Tucson

Zoos

Explore the Coronado National Forest on horseback and admire the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Catalina State Park. Ride around a ranch which was homesteaded in the 1800s. Explore at your own pace, and then return to the equestrian center when you finish your ride. Come to the meeting point and check in with the activity provider. Then, saddle up and get on the horse to start exploring the historical ranch. Go along equestrian trails among the Saguaro Cactus and take in the spectacular view of the Santa Catalina Mountains along the way. Take your time while you explore the ranch at your leisure. Enjoy a beautiful early morning ride, or else select an optional afternoon ride if you like. Finally, return to the equestrian center to finish up your horseriding experience. Weight limit is 240 lbs in order to remain safe and protect the horses from injury and is strictly enforced.

Learn the story of a city that started with open spaces and rich agriculture and became an eclectic part of the southwestern United States on a walking food tour of Tucson. Start at The Mercado, an authentic Mexican marketplace, where you will sample a classic Mexican pastry. Next, find a delectable Sonoran treat made to perfection. Then, hop on a modern streetcar, diving deeper into the historic downtown before sampling a secret dish. For something lighter, take refreshment with a local favorite, where you will cool down with an expertly crafted tea. On your walk, see some local and national creative artistry up close and personal and hear the stories of how a humble farming village transformed into a vibrant, creative community. Move onward to discover a local infusion of Latin flair and Indian flavor. Finally, conclude the tour by sampling the delectable sweetness of a time-honored tradition as you pay homage to a Tucson icon.

Feel your adrenaline pumping as you ride 5 ziplines above the Sonoran Desert near Tucson. Explore the desert landscape on short hiking trails between the ziplines, and admire sweeping views over the scenic surroundings. Make your own way to the zipline adventure course, located just 1 hour north of Tucson and 2 hours of Phoenix in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Upon arrival, take in scenic views of the San Pedro River Valley, the Galiuro Mountains, the Tonto National Forest, and the Catalina Mountains. Then, prepare for your thrilling zipline adventure. Push the limit of your comfort zone as you ride 5 ziplines ranging in length from 400 to 1,500 feet. The last and longest run is a dual line, making it possible to zip alongside a friend or loved one. In between ziplines, plant your feet back on the ground and discover the desert landscape from the short hiking trails. Familiarize yourself with different types of plant life such as ocotillo, agave, and different types of cactus. While you are ziplining and hiking, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife: desert spiny lizards, Gila monsters, javelina, deer, and even bobcats inhabit the property. Stay refreshed during your desert experience with the water provided along the trails.

