Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated on March 21, 2025.
Before we start dreading the arrival of summer and the 100-degree days that accompany it, let's focus on the cooler days ahead of us.
Here are 10 things to do outside — before it gets too hot. (But most of the places mentioned are open year-round and some even open their doors on summer nights for folks to enjoy the cooler temperatures after sunset.)
Bella Sanders, 8, pets a stingray inside the stingray exhibit at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, on March 30, 2022.
1. Bask in the desert beauty at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The may not be a hidden gem, but it's a gem no less.
Check out 1,200 kinds of plants, experience the touch of a stingray, walk through a reptile and amphibian hall and see all kinds of desert animalsÌý— bobcats, a mountain lion, javelinas, prairie dogs, skunks, hummingbirds and more.
If you visit in springtime, you may even spot colorful cactus blooms in the museum's cactus garden.Ìý
Reid Park Zoo's Andean Bear Joaquin stares at the camera while walking around his new habitat at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Oct. 19, 2021.
2. Say hello to the animals at Reid Park Zoo
Head to where jaguar Bella, bear Joaquin and more than 200 other animals await your arrival. You might even spot 1-year-old elephant calf Meru.Ìý
You can also feed the giraffes, crawl around the new World of Play playground, ride a carousel and have a bite to eat at the zoo's own cafe.Ìý
Find this mural by Ignacio Garcia atÌý47 S. Fifth Ave.
3. Take a walking tour of the city
Tucson has a lot to see and a lot to love. knows that.
Each month, the museumÌýhosts a series of walkingÌýtours around the downtown area.
Some of the guided walking tours include theÌýTurquoise Trail, where you'll see historic buildings and learn a slice of Tucson history; the Mainly Murals Walking Tour, which shows off some of downtown's murals and discusses the artists behind the pieces; and the Barrio Viejo Walking Tour, which takes you through the historic Barrio Viejo neighborhood.
Alternatively, check out our to put together a self-guided mural tour of your own!Ìý
The upcoming Made in Tucson market will feature 300 vendors.
4. Get your shopping on (or attend a festival)
Tucson is home to a number of markets featuring everything from handcrafted items made by local artists to fairs showing off the best collectible and vintage finds.
Here are a handful of markets happening this spring:
- : Find fine art ranging from paintings to sculptures, plus live art demonstrations at La Encantada,ÌýÌýThe market isÌý10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30.
- : Shop from 250-plus vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30 alongÌý.
- :ÌýCheck out more than 50 vendors selling antique and vintage items from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, April 13 and May 11 in the Mercado District,Ìý.
- : Shop all kinds of vintage clothing atÌýHotel Congress,ÌýÌýfrom 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, April 19 and May 17.
- : Support Black-owned businesses from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at Z Street,Ìý.
If markets aren't your thing, there are TONS of other events happening this spring, from the Pima County Fair to an Earth Day Festival for kids. Check out our full list of spring festivals and markets .
Cumulus clouds are the backdrop to saguaros near the Sendero Esperanza trailhead in Saguaro National Park West.
5. Put on your hiking shoes and head to your nearest trail
What would this list be if we didn't include hiking?
Hiking trails are all overÌý— short , the steep walk up , plus there'sÌý,ÌýSabino Canyon, , and so many more nearby hiking areas.
While hiking in spring is typically significantly cooler than hiking in June, it's still important to hydrate and protect yourself from the sun! Heading out during the cooler morning hours might be best.
Hoyt Phillips, far right, and his husband Neil David “ND†Seibel, center, listen to Jimmy Bultman, owner of Tucson Bike Tours, talk about a mural on the University of Arizona’s Michael J. Drake Building during a mural tour throughout downtown Tucson, Fourth Avenue and surrounding areas of the city on Dec. 15, 2021.
6. Hop on a bikeÌý
is home to more than 130 miles of paved pathways, perfect for bicycling, rollerskating, jogging and horseback riding.
Dust off your bike and head to your closest entrance along The LoopÌý— or explore a section of The Loop you may not be as familiar with. Along the way, check out the on the pathways.
If you'd rather hop on a guided bike tour, that's an option, too.
There's , which hosts monthly bike rides on the south and west sides of Tucson. There's alsoÌý, whichÌýhosts three different tours centered on history, murals and tacos. Breweries like often host bike rides, too! Check out our full guide to cycling .
Need a bike? Check out !
Volunteers help yank out the nonnative, invasive buffelgrass at Saguaro National Park East.
7. Get outside and volunteer with a community organization
If you're hoping to soak up the sun all while making a difference, volunteering with a local organization is an option to consider.
Tucson is home to an incredible number of programs that work hard to make our community a better place. Below are some outdoorsy volunteering opportunities, but remember: volunteers are likely needed every season of the year!
- Ìý— You can be a volunteer gardener and prepare soil, plant seeds, harvest produce and more. (Volunteering aside, Mission Garden is also a fun place to explore!)
- Ìý— Get the pups out of their kennels and take them for a walk!
- Ìý— Tasks include filling waters, feeding animals, mucking horse stalls and raking the grounds
- Buffelgrass pullsÌý— Help remove the invasive buffelgrass at a number of pulling events throughout Tucson. Check out the for locations!
The outdoor dining area for JoJo's Restaurant, formerly known as LaCo.
8. Enjoy your favorite foodÌý— on a patio or have a picnic
Tucson is home to countless restaurants with beautiful patios, from the spacious courtyard decorated with twinkling lights at to the oasis that is .
Whatever restaurant patio is your go-to, enjoy patio season while it lasts. Check out our full patio list .
Alternatively, pick up food — takeout goodies or picnic ingredientsÌý—Ìýfrom a place like ,Ìý or . Have a picnic of your own at a nearby park!
The Tucson Botanical Gardens located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way is the perfect location to take a romantic stroll.
9. Experience spring with all the flora you could ask for
To get the real spring experience, now's the time to bask in the plants of local gardens.
, ,Ìýis home to more than five acres of space, including an area dedicated to butterflies. Through May, you can step into Butterfly Magic and watch as 200 butterflies flutter by.
Also a space for plant lovers is , , which is home to themed gardens and, of course, the desert's best friendÌý— the saguaro.Ìý
Both also have onsite food options!
Customers line up at The Curry Pot Sri Lankan Fusion food trailer at Casa Video and Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway, on July 20, 2023.Ìý
10. Catch an outdoor screening of your favorite movie
Year-round, Ìý,Ìýprojects movies onto its outdoor patio, where you can catch everything from "Toy Story" to "The Princess Bride," all alongside bites from local food trucks.
also screens outdoor movies, often in collaboration with local organizations. There are currently three outdoor showings on the calendar, each at different locations, including "" "" and "."