Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated on March 9, 2023.
Before we start dreading the arrival of summer and the 100-degree days that accompany it, let's focus on the cooler days ahead of us.
Here are 10 things to do outside β before it gets too hot. (But most of the places mentioned are open year-round and some even open their doors on summer nights for folks to enjoy the cooler temperatures after sunset.)
Bella Sanders, 8, pets a stingray inside the stingray exhibit at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, on March 30, 2022.
1. Bask in the desert beauty at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road, 520-883-2702
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum may not be a hidden gem, but it's a gem no less.
Check out 1,200 kinds of plants, experience the touch of a stingray, walk through a reptile and amphibian hall and see all kinds of desert animalsΒ β bobcats, a mountain lion, javelinas, prairie dogs, skunks, hummingbirds and more.
If you visit in springtime, you may even spot colorful cactus blooms in the museum's cactus garden.Β
Reid Park Zoo's new Andean Bear Joaquin stares at the camera while walking around his new habitat at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
2. Say hello to the animals at Reid Park Zoo
3400 E. Zoo Court, 520-791-3204
Head to Reid Park Zoo where elephant Penzi, lion Kaya, giraffe Sota, bear Joaquin and more than 200 other animals await your arrival.
Beyond the animals, you can feed the giraffes, ride a carousel and have a bite to eat at the zoo's own cafe.Β
Each letter on this Tucson Together mural painted byΒ Jessica Gonzales represents a local business: (from left to right) Old Tucson Studios, The Fox Theatre, Hotel Congress, Eegee's, the Gateway Saguaro sign, Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery, Ben's Bells and the Rialto Theatre.Β
3. Take a walking tour of the city
196. N Court Ave., 520-622-0594
Tucson has a lot to see and a lot to love. TheΒ Presidio San AgustΓn del Tucson Museum knows that.
Each month, the museumΒ hosts a series of walkingΒ tours around the downtown areaΒ β and they almost always sell out.
Guided walking tours include theΒ Turquoise Trail, where you'll see historic buildings and learn a slice of Tucson history; the Mainly Murals Walking Tour, which shows off some of downtown's murals and discusses the artist behind the piece; the Public Art and Murals Walking Tour,Β which explores public art pieces and murals; and the Barrio Viejo Walking Tour, which takes you through the historic Barrio Viejo neighborhood.
Alternatively, check out our mural gallery to put together a self-guided mural tour of your own!Β
The biannual Made In Tucson market takes place March 19.
4. Get your shopping on
Tucson is home to a number of markets featuring everything from handcrafted items made by local artists to fairs showing off the best collectible and vintage finds.
Here are a handful of markets happening in March:
- Oro Valley Festival of the ArtsΒ β Shop from 120+ local artisans.Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19,Β 12155 N. Oracle Road.
- Las Mujeres VerdesΒ β Typically around 40 vendors. 4-8 p.m. March 25,Β 3538 E. Ellington Place.
- Made In Tucson MarketΒ β Find 300 local makers at this market.Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19,Β East Seventh Street, west of North Fourth Avenue.
- Fourth Avenue Spring Street FairΒ β 300 artists from around theΒ world.Β 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 24-25, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 26, alongΒ Historic Fourth Avenue.
- BICAS Art MartΒ β Find items made by local artists.Β 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 26,Β 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
- Soul Food WednesdayΒ β Shop from 45+ vendors.Β 7-10 p.m. March 29,Β 267 S. Avenida del Convento.
Cumulus clouds are the backdrop to saguaros near the Sendero Esperanza trailhead in Saguaro National Park West.
5. Put on your hiking shoes and head to your nearest trail
What would this list be if we didn't include hiking?
Hiking trails are all overΒ β short trails leading up to the top of "A" Mountain, the steep walk up Tumamoc Hill, plus there'sΒ Enchanted Hills Trails Park,Β Sabino Canyon, Catalina State Park, Saguaro National Park and so many more nearby hiking areas.
While hiking in March is typically significantly cooler than hiking in June, it's still important to hydrate and protect yourself from the sun! Heading out during the cooler morning hours might be best.
Hoyt Phillips, far right, and his husband Neil David βNDβ Seibel, center, listen to Jimmy Bultman, owner of Tucson Bike Tours, talk about a mural on the University of Arizonaβs Michael J. Drake Building during a mural tour throughout downtown Tucson, Fourth Avenue and surrounding areas of the city on Dec. 15, 2021.
6. Hop on a bikeΒ
The Loop is home to more than 130 miles of paved pathways, perfect for bicycling, roller-skating, jogging and horseback riding.
Dust off your bike and head to your closest entrance along The LoopΒ β or explore a section of The Loop you may not be as familiar with. Along the way, check out the dozens of art pieces on the pathways.
If you'd rather hop on a guided bike tour, that's an option, too.
There's FUGA, which hosts monthly bike rides on the south and west sides of Tucson. There's alsoΒ Tucson Bike Tours, whichΒ hosts three different tours centered on history, murals and tacos. Breweries like Button Brew House often host bike rides, too!
Need a bike? Check out Tugo Bike Share!
Volunteers help yank out the nonnative, invasive buffelgrass at Saguaro National Park East.
7. Get outside and volunteer with a community organization
If you're hoping to soak up the sun all while making a difference, volunteering with a local organization is an option to consider.
Tucson is home to an incredible number of programs that work hard to make our community a better place. Below are some outdoorsy volunteering opportunities, but remember: volunteers are likely needed every season of the year!
- Mission GardenΒ β You can be a volunteer gardener and prepare soil, plant seeds, harvest produce and more. (Volunteering aside, Mission Garden is also a fun place to explore!)
- Pima Animal Care CenterΒ β Get the pups out of their kennels and take them for a walk!
- Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and KidsΒ β Tasks include filling waters, feeding animals, mucking horse stalls and raking the grounds
- Buffelgrass pullsΒ β Help remove the invasive buffelgrass at a number of pulling events throughout Tucson. Check out the Desert Museum's website for locations!
This capybara was pictured at Funny Foot Farm in 2018.
8. Pet farm animalsΒ β and aΒ capybara
2405 W. Wetmore Road,Β 520-399-6555
Funny Foot Farm is not your average petting zoo.
At their main location on Wetmore Road, you can pet and feed farm animals like ducks, pigs and goats for only $6. But when their new location opens in the Avra Valley area, you'll be able to book visits with exotic animals like capybaras and kangaroos.
Follow the farm's progress online to see updates on the new location with the exotics.
The outdoor dining area for LaCo and Tallboys in Old Town Artisans, Tucson.
9. Enjoy your favorite foodΒ β on a patio or have a picnic
Tucson is home to countless restaurants with beautiful patios, from the spacious courtyard decorated with twinkling lights at LaCo to the shipping container food hall The Boxyard.Β
Whatever restaurant patio is your go-to, enjoy patio season while it lasts.
Alternatively, pick up food β takeout goodies or picnic ingredientsΒ βΒ from a place like Super Carniceria y Pescaderia El Ranchito,Β Roma Imports or Flora's Market Run. Have a picnic of your own at a nearby park!
The Tucson Botanical Gardens located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way is the perfect location to take a romantic stroll.
10. Experience spring with all the flora you could ask for
To get the real spring experience, now's the time to bask in the plants of local gardens.
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way,Β is home to more than five acres of space, including an area dedicated to butterflies. Until May, you can step into Butterfly Magic and watch as 200 butterflies flutter by.
Also a space for plant lovers is Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, which is home to themed gardens and, of course, the desert's best friendΒ β the saguaro.Β
Both also have restaurants!
