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EAST TUCSON. A 55-acre sanctuary situated right in the city – it's not only a haven for wildlife, it's a peaceful retreat for people, too. A mile-long loop trail passes all manner of desert plant life – mesquite, desert hackberry, fishhook barrel cactus and catclaw acacia to name a few – which harbor a wide variety of birds and other critters like cottontails and gila monsters. If you're planning to stroll through around midday, pack a lunch. The Desert Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden is an especially entertaining spot for a picnic.
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Breakers
8555 Tangerine Rd, Marana, AZ 85653 · 520-682-2304
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MARANA. One of Tucson's two water parks, Breakers boasts Arizona's largest wave pool, plus five super slides, two tube slides and an entire section set aside especially for little kids. When it's time for a break, huge shade umbrellas and covered ramadas protect guests from the blazing desert sun, and the snack bars offer cold drinks, pizza and other kid-friendly food. No outside food or drink is permitted.
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WEST TUCSON. The setting for many favorite Western movies (including Tombstone, Gunfight at the OK Corral, The Three Amigos, and countless John Wayne flicks), the Old Tucson Movie Studio had become something of a cinematic legend. Though a fire destroyed the studio in 1995, it has been carefully restored. Guests are treated to great views of the Tucson Mountains and the Sonoran Dessert. Attractions have been expanded to include pony rides, carnival games, stagecoach tours, exhibits and an Opera House featuring live performances. Shopping and dining are plentiful at this unique attraction that offers a nostalgic glimpse of the Old West.
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SOUTHEAST ARIZONA. In 1966, the fledgling Nature Conservancy bought its first Arizona property, the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. It's one of the few places in the state where older growth forest persists, helped by the remaining cienegas, or desert wetlands. Along with the abundance of plant life, the preserve shelters a huge variety of more mobile wildlife. Some 300 species of birds have been catalogued here throughout the year, not to mention javelinas, coatimundis, coyotes, desert tortoises, mountain lions, bobcats, white-tailed deer, toads, frogs and rattlesnakes. The best way to appreciate the preserve is via a guided walk, offered every Saturday morning at 9am.
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Reid Park Zoo
1100 S Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ 85716 · 520-791-4022
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EAST TUCSON. This well-planned, 17-acre zoo features all of your zoo favorites, including polar bears, jaguars, ostriches and much more. The Aviary exhibit, with its array of birds, is a popular destination, as is the South American exhibit. With more than 500 rare animals, the zoo is active in helping endangered species such as Siberian tigers and ruffed lemurs.
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FOOTHILLS. Tohono Chul Park is a wildlife refuge within the metropolitan area of Tucson. Covering 48 acres, the park is designed to educate visitors about this desert area via demonstration gardens, greenhouse and the unique geology wall. Visitors enjoy the pleasant tea room, the greenhouse shop and the small but informative museum.
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Tombstone
105 S 4th St, Tombstone Chamber of Commerce, Tombstone, AZ 85638 · 520-457-9317
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SOUTHEAST ARIZONA. Tombstone is located about 70 miles southeast of Tucson, perfect for a day trip. Some of the biggest legends of the Old West originated right here – Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, the gunfight at the OK Corral. Today's Tombstone is touristy, to be sure, but with the help of the National Park Service the town is trying to retain some of its National Historic District designation, so new tourist traps are thankfully a thing of the past. Visitors will find a handful of snack shops and restaurants, a few small hotels and B&Bs, and horseback, stagecoach and wagon tours among the services; gunfight shows, monuments, a city park, a couple of intriguing museums, and various historic buildings comprise the sites. Tombstone is a must-visit for any fan of the Old West!
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NORTHEAST. Way back in the 1950s, a Glenn Ford movie was shot on location in Tucson, and the various buildings left behind were converted into Trail Dust Town. Although the original burned down in 1970, the complex was rebuilt and thrives today as a fun commercial center with the Pinnacle Peak steakhouse, a museum, shops and attractions. Although most shops open around noon, things don't really get hopping until evening. That's when the miniature train and carousel start their nightly rounds, the Museum of the Horse Soldier opens up, and the wild west shows get underway. A fun time for the whole family!
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NORTHEAST. Set in the heart of the city, the Tucson Botanical Gardens offers plenty of winding pathways taking visitors past floral exhibits, greenhouses, classrooms for instruction, and a superb exhibit on xeriscaping, a concept of planning yards and gardens using minimal water in the desert climate. Don't miss the iris garden, the herb garden, the unique tropical exhibit or the well-stocked gift shop. NOTE: BUTTERFLY MAGIC IS CLOSED UNTIL OCTOBER 2007.
You want only quality attractions and activities to occupy your leisure hours. To that end, we've researched a diverse list of options, ruled out the wastes of time, and delivered only the 10Best. We provide detailed information about historical sites, theme parks, sporting events, and city sights that you won't want to miss. Peruse our lists, see what grabs your fancy, and then head out for some personal time!
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