Tucson is such a great city! We hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to explore it while you're here. Whether you add a day in Tucson itself, or spend some time in Phoenix or other places in State 48, here are some ideas and recommendations.

Things to Do:

• Catalina State Park (beautiful hiking)
• Sabino Canyon (a very popular hike!)
• Mt. Lemmon (killer elevation, but you can hike or drive the mountain)
• Saguaro National Park (there's two halves - East and West - and on the East side, which is close to our wedding venue, there's a scenic loop you can drive we highly recommend!)
• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a fun place to spend a few hours and learn more about the local ecosystem (especially great for kids).
• The University of Arizona is located in Tucson, and there are some interesting museums around campus.
• Golf courses, spas, and art galleries are all around, too.



Where to Eat/Drink/Etc.:

• For coffee, Cartel Roasting Co. is our favorite local chain.
• Beyond Bread has amazing sandwiches.
• Tumerico has great vegan tacos!
• Barrio Brewing Co. has awesome beer and decent food.
• Congress Street in Downtown Tucson has a bunch of bars, restaurants, and shops. It's a small area, but you can't go wrong!



Further Afield:

• Chiricahua National Monument is about a two hour drive southwest of Tucson, but it is one of our absolute favorite things we have done in Arizona. There's an ~8 mile looped hike, with shorter options available, that is simply stunning. The elevation is sneakily high, though (it's a so-called sky island!), so make sure to bring extra water if you're planning a visit.
• Tombstone, Arizona, the "town too tough to die," is a Wild West town about an hour and a half south of Tucson. It's a great place to shop, watch a reenactment of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, visit the famous and seedy Birdcage Theater, and eat at a saloon. While it sometimes feels a little touristy (reenactors dressed in period clothes are often positioned along the pedestrian-only dirt street), the history of the town is authentic.
• Bisbee, Arizona is an old mining town even closer to the border. For something a little more hipster than Tombstone, you may be interested in this town's history and art scene.
• Arizona Wine Country is around this area, too - if you want to visit a vineyard or do a wine tasting, check out Sonoita or Willcox.

If you're looking to kill some time in Phoenix, here are some ideas:

• Scottsdale, Arizona is just outside of Phoenix, and has tons of restaurants, shops, bars, and more. If you have a couple hours to kill before a flight, stopping in Old Town for a snack or a souvenir is a great idea. Blue Clover Distillery has delicious cocktails, and Farm & Craft is great for a quick bite to eat.
• The Musical Instrument Museum has a world-class collection of both famous and traditional instruments. If music is your thing, this is definitely worth a stop!
• The Desert Botanical Garden is one of our favorite places in the city to stroll around. There's also a nice cafe on site.
• Phoenix also has tons of nice breweries and restaurants. We love the OHSO Brewing Co., Wilderness Brewing Co., and Pedal Haus for beers and bites. For more substantial food, check out Verdura, True Food, or Wildflower.
• If you have a half day or more, there are amazing hikes right near the city. The McDowell Sonoran Mountain Preserve is our favorite (moderate hiking close to the city with beautiful cactuses and mountain views). For a challenge, check out the Superstition Mountains (stunning, but difficult, hiking).

You may be in town just for our wedding, which is great (and we're grateful!). But if you are making a trip of it, don't forget the bigger-ticket places like the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, the slot canyons in and around Page, AZ, and the many other national monuments and state parks around the state. Let us know if you need tips or advice on travel plans!