Best things to do in Tucson, from cave tours to a boneyard for historic planes

Tiffany Acosta, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

Just two hours away lies the second most populated city in Arizona. Tucson is widely known as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, making it the first city in the United States to receive this designation. But besides eating all types of food, Tucson offers more to explore.

Whether it's hiking Mount Lemmon, visiting the famous dinosaur outside a McDonald's, or eating a classic Sonoran hot dog, Tucson offers a variety of attractions and experiences that make it a worthwhile destination.

Here are the top things to do next time you're in Tucson.

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Top 5 museums in Tucson

Tucson has a variety of museums for anyone interested in history, animals, art, space and more. Here are five of Tucson's must-visit museums:

  • Pima Air & Space Museum: Open for more than 40 years, the Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government-funded aerospace museums. Visitors can see 400 aircraft spread out over 80 acres.

  • The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures: Home of all things little, this museum showcases an impressive collection of miniature art, including dollhouses, room boxes and tiny artifacts.

  • International Wildlife Museum: Learn about the diversity of the world's animal species through interactive exhibits and educational displays intended to promote an understanding of wildlife and their habitats.

  • Tucson Museum of Art: Channel your inner artist as you view a diverse collection of artworks, such as Latin American Folk art or the art of the American West.

  • The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum: The mineral museum features an extensive collection of minerals, gemstones and meteorites.

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Biosphere 2

Not far from downtown Tucson lies Biosphere 2, an Earth science research facility in Oracle, Arizona. It was designed to be a closed ecological system intended to simulate different ecosystems and provide insights into how they function. Visitors can tour its various environments, including a rainforest, ocean and savannah, all enclosed within a large glass and steel structure. It's fascinating for anyone interested in science, ecology and environmental studies.

Details: 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Oracle. 520-838-6200, biosphere2.org

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Colossal Cave is a large limestone cave known for its impressive stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and other unique features created by the natural processes of mineral deposit. Take a guided tour to learn about the cave’s history, including Native American use, early explorations by settlers, and even a rumored use as a hideout by bandits.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park also offers horseback riding, hiking trails and picnic areas, making it a well-rounded destination for any nature enthusiast. Book tours online in advance.

Details: 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail. 520-647-7275, colossalcave.com.

San Xavier del Bac

The Mission San Xavier del Bac is a historic Spanish Catholic church known for its stunning architecture and significance as a cultural and religious landmark. The mission was founded in 1692 and was rebuilt in its current form in the late 18th century. It is a prime example of Spanish colonial architecture and features intricate details and artwork.

The mission is open to visitors, who can view its interior adorned with art, sculptures and murals. San Xavier is an active parish with daily Masses. Please visit with respect.

Details: 1950 W. San Xavier Road, Tucson. 520-294-2624, sanxaviermission.org.

Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best things to do in Tucson: Pima Air and Space Museum, Biosphere 2