Greyhound Racing
Greyhound dog racing at its best. Races are run Tuesday through Sunday evenings at Tucson Greyhound Park, 2601 S. 3rd Avenue, 884-7576.

Mariachi Music
Mariachi music is performed year-round in some of Tucson's finest Mexican restaurants, including La Fuente and El Mariachi. And, for an extra special treat, visit St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Avenue, every Sunday during the 8;00 AM mass to hear live Mariachi music. Everyone is welcome.

Arizona State Museum
The Arizona State Museum is located on the campus of the University of Arizona. See an extraordinary exhibit, Paths of Life: American Indians of the Southwest at the Arizona State Museum, for an in-depth history of native cultures of the O'odham, Seri, Yaqui, Yavapai, Colorado River Yuman, Hopi, Navajo, Tarahumara, Western Apache, and Southern Paiute peoples. Other permanent exhibits focus on the ancient Hohokam people, Mogollon cliff dwellings, and Mexican masks. Telephone 621-6302, www.arizona.edu.

Trail Dust Town
19th-century Western city-like atmosphere complete with boardwalks, an old-fashioned town square with authentic gas street lamps, shaded park benches, and a gazebo. Good food, art galleries and a wild west stunt show. Ride the Trail Dust Town railroad (a 1863 replica of the C.P. Huntington narrow-gauge train), visit the Wagon & Carriage Museum, and pan for gold at the Ol' Terrible Mine, at 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., south of the Grant Road intersection. Telephone 296-4551.

Mission San Xavier Del Bac
THE WHITE DOVE OF THE DESERT. This unique Spanish mission was founded by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino around the 1700s. The mission is an example of Spanish mission architecture. Mission San Xavier Del Bac is a Catholic Church with Mass performed Tuesday through Sunday. Telephone 294-2624. Located on the Tohono O'odham Indian reservation. Drive south on I-19 to Mission Road.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
A living museum with up-close and personal with bobcats, prairie dogs, coyotes, hawks, Mexican gray wolves, scorpions, rattlesnakes, roadrunners, quail, and more. Complete with bird Aviaries and one of the world's best collection of hummingbirds. Animals, trees and cactus are identified for you or you can learn from museum docents during live-animal demonstrations and seasonal guided tours. Open daily from 7:30 AM - 5 PM (March - September) and 8:30 AM - 5 PM (October - February) Located at 2021 N. Kinney Road. Telephone 883-1380 or 883-2702, www.desertmuseum.org.

Ted De Grazia's Gallery in the Sun
Maybe one of the world's most recognizable artist. Ted De Grazia called Tucson home and you can visit this extraordinary gallery and see the many works by this famous artist. Located at 6300 N. Swan Road, just north of Sunrise Drive. Exhibitions of his early and late works, and a gift shop. Telephone 299-9192.

Columbia University's Biosphere 2
You can be a Biospherian on this guided tour within the once-sealed space experiment of human endurance. Hands-on exhibits allow visitors to explore Biosphere 2 while learning about the environment. The 3-acre greenhouse complex contains a million-gallon ocean and living coral reef, a rain forest, a savannah, marsh, desert, and a farm-replicas of the earth's ecosystems. A new observatory features a 24" telescope similar to the Hubble space telescope and a public viewing area. Biosphere2 Center is a nonprofit research and educational affiliate of Columbia University. Daily tours begin at 8:30 AM with the last one departing at 5:00 PM (restaurant, hotel, conference center, and gift shops). Located on AZ Highway 77 at mile marker 96.5, about 30 miles north of Tucson. There is an admission fee. Telephone 520-896-6200 or visit www.bio2.edu.

St. Augustine Cathedral
Built in 1896 and refurbished in 1967, the cathedral's high interior, tall narrow windows, and sweeping dome of wooden slats are reminiscent of European church architecture. The exterior is a wonderful sight at dawn, dusk, or night. Located at 192 S. Stone Ave. Telephone 623-6351.

Air, Space, & Defense Museums
One of the largest collections of historic aircraft in the US is located at the Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Rd. The Space Gallery offers a historic look at space travel, while several hangars contain memorabilia, airplanes, and many interesting displays. More than 200 aircraft of every description are on display, both inside and outside, from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. There is an admission fee. Telephone 574-0462. While you're there, stop by the Challenger Learning Center housed in the Aerospace Exploratorium. The Center contains a mission briefing room, transportation room, mission control area, and space station. It's a blast!

Titan Missile Museum
Cold War History comes alive at the Titan Missile Museum. You can see the massive 760-ton rollback silo door, visit the launch-control center, and watch demonstrations of monitoring and countdown procedures. In Sahuarita (take the Duval Mine Rd., exit 69 off I-19). Telephone 625-4759.

