The second-largest city in Arizona, Tucson (pronounced too-son) lies in the southern half of the state, 108 miles southeast of Phoenix. Founded by the Spanish in 1775 (it only became part of the USA in 1854, after the Gadsden Purchase), it’s a fascinating place, home to colonial missions, high desert parks, enlightening museums and galleries plus the sprawling campus of the University of Arizona, one of the region’s biggest schools. Other highlights include the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, Saguaro National Park, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson, San Xavier del Bac Mission and the giant Pima Air & Space Museum.
In terms of accommodation choices, Tucson offers plenty of hotels, ranging from very cheap mom-and-pop motels to luxury resorts – you won’t have any problems finding a room. Room rates rise dramatically in winter, when snowbirds from all over the USA and Canada flood the area. Rates are much cheaper in the summer, for obvious reasons – the searing heat makes touring at that time very uncomfortable.
The Best neighborhoods in Tucson
Tucson’s historic Downtown – which includes El Presidio District – is a patchwork of neighborhoods that encompasses the administrative and traditional commercial heart of the city. Staying here makes sense if you’re primarily interested in the history of the city (or if you don’t have a car). With the help of the Sun Link Streetcar, you’ll have access to the Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District, Fourth Avenue District, Tucson Convention Center/Tucson Arena, Mercado San Agustín, and the excellent Tucson Museum of Art. The Streetcar goes as far as the University of Arizona District a mile-and-a-half or so northeast from Downtown, making this another relatively convenient area to stay. The University campus itself is a treat for museum aficionados – Arizona State Museum, Arizona History Museum, Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, and the University of Arizona Museum of Art are all here. To the east lies Central Tucson (or sometimes “Midtown”), a vast area of primarily residential neighborhoods with a smattering of sights: Reid Park Zoo, Tucson Botanical Gardens, the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, and family-friendly theme park Trail Dust Town. There’s also plenty to see in the suburbs and hills around the city, but you’ll need a car to make the most of it. Southside is where you’ll find most of the budget accommodation (along the interstates), as well as Pima Air & Space Museum, San Xavier del Bac Mission, and the Titan Missile Museum. West Tucson, home to Saguaro National Park and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; the Catalina Foothills and Eastside (Saguaro National Park East, Mount Lemmon, and Colossal Cave Mountain Park); and the Oro Valley & the Northwest (Tohono Chul Gardens, Biosphere 2) are all better known for outdoor activities and the lavish resorts, dude ranches, spas and boutique hotels that sprinkle the hills around the city. Staying out here is a far more tranquil prospect, though not as convenient for Downtown and restaurants/bars – you’ll also need a car to get around.
While it’s relatively easy to explore Downtown on foot, the useful Sun Link streetcar operates a 3.9-mile loop that serves the Mercado District, Downtown, 4th Avenue, and the University of Arizona every 15 minutes during the day – as of 2023 the service was entirely free. The rest of the city’s public transport system is also free (currently) and efficient enough, essentially buses operated by SunTran (https://www.suntran.com). Buses connect most sights with the center – normally you’ll need a SunGO card to easily jump between services.
• If you think your visit will mostly be confined to the Sun Link route, you won’t need a vehicle, but to explore Greater Tucson efficiently, we recommend renting a car. It’s so big that traveling by public transport takes too much time to see the whole area. You can easily rent cars at the airport or in the city itself (Downtown is also about a 1hr 35min drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport).
• Tucson International Airport lies just 8 miles south of Downtown, though despite the title it serves domestic US destinations only; mainly Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, and Seattle. A couple of SunTran public buses trundle into the city from here, but it’s much easier (and faster) to hop in a taxi. The best hotel near the airport is TownePlace Suites Tucson Airport, but the closest to the terminal (within walking distance) is Four Points by Sheraton Tucson Airport, which is fine for one night.
• The “Tucson Attractions Digital Passport” (there’s also a paper version) can be a good investment, but only if you intend to visit a lot of sights: for just $25 you get discounts on more than 100 attractions in and around Tucson (usually in the form of 2-for-1 admissions, so its most useful for families/couples). Passes are valid for a calendar year, though you can also buy cheaper 3-day ($12), and 7-day ($18) versions. All passes are instantly delivered to your phone via text and email (see https://tucsonattractions.com/tucson-passport-2).
