The second-largest city in Arizona, Phoenix being the first, Tucson is dotted with green landscapes, beautiful architecture, desert flora and fauna, and an amazing collection of Mexican diners. Pay a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum that is known for its massive displays including botanical gardens, art galleries, zoos, and aquariums. If you are feeling rather pumped up, hike up the Sabino Canyon and enjoy the astonishing views. For something unique, explore the Pima Air & Space Musuem, one of the world’s largest air and space museums.

If you are here to explore this beautiful town, take some time out to explore the below mentioned weekend destinations from Tucson to make it even more fun-filled and adventurous:

Phoenix

Phoenix’s warm, dry temperature allures visitors from all around the world, especially sun-lovers and those wanting to escape snow-cold months. The fascinating city offers boundless arts and cultural hotspots and historic districts, as well as numerous shopping and dining avenues. Several visitors come here just to enjoy the wonderful outdoors. Golfing is one of the top activities to enjoy in Phoenix, however, you’ll also get ample opportunities for hiking, camping, biking, and climbing. Some famous places to visit in the city include the Musical Instrument Museum which is known to be one of the largest such museums in the world, the Desert Botanical Garden located within Papago Park, and the remarkable Heard Museum dating back to 1929. Also explore the best weekend getaways from Phoenix.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the city is between November to April.

How to Reach: There is a direct bus from Tucson to Phoenix that operates daily and takes under three hours and between $20 to $30 for the journey.

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Scottsdale

One of the most famous attractions in Scottsdale, a quaint town within a short distance of Phoenix and Mesa, Taliesin West was the winter home of the celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is now used as a school of architecture that still houses the legend’s heritage. Stroll through Old Town Scottsdale to discover the history and arts heritage of the town. Also, if you are a nature lover, explore the trails in the McDowell Sonoran Desert Preserve and the Botanical Gardens to learn about the flora and fauna of the desert.

Best Time to Visit: The most recommended time to visit Scottsdale is between late September to November and March to early May.

How to reach: To get to Scottsdale, take buses 2042, 2040, 2047, or 2050 and get down at Tempe. From here, transfer to Rural Rd & Terrace Rd and take the bus 72 to reach your destination. The entire route will take slightly over two and a half hours.

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Grand Canyon

One of America’s most iconic attractions, the Grand Canyon is a truly awe-inspiring natural feature that has been attracting hundreds and thousands of visitors for years from all over the world. There are two rims, north and south, that can be accessed via two opposite sides, but the south is more popular since it is open throughout the year as opposed to the north which is closed during the winter months. Apart from the Skywalk at Eagle Point, which is situated at the West Rim, the most famous attractions in the Grand Canyon are located on the South Rim. The visitor center and Mather Point Overlook, the Rim Trail, and the Hermit Road Drive are some of the noteworthy sights here.

Best Time to Visit: March to May and September to November are the most popular months to visit Grand Canyon.

How to Reach: Driving to Grand Canyon National Park from Tucson is by far the most convenient and fastest option as it only takes around five and a half hours and costs $34 $49 in fuel. However, if you couldn’t drive, the second-best option is to take a bus to Flagstaff Station and transfer over to Flagstaff Amtrak to take another bus to Maswik Lodge. From here, the National Park is only a 15 mins walk.

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Sedona

Surrounded by stunning red rock mountains, bluffs, and canyons, Sedona is one of the most beautiful destinations in Arizona. The landscape here is nothing less than exquisite, with implausible views from every street corner and hiking path. Cathedral Rock is the most photo’d attraction in the area and one of the city’s most imposing spots. The most definitive view of the Rock is from Red Rock Crossing Park. Some other places of interest here include Uptown Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, and Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Best Time to Visit: The most recommended time to visit Sedona is between March to May as the climate is pleasant and the area is in full bloom. Hikers, especially, prefer this season, as desert flowers add a vibrance of color to the otherwise rust-colored trails.

How to Reach: The quickest mode of transportation, which may not be so comfortable if you aren’t used to driving long routes, is in a self-driven car. The ride takes around four hours and osts between $23 to $33.

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Tombstone

This popular Wild West town is the granddad of western legends, where personalities of the Old West have been eternalized in stories, and in a certain situation, reincarnated here on the sandy streets of Tombstone. Located in the southeastern crook of Arizona, the eclectic town has conserved and renovated many of the original structures and offered them to tourists as museums, restaurants, and stores. OK Corral is the most prominent attraction in Tombstone. This is where the infamous shoot-out of 1881 among the Earp and Clanton gangs took place, a historic event in the Old West. Allen Street, the main street running across town, is where you will inevitably find yourself because this is where most of the important attractions can be found – restaurants, shops, and renowned old saloons.

Best Time to Visit: Mid and late fall is the best time to explore southeast Arizona.

How to Reach: The fastest, easiest, and the most cost-effective way to get to Tombstone from Tucson is in a car. The drive only takes about an hour and a half and costs $7 to $10 in fuel.

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The “City of Sunshine”, Tucson offers a great mix of cultural and natural sites to keep you occupied and entertained throughout your trip. However, what attracts most visitors is its warm, pleasant weather as well as its proximity to some of the best attractions in America. Whether it’s the historic town of Tombstone, the marvelous Grand Canyon National Park, or the fascination city pf Phoenix, there is literally tons to see and do. And, if you are in the city, it only makes most sense to not miss out the bunch of incredible weekend destinations from Tucson.