Tucson is a vibrant outdoor mecca that allows active travelers to explore off the beaten path without sacrificing the amenities of a thriving city. 

The beauty of the Sonoran Desert is what first pulls many to Tucson, but they’re often surprised at how verdant and diverse a living desert can be as they learn about our ecosystems at Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Kids get an introduction to this unique environment at Children’s Museum Tucson’s Sense of Place: A Trip Around Tucson interactive exhibit, which is anchored by a giant saguaro, a mini canyon and other local landmarks made for play.

Off the beaten path, you can explore the wide-open wonder of the American Southwest up-close and unrestrained, hiking the mountain ranges that circle the Old Pueblo or wandering wilderness preserves and parks, from the cascades of Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon to the majestic cacti of Saguaro National Parks East & West, or from the high-pine and aspen forests of Mt. Lemmon to the cool, otherworldly depths of Colossal Cave Mountain Park or Kartchner Caverns State Park®.