Tucson, Arizona: A Natural Destination
Today, Tucson, Arizona is the home to 800,000 residents and is
an attractive destination to visitors. However, its warm,
inviting weather and busy event calendar belie its colorful
past. Tucson's history dates back to the time of Christ's birth,
and it is among the oldest continually inhabited areas in the
United States. According to the Tucson Convention & Visitors
Bureau, in 1884 there were 25 saloons in the city. Still on the
books is an old law forbidding women to wear pants. John
Dillinger was arrested in Tucson, while Wyatt Earp and Doc
Holliday made a stop at the train depot before going on to
Tombstone.
Although its Wild West days may be behind it, Tucson, Arizona,
still holds its residents and visitors captive. Outdoor
enthusiasts enjoy Saguaro National Park, home to the giant
cactus, as well as hiking in the Sonoran Desert. Baseball
aficionados show up to watch three major league teams - the
Arizona Razorbacks, the Colorado Rockies, and the Chicago White
Sox - during spring training each year. Duffers enjoy
world-class golf courses while cyclists ride to their heart's
content throughout the area. Amateur ornithologists are
delighted by the area's large number of hummingbird species.
Tucson also attracts many events and conventions. Foremost on
the event calendar is the gem show, officially known as the
Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase. Drawing everyone from
mineralogists to buyers of fine jewelry, the January and
February shows represent the largest gathering of gem show
exhibitors in the world. For those whose interests lie in the
heavens rather than the earth, Tucson offers unparalleled
opportunities for amateur astronomers to stargaze.
Tucson, Arizona's rich heritage of Spanish, Mexican, and Native
American influences is evident in both the area's cuisine and
entertainment. Its event calendar is filled with such gatherings
as La Fiesta de los Vaqueros and the Annual Waila Festival.
Those who appreciate art can find a variety of venues in which
to enjoy creativity. A street fair will draw local artists and
artisans, while art museums - such as Ansel Adams' Center for
Creative Photography and the University of Arizona Museum of Art
- abound.
Whatever activity residents and visitors choose to engage in,
it's almost certain that the sun will be out. According to the
Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tucson enjoys 300 sunny
days each year, with summer temperatures averaging in the high
90s and winter temperatures averaging about 70 degrees.