Explore one of the most beautiful cities in the southern United States with this ultimate Tucson, Arizona itinerary. Enjoy Sonoran desert landscapes, visit historic sites like the San Xavier Del Bac Mission, and eat delicious local food.
With 2 days in Tucson, you can explore some of the best parts of the city and truly enjoy the essence of Tucson. If you’re on an Arizona road trip, you can easily visit Tucson from Phoenix; it’s only an hour and a half away!
Let’s dive in so you can learn how to spend two days in Tucson enjoying all this city has to offer. This quickly became one of my favorite places in the US, and I want to help you make the most of your time here!
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Tucson Itinerary: The Best Things to Do in Tucson in 2 Days
Day 1
Breakfast at Ren Coffeehouse
Ren Coffeehouse is one of the best coffee shops in Tucson. There’s no shortage of chic coffee spots here, but you can go wrong with Ren Coffeehouse; their drinks are delicious and they have a full breakfast and lunch menu too.
They also have a pretty patio to take advantage of in the nice weather; plus it’s dog friendly!
Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
After breakfast, it’s time to head into the heart of the desert to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This is a natural history museum that combines botanical gardens with real living animal exhibits, like their stingray touch exhibit.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a great place to visit and see native Arizona animals and plants in their natural habitats and learn about the beautiful Southwestern desert biome. General admission is about USD$30.
Saguaro National Park
Located right next to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is Saguaro National Park West. This national park is split into two sections, east and west, and the western half of the national park boasts the best trails, so I recommend exploring here. And it makes for a convenient next stop!
Make sure you visit the Red Hills Visitor Center first to grab a map and any souvenirs. This park does have a $30 entrance fee per car. Or you can use your America the Beautiful pass if you have one.
Remember to bring all the hiking essentials with you like water, snacks, and sun protection and plan to do two or three hikes to really enjoy the park’s beauty.
To end your visit in Saguaro National Park, head to the Valley View Overlook trail for an easy hike to the best sunset view. Make sure you head back to your car before it turns dark, and bring a flashlight just in case. More information on the trails below.
The Best Trails in Saguaro National Park
- Valley View Overlook: 0.8 mile out & back, rated easy, best sunset view
- Signal Hill Trail: 0.3 mile out & back, easy, 36 ft elevation gain, petroglyphs
- Cactus Wren and Manville Loop: 4.2 mile loop, moderate, continue past Signal Hill
- Desert Discovery Nature Trail: 0.4 mile loop, rated easy, paved accessible trail
- Bridal Wreath Falls Trail: 5.9 mile out & back, moderate, 1,076 ft elevation gain
- King Canyon, Sendero Esperanza, and Gould Mine: 2.5 mile loop, moderate, 406 ft elevation gain
Walking Food Tour of Tucson
If you’re a major foodie, I recommend you join a walking food tour to dive into the Tucson culinary scene! With a guide, you’ll get to try a variety of Tucson specialties and learn about how the agricultural past of Tucson shaped it into the culinary delight it is today!
Day 2
Breakfast at Sonoran House
To start your second day in Tucson, head to Sonoran House for breakfast and great coffee. This cute shop doubles as a small local market as they sell locally sourced goods like pottery, jewelry, postcards, etc. I grabbed a Tucson souvenir from here to support locally!
Their agave latte is amazing if you enjoy a slightly sweetened coffee, and it pairs well with all of their fresh pastries. If you want to grab a more filling breakfast, head to Bruegger’s Bagels next. Eat there or take a bagel with you to your next stop.
Go Hiking in Catalina State Park
You can’t visit Tucson without hiking and enjoying the picturesque Sonoran desert views. With many places to hike in Tucson, it can be hard to decide where to go. I highly recommend visiting Catalina State Park as there are a variety of trails here (short, long, steep, flat, etc.), and the views are gorgeous.
Head to the Alamo Canyon Loop trail for a 3.2 mile hike with great mountain views and Saguaro cactus scenes. This is a dog friendly state park as well!