Nogales, Gateway to Mexico
Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, is a city of more than 300,000 people, and Nogales, Arizona, has more than 21,200. Crossing the border won't cause culture shock, but you certainly will know you're in a foreign country with different customs, different concerns, and a different language. About 65 miles south of Tucson on I-19, Nogales is great for shopping (liquor, leather, jewelry, and clothes in particular) and sightseeing. Always carry proof of citizenship, and if taking a car across the border, check with San Xavier Rama Mexico Insurance (327-1255) for provide information on insurance requirements. Firearms are also not allowed over the border. Telephone the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce at 520-287-3685.

Tucson Old Town Artisans
In the historic Presidio district, at 201 N. court Ave., Old Town Artisans (623-6024) is a haven for those seeking beautiful arts & crafts or a relaxing lunch in a wonderful courtyard at La Cocina and Two Micks Cantina. The historic adobe structure is filled with items ranging from prickly pear pad spoon rests and handmade gargoyles to sun dried flower arrangements, Western wear, and handcrafted jewelry and pottery. Nearby, you'll find Saguaro Artisans, historic homes, El Charro Cafe (the oldest Mexican restaurant in the US), and more. It's great area for shopping and sightseeing.

Saguaro National Park
Long known as Saguaro National Monument, this national park (designated in 1994) bookends Tucson on the east and west. The park continues to protect many of the native plants and animals on its more than 90,000 combined acres. Each location has a loop road for driving (or bicycling). The Westside Park at 2700 N. Kinney Rd. has picnic areas, hiking trails, petroglyphs, and a visitor's center with a bookstore, exhibit area, and theatre. The Eastside Park at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail also has a visitor's center. Exhibit area, and theatre. Special hikes and interpretive programs are offered. Telephone 733-5158 (westside) or 733-5153 (eastside).

Arizona Historical Society
Just east of the Main Gate of the U of A campus, the Arizona State Museum exhibits pottery and artifacts and presents important facts about food gathering, trading, and commerce of prehistoric and modern Native Americans. The museum also has a gift shop. Telephone 621-6302. The nearby Arizona Historical Society, established when Arizona was a territory, features period rooms, the Mining Hall mine shaft replica, photo exhibits, self-guided tours, and hands-on exhibits for all ages. At 949 E. 2nd St. Telephone 628-5774.

Jeep Tours
Get off the highway and take a look at what you've been speeding past. Off-road Jeep tours offer-fascinating glimpses into the natural history of this exotic desert region. Experienced drivers can fill you in on all the details about flora and fauna. A visit to historic and prehistoric sites may include a close-up look at Native American petroglyphs or a trip to a ghost town. Some companies will even tailor trips for your group. Telephone Sunshine Jeep Tours (742-1943), Southwest Off-road Tours (579-9330), or High Desert Adventures in Benson (520-586-9309).

Tohono Chul Park
Created to promote the conservation of arid regions, this 49-acre park offers a lovely retreat. It includes wheelchair-accessible nature trails, arts and culture exhibits, demonstration gardens, a greenhouse, a children's garden, a tearoom, and a cool spot near a re-circulating stream. Special events scheduled year-round. At 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, one stoplight west of Oracle Rd. on Ina Rd. $2 donation requested. Telephone 575-8468 or 742-6455.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Enjoy narrated tours through the place where mammoths roamed, ancient Hohokam people made irrigation dams, pony soldiers found swimming holes, and the Civilian Conservation Corps built bridges and cut hiking trails. A tram runs daily to the trailhead of a lovely 5.5-mile hike to Seven Falls and offers evening shuttles around full-moon time. A round-trip trail from the lower potion takes you up to cool, clear pools. Swim, laze, or play lizard on the rocks. Be sure to visit the newly expanded visitor's center. Located north on Sabino Canyon Rd. (749-2861). Fee for tram.

Gates Pass in the Tucson Mountains
A winding uphill drive west on Speedway Blvd. (which becomes Gates Pass Rd.) brings you, at its apex, to Gates pass-and a panoramic view of Tucson to the east and Tucson Mountain Park to the west. It's perfect setting for inspiring sunrises, midday contemplation, and romantic sunsets.

Golf
Visitors to Tucson spend more time and money on golf than on any other form of recreation. And no wonder-Tucson and Southern Tucson has a wealth of fine courses.

Old Tucson Movie Studios
One of the most visited attractions in Arizona (after the Grand Canyon), Old Tucson Studios is a family theme park and movie location with daily staged gunfights. First built in 1939, the Old west town has been built up from the more than 300 movies and television shows filmed there-including Kurt Russell's Tombstone and John Wayne's Rio Lobo. Although hit by a major fire in 1995, the studio has been rebuilt and features gunfights, saloon shows, musicals, Native American storytelling, games, and rides. Be sure to visit the Town Hall Museum. Open daily 10 AM - 6 PM. Closed come Mondays. Telephone 883-0100.