• Tucson’s TuGo Bike Share program (https://tugobikeshare.com) is a great way to get around – there are lots of bike lanes and trails in and around the city, though the heat can make cycling a challenge in the summer and traffic on normal roads can often be dangerously oblivious to cyclists. The Pay-As-You-Go Pass is just $1 per use, plus $0.25 per minute (so $15/hour); you’ll get access to over 330 bikes at 41 stations across the city.
• Free wi-fi is available at Tucson International Airport, and at cafés and museums throughout the city itself. There are also handy free wifi hotspots all across town thanks to Connect Pima (find network “PCPLonTheGo”).
• The city’s main visitor center is the Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center inside the Historic Pima County Courthouse (115 N Church Ave in Downtown), open daily 10am–5pm. See https://www.visittucson.org and https://tucsonattractions.com.
The Best Places to Stay in Tucson
Best Luxury Hotels in Tucson
Arizona Inn • Graduate Tucson • Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort • Loews Ventana Canyon Resort • Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain • Tanque Verde Ranch • Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
Best Boutique Hotels in Tucson
Adobe Rose Inn • El Amador Downtown Luxury Inn • Blenman Inn • JTH Tucson • Sam Hughes Inn
Best Dude Ranches in Tucson
Rincon Creek Ranch • Tanque Verde Ranch • White Stallion Ranch
Best B&Bs in Tucson
Cat Mountain Lodge • Crickethead Inn Bed & Breakfast • Desert Trails Bed & Breakfast • Jeremiah Inn Bed & Breakfast • Mon Ami Bed and Breakfast
Best Cheap & Mid-range Hotels in Tucson
Citizen Hotel Tucson • Downtown Clifton • El Pais Motel & Campgrounds • El Rancho Robles Guest Ranch • Hotel McCoy • Varsity Clubs of America Tucson
Best Campgrounds in Tucson
Gilbert Ray Campground • Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort
Best Places in Tucson for…
Best Place to Stay for First Timers/Sightseeing: Downtown
Though some of the biggest attractions lie outside the city center, staying in Downtown offers the best introduction to Tucson. This is where the city was founded in 1775, an event commemorated by the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum. Arguably the city’s best museum, the Tucson Museum of Art is also here, along with St. Augustine Cathedral, the Children’s Museum Tucson, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson. The Tucson Convention Center hosts trade shows and concerts while the Tucson Arena is the home of the Tucson Roadrunners and Arizona Wildcats ice hockey teams. You’ll also have access to the restaurants, bars and shops of the Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District and the Fourth Avenue District, as well as Mercado San Agustín and MSA Annex (across the Santa Cruz River). You’ll be able to walk to most of the attractions or take the Sun Link streetcar between the main neighborhoods (meaning you can also easily reach the University of Arizona District). Built in 1919, the quirky Hotel Congress has the most atmosphere place to stay (it’s where John Dillinger was caught), while Leo Kent Hotel is the newest boutique; Citizen Hotel Tucson and Downtown Clifton are hip budget options.
• If you don’t have access to a car, it’s best to stay Downtown.
Best Place to Stay on a Budget: Southside
The Southside of Tucson is where most of the city’s budget accommodation is concentrated, primarily along I-19 and I-10 and around the airport, though quality tends to be poor – you get what you pay for. You’ll need a car to make the most of staying here, as most of the sights are spread out – Pima Air & Space Museum, San Xavier del Bac Mission and Titan Missile Museum are all on the outskirts of the city – as well as getting in and out of Downtown (though depending on where you stay, buses might also be available). Solid motel options include Comfort Inn & Suites near Kino Sports Complex, El Pais Motel & Campgrounds, Hotel McCoy, and the Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort for campers.
