Neighborhood Highlights
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Discover breathtaking natural beauty at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. It’s easy to see why it has been named one of the top 10 gardens in North America. Enjoy year-round art exhibits, classes, and exciting events. Find specialty gardens, including the Barrio Garden and the Cactus & Succulent Garden. Between October and May, you’ll also see beautiful tropical butterflies from around the world.
Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory
The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory is a science and astronomy destination located just north of Tucson, Arizona, at the 9,157-foot summit of Mount Lemmon. You won’t want to miss this educational experience from the University of Arizona.
The Pima Air & Space Museum
Let the Pima Air & Space Museum take you to new heights. What started with just a few planes in 1976 has expanded to become one of the world’s largest aerospace museums. Visitors will find a collection of more than 300 aircraft celebrating the history of flight.
Discover the rich history of Tucson.
Tucson was founded in 1776, making it one of North America’s oldest continually inhabited areas. Before Spanish missionaries and explorers arrived in the late 1600s, the Hohokam tribe had lived here for at least 4,000 years.
In 1854, Mexico sold all of Arizona south of the Gila River as a part of the Gadsden Purchase. This transaction made Tucson an official part of the United States. The incorporation of Tucson as a city in 1877 made it the oldest city in Arizona. Tucson’s roots expanded with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880.
Today, more than one million residents call Tucson home. There’s something majestic about this area, where five mountain ranges create a picturesque, protected valley. You'll also find magnificent saguaros standing tall on the desert floor and aspen and pine growing above them on stark, wind-swept mountain peaks.
