Dry Desert Heat
While packing for your trip to Tucson, keep in mind that sunshine is a key word. The best times to visit the desert are spring and autumn, when the climate offers nearly endless sunny and warm days with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Winter daytime temperatures are moderate, with highs reaching into the 60s and little rain. Midsummer can see triple-digit temperatures and sudden bursts of rain or thunderstorms, known as monsoons. It's also the time of year you should swap outdoor adventures for indoor, air-conditioned activities until significant cooling in the evening.
Get to Know Mother Nature
Tucson's main attractions are brought to you by Mother Nature. Its five mountain ranges display multiple eco-zones, from the low-lying desert floor sometimes dotted with wildflowers to high-elevation mountain peaks covered in pine trees. Hiking, golfing, cycling, horseback riding and rock climbing are among the top outdoor activities, along with skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley as weather permits. You can see Tucson's giant saguaro, the largest cactus in America, within 10 miles of downtown, plus a tour of the popular Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum continues the desert experience. Other attractions include Old Tucson, Museum of Miniatures and Pima Air & Space Museum. Sabino Canyon's Seven Falls is also a great way to cool off, especially after a day of sightseeing.
Doing Business
Tourism is a significant contributor to this stunning desert city, including large conferences, conventions and events like the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show that’s held annually in late January and February. Dubbed the “Winter Training Capital,” Tucson sees an influx of triathletes and cyclists from October through April. The University of Arizona is the city's top employer and also serves as a major contributor to multi-industry research. High-tech and advanced technology companies based in the area reflect a concentration on optics, aviation, aerospace and information systems. Other key employers are the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca.
Tucson Transportation
Arizona's second-largest city is about an hour north of the Mexican border and about an hour and a half southeast of downtown Phoenix. If you’re flying into the city, the Tucson International Airport is 15 minutes south of downtown Tucson and offers 6 carriers that provide nonstop flights to 15 cities. Amtrak connects three times weekly on long-distance routes to Los Angeles, New Orleans and Chicago. The Old Pueblo Trolley and Sun Link, also known as the Tucson Streetcar, are great alternatives to driving while navigating Tucson. If you’re a bike enthusiast, you’ll enjoy the hundreds of miles of flat, car-free bike lanes on the 100-mile Urban Loop around the city.
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