Bicycling

Tucson is one of the best bicycling cities in the country, and the dirt roads and trails of the surrounding national forest and desert are perfect for mountain biking. Rentals at Fair Wheel Bikes, 1110 E. Sixth St. (tel. 520/884-9018), go for $40 per day for road bikes and $30 per day for mountain bikes.

If you'd rather confine your pedaling to paved surfaces, there are some great options around town. The number-one choice in town for cyclists in halfway decent shape is the road up Sabino Canyon. Keep in mind, however, that bicycles are allowed on this road only 5 days a week and then only before 9am and after 5pm (the road is closed to bikes all day Wed and Sat). For a much easier ride, try the Rillito River Park path, which currently has a 1-mile paved section between Swan and Craycroft roads and a 6-mile paved section between Campbell Avenue and I-10. The trail parallels River Road and the usually dry bed of the Rillito River, and if you've got knobby tires, you can link the two paved sections or continue west past La Cholla Road after the pavement ends. Another option close to downtown is the 7-mile Santa Cruz River Park path, which runs along both sides of the usually dry Santa Cruz River and extends from West Grant Road to Irvington Road.

If mountain biking is more your speed, there are lots of great rides in the Tucson area. For an easy and very scenic dirt-road loop through forests of saguaros, head to the west unit of Saguaro National Park and ride the 6-mile Bajada Loop Drive. You can turn this into a 12-mile ride (half on paved road) by starting at the Red Hills Visitor Center.

Bird-Watching

Southern Arizona has some of the best bird-watching in the country, and although the best spots are south of Tucson, there are a few places around the city that birders will enjoy seeking out. Call the Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert (tel. 520/798-1005) to find out which birds have been spotted in the area lately.

The city's premier birding spot is the Sweetwater Wetland, a man-made wetland just west of I-10 and north of Prince Road. These wetlands were created as part of a wastewater treatment facility and now have an extensive network of trails that wind past numerous ponds and canals. There are several viewing platforms and enough different types of wildlife habitat that the area attracts a wide variety of bird species. To find the wetlands, take I-10 south to the Prince Road exit, and at the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Sweetwater Drive. If you're driving west on Prince Road, go to the end of the road, turn right on Business Center Drive, turn left on River Park Road (which becomes Commerce Dr.), take the first left (probably unmarked), and then turn left again on Sweetwater Drive. Note that the wetlands are closed on Monday mornings from late March to mid-November.

Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Rd. (off N. Soldier Trail), in the northeast corner of the city, is just about the best place in Tucson to see birds. The year-round warm springs here are a magnet for dozens of species, including waterfowl, great blue herons, black phoebes, soras, and vermilion flycatchers. To find the park, follow Tanque Verde Road east 6 miles from the intersection with Sabino Canyon Road and turn left onto Soldier Trail. Watch for signs.

Other good places include Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, the path to the waterfall at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, and the Rillito River path between Craycroft and Swan roads.

The best area for bird-watching is Madera Canyon National Forest Recreation Area (tel. 520/281-2296), about 40 miles south of the city in the Coronado National Forest. Because of the year-round water here, Madera Canyon attracts a surprising variety of bird life. Avid birders flock to this canyon from around the country in hopes of spotting more than a dozen species of hummingbirds and an equal number of flycatchers, warblers, tanagers, buntings, grosbeaks, and many rare birds not found in any other state. However, before birding became a hot activity, this canyon was popular with families looking to escape the heat down in Tucson, and the shady picnic areas and trails still get a lot of use by those who don't carry binoculars. If you're heading out for the day, arrive early -- parking is very limited. To reach Madera Canyon, take the Continental Road/Madera Canyon exit off I-19; from the exit, it's another 12 miles southeast. The canyon is open daily from dawn to dusk for day use; there is a $5 day-use fee. There's also a campground ($10 per night).

Horseback Riding

If you want to play cowboy or just go for a leisurely ride through the desert, there are plenty of stables around Tucson where you can saddle up. In addition to renting horses and providing guided trail rides, some of the stables below offer sunset rides with cookouts. Although reservations are not always required, they're a good idea. You can also opt to stay at a guest ranch and do as much riding as your muscles can stand.

