Nearby Attractions

In the area looking for stuff to do and see?

• Check out this great interactive map from the Santa Cruz Heritage Alliance.

• Reference the Tubac Calendar. It's got everything from Tubac to Tumacácori.

• Scroll down for a listing organized alphabetically by location.

---

Ajo

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
142 miles southwest of Tucson via Highway 86. Two scenic drives, camping, picnic areas, hiking, backpacking, and interpretive programs. Entrance and camping fees. Visitor center hours: 8:30 - 4:30 [phone]

Amado

Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
Take Interstate I-19 north to exit 48, (Arivaca Road/Amado.) Drive north on the East Frontage Road to Elephant Head Road. Turn right and drive east, crossing the bridge over the Santa Cruz River. One mile past the railroad tracks, turn right onto Mount Hopkins Road. Drive southeast about 7 miles to the Administrative offices and Visitors Center. Tour Fee. Visitors Center 8:30 - 4:30, closed for Federal Holidays. Contact them for current schedule of events and tours. [phone]

Arivaca

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
20 miles west on Arivaca Road from I-19 exit 48. Headquarters, 12 miles past Arivaca to Highway 86, then south 4 miles on Highway 286. Scenic drive, mountain bike, horse and hiking trails, primitive camping. Tours and workshops by reservation. [phone]

Benson

Kartcher Caverns State Park
9 miles south of Benson, Arizona on Highway 90. Cave tours by reservation. Call between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. [phone]

Coolidge

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

65 miles north of Tucson on Highway 87 at Coolidge. Ruins of a massive four-story structure constructed by the ancient Hohokam Indians. Visitor center & self guided tours. Entrance fee. Hours: 8-5. [phone]

Green Valley

ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center
I-19 exit 80. Mining and mineral museum. Visitor center, picnic area, exhibits, gift shop, bus tours. Tour fee. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 9-5. [phone]

Historic Hacienda de la Canoa

I-19, exit 56 Canoa Ranch Drive, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd. Walking tours; Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Reservations required. [phone]

Madera Canyon
12 ½ miles east from I-19 exit 62. National Forest Service recreation area. Hiking, nature trails, picnic areas, campground. Use and camping fees. [phone]

Titan Missile Museum
I-19 exit 69, west on Duval Mine Road. Deactivated missile silo. Tour fee. Hours: 9-5, last tour at 4:00. Closed Monday & Tuesday in summer. [phone]

Huachuca

Ramsey Canyon Preserve
3 ½ miles west from Route 82. Nature Conservancy preserve. Nature trails, birdwatching. Hours: 8-5 March through September, 9-4 November through February. Entrance fee. [phone]

Nogales

Peña Blanca Lake
9 miles west from I-19 exit 12, via Highway 289. National Forest Service recreation area. Catch and release fishing, boating, campground, picnic area. [phone]

Pimeria Alta Historical Society and Museum
136 N. Grand Avenue in Nogales. History and culture of the area of Mexico and Arizona known as the Pimeria Alta. Fee: Donation. Hours: 10-4 Wednesday - Monday, 1-4 Sunday. Call in advance for tours and programs. [phone]

Patagonia

Patagonia Lake State Park
12 miles from Nogales (Grand Avenue) on Highway 82. Fishing, swimming, boat rentals, trails, picnic area, camping. Birding and Lake Discovery boat tours on Saturdays and Sundays, call for details. Entrance and camping fees. [phone]

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
1 mile from Patagonia along the Blue Haven Road. Nature Conservancy preserve. Trails, birdwatching. Fee. Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 7:30 - 4. [phone]

Rio Rico

Rio Rico History Museum
1060 Yavapai Drive, Suite 7 in the Rio Rico Plaza on the site of the old Rio Rico Library. Operated by the Rio Rico Historical Society. Artifacts on display, research, tours. Open daily 1-5pm, Mondays 9am-5pm.

Sierra Vista

Coronado National Memorial
16 miles south of Sierra Vista on Highway 92 and 5 miles into Montezuma Canyon. Commemorates Hispanic heritage and first European exploration of the southwest by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (1540-1542). Self-guided walking tours, hiking, climbing, cave, picnic areas. Visitor center hours 8 - 4. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. [phone]

Tubac

Tubac Center of the Arts
9 Plaza Road in Tubac. See and learn about the roots of Tubac's artistic community. Visit this nonprofit, member-supported organization that exists to provide arts programming in the Santa Cruz Valley of southern Arizona. Exhibit galleries, gift shop. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-4:30, Sunday 12-4:30. [phone]

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
#1 Burruel Street in Tubac. Site of historic presidio, i.e. Spanish soldiers garrison. Museum with comprehensive regional history, ruins, picnic area. Access to Juan Baustista de Anza National Historic Trail. Call for tour and program information. Hours: 9-5 daily. Entrance fee. [phone]

