Traveling to Arizona: What to See and Do in Tuscon

When most people plan a trip to Arizona the Grand Canyon is understandably one of the top locations mentioned. Obviously the Canyon is a must-see site for anyone visiting the state of Arizona. I've personally made it a point to see the majestic Grand Canyon on every trip to Arizona. After the Canyon, usually the next on the list of places to see is Phoenix, Arizona's largest city and the tourist-y Red Rocks of Sedona. Somewhere, farther down on the list is the city of Tuscon, the subject of this installment.

Tuscon is Arizona's second largest city and perhaps it's most beautiful. Surrounded for the most part by scenic mountain ranges, the city of Tuscon has everything a vacationer could ask for- superb restaurants to world-class golf courses, coupled with wonderful weather all in a beautiful desert setting. Tuscon is well know for it golf courses, but the true hidden treasures of Tuscon are in it's museums, parks and recreational areas.

One of the most outstanding attractions is the Sonora Desert Museum which is located on the outskirts of western Tuscon. Why it's named a museum, I haven't a clue because it's actually a zoo and said to be one of the finest in the country. At the Sonora Desert Museum, you'll find the mammals, reptiles, insects and birds of the Sonora Desert, all living in their natural setting ( of course, if you look hard enough, you'll spot some barely visible fencing). We visited many exhibits at the Desert Museum and walked for hours, so it's a very good idea to wear a comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers, a hat and carry plenty of water. There are many great places for photographers to capture the beauty of the Sonora Desert and my favorite, was the Hummingbird exhibit. I recommend this exhibit highly and if you have to wait awhile because of the crowds you will not be disappointed.