Best Place for Boutique & Luxury hotels: Catalina Foothills & Oro Valley
Tucson’s best hotels, ranches and resorts are sprinkled in the hills to the north, west and east of the city center – you’ll need a car to appreciate staying out here. In the Catalina Hills and the Northeast, standouts include Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Tanque Verde Ranch, while in the Oro Valley and the Northwest there’s El Conquistador Tucson, Omni Tucson National and Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.
Best Place for Outdoor Activities: West Tucson
Tucson is surrounded by swathes of beautiful high desert, mountains and nature reserves, but the Westside is the best overall when it comes to the great outdoors.
The main attractions are the Saguaro National Park, home to America’s biggest cacti, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and the hiking trails and hills of Tucson Mountain Park. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also popular.
Most Romantic Destination: Catalina Foothills or El Presidio (Downtown)
Tucson’s stunning location and historic charm makes it prime romantic getaway territory. For outdoor adventures pick one of the plush resorts in the Catalina Foothills (like Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort or Tanque Verde Ranch) and plan a series of hikes in the nearby mountains. Sabino Canyon features stunning red rock formations, saguaro cacti and mesquite-lined streams – couples often hike up to Blackett’s Ridge at sunset to see the lights of Tucson. Mount Lemmon is another beauty spot and retreat from the summer heat, with a year-round chair lift at the summit (and skiing in winter). For more of a city break, stay in a Downtown boutique (like the Leo Kent Hotel) and explore El Presidio: the shops and galleries of Old Town Artisans, and the Tucson Museum of Art, with its onsite Café à La C’Art and atmospheric “Historic Block”.
Best Place for Nightlife: Downtown (Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District and Fourth Ave District)
Downtown, and especially Congress Street, is the best place to start a night out in Tucson, with breweries, bars, country/western saloons, and live music venues (most spots stay open till 2am). Highlights include the cocktails at Tough Luck Club, the party nights at Zen Nightclub, craft beers at Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, and the arcade games and cocktails at Cobra Arcade Bar Tucson. Nearby Fourth Avenue District is another hotspot: standouts include Sky Bar Tucson, Surly Wench Pub, and Tap & Bottle Downtown.
• The SunLink streetcar usually runs until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Best Place for Food and Restaurants: Downtown (Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District, Fourth Ave District & Mercado District)
As one of UNESCO’s “Cities of Gastronomy” (see https://tucson.cityofgastronomy.org), Tucson is an enticing place for foodies, especially well known for its Sonoran-style Mexican food. There are several food hotspots (and “restaurant rows”) in the city, but Congress Street in Downtown is a good place to start. Highlights include the HeeMee Coffee + Bakery (a Korean coffee shop), late night Empire Pizza & Pub, rivals Hub Ice Cream Parlor or The Screamery for ice cream, Cafe a la C’art for brunch, the steaks at Charro Steak & Del Rey, and Italian food at Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink. On Fourth Ave we like Zyka Twist for Indian food, and Tumerico on 4th. Ave for vegetarian cuisine. Mercado San Agustin is crammed with places to try, including Seis Kitchen and Sonoran Delights Raspados (Mexican), Presta Coffee Roasters, La Estrella Mexican bakery and Kukai for Japanese food.
Best Places for Shopping: Downtown & Catalina Foothills
The Fourth Avenue District in Downtown is one of the city’s premier shopping strips, with everything within walking distance on North 4th Avenue: Tucson Herb Store, Tucson Thrift Shop, Rustic Candle Company, Silver Sea Jewelry, Hippie Gypsy and many more. Another hotspot is Lost Barrio Shops at the eastern end of Downtown. Downtown Tucson and Catalina Foothills are also the best places to look for local, Native American and contemporary art: Etherton Gallery, Art House Centro and La Iguana Art Gallery are good places to start in Downtown. The city’s upscale malls tend to be located in Catalina Foothills: La Encantada, Plaza Palomino and St. Philip’s Plaza. Tucson Mall is the largest shopping center in Southern Arizona.