Arizona Islands in the Sky
In the Santa Catalina Mountains, 9,157-ft. Mt. Lemmon is an instructor's manual in vertical life zones. The winding Catalina Hwy takes you from the saguaro-studded desert floor to a forest of pines, aspens, and firs. A lake at Rose Canyon and a quaint little village near the top names Summerhaven make great rest stops. A road fee is charged. Call ahead for road conditions and closures (749-8700). At 4,687 ft., Wasson Peak in the Tucson Mountains affords a spectacular view of the Tucson Basin and, on clear days, miles beyond. The highest peak in the Santa Rita mountain range, Mt. Wrightson at 9,453 ft., has numerous trails of varying difficulty. Drive to Madera Canyon and look for the signs. And finally Mt. Graham, a sacred site for Apaches, is a 10,713 ft. peak in the in the Pinaleno Mountains, about 80 miles northeast of Tucson near Safford. Check weather and check in with park rangers before hiking on cold days or during hot, dry weather-and always take water.

Birdwatching
Southern Arizona has been internationally recognized as one of the 5 best bird watching areas in the US, in terms of both species and climate. IN Madera Canyon you might see elegant trogons (a parrot like bird). Ramsey Canyon near Sierra Vista is a hummingbird-watcher's heaven. Other popular places for flighted friends include Sabino Canyon, Tohono Chul Park, Agua Caliente Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Nature Conservancy preserve near Patagonia, and Reid Park. The Tucson Audubon Society, at 300 E. University Blvd., maintains a 24-hour recording of bird sightings (798-1005) and a fascinating gift shop with books, feeders, art objects, jewelry, T-shirts, and more. The Southern Arizona Bird Observatory maintains an informative web site at www.sabo.org. Caves & Caverns - Cave explorers of all ages and abilities can have a field day in Arizona. The newly opened Kartchner Caverns State Park near Benson has been described as an underground nature preserve. Providing spectacular sights in two football-field-sized rooms, this living cave also features a 52-ft. tall stone column dubbed Kubla Khan. Reservations are recommended (520-586-CAVE). Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 20 miles east of Tucson on Old Spanish Trail (647-7275), is a local favorite. Coronado Cave, near the Mexican border and part of the Coronado National Memorial (520-366-5515), is more primitive cave, but worth the effort to enjoy the cool temperature and calcite formations.

Tucson Botanical Gardens
A desert oasis in the midtown area, the Tucson Botanical Gardens has demonstration gardens, tours, lectures, classes, a gift shop, and exhibits of arid, semitropical, and tropical plants-all displayed in intimate garden settings around an abode home. Plant sales and other events are held throughout the year. At 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Telephone 326-9255. For a different selection of desert plants year-round, check out B&B Cactus Farm, 11550 E. Speedway Blvd., 721-4687, or Tanque Verde Green house, 10810 E. Tanque Verde Rd., 749-4414.

The Reid Park Zoo
If you see a young giraffe learning to run across an open field, polar bears taking a plunge, and ostriches, cranes, and other birds sharing an African grassland with antelope, you must be at Reid Park Zoo. The zoo has carefully created natural habitats and multi-species exhibits-a pleasant setting for animals and visitors alike. The South American exhibit has jaguars, spectacled bears, and capybara. Don't miss the aviary dubbed the Flight Connection. In Reid Park off 22nd St., between Randolph Way and Country Club Rd. Open 7 days a week from 9 AM to 4 PM. Telephone 791-3204.

Guided Bus Tours
Here's a great way to get quick orientation to the city-riding one of Tucson's tour buses. Atypical day tour will visit "A" Mountain, the downtown historic district, the U of A campus, the Arizona Historical Society Museum, De Grazia's Gallery in the Sun, Old Town Artisans, and Mission San Xavier del Bac. Telephone Old Pueblo Tours (795-7448) or Great Western Tours (572-1600) for more information.

Historic Presidios of Tubac & Tumacacori
Situated 45 miles south of Tucson off I-19, Tubac was once the site of a Spanish presidio. Today it's the town "where art and history meet," offering prints, pottery, jewelry, batiks, paintings, restaurants, lodging, golf, and more. History buffs will enjoy a tour of the historic Tubac Presidio State Park and Museum. Or hike down the 4.5-mile Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail to Tumacacori National Historic Park to see a Franciscan mission built in 1799 and a garden like the one grown by the padres 200 years ago. Telephone the Tubac Chamber of commerce at 520-398-2704 or visit www.tubacaz.com

International Wildlife Museum
Have you ever touched a wildebeest's hide? Come face to face with more than 400 species of mammals, birds, and insects from around the world? All acquisitions come from pre-existing collections, state and federal wildlife departments, private donations, or unsuccessful wildlife rehabilitation efforts. You'll find a display of pre-historic mammals, interactive displays, a restaurant, theatre, and international gift bazaar. Open Mon.-Fri. 9 AM- 5 PM and Sat.-Sun. 9 AM- 6 PM. At 4800 W. Gates Pass Road. Telephone 617-1439.

Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains
About 40 miles south of Tucson, the Santa Rita Mountains are home to Madera Canyon, one of the prettiest spots around. There are trails for hikers, tables for picnickers, a clear stream, and a variety of trees for all. In the cooler months you should take a coat or a jacket. Take I-19 south of Tucson to the clearly marked turnoff near Continental, just south of Green Valley.