Located on the site of the historic Porter property, Reader’s Digest named Tucson Botanical Gardens as the BEST Secret Garden in America. Among mature trees and expertly cultivated foliage, specialty gardens such as the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden and Herb Garden highlight the diversity of native plants while offering a lush oasis in the heart of Tucson. Tropical butterflies from around the world are featured in the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion Oct.–May. Experience year-round tours, community events, classes, and art exhibits, as well as the creative, seasonal menu of Café Botanica. Now celebrating 40 years of living beauty, The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a unique gem not to be missed.

 

Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun. Sharing the mountaintop site with the National Solar Observatory, KPNO, founded in 1958, operates three major nighttime telescopes and hosts the facilities of consortia which operate 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes. (See the Tenant Observatories list.) Kitt Peak is located 56 miles southwest of Tucson, AZ, in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O’odham Nation and has a Visitor Center open daily to the public however it is temporarily closed.

 

Tombstone is a historic city in Cochise County, Arizona founded in 1877 by a prospector in what was then Pima County, Arizona Territory. It became one of the last boomtowns in the American frontier. The town grew significantly into the mid-1880s as the local mines produced $40 to $85 million in silver bullion, the largest productive silver district in Arizona. Its population grew from 100 to around 14,000 in less than seven years. It is best known as the site of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and presently draws most of its revenue from tourism.

Under the surface in the mining town were tensions that grew into deadly conflict. The mining capitalists and the townspeople were largely Republicans from the Northern states. Many of the ranchers (some of whom were also rustlers or other criminal varieties) were Confederate sympathizers and Democrats. The booming city was only 30 miles (48 km) from the U.S.–Mexico border and was an open market for cattle stolen from ranches in Sonora, Mexico, by a loosely organized band of outlaws known as The Cowboys. The Earp brothers as well as Doc Holliday, arrived in December 1879 and mid-1880. The Earps had ongoing conflicts with the Cowboys. The Cowboys repeatedly threatened the Earps over many months until the conflict escalated into a shootout on October 26, 1881, the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. In 1994, Saguaro National Park was designated to help protect this species and its habitat.  Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.  The saguaro is a tree-like cactus species that can grow to be over 12 meters tall.  It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California.  The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona.  The cactus proliferates over 4000 feet in elevation.

Saguaros have a relatively long lifespan, often exceeding 150 years.  They may grow their first side arm around 75-100 years of age, but some never grow any arms.  Arms are developed to increase the plant’s reproductive capacity.

A saguaro can absorb and store considerable amounts of rain water, visibly expanding in the process, while slowly using the stored as needed during times of drought.

A visit to Saguaro National Park is well worth the time to see these iconic plants of the West

The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is Tucson’s best stargazing destination and home to the largest dedicated public telescopes in the United States. Stargazing programs are offered nightly, year round. Come stand with us on the shores of the cosmic ocean and stare into the vastness of space. Most of humanity never have the opportunity to see the Universe as clearly as visitors do through our Schulman and Phillips telescopes. The rings of Saturn, nebulae and spiral galaxies are all encountered as part of the tour. Guests also enjoy a light dinner, a beautiful sunset from 9,157 ft, and the use of binoculars throughout the evening. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased at SkyCenter.arizona.edu. This five hour experience is typically appropriate for participants older than 7 years of age. $75 for adults and $50 for youths younger than 18 years old. For many this is a life-transformative experience.

Tumamoc Hill, Tucson          https://youtube:lg9ya-5LRe8

Recently, the city of Tucson was recognized as one of ten cities in the United States that might actually benefit from the Caronavirus Pandemic because of its livability, open spaces, climate, and ability to handle growth.  People and companies who may move to Tucson to escape large cities will be the newest in a long line of human dwellers in the area. Tumamoc Hill is a great example of what makes Tucson so special and so inviting for people who may be looking to move to the Tucson area.

Tumamoc Hill is a living laboratory of both the desert and human history in this area on the edge of downtown and has been a place of continual research since 1903.  Tumamoc and the surrounding area along the Santa Cruz River is remarkable in that it is the longest continually inhabited site in the United States.  Radiocarbon dating shows that there was maize cultivation over 4,000 years ago.  About 2500 years ago a settlement was built on the hill and farming at the base of the hill supported Hohokam settlements.  In the 18^th century, the Spanish established Mission San Augustin del Tucson near the base of the hill.

Tumamoc Hill has reopened as of May 25^th and is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.