Tucson Area

Arizona Historical Society Museum
949 E. Second Street. Historical exhibits from the turn of the century, Civil War, mining and western life. Fee: Donation. Hours: 10-4 Monday-Saturday. [phone]

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
14 miles west of Tucson on Kinney Road. Outdoor "living" museum features plants, animals, and natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Entrance fee. Hours: 8:30-5:00 winter months, 7:30-5:00 summer months. [phone]

Arizona State Museum
University of Arizona campus at Park and University Blvd. Features exhibits on Indians of Arizona and southwestern United States. Fee: Donation. Hours: 10-5 Monday-Saturday, 12-5 Sunday. [phone]

Biosphere II
30 minutes north of Tucson on Highway 77 (Oracle Road). Open 9-4. Tours. Admission fee. [phone]

Catalina State Park
9 miles north of Tucson on Highway 77 (Oracle Road). 5,500 acre preserve. Picnicking, hiking, camping, horse and hiking trails. Entrance and camping fees. Hours: 7-10. [phone]

Colossal Cave Mountain Park
5 miles north from I-10 exit 279. Guided tours of dry limestone cave. Picnic areas and campground. Tour and camping fees. Summer hours: 8-5. Winter hours: 9-5. [phone]

Coronado National Forest
Mount Lemmon: Picnicing, camping, hiking, fishing, & snow-skiing. Entrance fee. [phone]
Sabino Canyon: North Sabino Canyon Road. Hiking, picnicing and visitor center. Shuttle ride fee. Visitor center hours: 8-4:30 Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 Saturday-Sunday. Call for shuttle schedule. [phone]

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
University of Arizona campus. Laser-light shows, science museum, and a 16-inch public telescope. [phone]

Fort Lowell Museum
2900 N. Craycroft Road. Displays of frontier military life in the 1800s. Hours: 10-4 Friday-Saturday. [phone]

Kitt Peak National Observatory
56 miles southwest of Tucson on Highway 86. Largest collection of optical telescopes in the world. Picnic area, gift shop and guided tours. Tour fees. Hours: 9-4. Three hour night program (reservation required). [phone]

Mission San Xavier del Bac
West from I-19 exit 92. This mission is the spiritual center of the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. Gift shop and exhibits. Fee: Donation. Hours: 7-5, except when there are weddings, funerals, anniversary masses, etc. Mass daily (except Monday) at 8:30 a.m. [phone]

Old Tucson Studio
West of Tucson at junction of Gates Pass and Kinney Roads. Movie location and amusement park featuring gunfights, stunts and rides. Entrance fee. See website or contact them for hours. [phone]

Pima Air Museum
6000 East Valencia Road. The third largest collection of historic aircraft in the world. Entrance fee. Hours: 9-5 (no entry after 4 PM). [phone]

Reid Park Zoo
Randolph Way and 22nd Street. International animals. Entrance fee. Hours: Winter 9-4, Summer 8-3. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. [phone]

Saguaro National Park (East)
3693 South Old Spanish Trail. Natural Sonoran desert preserve. Scenic drive, hiking, picnic areas, interpretive programs and back country camping by permit. Entrance fee. Visitor center hours: 8:30-5. Scenic Cactus Forest Drive open 7 AM to sunset. [phone]

Saguaro National Park (West)
2700 North Kinney Road. Natural Sonoran desert preserve. Scenic drive, hiking, picnic areas and interpretive programs. Visitor center hours: 8:30-5. Scenic Bajada Loop Drive open 6 AM to sunset April - October, 7 AM to sunset November - March. [phone]

Tohono Chul Park
West Ina Road and Paseo del Norte. 48 acre desert preserve, trails, picnic areas, and gift shop. Bird watching and guided tours available. Entrance fee. Grounds open 7AM-sunset. Tea Room: 8-5. Gift Shop and Exhibits: 9:30-5 Monday- Saturday, 11-5 Sunday. [phone]

Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 North Alvernon Way. Entrance fee. Call for hours. [phone]

Willcox

Chiricahua National Monument
36 miles south of Willcox on Highway 186. Geologic formations created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Camping, hiking, scenic drive, interpretive programs. Entrance and camping fees. Visitor center hours 8 - 4:30. [phone], ext. 104

Fort Bowie National Historic Site
From I-10 at Willcox, 22 miles south on Highway 186 to graded dirt road leading to Apache Pass. Ruins can be reached by a 1 ½ mile foot trail which begins about 8 miles into the pass. Walking tours, exhibits. Visitor center hours: 8-4. Handicap access. [phone]

For additional information contact

Tubac Chamber of Commerce: [phone]
Green Valley & Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce: [phone]
Nogales Chamber of Commerce: [phone]
Patagonia Area Business Association: [phone], [phone]
Tucson Visitors Bureau: [phone], [phone]
Willcox Chamber of Commerce: [phone]