Tucson, Arizona

Step into a century of aviation and space exploration at the Pima Air & Space Museum, an 80-acre site featuring over 400 aircraft and 125,000 artifacts. As one of the largest aerospace museums in the world, it offers something for everyone. Explore six display hangars filled with commercial, civilian, and military aircraft, including iconic models like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, B-36 Peacemaker, SR-71 Blackbird, Air Force One, and P-51 Mustang. The museum is family- and pet-friendly, making it an ideal destination for all. Beyond the world-class exhibits, you can enjoy the Flight Grill restaurant, a playground, arcade games, and more.

Tucson hosts the largest collection of Franklin cars in the US. Here, you can delve into the history of the restored vintage cars from the golden age of the automobile. If you're not a car-lover, you can always check out its collection of ancient artifacts.

For stunning desert scenery just outside Tucson, Catalina State Park is a must-visit. The park is home to nearly 5,000 saguaros and a variety of desert plants, offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventures like hiking and biking. With 11 trails to choose from, each providing spectacular views, it’s the perfect escape for nature lovers.

San Xavier del Bac Mission, located 10 miles south of Tucson on the Tohono O’odham Nation, is an iconic example of Spanish colonial architecture. Known as the “White Dove of the Desert,” its striking white facade contrasts beautifully with the surrounding desert landscape. Built between 1783 and 1787, the mission blends Moorish, Byzantine, and Mexican Renaissance styles, featuring intricate carvings, vibrant murals, and a gilded retable depicting biblical stories. Still an active parish, it holds daily masses and remains a spiritual center for the Tohono O’odham people. Extensive restorations have preserved its historic beauty, making it one of the best-preserved Spanish missions in the U.S. Visitors can explore the mission’s interior, join free docent-led tours, or browse crafts and frybread sold by local artisans.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum redefines the concept of a museum, focusing on the preservation of the Sonoran Desert. Spanning two miles of walking paths, this unique space is home to 230 animal species and 1,200 types of plants, blending elements of a zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, aquarium, and art gallery. Highlights include the Stingray Touch, Hummingbird Aviary, Warden Aquarium, and Earth Sciences Center, where visitors can explore a replica limestone cave. Plan for at least two hours to fully experience this immersive destination.

Discover the fascinating world of copper at the ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center. The center features interactive exhibits, a Discovery Theater, a garden, and a gift shop showcasing jewelry by local artisans. You can take guided tours of the Mission Mine to see copper mining in action. Wrap up your visit by browsing the Company Store for unique, educational gifts.

New fun and educational exhibits are opening up all the time at the Children's Museum Tucson, devoted to promoting joy for the entire family. Exhibits and special events engage children in learning about the environment, biology, history and more.

Built across ten acres at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the buildings of DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun are veritable works of art in their own right. They house paintings by Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia and other artists. DeGrazia, who created the gallery in 1950, used his artwork to depict Arizona's life and people.