Best Place for Local Vibe: Barrio Viejo (Downtown)
To slip away from the crowds and get a sense of Old Tucson head to the neighborhood of Barrio Viejo (aka Barrio Libre), just south of Downtown – home to the largest surviving concentration of adobe Sonoran-style rowhouses in the country. Grab a coffee at Bar Crisol/Exo before visiting El Tiradito, “The Wishing Shrine” on South Main Street, dedicated in the 1870s to folk hero Juan Oliveras (who was allegedly murdered after being caught having an affair with his mother-in-law). Another local landmark is Teatro Carmen, built in 1915 as a Spanish and Mexican cultural center. The nearby Coronet Café is another popular local hangout (housed in an historic adobe from the 1860s), with the squat, plain looking building next door known as the Carrillo House (363 South Meyer Ave), built in the 1850s. The Downtown Clifton is an excellent budget hotel, right on the edge of the neighborhood.
Safety in Tucson
Tucson is generally quite safe, though the usual precautions should be taken at night. Crime rates have been going down for some time in Tucson, though car theft and other petty crime can be an issue – never leave anything valuable in your car.
The 8 Best Areas in Tucson for Tourists
1. Downtown Tucson
Downtown Tucson is the historic and commercial heart of the city, a patchwork of different neighborhoods alongside the (mostly dry) Santa Cruz River. It’s the best place to stay to soak up the city’s historic sights and museums, as well as some of its best restaurants and bars, though you’ll find larger, more luxurious hotels in the suburbs. The main drag forms the Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District, running east to west. Highlights include the gems and meteorites at the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum in the old railway station, historic St. Augustine Cathedral, the Children’s Museum Tucson, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson. Downtown’s far east end is home to the Lost Barrio shops and markets.
To the south, the Tucson Convention Center is where the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall holds concerts, and the Tucson Arena hosts Tucson Roadrunners and Arizona Wildcats ice hockey games. The Barrio Viejo (aka Barrio Libre) lies just south of convention center, known for its adobe rowhouses and Sonoran-style architecture, as well as El Tiradito (“The Wishing Shrine”), the Etherton Gallery (for photography) and the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center.
Just to the north of Downtown, via an underpass beneath the rail tracks, the Fourth Avenue District (or just “Fourth”) is a hip neighborhood of bars, restaurants and stores along North 4th Avenue, especially known for the Food Conspiracy Co-op (selling local organic food since 1971) and the biannual Fourth Avenue Street Fair (usually held March and December).
To the west the Sun Link Streetcar ends at the shops, restaurants and market stalls of Mercado San Agustín and MSA Annex (across the Santa Cruz River), in what’s known as Menlo Park (or just the Mercado District). South of here is Sentinel Peak or “A” Mountain (for its manmade “A” sign for University of Arizona) and Mission Garden, a living agricultural museum that highlights the farming history of the region.
• Getting around Downtown is easy on foot or by using the Sun Link streetcar – there’s no real need to drive unless going further afield.
The Best Hotels in Downtown
El Amador Downtown Luxury Inn • Armory Park Inn • The Blenman Inn • Hotel Congress • Leo Kent Hotel
Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels:
Citizen Hotel Tucson • DoubleTree Tucson Downtown Convention Center • Downtown Clifton • The Tuxon Hotel
2. Downtown: El Presidio District
The northwest corner of Downtown is known as El Presidio District, Tucson’s oldest neighborhood. It was here that the Spanish established their fort in 1775, commemorated at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum. The museum is the starting point for the Turquoise Trail, a 2.5-mile loop highlighting important historic landmarks in Downtown Tucson. The 1850s adobe buildings opposite the museum contain Old Town Artisans, a collection of galleries, stores and bars (including La Zia Native Arts), while a block north stands Sonoran-style Mexican restaurant El Charro Café, open since 1922. One block west is the Tucson Museum of Art, which is especially good on Southwestern, Native American, and Latin American art. The on-site Café à La C’Art is the best place to take a break. The museum’s “Historic Block” includes the Mission Revival style J. Knox Corbett House, completed in 1907 (usually open Sundays).
• Though El Presidio is a fascinating historic district, it’s fairly quiet at night and there’s nowhere to stay – the hotels in the rest of Downtown are short walks away.
