Things To Do
Tucson holds a special place in our hearts.
We hope you’ll fall in love with it too.
While all the wedding festivities will be held on-site at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, we realize that some of you will be extending your visits in order to experience more of what Tucson has to offer. For your convenience, we have listed some suggestions below.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
This renowned combination zoo, natural history museum, botanical garden and art gallery reflects the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, featuring wildlife such as coyotes, bears and mountain lions in their natural settings and two aviaries; one for hummingbirds and the other for varied desert birds.
Taco Tour - South Twelfth Avenue
Tucson was awarded the UNESCO City of Gastronomy award in 2015, partly due to its street food scene. One major thoroughfare is South Twelfth Avenue, which features more than a dozen taquerias and trucks including the famous Sonoran hot dog rivals BK Tacos and El Guero Canelo. A lesser-known shop with a fierce mesquite grill is Tacos Apson, which has everything from ribs to calf testicles on the menu.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Kitt Peak National Observatory is home to more than two dozen telescopes for professional research, as well as a visitor center for the public. The observatory sits at an altitude of almost 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) on a mountaintop about 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Tucson, Arizona. Located in the Quinlan Mountains of the Sonoran Desert, the site appeals to astronomers because of its clear weather, steady atmosphere and low humidity.
Saguaro National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
A trip to the Old Pueblo would not be complete without seeing the White Dove of the Desert, an 18th century Catholic mission founded by Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Kino. The stately building just south of town is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in the country. It’s also still a working church which services the surrounding Tohono O’odham community.
Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway
Regarded as one of the most scenic drives in southeast Arizona, the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway takes travelers to the upper reaches of Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range. Aside from the arresting canyon and mountain views, the nearly 60-mile round-trip byway offers visitors the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada.
Old Tucson
Old Tucson is southern Arizona’s one-of-a-kind Wild West attraction, featuring live action stunt shows, musicals and comedy entertainment, as well as vintage rides for the kids and special events throughout the season. Built in 1939 for the movie, Arizona, Old Tucson is home to more than 400 film, television and commercial productions, and remains the region’s premier film location.
Golf
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort offers two Tom Fazio-designed championship 18-hole golf courses. Both courses are designed to blend into the Santa Catalina Mountains’ natural features. Weaving through desert cacti and scenic canyons, the courses embody the character of the Sonoran Desert landscape, as well as a unique variety of desert fauna. The Canyon Course winds through the inspiring beauty of the Esperero Canyon and incorporates the massive rock formation known as Whaleback Rock.
To book a tee time, contact the pro shop at 520-577-4015 or visit the link below.
Horseback Riding
When it comes to the Southwest, there's a bunch that Hollywood gets right, including the horse culture. Horseback riding is as much a part of Tucson and Southern Arizona as cactus, Wildcat basketball, and sweet, salty, transcendent margaritas. And you can’t beat seeing the Sonoran Desert by horseback to open your heart and mind to the American West.
Lakeside Spa
Lakeside Spa is located on-site at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Named as one of the 8 Most Beautiful Desert Spa Destinations by Architectural Digest (2018), the spa features an extensive menu of signature services as well as a state of the art fitness center and an adults-only pool and jacuzzi.
Appointments are strongly recommended. Click the link below for more information.
