Arizona Vacation Source

Tucson, Arizona, has great weather with temperatures hovering over the mid 70s for most of the year. This not only makes the city an awesome place for living but also for extra activities outdoors. Downtown Tucson's rich and eccentric history and cultural heritage make it an excellent place to tour and learn about the west. The infamous gangster John Dillinger once slept at a motel in downtown Tucson and movie companies flock to this city to make western movies on location.Tucson, with its dry weather and beautiful scenery, is the home to such wonderful attractions as the Sonora Desert Museum which displays a host of desert creatures in their natural habitat. It is located about an hour and a half from the Tucson metro area and gives viewers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The Sonora Desert gift shop stocks an excellent array of memorable souvenirs. The Sonora Desert Museum is a great attraction to tourists from all over the world.

Another great attraction in Tucson is the Kitt Peak National Observatory which, because of the year long clear skies, is one of the world's largest observatories. Located approximately 56 miles southwest of Tucson, it sits atop Kitt Peak and has been credited with some of the greatest cosmic observations ever. This observatory is open to the public and continues to draw thousands of visitors each year.

Most people drawn to Tucson also come here because of the rugged terrain located on the outskirts of the city. This terrain is ideal for outdoor hiking and cycling. No such place surpasses Gates Pass which is known for its breathtaking panoramic view of Tucson and its surrounding mountain ranges. To get there one can drive along Speedway Boulevard which winds into the Gates Pass Road. Sunsets here are especially awe inspiring and the area is very popular with cyclists.

A visit to Tucson cannot be complete without a visit to the Catalina State Park located about 12 miles north on Arizona Highway 77, also known as Oracle Road. This park also sees its share of visitors with digital cameras because of its views of the canyons and domes of the Catalina Mountains. The park is also home to exotic birds, snakes and lizards. In addition to the native wildlife, visitors can find the Hohokam village at the Catalina State Park. This is symbolic because the Hohokam Indian tribe is reputed to be the oldest in America and has since become extinct. The Catalina Park is great for outdoor family picnics and camping.

You can find more information about the city of Tucson, including travel tips and more historical facts, at Eclipse Over Tucson.
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