Planning your holiday to beautiful Tucson, Arizona is a breeze with the local expertise of Casago. From those “must-visit” attractions to the area’s trendiest bars and restaurants, here are some of the best places to visit in Tucson.

Tucson Sights & Landmarks

Explore some of Tucson’s top attractions and most-frequented parks and museums during your stay. If your itinerary allows, try and accommodate all three of these Tucson sightseeing highlights.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is the place to experience the universal symbol of the American West – enormous cacti! The desert scenery in this small park is outstanding with hundreds of majestic Saguaro cacti (these grow to more than 40 feet tall!), colorful wildflowers and a rich variety of local fauna. There is one driving loop for vehicles and several manicured trails for a pleasant day hike. Get trail and park information at the onsite Visitor’s Center, which offers free parking to all guests.

Pima Air & Space Museum

One of the largest and most well-received aerospace museums in the world, Pima features over 300 historical aircraft, including two retired Air Force One planes, helicopters, sea planes and a Wright Flyer. There are exhibits dedicated to space travel, women in flight, WWII aviation, and much more. The museum does a wonderful job of presenting the history of flight and offers daily docent-led walking tours and Tram Tours. Pima Air & Space Museum is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allow at least two hours to explore this gem.

Tucson Mountain Park

Get back to nature with a daytrip to Tucson Mountain Park. Dotted with massive cacti as far as the eye can see, this preserve is pure desert bliss. Located near Starr Pass, just a short drive from the downtown area, the park has an assortment of rugged trails perfect for mountain biking, hiking or just taking in some breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The trails are welcome equestrians, so keep your eyes open for passing horses! The park has a campground, picnic area with grills, restrooms and an environmental education center.

Tucson Restaurants

Tucson has a huge selection of amazing restaurants featuring everything from southern comfort food to French-inspired bistro fare. While Tucson may be the self-proclaimed Mexican food capital of the U.S., there are dozens of dining establishments serving up some seriously tasty eats. Here are three of our top picks for Tucson restaurants.

Cafe Poca Cosa

Café Poca Cosa is rated one of the best restaurants in Tucson and is praised for its creative take on Mexican – Latin cuisine. The menu, written on a chalkboard, changes twice daily and features dressed-up versions of Mexican classics. Vegetarian tamales, smoked pork with beans and a moist chicken in mole sauce are just some of the favorites. The Chef/Owner Suzana Davila hails from Guaymas, Sonora and loves showcasing her native land’s fresh, regional flavors. This popular bistro is open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Prep & Pastry

This is the ultimate brunch spot in Tucson, and a place that happily serves strong Mimosas before noon! At the Prep & Pastry, you’ll find hand-made cinnamon rolls, gourmet coffee and plates piled high with all kinds of delicious sweet and salty goodness. Montecristo sandwiches, smoked salmon Benedict, Breakfast Poutine and French Toast round out an eclectic menu of brunch classics. Now with two Tucson locations on E. Grant Road and North Campbell Avenue, it’s easier than ever to pop in for a delicious meal.

HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery

You will find this popular eatery on historic Congress Street brimming with locals and tourists. The HUB is quickly becoming a downtown legend, dishing up delightful pot pies, oversized sandwiches and a cheesy meal called Glory Curds that gets killer reviews. There are even some vegetarian options too. Their homemade ice cream is some of the smoothest and most decadent in town, with tons of flavors to choose from. Try a cup of Nutter Butter, Rocky Balboa or their signature Banana Cream Pie for a special dessert treat!

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Tucson Nightlife

The city of Tucson really comes alive at night and offers a tremendous variety of watering holes and inviting places to mix and mingle. The downtown area is bustling with posh cocktail lounges, dance clubs, bars and theaters, along with subdued wine bars for a quiet night on the town. Tucson nightlife highlights include:

Playground Bar & Lounge

This is a hip place to drink, dance and socialize in the heart of downtown Tucson. Playground Bar & Lounge attracts a mixed crowd with great drink specials, live entertainment and a spacious rooftop patio with comfortable seating. There’s a full lunch and dinner menu and a special Brunch on Saturdays with made-to-order Bloody Mary’s.

Rialto Theatre

Check out the best place to see live music and entertainment in Tucson at the Rialto Theatre on Congress Street. Originally opened in 1922, the venue was refurbished in 2004 as part of the downtown Tucson revitalization project. The Rialto hosts a diverse range of performers and talent, including rock bands, comedians, heavy metal, jazz, flamenco, country, Indie rock, and others. There are also film screenings and themed charity events like their upcoming Mardi Gras Carnaval with Creole food and live music.

Tucson Music Hall

If you’re in the mood for some classical music, an opera or an off-Broadway production, take a look at the Tucson Music Hall’s calendar of events. The theater comfortably seats 2,289 people, and is designed to provide every patron with stellar stage views. The acoustics are fantastic and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra plays here several times a month.

Contact the experts at Casago for more information on the top places to visit in Tucson, and our best vacation rentals close to all the action!