The vast open desert areas available to the city of Tucson make it the ideal place to pursue a wealth of outdoor activities. Hiking and biking are popular activities with the locals and can easily be pursued by visitors too. Golf enthusiasts will find they’re well catered for with Tucson’s extensive selection of courses while for family visitors there are zoos and theme parks on hand.

Biking
US publication Bicycling Magazine ranks Tucson as one of the country’s top cycling destinations, and when bikers see the excellent range of terrain on offer and the fine weather conditions they quickly realise why. Rip through magnificent desert landscapes on single tracks with the hardcore brigade or enjoy a leisurely pedal with the family on flatter, more stable terrain. Whatever your biking preferences, Tucson provides.

Funtasticks
This five-acre entertainment park offers fun for all the family but is geared especially towards younger visitors. Among the attractions on offer are go-karts, bumper boats, mini-golf, battling cages and a video arcade with all the latest high-tech games. Phone: +1 520 888 4653; www.funtasticks.com  

Golf
Arizona has numerous golf courses to offer and enthusiasts of this popular game will genuinely be spoilt for choice with regards to where to play. Close to Tucson city, visitors can make use of the facilities at the 18-hole Dell Urich Golf Course, El Rio Golf Course, Fred Enke Golf Course, Randolph North Golf Course and the Silverbell Golf Course. Clubs are available for hire at all courses.

Hiking
Hiking is one the best ways to experience the beauty of the Arizona deserts and test your abilities over a wide variety of terrains. Steep, rugged canyons challenge even the most able of hikers, but the stunning views and the wealth of wildlife en route make the effort more than worth it.

Reid Park Zoo
A feature of the city since 1965, Reid Park Zoo is a popular family visitor centre that features an impressive selection of animals collected from every corner of the globe. More than 400 creatures are housed in themed areas such as the Adaptation Zone, South American Animals, Asian Animals and African Animals. Along the journey through the world’s most fauna-rich regions, visitors can expect to see elephants, rhinos, lions, anteaters and polar bears among other creatures. Phone: +1 520 881 4753; www.tucsonzoo.org  

Tucson boasts an interesting history and heritage, and its cultural sites explore themes such as nature and air travel. There’s plenty of venues at which to enjoy and gain a better insight into the fabric of the city. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has the broadest appeal and is a highlight, while the Tohono Chul Park regularly makes it to the top of visitor’s itineraries.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
This well-known Tucson attraction is a mix of zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, making it popular with visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Few folks miss out on the chance to view the creepy crawly collection that includes scorpions and tarantulas or to check out desert creatures such as black bears and coyotes. The half-hour long Walk-with-a-keeper tours are ideal for visitors wanting a closer look at the museum’s live exhibits. Phone: +1 520 883 2702; www.desertmuseum.org  

Nogales, Mexico
If you hire a car during your stay, you can travel 96 kilometres to the US border with Mexico. Crossing the border takes you to the town of Nogales, where you’ll find a wealth of shops and street vendors selling traditional Mexican goods such as jewellery, ceramics and clothing.

Pima Air and Space Museum
Hailed as one of the world’s largest air and space museums, this fascinating visitor centre is home to more than 275 examples of air and spacecraft. Among the specimens on display are those with particular historical significance in the US and those that were considered the most technically advanced for their time. Phone: +1 520 574 0462; www.pimaair.org  

San Xavier de Bac Mission
Dating to the 17th-century and first founded by a member of the Jesuit order in 1692, the church lay abandoned for a century before being subject to an extensive restoration programme in the late 19th-century. The church, which illustrates influences of early Spanish colonial architecture, is now used by local Indians for various services and selling goods in its courtyard.

Tohono Chul Park
Covering an area of desert 49-acres large, the Tohono Chul Park is more than just a location for enjoying breathtaking scenery; it’s one where nature, arts and culture are on offer. There are three art galleries within the park plus pretty gardens and nature trails for spending pleasant sunny afternoons strolling. Several gift shops selling interesting, locally made goods are also worth perusing. Phone:+1 520 742 6455; www.tohonochulpark.org

Tucson Botanical Gardens
A must for nature lovers, the Tucson Botanical Gardens feature a total of 16 themed gardens spread across a five-acre area. Examples included the Cactus and Succulent Garden, Backyard Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden and the Wildflower Garden. For younger visitors, the Children's Discovery Garden is among the more popular attractions. Phone: +1 520 326 9686; www.tucsonbotanical.org  

With the Mexican border 96 kilometres away, Tucson’s reputation as the US’s “Mexican food capital” is well deserved. Indeed, the city is known for having given birth to such popular creations as the tasty chimichanga. Sonora is the state on the Mexican side of the border close to Tucson, so the city’s cuisine is naturally heavily influenced by Sonoran cooking styles.

To enjoy a good Mexican meal, visitors should head to the downtown area or to South Tucson. Reputable establishments to look out for include El Charro, El Minuto and Café Poca Cosa. It’s not all Mexican food, however, and anyone fancying some traditional US fare will find plenty of establishments offering steak and barbecue as well as the usual selection of popular fast food restaurants.

Shopping options are plentiful and encompass everything from large malls to small boutiques and independent establishments offering unique handmade goods. Fourth Avenue offers a wide selection of retailers spread across a spacious area. For a more compact experience, try the outdoor outlet park known as La Encantada, where well-known names such as Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel sit alongside a variety of smaller establishments.

The city’s best malls include the Tucson Spectrum Mall and Park Place; both offer a large selection of retail outlets as well as multi-screen cinema complexes. For less generic products, check out the Old Town Artisans, a collection of six shops housed in a restored 1850s adobe building. For antiques and collectible items, the American Antique Mall is a good choice, as are the shops on Grant Road, between Craycroft Road and Campbell Avenue.