Mustachian Ideas for Tucson Trip

[Abe Froman]

So I will be in Tucson next week for a total of two weeks to work with my customer out there, a real Hog! For such a long trip I cajoled Mrs. Froman (sorry ladies - there is a Sausage Queen) into joining me for a week.

What low/no cost ideas for those in or around Tucson do you have?
I was thinking Old Tucson maybe - but that might be more for kids.

I am also thinking about bringing the sticks out there - and playing Randolph.

Mrs does want to see if she can mark New Mexico off her list.

Thank you !!!!!!

[MoseyingAlong]

It's not no/low cost but is great value. My #1 thing for visitors is the Desert Museum. In particular, the raptor free flight demo. Just incredible to be so close to the birds and not hear the owl as he passes over you.

An actual no/low cost activity is to use the Mt Lemmon Science Tour a and spend some time exploring the mountain. Beautiful views, quick changes of scenery and a cooler break for those who get too hot.

[wenchsenior]

If you are into the outdoors, then Saguaro NP, Sabino Canyon (preferably on a weekday), and the Sonoran Desert Museum are musts.  Unfortunately, the spring bloom won't be great this year b/c of stupid La Nina causing drought down here, but the desert is so beautiful this time of year anyway.

Old Tucson if fun if you are into movies, and can recognize some of the sets.

I envy you.

ETA, if you do drive back over to NM, you might want to stop off at Mt  Graham, and/or Tombstone (again, if you are into history),  and/or (again, if you are into nature) Portal/Chiricahua National Monument.  Ok,  now I'm REALLY feeling envy....missing the Olde Stomping Ground right now!

[RWD]

I'll third that the Sonora Desert Museum is a must see in Tucson.

If you have even the slightest interest in aviation the Pima Air & Space Museum is worthwhile. They have an SR-71 Blackbird. There's also a tour of the Boneyard, but if you want the free/quick version just drive on Kolb and you'll see the planes lined up on either side.

[ducky19]

I second the Desert Museum, Saguaro NP, and Sabino Canyon - all great places. The zoo is pretty cool there, too. LOTS of great hiking in the area (don't forget to hydrate!), Mt. Lemmon has great views, too.

[ducky19]

If you're heading to New Mexico, go to White Sands NM and the missile facility visitor center to the south of there. Both are worth the time! The Salinas Pueblos NM in northern New Mexico is pretty cool too if you're into that. Carlsbad Caverns NP is also worth the drive.

[honeybbq]

10x the Desert Museum.

Also up to the Canyons. We went on a lovely hike and then jumped in the waterfall.

https://www.theoutbound.com/arizona/hiking/hike-to-seven-falls

[Lance Hiruma]

Try the original Sonoran Hot Dog.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60950-d1048956-r321266909-El_Guero_Canelo-Tucson_Arizona.html

Ditto about the Desert Museum.

[EngineeringFI]

Welcome to Tucson!

As other's have mentioned: Sabino Canyon is great for hiking, I do the Blackett's Ridge trail almost every weekend because it's a great workout. But phone line trail or seven falls have less climbing. Mt. Lemmon is really nice, and Saguaro National Park on the east side is beautiful as well and a lot of fun to ride a bicycle through although beware of the climb on the backside of the park!

When my parents visited previously I took them to the Titan Missile Museum and they absolutely loved it. I don't remember the price, but it was worth every penny. I'm too young to have vivid memories of the cold war, but that museum really put it into perspective.

Touring the U of A mirror lab is also on my Tucson bucket list. The University of Arizona fabricates most of the large mirrors used in telescopes and its an incredible feat of engineering. I believe they give tours to the public if you request one in advance.

Enjoy your trip!

[G-dog]

U of AZ also has a photography museum - Center of Creative Photography.

The Desert Museum is THE absolute must.
Free hiking in the foothills and on Mt. Lemmon.

A little south of Tucson is a mission church (White Dove of the Desert) on the Tohono O'odham reservation.  They also have some souvenir shops. Not extremely exciting, but nice to support them.

Tucson Botanical Garden
Sabino Canyon
Saguaro east and west (Desert  Museum and Old Tucson and Saguaro West are very close to each other)

[Gone_Hiking]

Sabino Canyon - gorgeous and busy; as others suggested, avoid visiting the site during the weekend.  The visitor center has maps for sale. 

A drive up to Mount Lemon is totally awesome and the mountain is a welcome respite from the desert heat.   Highly recommended as well for a hike, and changes of scenery along the 20 miles to the top are spectacular.

