Of all the natural attractions in and around Tucson, Sabino Canyon is certainly the most popular. This large chasm in the Santa Catalina Mountains is where ancient Hohokam people built irrigation dams while mammoths roamed the ground. Access is free, but there is a charge for parking. Highlights are swimming (conditions allowing) in clear pools after a six-mile hike to Seven Falls and summer evening shuttle rides by pre-paid reservations. Sabino tram and bear shuttles rides are available.

Focusing on original art of the Southwest, Venture Fine Arts Gallery on Tucson's East Side at Trail Dust Town offers a good selection of bronzes focusing on Native American and cowboy lore, quite appropriate to its Western surroundings, as well as oils and watercolors with wildlife themes. Most of the artists showcased here are local Tucsonans. A good selection of small jewelry and gifts is also available.

Take a trip to fantasyland in the desert and see historic Western sites in an enchanted environment made from rocks. Let your imagination make history come alive for you. This is the ideal environment for children and adult birthday parties or get-togethers. Shows are free, but call the public relations director in advance for tour and show times, since this place does not schedule regular hours. There is a gift shop on site.

A fun place for both locals and tourists, Golf N'Stuff Family Fun Center on Tucson's East Side offers something for everyone including bumper boats, go karts, batting cages, 2 miniature golf courses, rock climbing and, of course, coin arcades. If you get hungry, eat at the snack bar. Open daily 10am onwards.

This is a Tucson art institution since 1946, making it the oldest fine arts gallery in Arizona. Present owner Judith Williams makes sure that only the best in contemporary Southwest art is selected, ranging from the traditional to the innovative, featuring more than 60 artists of world renown, such as Michael Ewing, David Schwindt, Stephanie Carlton and Greg Wallace. The impressionistic views of landscape painter Joe Orr count among her most valuable assets.

Specializing in 19th and 20th century watercolors and prints, this fine gallery on Tucson's east side prides itself on featuring quality work of known artists of the past, most prominently masters of the Hudson River School and American Realism. Services also include art appraisals, buying and selling, restoration, brokerage, and framing with hand-carved frames. The owners are very knowledgeable about realistic paintings and will occasionally take 19th and early 20th century paintings on consignment.

Of the co-op galleries in Tucson, this one is probably the best. Thirty local artists show their work on consignment here, representing a cross-section of the Tucson art scene in a variety of media and styles. There is a good mix of painting and sculpture, with a focus on Southwestern desert themes. This is an excellent opportunity to both support local art and get your souvenir from the Southwest.

This classy art gallery in the Plaza Palomino shopping plaza showcases paintings, sculptures and prints from all over the world as well as local artists. Gallery owner Tammy Voorhees offers an eclectic mix of fine art ranging from ethnic traditional to wildly experimental. Apart from being one of the main sources for Ettore DeGrazia's works, she features outstanding artists such as Jude Dayton, David Manje, Faigee Niebow and Josephine Swift-Miller, a storyteller in acrylic. This is also great place for jewelry and gifts to take home as souvenirs.

Tucson Botanical Gardens is a major Tucson tourist attraction, and not just for plant lovers. Apart from a rich collection of cactus and desert wildflowers, the gardens offer an educational walk around the history of the native Tohono O'odham Indians and the efforts of local scientists to preserve native seeds. Don't miss the wonderful Nuestro Jardin, the traditional Mexican-American neighborhood garden, or the shaded restaurant patio. Admission Charges are applicable.

Situated in the northwest corner of Reid Park, the Demeester Performance Center hosts musical, dance and even Shakespeare performances. The area also includes space for festival booths. This facility can accommodate audiences of up to 7,000 and is available for rent for a wide array of events.  It is one of Tucson's finest outdoor venues, complete with acoustically tuned amplification and integral lighting.