How to Spend 2 Days in Tucson, AZ (Weekend Itinerary + Map)

If you’re searching for a warm escape (or blisteringly hot depending on when you’re searching!), Tucson, Arizona is a great choice! This guide covers everything to do on a weekend in Tucson, including a map to help you make the most of your time there!

Known for having 350 days of sun each year, Tucson is a dream and you will find many things to do in Tucson during any season, regardless of the sweltering, summer heat!

In Tucson, you can check out the city’s art, Southwestern heritage, and the Sonoran Desert. Don’t forget to visit some of the restaurants to try out the delicious cuisine (it has some of the nation’s best)!

In this guide, I cover everything to do with 2 days in Tucson, including some extra information if you plan to stay longer or book your trip over a 3-day weekend. Let me know if you have any questions at the end!

How to Use this Tucson Itinerary (+ Map!)

This Tucson itinerary has been constructed to maximize your time in the Arizona city! It has been broken down into two days with an optimal way to see the main highlights of the city in those two days.

At the end of the itinerary, I also give a few additional options in case you have 3 days in Tucson (or more)! These activities and things to do are perfect for a long weekend getaway there.

I also recommended renting a car in Tucson. It really makes seeing some of these sights (like Saguaro National Park) much easier and you can do it at your leisure. I have put all activities and things to do in Tucson on a map to help you plan your trip with ease.

Best Time to Visit Tucson 

The months from September to October and April to May are the best time of the year to visit Tucson. Along with the good weather conditions, these seasons also still have affordable room rates at hotels. Keep in mind that the summer months usually have good discounts as well (but the weather is extremely hot then).

Tucson is situated at a higher altitude than Phoenix, and so has a bit of a cooler climate, but it’s still a desert. Expect mainly dry, hot summers and mild winters. The typical temperature range here is from 42F to 102F and only seldom goes below 33F or above 107F.

How to Get to Tucson 

Tucson has an international airport (TUS) that conducts more than 50 flights per day from many major US cities. If you’re not considering traveling via plane, note that there are at least two other options – train/bus service and car.

Sunset Limited is the southernmost train route of Amtrak, which runs three days a week and goes through New Orleans, San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. You can also arrange your travel via a bus service (Greyhound).

Lastly, if you head to Tucson via car, the major highways are the east-west I-10 or the north-south I-19, running across the state of Arizona.

How to Get Around in Tucson

The public transportation system in Tucson and the surrounding areas is made up of the Sun Tran bus system, including Sun Express, Sun Link, Sun Van, Sun On Demand, and Sun Shuttle.

The Sun Tran bus system in Tucson has over 40 routes, including 13 express services, running across the city and its surroundings. Their official website provides details on schedules and maps. 

Where to Stay in Tucson

If you are looking for accommodation for your Tucson trip, the following places are my top recommendations:

1. Lodge On The Desert (outdoor heated pool + on-site restaurant)
2. The Blenman Inn (outdoor pool and beautiful gardens)
3. Graduate Tucson (design hotel near Arizona Stadium)

Tucson Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Overview

• Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
• Stroll around Barrio Viejo
• Check out Tucson’s murals
• Eat dinner at the El Charro Cafe
• Head to Kitt Peak National Observatory

Day 2 Overview

• Go for a hike at Saguaro National Park
• Take a half-day tour of Mt. Lemmon
• Visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission
• Check out the Prima Air and Space Museum
• Grab a beer at the 1912 Brewing Company
• Do a mezcal tasting

Day 1 in Tucson

Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a unique and interesting museum that was established in 1952. It is one of the most visited places in southern Arizona. 

The museum is home to about two miles of walking paths and a desert landscape where museum exhibits and experiences take place.

Here you’ll see the Sonoran Desert-specific gardens, visit the Earth Sciences Center featuring the region’s geology, explore the mineral collections, and see exhibitions about ancient Arizona.

A good way to explore is by taking the Desert Loop Trail, which provides an opportunity to see some of the region’s wildlife in its natural habitat. 