A couple other great places to hike in Tucson are Mt. Lemmon and Sabino Canyon. Mt. Lemmon is a great location for a picnic dinner at sunset.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a relaxing activity after a morning of hiking by visiting the Tucson Botanical Garden. These public gardens cover over 5 acres and various exhibits that change throughout the year.
Some of their most popular exhibits include the butterfly garden and the Great Garden Express which features model trains making their way through Arizona landscapes and famous sites. General admission tickets are about USD$19.
Visit the San Xavier Del Bac Mission
This Baroque style church is an iconic feature of Tucson’s history. Admire the architectural details of this mission church established in 1692, and step inside to enjoy the beautiful artwork. Entrance to the San Xavier Del Bac Mission is free of charge.
Enjoy The Tucson Food Scene
Tucson is a great place for foodies because there are so many great restaurants here. The top cuisine is Mexican, and there’s no shortage of incredible Mexican restaurants in Tucson, but you should definitely try some other cuisines in this city too.
Here are some must-try restaurants in Tucson:
- Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen – small Mexican restaurant, try the quesabirria
- Tumerico – Best vegan food, Mexican, and delicious for non-vegans too
- Red Captain Coffee Company – with specialty drinks & breakfast burritos
- Turkish Kebab House – amazing local Mediterranean spot, don’t forget baklava
- El Sur Mexican Restaurant – no frills, local Mexican spot
Where to Stay in Tucson
There are a plethora of places to stay in Tucson, but I’ve narrowed down a list for you to browse based on your travel budget. All of these options are nice for their prices, and they are all in great locations to maximize the above Tucson itinerary!
- Budget/Pet-Friendly: Desert Airstream Retreat | Check Availability on VRBO
- Budget Hotel: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson | Check Availability
- Mid Budget Hotel: voco The Tuxon by IHG | Check Availability
- Luxury Hotel: Graduate by Hilton Tucson | Check Availability
How to Get to Tucson
You can fly directly to Tucson International Airport (TUS) or you can fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Phoenix is only an hour and a half from Tucson and the airport is bigger. You might find better flights to Phoenix versus Tucson depending on where you’re flying from.
FAQ: 2 Days in Tucson
How many days to visit Tucson, Arizona?
Two to three days in Tucson is enough time to explore the city’s best sights, enjoy scenic hiking, and try amazing local restaurants. You can easily stay longer and find plenty of activities, but 2 to 3 days in Tucson is a great timeframe.
What is the best month to visit Tucson?
Tucson is best visited in fall, winter, or spring. For the best weather, plan your trip from September through March. The beginning of fall and the end of spring can often be warmer than you would expect, so check the weather forecast before you plan. These times will also be the least crowded.
Is Tucson, AZ worth visiting?
If you are planning a trip to the American Southwest, Tucson is a great place to visit. There is plenty to do in the city, and many great restaurants and coffee shops to enjoy. The hiking in and around Tucson is so picturesque, you won’t want to miss it.
Tucson is also a great base for exploring Saguaro National Park. This Arizona city is worth visiting if you enjoy an outdoorsy city trip. Get ready for stunning Sonoran desert views!
Is Tucson a walkable city?
Parts of Tucson are walkable depending on the neighborhood you are in. There is also public transportation available in most areas. However, if you only have 2 days in Tucson, I recommend renting a car to make the most of your time here.
In Conclusion: 2 Days in Tucson
Explore a southern US gem with this ultimate Tucson itinerary. Explore Sonoran desert landscapes of Arizona, visit iconic places like the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and enjoy delicious local restaurants.
With 2 days in Tucson, you can explore some of the best parts of the city and dive into the real vibe of Tucson. If you’re on an Arizona road trip, you can easily visit Tucson from Phoenix; it’s only an hour and a half away!
Save this 2 days in Tucson itinerary, or send to a friend who would enjoy an outdoorsy city trip.
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