Taste & Culture: A Tucson Day Trip
Experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking natural beauty of Tucson, Arizona.
22 April 2023
Sophie Watts
US Travel Writer
Exploring the historic city of Tucson, visitors can marvel at the stunning desert scenery, which includes the towering cacti of Saguaro National Park, breathtaking canyons, and the iconic Mount Lemmon. The region is rich in culture and history, with unique attractions such as the Pima Air & Space Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Mission San Xavier del Bac – a stunning example of Southwestern architecture. Visitors can also enjoy delicious Southwestern cuisine, golf courses, and a vibrant nightlife scene during their stay in Tucson.
Day trip plan
Getting latest place information
- Start your day with a breakfast burrito at Tucson Tamale Company, made with organic ingredients and locally sourced meats.
- Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where you can get up close with desert wildlife, admire botanical gardens, and learn about native cultures.
- Head to Mission San Xavier del Bac, a stunning white church that showcases Baroque architecture and religious art.
- For lunch, grab a Sonoran-style hot dog at El Guero Canelo, topped with beans, onions, and a roasted chili pepper.
- Take a stroll through the Mercado San Agustin, a bustling marketplace with artisanal crafts, local produce, and international cuisine.
- End your day with a cocktail at the Hotel Congress, a historic landmark that was once a hideout for gangsters during the 1930s. Bonus points if you catch a live show at the venue's club.
Length of stay
Type of trip
How to get there
Plane
The best way to reach Tucson, United States by plane is to fly to Tucson International Airport, which is located about 8 miles from the city center with several major airlines providing service to the airport including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, Southwest and more.
Car
Driving is a popular way to reach Tucson, particularly if you are traveling from within Arizona or neighboring states. Tucson is easily accessible from the north and south via I-10 and from the east and west via Route 86 and Route 60. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Phoenix to Tucson and about 3 hours from Las Vegas.
Train
There is no direct train service to Tucson, United States. The closest railway station is located in Maricopa, which is about 100 miles away from Tucson. From Maricopa, you can transfer to a bus or take a taxi to reach Tucson.
Boat
There is no way to reach Tucson, United States by boat as the city is located inland and has no access to a major body of water.
Bus
Taking a Greyhound bus is a convenient and affordable way to travel to Tucson. Greyhound operates daily services to Tucson from different cities across the United States. There are two bus stations in Tucson — the Tucson Bus Station and the Tucson Int'l Airport Bus Station.
