Welcome to Tucson — Arizona’s second-largest city, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and a year-round outdoor playground for all to enjoy! No matter if you want a secluded escape to the Sonoran Desert or a city trip filled with culture, shopping, and epic meals (or a mix of both!) you’ll be sure to find it in Tucson!

Tucson is a bit spread out and there’s a lot of nature right outside the city to explore, so having your own car to get around is vital. There is also the Sun Link Streetcar in the downtown area, taxis & app-based ride-sharing, and Tucson’s TuGo Bike Share for getting around in the more densely packed urban city center!

More than 50 flights take off every day from Tucson International Airport (TUS) & connections to over 300+ cities in the world! You can also arrive via the larger Phoenix Sky Harbor airport and drive the around two hours south to Tucson.

The name Tucson itself comes from the Hohokam words “chuk shon,” roughly translating to ‘at the foot of the black mountain’, referring to dwellings by Native Americans that have called this area home for more than 4,000 years. That makes this one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in North America! The modern city of Tucson unifies its Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo influences and cultures. You step into the history of Tucson all around you during your visit! Start by exploring the remnants of the 1775 Presidio San Augustín del Tucsón — where the city was first “established.” Explore Mission San Xavier del Bac which has seen the region change from New Spain to Mexico to Arizona. Wander the colorful adobes in Barrio Viejo, one of the first neighborhoods in Tucson. In February the rodeo shows off the trades that created the Old West & in November the All Souls Procession unites the cultural traditions of Mexico to memorialize & celebrate lost loved ones. The history of Tucson will be everywhere around you … including in the menus of the local restaurants. What else would you expect from a UNESCO City of Gastronomy!?

Hiking, biking, stargazing, or scenic drives are available to you just as easily as world-class meals & cultural activities when you’re on a Whym in Tucson! Tucson & Southern Arizona have accessible natural landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else. Plus let’s not forget about the 300-plus days of sunshine!

The summers can be sweltering (you’ll be enjoying that hotel pool & AC!) and the winters are cool & dry. Most of the year is clear & sunny in Tucson. Over the course of the year temperatures can range from 42 degrees in the winters and 107 degrees in the summer.

As the only UNESCO World City of Gastronomy in North America, the dining & cocktail culture is something to write home about! Much more than a nod to the spectacular Mexican cuisine, it’s a comprehensive award that encompasses the “region's rich agricultural heritage, thriving food traditions, and culinary distinctiveness.” Be on the lookout for chef’s using native ingredients like tepary beans, chiltepin, and prickly pear in creative ways in dishes. If you try only one thing be sure to get a Sonoran hot dog!

Tucson is well-known for its desert landscape, including the Saguaro cactus, as well as its vibrant Mexican-American culture! Be sure to keep these things in mind when picking out trinkets to remember your trip!

Tucson is an unpretentious city & casual attire is the norm! Some residents lean into the Old West style — think snap button plaid cowboy shirts & cowboy boots! Winter here can be chilly, even dipping into the 30s, and summer is known to be scorching hot so it’s best to plan your packing with the weather and season in mind!

There are more than 350 days of sunshine in Tucson! Residents & visitors alike love to get outside and enjoy it! From golfing to hiking Mount Lemmon to biking The Loop to exploring Saguaro National Park you’ll have lots of chances to enjoy the sun!