Learn about the world and the stars with admission to the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium. Enjoy a variety of exhibits that explore sharks, space, and fossils, and stay after dark to see Jupiter through a telescope. At the heart of the University of Arizona campus, enter Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium. After showing your ticket, head in to explore the universe, from earth to space. Get your young children excited about science with interactive elements, games, and activities. Older children and adults alike can learn about bugs, sharks, black holes, and space. Consider adding as a full-dome planetarium experience while you're there. Metalheads can pop into the Planetarium for a laser show featuring music by Pink Floyd and Metallica. Stroll through the many exhibits. Learn about the importance of bugs for the environment, discover the largest scale model of the surface of Mars, and see the Undersea Discovery aquarium exhibit. Throughout the year, changing exhibits focus on biology, energy, and optics and weave in ground-breaking UA research, revealing the world of science careers for budding scientists. During special events, meet with a volunteer astronomer after dark to peer through a 16-inch telescope to see Saturn's rings, the cloud belts of Jupiter, and the Andromeda galaxy.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 21+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Saguaro National Park in 2-3 hours. This self-guided driving tour features both West and East Saguaro National Park. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will serve as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map, all in one! Once downloaded, your journey through West Saguaro National Park starts adjacent to 4960 W Ajo Highway in Tucson. As you drive, dig into the secrets behind the park’s majestic mountains. Learn how they began as mere mud and hear about the tectonic changes that shaped them! Then see the Old Tucson Theme Park, a movie set turned into a totally unique theme park. Next, stop at the Gates Pass Scenic Lookout for enchanting views of Tucson’s ancient rock formations. You’ll meet Thomas Gates, the pass’s namesake and hear about his eclectic life as a pioneer, gambler, entrepreneur, and prison superintendent! As the journey continues, take in the grand Saguaro cacti. Uncover how they sustain the park’s wildlife, and how the Tohono O’odham once used these iconic succulents! Next stop is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring all kinds of exhibits about the natural wonders of the desert. Get to know rugged homesteaders like Emilio Carillo, whose successful cattle ranch attracted a rather greedy gang and nearly cost him his life! For more drama, you’ll learn about the area’s mining history and unearth stories full of embezzlement, greed, and kidnapping! The journey continues onto the Valley View Overlook Trail, one of the most popular (and scenic) hikes in the whole park. As you drive on, get the wild story behind the park’s formation, covering eight decades! Discover the mysterious petroglyphs of Signal Hill and get acquainted with Geronimo, who lived not far from this very park! The East Saguaro Tour begins at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center in Tucson. Get the stories of the Hohokam, then stop at the breathtaking Sonoran Desert Outlook. Next, you’ll find out just how courageous the bighorn sheep really are! Hear how they can scale cliffs and balance upon precipices. Speaking of wildlife, you’ll also get some ferocious facts about the local mountain lions.As you continue, you’ll reach the Cactus Forest Trail, an incredible path through the park’s famous cacti. Stop by the scenic Riparian Overlook, then continue on to the famously beautiful Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Your tour concludes here.

Step back in time to the days of the Wild West and discover what it was like to be a cowboy on this guided day trip from Tucson to Bisbee & Tombstone. Take some free time to explore and try out activities like visiting mines, drinking at saloons, or riding in a stage coach.  Enjoy the convenience of pickup from the centrally-located meeting point at the Park Place Mall in the morning. Catch a gander of the planes as you drive by the Bone Yard and take in the landscapes of the Sonoran Desert before arriving in Bisbee. We will drive through historic Bisbee then stop at the Copper Queen Mine. Then we will board a mine train and take an excursion through an actual copper mine. (No opened toed shoes or high Heels) (Bring along a light sweater or jacket because it is underground) Arrive in Tombstone a bit after 12pm and have 3 hours to explore the town at your own pace. We include your ticket to the OK Corral to see the reenactment of the famous shootout (scheduled at 1pm) in your free time, enjoy live music at "Big Nose Kate's Saloon" or belly up to the bar at "Crystal Palace" for a drink with some old-fashioned vibes.  Spend some time buying a tour of the "Birdcage Theatre" or listen the retelling of Tombstone's history or visit the Silver Mine by purchasing a ticket for the "Good Enough Trolley Tour." Transport yourself back in time by catching a ride on an authentic stagecoach.  Visit the gallows of the original "Tombstone Courthouse" or stop somewhere for a bite to eat. At 3pm as we depart Tombstone, let's stop by Boot Hill (your entry into Boot Hill Cemetery is included) where the outlaws who lost in that gun fight were laid to rest. After Boot Hill we will make our way back to your meeting point at the Park Place Mall

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 33-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Mt. Lemmon in 2 - 3 hours. Once downloaded, your journey begins on the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. From there, you’ll embark on a journey that elevates not just in altitude but in unforgettable sights. Journey through time as you cruise along the open road, uncovering tales of the Native Tohono O'odham people. Listen to captivating accounts of ancient desert spirits, like the guardians of the Saguaro cacti. Then, hear how the mighty sky islands you’ll soon be ascending formed. As you drive into the Catalina Mountains, you’ll discover the cascading Seven Cataracts, panoramic views at Windy Point Vista, and fascinating geology everywhere. Along the way, keep your eyes open for the diverse flora and fauna that call these mountains home. Stop by Windy Point Vista for some of the best views in Arizona, pay a visit to the secluded Rose Canyon Lake, and visit the wreck of an old warplane on one of Mount Lemmon’s most famous hiking trails! Finally, you’ll cruise to the highest heights of this incredible mountain, where skiers come to let loose and where a fabulous Oktoberfest is held every year. Your tour concludes at the SkyCenter Observatory.

