If you’re planning a short trip to Tucson, AZ, you’ll find an abundance of desert beauty, history, culture, and cuisine to explore. To help you fully enjoy your visit, we’ve put together a two-day itinerary of exciting things to do.
When you want to experience the comforts of home as you explore Tucson, renting an RV is a great way to travel. When you rent an RV, you’ll have your transportation and accommodations needs settled, and you’ll be able to discover Tucson’s local attractions on your own terms. Whether you prefer a small, low-key trailer or a fully furnished coach, you can find a modern RV that suits your preferences.
Search RV rentals in the Tucson area.
Preparing for Your Tucson RV Trip
As you’re thinking about what you’ll do on your trip, consider looking for an RV to rent in or around Tucson. Do you want to tow your RV or drive it? If you own a vehicle that can tow a heavy trailer, there are several available options. If you want to travel in a house on wheels, you can drive a Class A, B, or C RV. Best of all, many providers will deliver your RV to your campsite! If you’re renting an RV for the first time, asking questions never hurts. To get acclimated to RV travel, check out our guide.
• Renting Your RV
• Picking the Right Size RV
• Avoid Common RV Rental Mistakes
• RV Parking Tips
Once you choose your RV, you can start looking for an RV campsite near Tucson that will be an ideal place to relax. Today, you can find many conveniently located, full-service RV campgrounds that have utility hookups and modern amenities. Sentinel Park, Tucson/Lazydays KOA, Crazy Horse RV Park, and Gilbert Ray Campground are some of the best places to stay near Tucson. It’s always wise to reserve a campsite ahead of time so you can focus on making the most of your time for your Tucson itinerary knowing you can settle down and take a break at any time.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Tucson.
Day 1: Explore Natural Wonders
Morning: Get Spiritual
Before the desert heat takes hold, check out the beautiful white towers of the San Xavier del Bac Mission, which was founded in 1692 and completed in 1797. Inside its Catholic church, you’ll find beautiful, original statuary and murals. Plus, you’ll have a chance to take a docent-led tour Monday–Saturday at 9:15 a.m. The Patronato San Xavier is still active today, and its volunteers are knowledgeable about the mission’s architecture, history, and culture.
Lunch: Enjoy Native American Eats
Just up the road from the mission, get lunch at the Cafe Santa Rosa and enjoy a variety of Native American specialties, like Indian frybread in an ultra-casual setting. Try an Indian taco, sample the flavorful salsa, and be sure to order a glass of the homemade cinnamon iced tea. The Mexican-Native American fusion cuisine is beloved by locals, and some dishes feature cholla buds sourced in the area.
Afternoon: Explore the Desert
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of Tucson’s best attractions, and it’s not to be missed. Described as a “fusion experience,” the museum includes a botanical garden, an art gallery, a natural history museum, a zoo, an aquarium, and more. You can even explore over 21 acres in the Sonora Desert region and see hundreds of native plants and animals. With ongoing exhibits and live animal presentations, you’re sure to enjoy a day filled with natural wonders.
Setting Up Camp
When it’s time to settle down for the evening, head over to your RV campground to check-in. After you park and hook up your utilities, you can kick back and chill out. If you like, you can even schedule an RV delivery to your campsite; just filter by delivery options as you search for your rental.
Dinner: Dine In or Check Out a Tucson Favorite
Whether you light a fire outside or fix dinner in your RV’s kitchen, a campsite meal is a wonderful way to end a day of exploration. If you want to dine in town, reserve a table at Coronet Restaurant in Barrio Viejo, which features fabulous, beautifully plated local specialties like venison pate and wild boar and delicious wines.
Day 2: Immerse Yourself in Southwestern Culture
Morning: Traipse the Turquoise Trail
Start at the Presidio Museum and follow the turquoise line down the sidewalks of downtown Tucson to experience the beauty of this vibrant city. The Turquoise Trail Walking Tour is a 2.5-mile loop that lets you explore the town’s beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture and other historical sites. You can grab a brochure and take a self-guided walk, or register for a Saturday morning guided tour in partnership with the City of Tucson.
Lunch: Enjoy Fresh Cuisine With Local Color
If you’re craving fresh Mexican food in a lovely outdoor setting, you’ll adore The Little One, conveniently located in the heart of Tucson. The menu features breakfast and lunch specialties like huevos entamalados, chilaquiles, calabacitas, barbacoa, pastel de elote, and many others. There are plenty of vegetarian options, drinks, and desserts on hand to satisfy every taste.
Afternoon: Experience the Magic of Nature
After lunch, spend an afternoon appreciating beautiful creative work at the world-class Tucson Museum of Art. Enjoy art and sculpture collections that celebrate the American West, plus Indigenous, Latin American, and Asian art in every oeuvre. Depending on the date of your visit, you can enjoy the seasonal artisan’s market or attend a lecture, program, or event held onsite. With its community gallery, creative spaces, and rotating exhibitions, you’ll be delighted and inspired by your visit.
Evening: Enjoy a Night at the Theatre
For a one-of-a-kind Tucson experience, be sure to catch an old-fashioned play at The Gaslight Theatre performed by a local drama troupe in front of an enthusiastic audience. The unique ambiance and laid-back charm of this theater make every show one to remember. For an equally colorful dinner out, make a reservation at Tito & Pep, a recent James Beard semifinalist founded by chef and owner John Martinez. Its mesquite flavors, one-of-a-kind cocktails, and delectable desserts are sure to charm your palate.
Day 3 and Beyond in Tucson
Two days in Tucson will be a blast, but you can have even more fun if you extend your trip.
If you stay in town, try these activities:
• Check out magical miniatures: The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is an imaginative space featuring a magical collection of miniatures that started with a set of Strombecker wooden dollhouse furniture made in the 1930s.
• Thrill with a ghost tour: For good old-fashioned fun, take a ghost tour or a “Hollywood in the Desert” tour at the Old Tucson, a theme park that is also home to Old Tucson Studios. Located next to the Tucson Mountains, the park was created in 1939 for the movie “Arizona” and has since been used as a filming location for many westerns.
• Enjoy giant saguaros: Saguaro National Park is home to the giant saguaro, the nation’s largest and most instantly recognizable cacti. Emblematic of the American West, these rare and unique plants can be found to the east and west of Tucson. To experience the unforgettable beauty of the park, take a walk as the sun goes down.
Winter Activities
Snow is rare in Tucson, but sometimes you can find it at Mount Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson in the Coronado National Forest. If you’re a rockhound or jewelry lover, don’t miss the world-famous Tucson Winter Gem and Mineral Show, with pavilions that are filled with fantastic minerals, gemstones, and jewelry from around the world.
Indoor Activities
If the weather is hot or rainy and you prefer to stay indoors, indulge your neon fantasies at the Ignite Sign Art Museum, featuring a brilliant and colorful collection of neon signs from the 20th century. If you have kids, take them to catch a show at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium or to enjoy interactive exhibits at the Children’s Museum Tucson.
Tucson, AZ is a magical place that will leave you with amazing memories. Taking the trip in an RV rental is sure to make your stay extra special.
