jan - 21 Jan
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"The ground are beautiful."

Reviewed on 15 Jan. 2025

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine
Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine
3 out of 5
720 W. Silverlake Road, Tucson, AZ
The price is AU$217 per night from 20 Jan to 21 Jan
AU$217
includes taxes & fees
20 Jan - 21 Jan
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Tucson. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,423 reviews)
Is a motel
"First impression was not good because is more a motel. Pictures do not shows the reality . After been in the room note that this was clean and comfortable. Nice lobby and bar. Free drinks with checkin"

Reviewed on 15 Jan. 2025

Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
4 out of 5
6200 N Club House Ln, Tucson, AZ
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (713 reviews)
"Easy check in, nice room."

Reviewed on 2 Jan. 2025

Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
Stampede RV Resort
Stampede RV Resort
3.5 out of 5
18 W Allen St, Tombstone, AZ
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Tombstone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (82 reviews)
"Dog Friendly, expedia website says it is not. Beautiful grounds, beautiful cabins, beautiful check in eating area, beautiful views. One of the nicest places I have stayed. Very family oriented. Hope we get to come again"

Reviewed on 2 Jan. 2025

Stampede RV Resort
Private Southwestern Style Casita with Lush & Fully fenced Lush Yard**
Private Southwestern Style Casita with Lush & Fully fenced Lush Yard**
Tucson
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Tucson Mall and Tucson Botanical ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (120 reviews)
Nice place, a couple small updates would be great.
"We had a good stay at Taylor and Yuko's place. They were friendly (over text) and flexible on check-in time as well. The outdoor area is great.Note that this casita is one of two rental properties on the same lot. Each has its own outdoor space.A couple of things that could have been improved:1) ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jan. 2025

Private Southwestern Style Casita with Lush & Fully fenced Lush Yard**
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Southern Arizona