If you want to take a drive out of town, Mission San Xavier Del Bac, or White Dove of the Desert, is an authentic Spanish Baroque church that serves the  local community.   Don't be confused by distances displayed on the I-19 signs - the distances are in kilometers.  Drive further South, get off the I-19 on Continental Road, and visit Madera Canyon; like Sabino Canyon, it costs a few dollars to visit, but... much less busy than Sabino Canyon, different scenery with a wonderful picnic area at the end of the road and several trails that lead up to the mountains from there.

If you are up to biking, rent a bike and take The Loop all the way around town.  A great idea for avoiding car traffic and viewing local populace in its element.
 
Definitely try local food, the hole-in-the-wall places that sell Sonoran hot dogs are the best.  Also try a raspado - like Hawaiian shaved ice, but better; real fruit in syrup, ice, condensed milk to top it off - delish!

I used to love Mount Graham for a couple of nights of camping.  It has suffered a large wildfire last summer and I haven't been there since.  The remote location makes it a nice place to get away from the crowds, though.

Chiricahua National Monument is a must-see if you have the time; the landscape of hoodoos is unique an worth getting to and it takes an hour or two on the trail to get to the most interesting rock formations.  Off the beaten track in those parts is Fort Bowie, a historic site with ruins of an old fort.

[Abe Froman]

Excellent ideas. Sonoran hot dogs sound good - and I hear the Mexican Coke is a throw back to the old days.
Will try the Mirror Lab - that sounds awesome.
May also try the observatory up at Kitts Peak.
And if it gets got ... ( in know .... I know... a dry heat) that waterfall sounds nice.

Thank you all !!!!

Trying to dig into some golf deals now.

[COEE]

Some of the things I remember most from when I lived there:

1. Another vote for the Titan Missile Museum
2. Tombstone
3. Lemonade on the patio of the restaurant at the top of Mt Lemon while the humming birds are going crazy!
4. Spring breaks in Puerto Penasco
5. Lemon Eegee's

[wenchsenior]

Some of the things I remember most from when I lived there:

1. Another vote for the Titan Missile Museum
2. Tombstone
3. Lemonade on the patio of the restaurant at the top of Mt Lemon while the humming birds are going crazy!
4. Spring breaks in Puerto Penasco
5. Lemon Eegee's

Eating an Omar at the Sausage Deli.  25 years on and I still miss that sandwich.  And I'm not even a sandwich-liking person.

ETA: OMG, it's still there!  http://www.sausagedeli.com/menu.html

If I dropped everything and started driving over,  I could be eating one for breakfast tomorrow LOL!

[ETwagon]

Pima Air & Space Museum. For an additional 10 bucks the boneyard tour at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is great.

http://www.pimaair.org/

http://www.airplaneboneyards.com/davis-monthan-afb-amarg-airplane-boneyard.htm

https://southernarizonaguide.com/

[Abe Froman]

Some of the things I remember most from when I lived there:

1. Another vote for the Titan Missile Museum
2. Tombstone
3. Lemonade on the patio of the restaurant at the top of Mt Lemon while the humming birds are going crazy!
4. Spring breaks in Puerto Penasco
5. Lemon Eegee's

Eating an Omar at the Sausage Deli.  25 years on and I still miss that sandwich.  And I'm not even a sandwich-liking person.

ETA: OMG, it's still there!  http://www.sausagedeli.com/menu.html

If I dropped everything and started driving over,  I could be eating one for breakfast tomorrow LOL!

I shall report on the Omar !!!!!!!!!

[whatevertheweather]

I know that April 2018 has already passed, but maybe someone will find my comment useful. My top choices would be:
1. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (all in one! zoo, botanical garden, museum, aquarium, and art gallery! one day might be not enough to see it all!)
2. Mt. Lemmon hike
3. Tanque Verde Falls
4. Franklin Auto Museum (admission is $10, worth every cent!)
5. Gaslight Theater
Eh, lots of good memories :)

[BussoV6]

I think previous replies have mentioned most of the worthwhile visits. Perhaps also consider a drive out to Kitt Peak observatory. It's worth the drive.

If you are taking in New Mexico, consider a slight detour to visit Bisbee on the way east. It's a nice old mining town in SE Az and now hosts many local artists. You could return to Tucson from NM via Eagar and Show Low.

[Falke401]

+ 1 on Mt. Lemmon.  They used to have an app you could download and have a guided tour going up the mountain.