The museum is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm (October to May) and 7:30am to 4pm (June to September). There are also cool summer nights during the summer months. The general admission rate is $29.95 for adults, but there are discounts and other offers available. 

Explore Barrio Viejo

Any history enthusiast visiting Tucson should devote some time to checking out Barrio Viejo – the city’s old neighborhood. It features 19th-century homes and buildings and holds quite a notable heritage.

This location was home to a culturally varied group of working-class people from almost all continents of the world. At the time, the Southern Pacific Railroad was being constructed, and it employed a large number of people. As a result, Tucson was transformed from a dusty town to a prospering Southwestern city.

When visiting this historic area, be ready to take a lot of pictures of the stunning architectural structures that tell the story of old Tucson. 

Check Out the Tucson Murals ​

Tucson is rich with colorful murals. You’re very likely to spot many just strolling through the city!

One that instantly grabs your attention is illustrated on a wall of Tucson Dental Studio, done by ​​muralist and tattoo artist Jonny Bubonik. It features vivid colors and depicts very Tucson-specific graphics. 

Another notable one is How Sweet It Was, where artist YuYu Shiratori conveys the idea of being open to the changes that the future has for us while being attentive to the environment and people around us.

Also, one that has an immense wow factor is the Himmel Park mural – created by Joe Pagac, in honor of the Himmel Park Library. The murals of Tucson really are interesting pieces of art, so make sure to check out at least a couple during your time in Tucson. They also make for a vibrant photoshoot background!

Enjoy Carne Seca in El Charro Café

El Charro Café is the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant that has been operated by the same family since 1922. From enchiladas to tamales to mini chimis, El Charro Café serves a wide range of Northern Mexican and Tucson-style Mexican dishes.

Something not to miss here is the carne seca platter, which is their specialty and a true Tucson classic.

Spend Time at the Kitt Peak National Observatory

The Kitt Peak National Observatory is a great spot to visit for adults and kids both. You can take a daytime tour of the facilities or visit after dark to see the stars.

The observatory’s mission is to raise awareness among the public about basic astronomy, its current research areas, and other scientific processes. The place prides itself on holding the most diverse collection of research telescopes and offers daytime, nighttime, and overnight tour options.

During the daytime, you can take either a self-guided tour, where you can see the inside of the observatory, or take a guided tour, where you can check out one of the telescopes of Kitt Peak.

In addition to everything astronomy-related, they also have a gift shop with beautiful souvenirs and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Learn more on their website here.

Day 2 in Tucson

Spend the Morning at Saguaro National Park

The saguaro cactus is a famous symbol of the American Southwest. Saguaro National Park, in addition to being home to the nation’s largest cacti, has a variety of distinct plants that are unique to a tiny portion of the US. And it is a MUST visit when you’re in Tucson.

Well-known hiking trails here are Freeman Homestead Trail, Loma Verde Loop, and Wild Dog Trail – all featuring desert landscapes with majestic plants.

If you’re looking for a unique adventure, consider going deep into the rugged wilderness by backcountry hiking or camping (but I would consider additional days in Tucson before you spend extra time doing this).

Saguaro National Park is also a perfect sunset location, especially the Tanque Verde Ridge trail (east side) or Gates Pass (west side). Be sure to bring plenty of water with you as the temperatures are scorching during the summer months.

Go Climbing or Canyoneering at Mt. Lemmon

If you want to get out of the city for a day and have already explored Saguaro National Park (or the park is too warm), consider heading up to Mt. Lemmon and doing a climbing or canyoneering excursion. 

This adventure, which takes around 4-5 hours, is accompanied by skilled guides and top-of-the-line climbing gear (which they will provide). The tour is suitable for any skill level and includes climbing a rock wall or rappelling down a waterfall in the highlands west of Tucson.

This is one of the best things to do in the summer when the weather is hard to embrace in other parts of the city or outskirts!

Visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission

The San Xavier del Bac Mission, a Spanish Catholic mission, is the oldest European building in Arizona. It was founded to serve the local community and has done so to this day.

