You just got orders to Tucson, Arizona.  You have no idea of what to expect.  All the questions and thoughts start gushing through your mind….

You have heard it’s unbearably hot but it’s a dry heat.  You know that it is a desert that looks much different than most places in the United States.  You have heard it’s a snow birds paradise but is it a strong military community? (Definition snow bird: someone most likely with white hair that travels south for the winter to escape the cold).  We are here to share with you some insight into Tuscon, Arizona and Davis Monthan.  Hopefully this will help ease your mind and get you really pumped up for all this duty station has to offer.

First, let’s start with some background on Tuscon, Arizona:

A modern metropolis, Tucson’s population of over 900,000 co-exists happily with Native American, Mexican and Pioneer heritage, a perfect complement to an uncomplicated way of life.

Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert, the only place in the world the majestic saguaro cactus grows. These tall and ancient cactus stand like silent sentinels in the shadows of the five mountain ranges which cradle the Tucson valley and are showered with sunshine over 300 days a year. The average winter temperature is 70.

Visitors to Tucson can enjoy luxurious spas, resorts and hotels that offer fine dining and opportunities for relaxing by the pool, strolling through lush desert gardens or experiencing spa treatments at the world’s top spas.

Adventure seekers can visit Tucson’s popular attractions, take advantage of sunny, warm weather to participate in sports events and explore the city’s thriving arts community. Outdoor activities are plentiful and include world-class golf courses, hiking, cycling, tennis and ranches with horseback riding.

Tucson is located in southern Arizona about 120 miles southeast of Phoenix. It lies at the junction of I-10 and I-19.

Top 10 Things To Do While Stationed In Tucson, Arizona:

Tucson has a ton to offer when it comes to things to do.  If you love the SUN and love to be OUTDOORS you will LOVE Tucson.  Tucson offers 321432 days of sunshine a year.  You do need to make sure you wear your sunscreen but this beautiful weather provides a great environment for the outdoorsy person.  Below is some of our favorite attractions in Tucson that revolve around being outdoors.

(1) Sabino Canyon~one of our personal favorites.  Experience the beauty of one of the most unique Southwestern desert canyons on a Sabino Canyon tram ride. Sabino Canyon is a natural desert oasis located in Tucson’s Coronado National Forest and is home to spectacular desert landscapes and abundant wildlife.

During the winter and summer rainy seasons, pools of water form in rocky outcroppings that wind up among hillsides resplendent with palo verde trees, cholla and prickly pear cactus and graceful groves of ocotillo.

This is one of our favorite places to go HIKING, RUNNING, or WALKING throughout the year.  The views are amazing. One of the best hikes in Tucson is called 7 Falls.  You pick up this hike in Sabino Canyon.  It is magnificient.  I would not recommend it for children as some areas are steep.  But, it is a beautiful hike for adults.  There are several easier hiking trails within Sabino Canyon that are suitable for children.  Or, just walking on the paved path up the canyon provides a great hike.

(2) Mt. Lemmon~  Mt. Lemmon is a must visit when living in Tuscon.  This is about an hour scenic drive up the mountains.  It is hard to believe that only a 1 hour drive from Davis Monthan is a ski area.  It is no Colorado by any means but Mt. Lemmon provides a great opportunity for a fun day trip to see some snow or escape the summer heat in the summertime. Mt. Lemmon is a fun day trip year round.  There are a handful of restaurants and gift shops at the top where the town is called Summerhaven.

Mount Lemmon has a summit elevation of 9,159 feet, it is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States.

To learn more about Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley click here. Learn more about Mt. Lemmon Summerhaven here.

(3) Sonora Desert Museum: Another must visit while in Tucson.  

The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors!

The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.

• 21 interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats
• 230 animal species
• 1,200 types of plants — 56,000 individual specimens
• One of the world’s most comprehensive regional mineral collections

Beyond merely an attraction, the Museum’s conservation and research programs are providing important information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region.

The Desert Museum’s Art Institute inspires conservation through art education and gallery exhibits. The Museum’s publishing division, ASDM Press, has produced over 40 books and guides on the natural and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert region.

you also have the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory

The Sonora Desert also offers a military discount which you can learn more about here. Visit their website.

(4) Reid Park Zoo~ This is a GREAT ZOO.  Our family has enjoyed visiting this zoo for years.  It is just the perfect size and it never gets old.  The zoo is beautifully maintaned with great animal exhibits and events year round.

Visit The Reid Park Zoo Website.

(5) Go to A Spring Training Baseball Game

(6) Visit Old Town Tucson~  the architecture is brilliant.  This part of town is booming with restaurants, breweries, arts, and concerts.  The brightly colored stucco buildings are really worth a visit.

(7) Many beautiful Resorts Great Golf Courses

(8) Hiking Trails

(9) Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show~ this is like nothing you have ever seen.  Visit the 2016-17 Website

(10) Tucson Street Fair

(11) Tucson, Arizona is home of the University of Arizona.  This is a beautiful campus to visit.  There are many great restaurants, sporting events, and bars in the neighborhood.

(12) Sonoita Wine Tasting Tour~Hard to believe that grapes can actually grow in the desert but they do and it’s really good!  Highly recommend making the trip to Sonoita for Wine Tasting.

Top Restaurants:

(1) One of the absolutely best things about being stationed in Tucson, Arizona is the authentic mexican food.  It is amazing and like nothing you’ll get anywhere else in the country.  Our personal favorite Mexican Restaurant in Tucson is La Parilla Suiza.  The homemade salsa is to die for.  Everything is so fresh.  They also offer a military discount.

A couple other notable restaurants in Tucson are: BLANCO, 

Best Neighborhoods & Apartment Complexes:

(1) 

Day Trips and Weekend Getaways:

(1) Tubac

(2) Flagstaff

(3) Phoenix/Scottsdale area

(4) San Diego

(5) Mexico

(6) It’s a hike but in the same state….why not make the trek to The Grand Canyon.