Where to stay

Follow the arc of Tucson's past. Arrange accommodations in Tucson to see pre-Columbian artifacts from as early as 1600 B.C. in the Tucson Museum of Art. South Tucson is the place to stay to stroll beside Julian Wash Archaeological Park, where excavators have unearthed proof of Tucson's 4,000-year-old history. Book a hotel in Drexel Heights and visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac, where Spanish colonial architecture and Old Tucson buildings reveal how the Spanish missionary period impacted the community. For more modern history, stay in the Green Valley neighborhood to tour the Titan Missile Museum's exhibits of the Cold War period.

The laid-back atmosphere of Tucson makes it a perfect place to enjoy a stress-free family vacation with outdoor fun and kid-friendly cultural activities. Stay in Downtown Tucson to explore the interactive exhibits of the Children's Museum Tucson. Hotels near the Tucson International Airport are convenient for visiting the Pima Air and Space Museum and Reid Park Zoo. Book accommodations in Tucson to be about a 20-minute drive from one of the city's most popular attractions, the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Stay in Oro Valley to enjoy family-friendly shows at the Gaslight Music Hall. Tanque Verde is the best place to stay to drive to the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, where outstanding star gazing is great in the clear night skies.

Accommodations in Tucson are just a few miles from the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Tucson's glorious surroundings beckon hikers, from casual walkers to extreme enthusiasts. Stay in Cortaro or Marana to explore two of the region's top attractions: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park to see giant cacti. Book a hotel in Catalina or Casas Adobes for easy access to Catalina State Park's many trails for hiking, biking, and riding horseback. Hotels in Tanque Verde are convenient for driving along the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway. The other half of the national park, Saguaro National Park East, is near here too. Stay in Dove Mountain Resort or Green Valley for some of the great golf that Tucson is known for.

While Tucson's neighborhoods offer enough outdoor activities to fill a vacation, the region also has excellent shopping opportunities. Stay in Oro Valley to shop at Joesler Village, where one-of-a-kind boutiques are as interesting as their iconic architecture. Be sure to stop at the farmers market here too. Hotels in Casas Adobes are close to both La Encantada and Tucson Mall. Accommodations in Downtown Tucson are great for visiting Lost Barrio, a warehouse district with three blocks of shops selling antiques, fine art, hand-made furniture, folk and tribal art, Mexican imports, and Southwestern home accessories.