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey through the captivating landscapes of Mount Lemmon National Park with Shaka Guide's Audio Tour App. Let the app be your trusted companion as you explore this picturesque mountain retreat, offering insightful commentary, fascinating stories, and practical tips along the way. As you ascend Mount Lemmon, prepare to be enchanted by the breathtaking beauty that unfolds around you. The app will provide captivating commentary on the unique geological formations, diverse flora and fauna, and the rich history that shapes this pristine natural paradise. Follow the app's guidance as you wind through scenic drives, immersing yourself in the lush forests, rugged canyons, and dramatic cliffs of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Learn about the region's distinctive ecosystems, from the lower desert landscapes to the cool pine forests that grace the mountaintop. Embark on exhilarating hikes along the park's extensive trail network, guided by the app's insightful commentary. Whether you're exploring the popular trails like the Marshall Gulch or discovering hidden gems like the Butterfly Trail, the app will enhance your experience with fascinating insights into the area's history, geology, and the diverse plant and animal life that call this place home. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the region as the app unveils stories of the Native American tribes who have long held this area sacred. Discover the legends and spiritual significance associated with Mount Lemmon, and gain a deeper appreciation for the land's profound cultural heritage. Things you'll experience on the tour: • Ancient grinding holes left by the Hohokam culture, used for turning acorns into flour. • Take in great views of nearby Thimble Peak. • Strange, otherworldly shapes caused by erosion of wind and rain. • Enjoy skiing from January through early February. • Go hiking on the numerous trails that crisscross the park. • Enjoy a picnic amidst the cool shade of the pine forests or alongside a tranquil stream. • Engage in wildlife spotting and birdwatching. • Explore the charming village of Summerhaven, located near the summit of Mount Lemmon. Whether you're a nature lover, adventure seeker, or curious traveler, Shaka Guide's Audio Tour App will enrich your exploration of Mount Lemmon National Park. Let the app be your informative guide, offering fascinating stories, insightful commentary, and practical information to enhance your connection with this extraordinary mountain landscape. Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of Mount Lemmon National Park with Shaka Guide's Audio Tour App, and create memories that will last a lifetime. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Explore the extreme northeast corner of Florence, Arizona on board a thrilling Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Located halfway between Tucson and Phoenix, the Box Canyon and Pinal Mountains make for an ideal day out from both cities. The dirt trail that will set your blood racing is about 30 miles long, and you will have 3.25 hours to play. Once your guide has equipped you with safety equipment and received a short training, head off along dirt trails that twist, turn, and bump up and down the Pinal Mountains. Climb up and over the front range of the mountains. At the same time, your guide points out Indian petroglyphs left behind by the ancient Native Americans.  Another point of interest is an old adobe building that served as a way station for the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach Company during the 1860s. For a short time, it also serviced the Pony Express on what was known as the "Butterfield Route." The real highlight of the tour is Box Canyon. You'll be in the canyon for about 6 miles. Get set for the drama of the middle 3 miles, a slot canyon with walls only about 10-20 feet apart and 900 feet high on both sides!

Get picked up at Park Place Mall next to Starbucks and embark on a scenic drive to San Xavier del Bac Mission. Gaze at this impressive cathedral, completed during Spanish rule in the 1700s. Learn more about this beautiful monument with insightful commentary from your guide. Explore the Mission and the grotto. Cruise by Mission Gardens and hear more about its significance. Discover the Presidio San Augustine del Tucson and glimpse into the past at the Presidio Museum. Continue past the University of Arizona's Old Main, before returning to the pick-up location at Park Place Mall.