An extraordinary example of Spanish colonial architecture, the mission hosts around 200,000 visitors each year and is a well-known pilgrimage site. 

Everyone is welcome to attend Mass here, but holding special events such as weddings and baptisms are reserved for the local community only. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit as it is photogenic and will allow you to see an era of Tucson history.

Explore the Pima Air and Space Museum

The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government-funded aviation and space museums in the world. It was founded in 1976 but is still growing its collection to this day and features around 400 historic aircrafts and six indoor exhibit hangars, three of which are dedicated to WWII only.

While here, make sure you visit the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame – housed in the Dorothy Finley Space Gallery. It gives museum-goers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about famous Arizona aviators. 

The one-day ticket price to the museum for adults is $22.50 and a two-day ticket is $29. Please note that advance tickets are not available so you will need to buy on-site upon arrival. The museum is open from 9am until 5pm daily (the last entrance is at 3pm).

Have a Drink at the 1912 Brewing Company

The 1912 Brewing Company was founded almost 20 years ago and has been a success ever since. Their offerings are local beers and wines, which can be enjoyed in their conveniently located taproom and copper bar.

There are 20 beers on tap, wine on tap, cider, mead, and snacks like chips and salsa, popcorn, and locally-made tamales. 1912 Brewing Company is open Thursday to Saturday (1pm until 8pm) and Sunday (1pm until 6pm). They are closed Monday through Wednesday.

Do an Evening Mezcal Tasting

While in Tucson, you should try a few varieties of mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from maguey. If you’re not familiar with mezcal, you will inevitably know tequila, which is a type of mezcal!

On your trip, you can check out a few different places for a mezcal tasting. One of those places, ​​El Crisol, is a mezcal bar featuring around 133 labels and hosts a mezcal tasting each Thursday at 7 pm. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday (5pm until 11pm).

Another great place to try is Penca, which is a restaurant and a bar with everything Mexican, also including over 30 mezcals. They’re open Wednesday to Saturday from 4:30pm until 9:30pm and on Sunday from 4:30pm until 9pm.

Do you have more than 2 days in Tucson?

If you have 3 days in Tucson (or more), these are some additional things to do and activities I recommend to maximize the rest of your trip!

Explore the Sonoran Desert 

A great way to experience and learn more about the beautiful Sonoran Desert is to take a guided tour of it. On this excursion, you’ll go through Gates Pass and get acquainted with the rich culture of the area with the help of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

You will also make a stop at a beautiful spot inside Saguaro National Park and at Tohono Chul Park, where you can enjoy lunch prepared with plants from the desert. 

Peruse the Tucson Botanical Garden

With a mission to connect people to not only nature but also art, science, history, and culture, the Tucson Botanical Garden is a tranquil gem in the heart of Tucson. October to April offer more comfortable temperatures than the summer months, making it the perfect time to visit!

The flora and fauna here are very diverse – you’ll see hummingbirds, quail, cardinals, butterflies, olive trees, dwarf citrus trees, cacti, and much more. There are also on-site dining spots like Edna’s Eatery, where you can rest and have a delicious meal.

In addition, the garden offers several certificate programs and classes on topics like gardening, wellness, art, nature, and ecology. The adult ticket price for daily admission to Tucson Botanical Garden is $19 for adults, $15 for students/military/seniors over 62, and $10 for children ages 4-12

The Tucson Botanical Garden is open daily from 8:30am until 4:30pm with special hours for Butterfly Magic and the Great Garden Express. 

Did I miss any places that are a must for a Tucson itinerary? Let me know how to spend the perfect weekend in Tucson in the comments. Thanks!

More Arizona and Tucson Travel Guides

• Things to do in Tucson
• Day trips from Tucson
• Hiking in Saguaro National Park
• Day trips from Phoenix
• Weekend trips from Phoenix
• Things to do in Prescott
• Things to do in Sedona
• Best day trips from Sedona

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Megan Starr

Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.