3. University of Arizona District and around
The giant campus of the University of Arizona lies a mile-and-a-half or so northeast from Downtown, home to plenty of attractions for non-students and some excellent hotels in the residential blocks either side of it. With its palm trees and leafy squares, the campus is a pleasant place for a stroll, while the Main Gate Square district on the west side (University Blvd) is crammed with cheap places to eat, shops, cafés and bars (as well as sellers of UofA gear). Highlights on the campus itself include the Arizona State Museum and Arizona History Museum, which both chronicle the region’s past, the Center for Creative Photography, the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. It’s also possible to visit the Steward Observatory, and the Hall of Champions at the McKale Center (home of the university’s Wildcats basketball team). The adjacent Arizona Stadium hosts the University of Arizona Wildcats football games: you’ll see the school’s cheer squad, marching band, and mascots in action on “Bear Down Fridays”, the day before a game (Arizona Stadium is also the venue for December’s Arizona Bowl).
• Stay here if you’re primarily interested in the attractions – or events – on the University campus.
The Best Hotels in University of Arizona District and around
Adobe Rose Inn • Arizona Inn • Graduate Tucson • Sam Hughes Inn • Tucson Marriott University Park
Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels:
Aloft Tucson University • Best Western Royal Sun Inn & Suites • University Inn Tucson
4. Central Tucson
Central Tucson (or sometimes “Midtown”) is a vast patchwork of primarily residential neighborhoods that cover the valley to the east of Downtown and the University. There are a few things to see here, but sights and hotels are spread out and you’ll need car to make the most of it, though it’s also good for cycling: to the east of the University, 3rd Street is bike-only (except for local traffic), and North Mountain Ave has a bike lane up to the 12-mile long Rillito River Park (great for cycling and hiking). There’s no real central district, but the Broadway Village Shopping Center is a popular hub, close to the huge green swathe of Reid Park, Reid Park Zoo, the Georges DeMeester Performance Center and Hi Corbett Field (home to the University of Arizona Wildcats baseball team). There’s another small hub (and cluster of hotels) around Park Place Mall to the east.
Further north is the small but tranquil Tucson Botanical Gardens and neighboring Yume Japanese Gardens, as well as family favorite the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures (home to over 500 dollhouses and miniatures of famous rooms). The Madaras Gallery displays high quality local art nearby. Kids also enjoy the interactive shows and mini train at Trail Dust Town, a recreation of “Old West” Tucson.
• Campbell Avenue is one of Tucson’s primary “restaurant rows”, with some the city’s most venerated restaurants; the more traditional “restaurant row” is East Tanque Verde Rd on the east side of district.
The Best Hotels in Central Tucson
Embassy Suites Tucson East • Lodge On The Desert • Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson East/Williams Center • Residence Inn Tucson Williams Center
Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels:
Mon Ami Bed and Breakfast • TownePlace Suites Tucson Williams Center • Varsity Clubs of America Tucson
5. Southside
Southside encompasses the transition from the city’s southern residential neighborhoods to Sonoran Desert, with most accommodation lining the main highways (I–10 and I–19) or clustered near Tucson International Airport, the primary feature on this side of the city. As a result, its best for visitors traveling by car, and looking for a bargain – this is where the cheapest motels can be found. Major sights include the massive Pima Air & Space Museum, displaying hundreds of aircraft from B-24 Liberators to 747s. The late 18th-century San Xavier del Bac Mission is one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the country, while Cold War tensions are highlighted at the Titan Missile Museum, an actual US nuclear missile silo. Casino del Sol (operated by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona), and the Desert Diamond Casino (owned by the Tohono O’odham Nation) offer the usual gaming but also top restaurants, golf, and concerts. A short drive further south lies the untouched wilderness of the Santa Rita Mountains, home to Mt Wrightson, Southern Arizona’s tallest peak, and the birdlife haven of Madera Canyon. Back in the city, South 12th Avenue is known for Mexican food – South Tucson is 83% Mexican American. Standouts (from south to north) include the food truck Tacos De Cabeza Estilo Cajeme, Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory, La Estrella Bakery, BK Carne Asada & Hotdogs, Percheron Mexican Grill, and Rollies Mexican Patio.
