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Welcome to Arizona's Second Largest CityTucson (TOO-sahn) http://www.visittucson.org/ is a growing metropolis of 1,000,000 that keeps getting better and better. The city's geography is a postcard image of cactus forests, rolling hills, and craggy mountains. National and State Parks and Forests ring the city! Tucson lies in the borderland, a region that blends the cultures of the United States and Mexico, and has a long history of settlement by ancient Native American peoples, Spanish explorers, and Anglo frontiersmen. Geography Where The Desert Meets The Mountains The city of Tucson is 2,389 feet above sea level and covers nearly 500 square miles. The landscape mixes flowering desert, rolling hills, winding dry riverbeds, rugged canyons, and pine-topped peaks-all beneath an expansive clear, blue sky. Scenery on the 60-minute drive from downtown Tucson to the top of nearby Mt. Lemmon is much like what you'd see on a trip from Mexico to Canada. Their skyline is their mountain ranges, they're surrounded by five.
Sentinel Peak (also called "A" Mountain) is at the western fringe of the downtown historic district. The base of this peak is the site of a major archaeological dig for remnants of Tucson's first settlement, about 3,000 years ago. Arizona is in the Southwest area of the United States between California and New Mexico. Tucson is an hour drive from the Mexico border and about 1 1/2 hours from Phoenix. History From Old Pueblo to Southwestern Metropolis Tucson was formally founded in 1775, about the time the nation's forefathers were signing the Declaration of Independence. Locally, the city is still called the Old Pueblo for the adobe fortress or "presidio" that marked its early borders. Over the past three centuries, Tucson has grown from Native American farming community, to Spanish outpost, to dusty frontier town, to bustling, territorial days' railroad hub, to the mature Southwestern metropolis it is today. For a perfect introduction to Tucson and Southern Arizona's past, visit the Arizona Historical Society and the Arizona State Museum. Displays and artifacts chart regional history from the earliest inhabitants, to Spanish conquistadors, to statehood. For more history, take the self-guided Downtown Walking Tour, available in the Tucson Official Visitors Guide, and stroll through a restored 19th century neighborhood, see Sonoran architecture, and the site of the original Spanish presidio. To learn about Tucson's significant aviation history, visit Pima Air & Space Museum, the world's largest privately-funded air museum. A Year-Round Playground Tucson enjoys more sunshine than any other city in the United States, about 350 days each year. The days, with very few exceptions are warm and sunny. Temperatures rise in the summer, but low humidity helps even the warmest days feel comfortable. Tucson's surprisingly lush environment is replenished by two rainy seasons. Things to Do There are so many fun things to do and see in Tucson it's hard to find a place to start. So we've done the work for you. Click on the links below that interest you. Events - Find out what's going on around Tucson and Southern Arizona. The Arts - Find galleries, museums and your favorite performing arts. Golf - Check out the world-famous courses and events that make Tucson one of America's favorite golf destinations. Dining - No matter what you hunger for, Tucson has it. Take a look. Shopping - From high fashion to quaint handmade curios, antiques to modern art, Tucson is a shopper's dream. Family Fun - Tucson is great for the whole family. Go bowling, take in a baseball game, enjoy a round of miniature golf and more. Heritage & Culture - Discover their fascinating past at museums and historic attractions. Sign up to receive free Tucson visitor information by mail or e-mail. |
