Tucson Parks and Gardens

(Tucson, Arizona - AZ, USA)

There are plenty of parks, gardens and places in and around Tucson where you can escape the bustle of the city, enjoy nature and go hiking.

Tucson's Tohol Chul Park contains some tidy trails and features a gallery, greenhouse and demonstration garden, while Tucson Botanical Gardens offers Mediterranean landscaping and represents many plant species from around the world. The Biosphere 2 Center located outside of Tucson is also worth a visit and will astound visitors with its diversity.

Biosphere 2 Center

Address: AZ 77, Milepost 96.5, Oracle, Arizona AZ, USA
Tel: +1 520 838 6200
The controversial Biosphere 2 Center is still in operation after its inception in the early 1990s, when eight scientists were locked inside to see how humans would cope in a sealed off environment. There were a few problems and the mission wasn't a complete success, but the Biosphere remains operational and can be toured. Located just outside of Tucson, features here include a tropical rain forest, desert gardens, ocean, savanna, marsh, thorn scrub and a comprehensive agricultural area. Tours take a couple of hours and the visitor center displays a film explaining the project.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Address: 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona AZ, USA
Tel: +1 520 326 9686
The Tucson Botanical Gardens were founded in the 1930s on five acres of prime land. Features of the garden include a tropical greenhouse, cactus garden, historical garden displaying the original Mediterranean landscaping and a sensory garden, where visitors can touch the plants and marvel at the bird life. In addition, Native American crops and herbs as well as Australian plants are showcased in other parts of the gardens.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Fort Lowell Park and Museum

Address: 2900 North Craycroft Road, Tucson, Arizona AZ, USA
Tel: +1 520 885 3832
The Hohokam tribe originally built a village on this picturesque site on the river and later a fort was built here to keep the marauding Apaches out of Tucson. The former commanding officer's quarters are part of the museum, with various artifacts and military displays, while the park itself has plenty of space to play ball games and a large pond full of ducks.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Tohono Chul Park

Address: 7366 North Paseo del Norte, Tucson, Arizona AZ, USA
Tel: +1 520 742 6455
Tohono Chul Park, meaning 'desert corner' in the tongue of the Tohono O'odham tribe, is used to promote conservation of the dry regions around Tucson and features a greenhouse, demonstration garden and geology wall. Also of interest here are the nature trails, art gallery, tea room and gift shop.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to sunset
Admission: charge