Pusch Ridge Stables, 13700 N. Oracle Rd. (tel. 520/825-1664), is adjacent to Catalina State Park and Coronado National Forest. Rates are $30 for 1 hour, $50 for 2 hours, and $40 for a sunset ride.

Over on the east side of Tucson, there's Spanish Trail Outfitters (tel. 520/749-0167), which leads rides into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains off Sabino Canyon Road. Rates are $35 for a 1-hour ride, $55 for a 2-hour or sunset ride.

Hot-Air Ballooning

The ballooning season in Tucson runs October through April. Balloon America (tel. 520/299-7744) offers flights over the desert ($225) or a more adventurous trip over the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains ($475). Fleur de Tucson Balloon Tours (tel. 520/529-1025) offers rides over the Tucson Mountains, Saguaro National Park, and the Avra Valley. Rates are $225 to $250 per person, including brunch and a champagne toast.

Skiing

Located 35 miles from Tucson (a 1-hr. drive), Mount Lemmon Ski Valley (tel. 520/576-1400) is the southernmost ski area in the United States and offers 21 runs for experienced downhill skiers as well as beginners. The season here isn't very reliable, so be sure to call first to make sure it's open. Locals recommend not using your own skis or snowboard (too many exposed rocks). The ski area often opens only after a new dump of snow, so be sure to call the road-condition information line (tel. 520/547-7510) before driving up. In a good year, the season runs from December to April.

Tennis

The Randolph Tennis Center, 50 S. Alvernon Way (tel. 520/791-4896), convenient to downtown, is the Southwest's largest public tennis facility and offers 25 lighted courts. During the day, court time is $2.50 per person for 1 1/2 hours; at night, it's $10 per court. Many of the city's hotels and resorts also provide courts for guest use.

Wildflower-Viewing

Bloom time varies from year to year, but April and May are good times to view native wildflowers in the Tucson area. While the crowns of white blossoms worn by saguaro cacti are among the most visible blooms in the area, other cacti are far more colorful. Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon are among the best local spots to see saguaros, other cactus species, and various wildflowers in bloom. If you feel like heading farther afield, the wildflower displays at Picacho Peak State Park, between Tucson and Casa Grande, are the most impressive in the state.

Spas

If you'd prefer a massage to a round on the links, consider spending a few hours at a spa. While full-service health spas can cost $400 to $500 or more per day, for under $100 you can avail yourself of a spa treatment or two (massages, facials, seaweed wraps, loofah scrubs, and the like) and maybe even get to spend the day lounging by the pool at some exclusive resort. Spas are also great places (for both men and women) to while away an afternoon if you couldn't get a tee time at that golf course you wanted to play or if it happens to be raining.

The Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3666 E. Sunrise Dr. (tel. 520/742-7866, ext. 7890), focuses on skin-care services, but there are plenty of body wraps and massages available as well. With a 50-minute treatment (mostly $110-$130), you can use the spa's facilities for the day. However, unlike other spas in town, the Red Door is more about relaxation than staying fit, so you won't find aerobics classes or a pool here. Spa packages range in price from $199 to $552.

For a variety of services and a gorgeous location, you just can't beat The Lakeside Spa & Tennis Center at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Dr. (tel. 520/529-7830), which is wedged between the rugged Catalinas and manicured fairways of one of the most fabled golf courses in the state. Soothed by the scent of aromatherapy, you can treat yourself to herbal wraps, mud treatments, different styles of massage, specialized facials, complete salon services, and much more. Fifty-minute treatments run $100 to $125. With any 50-minute body treatment, you get use of the spa's facilities and pool and can attend any fitness classes being held that day.

With six locations around the Tucson area, Gadabout Day Spa offers the opportunity to slip a relaxing visit to a spa into a busy schedule. Mud baths, facials, and massages as well as hair and nail services are available, and body treatments and massages range from about $40 for a quick massage to $364 for a full day at the spa. You'll find Gadabout at the following locations: St. Philip's Plaza, 1990 E. River Rd. (tel. 520/577-2000); 6393 E. Grant Rd. (tel. 520/885-0000); 3207 E. Speedway Blvd. (tel. 520/325-0000); Sunrise-Kolb, 6960 E. Sunrise Dr. (tel. 520/615-9700); and 8303 N. Oracle Rd. (tel. 520/742-0000). The sixth location is Gadabout Man, 2951 N. Swan Rd. (tel. 520/325-3300).