Public Transit "Friendly" Attractions in Tucson, Arizona
Want to experience Tucson without concerns about driving? Check out the locations listed below!
Did you know that Tucson, Arizona only has a walk score of 43 (out of 100)? (Walk Score, 2022)
In comparison, New York City, New York has a walk score of 100 (Walk Score, 2022), while Chicago, Illinois has a walk score of 77 (Walk Score, 2022).
Walkability can be described as how "user-friendly" the built environment is and was a concept I first came across during my undergraduate studies, and later in my urban planning grad studies.
While I had always known in the back of my mind that Tucson was a city highly centered around car travel, it didn't hit me until I consciously looked at several top-rated Tucson attraction sites until I realized that seemingly 90% or more of these places were only accessible by cars or private vehicles!
As a student here without a car, I could understand the frustration of not having many advertised places that are easily accessible by alternative modes of transportation, so that's why I made this guide.
That being said, here are some fun places to check out in Tucson if you don't want to worry about driving!
Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center
The perfect place to start your Tucson and Southern Arizona adventures! Easily accessible by the SunLink streetcar or various SunTran bus routes, the Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center is located downtown in the Pima County Historic Courthouse.
This center is home to a host of storytelling portals, historic locations, and a full visitor center among other attractions. The courthouse itself was constructed in 1929 and is the perfect backdrop to learn more about all Tucson and Southern Arizona has to offer!
115 N Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Monday - Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm
Find out more at: https://visitsouthernarizona.com/
U of A Gem & Mineral Museum
Located inside the Historic Pima County Courthouse as well, the UArizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum boasts the collection previously located on the UArizona campus. Similarly to the Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center, it's easily accessible by the SunLink streetcar or various SunTran bus routes.
With Arizona being known for a wide range of gems and minerals - in addition to Tucson being home to the annual Tucson Gem Show - this museum has an amazing collection for visitors to appreciate.
115 N Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Tuesday - Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm
(closed on Holidays and UArizona closures)
Find out more at: https://gemandmineralmuseum.arizona.edu/content/welcome-uarizona-alfie-norville-gem-mineral-museum
Tucson Museum of Art
Less than a 5-minute walk from one of the SunLink streetcar stops, the Tucson Museum of Art is a great place for a day trip.
With rotating collections, a cafe, and a shop, it's a fun place to go with a group or by yourself. Better yet, the Tucson Museum of Art hosts Free First Thursdays, with free admission from 5-8 pm.
140 N Main Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Thursday - Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm
Find out more at: https://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/
Tucson Botanical Gardens
What better way to learn about the different plants that surround us in Southern Arizona? Using the SunTran bus, the Tucson Botanical Gardens is accessible and open 7 days a week, and is a great place to find a quiet corner in the middle of Tucson!
With a cafe at the garden, grab a coffee and stroll amongst the cacti for an enjoyable afternoon. Better yet, if you plan a trip between October - May, take a stop by the butterfly greenhouse to be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies (a few might even land on you)!
2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712
Monday - Sunday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Find out more at: https://tucsonbotanical.org/
Reid Park Zoo
Accessible directly by two different SunTran bus routes, the Reid Park Zoo can transport you from the rainforests of South America to the savannah of Africa.
Open daily, the Reid Park Zoo's always a great place to stop by and has a wide variety of yearly events like ZOOlights, Summer Safari Nights, and the Asian Lantern Festival among many others.
3400 E Zoo Ct, Tucson, AZ 85716
Monday - Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm
Find out more at: https://reidparkzoo.org/
Downtown Tucson
As the bustling center of Tucson, there's plenty to see and do in Downtown Tucson. Using either the SunTran bus or SunLink streetcar, downtown is highly accessible no matter where you go. Due to the large number of shops, restaurants, and attractions, there's always a lot to do day or night.
Some notable attractions that I enjoy there are St. Augustine Cathedral, the Historic Depot District, Hotel Congress, Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, Old Town Artisans, El Presidio Historic District, and Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson.
Find out more at: https://downtowntucson.org/
Sentinel Peak ("A Mountain")
Whether you're a University of Arizona student or alumni, a photo enthusiast, or just enjoy nature, Sentinel Peak ("A Mountain") has a little bit of everything for everyone. By either using the SunLink streetcar and SunTran bus and a short walk, the trailhead is located just off W Congress St.
Originally being used as early as 800 AD at the base for farming by the Hohokam people, Sentinel Peak today overlooks the Tucson basin, with sweeping views of downtown, the University of Arizona, the Tucson Mountains, and the Santa Catalina Mountains. The trail itself is paved and has plenty of lookout points for great photos!
Find out more at: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/parks/sentinelpeakpark
Tumamoc Hill
Right next to Sentinel Peak ("A Mountain"), Tumamoc Hill is another great hiking option just a few miles outside of Downtown Tucson. Similarly to getting to Sentinel Peak, the trailhead is accessible by either using the SunLink streetcar or SunTran bus and is a short walk and is located just off of W Anklam Rd.
The trail itself is all paved and has various spots with benches to rest along the way to the top of the butte as well as to stop for lookout and photography points! In addition to the hike itself, Tumamoc Hill has a Desert Laboratory and other University of Arizona-owned buildings.
At the second half of the trail, it does tend to get a bit steeper, but it's a great 3.0-mile round trip to walk, and depending on the time of year it is, you might see some mule deer along the path!
W Anklam Rd & Tumamoc Hill Rd, Tucson, AZ 85707
Find out more at: https://tumamoc.arizona.edu/tumamoc-hill/walk-hill
The University of Arizona Campus
Not only is the University of Arizona a nationally known research university, but also an amazing place to visit. With the campus laced with palm trees and a majority of the buildings having red brick facades, it's hard to pick just a few favorite spots around campus and the Arboretum. Located east of downtown, the UArizona campus is easily accessible by the SunLink streetcar or various SunTran bus routes.
Whether you're just passing by or visiting for cultural and art events, an athletic event, photography opportunities or just to have a picnic and soak in the campus atmosphere, there's something for everyone here!
Some of my favorite spots around campus include Old Main, Steward Observatory, ENR2, the UArizona Mall, the Center of Creative Photography, and turtle pond.
The Book Stop & 4th Ave
A browser's paradise! The Book Stop is home to a wide range of rare, out-of-print books and you could spend a day looking through the store, which is situated conveniently at the 4th & 9th stop for the SunLink street car.
After browsing and buying, you can walk along 4th Ave which is home to a wide range of restaurants, shops, and entertainment, and soak in the atmosphere on this historic avenue. Some of my other favorite stops: The Boxyard, Antigone Books, the Chocolate Iguana, Brooklyn Pizza Company, and Pop Cycle
214 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Wednesday - Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday, 12 - 5 pm
Find out more at: http://www.bookstoptucson.com/
Other Relevant Links
SunTran and SunLink Routes & Services - Find the routes to your next destination!
Walk Score - See what your city or neighborhood's walk score is!
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