• Cheap motels line I-19 and I-10 in South Tucson, though quality tends to be poor – exceptions listed below.
The Best Hotels in Southside
Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Tech Park • SpringHill Suites Tucson at The Bridge
Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels:
Comfort Inn & Suites near Kino Sports Complex • El Pais Motel & Campgrounds • Hotel McCoy • WaterWalk Tucson • WoodSpring Suites Tucson-South
Best Campground:
Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort
Best Hotels near the airport:
Hampton Inn Tucson-Airport • Residence Inn Tucson Airport • Staybridge Suites Tucson Airport • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tucson Airport
6. West Tucson
Tucson’s hilly west side is best known for its natural attractions, with generally high-end resorts and hotels tucked away in the Tucson Mountains – you’ll need a car to stay or explore here. The main draw is the Saguaro National Park just outside the city, a high desert reserve sprinkled with the park’s iconic namesake, America’s biggest cacti (plus ancient indigenous sites like the Signal Hill Petroglyphs). On the edge of the park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the region’s top attractions, with exhibits on the flora and fauna of the high desert (including raptor shows, real animals such as mountain lions and prairie dogs, a hummingbird aviary and gardens). To the south, Tucson Mountain Park is home to the International Wildlife Museum (featuring primarily stuffed animals) and Old Tucson, a slice of the Old West put together by former movie sets and featuring re-enactors, stunts, and concerts.
• This area is best for outdoor activities and upscale resorts and hotels on the edge of the city proper.
The Best Hotels in West Tucson
Casino Del Sol • Cat Mountain Lodge • JTH Tucson • JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa • White Stallion Ranch
Best B&B:
Crickethead Inn Bed & Breakfast
Best Campground:
Gilbert Ray Campground
7. Catalina Foothills: Northeast & Eastside Tucson
The Catalina Foothills lie northeast of Central Tucson. Though there’s not much to see on this side of the city, it’s a pretty area, with plenty of hiking trails, spectacular golf courses and high-end resorts, ranches and spas. The north end of the city is anchored by Tucson Mall and the Oracle Road Corridor (shops and restaurants), while the east side is marked by Saguaro National Park East, trails up to Mica Mountain and Mount Lemmon, and the gorgeous Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. You can take underground tours at Colossal Cave Mountain Park, enjoy posh dude ranches like Tanque Verde Ranch or view the hot springs and wildlife at Agua Caliente Regional Park. Back in the city, the Tucson Desert Art Museum displays contemporary and Native American art and artefacts, while the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is devoted to the work of local artist Ted DeGrazia (1909–1982).
• This is another area best known for upscale resorts and hotels, best accessed by car.
The Best Hotels in Northeast & Eastside Tucson
Eddy Hotel Tucson • Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort • Loews Ventana Canyon Resort • Rincon Creek Ranch • Tanque Verde Ranch • Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
Best B&Bs
Desert Trails Bed & Breakfast • Jeremiah Inn Bed & Breakfast
Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels:
Bed and Bagels of Tucson • Comfort Suites at Tucson Mall • Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson-Mall • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tucson
8. Oro Valley & the Northwest
Oro Valley lies 3 miles north of Tucson proper at the base of Pusch Ridge – the adjacent neighborhoods to the north and west are home to some of the most exclusive resorts (like Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain), golf courses, and hotels in the region. Though staying here isn’t that convenient for Downtown Tucson, it’s relatively easy to get around by car, and you’ll have plenty of hiking, birding, biking, and horseback riding on offer in the surrounding hills. Highlights include the beautiful Tohono Chul Gardens, Galleries and Bistro; the trails at Catalina State Park; and concerts at Gaslight Music Hall. Some 20 miles north it’s worth visiting the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2, the planet’s largest living science center.
• The Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts, showcasing local art, food and music, takes place annually in March.
The Best Hotels in Oro Valley & The Northwest
El Conquistador Tucson • Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana • Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa • Omni Tucson National Resort • Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain • Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa
Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels:
Comfort Inn & Suites North Tucson Marana • El Rancho Robles Guest Ranch • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oro Valley-Tucson North • La Quinta Inn & Suites NW Tucson Marana