Guest ranches, horseback rides, and cattle drives recall Old West roots, but you’ll also find yourself smack-dab in a hub of spas, resort hotels, and championship golf courses...not to mention amazing, trend-setting restaurants. Tucson was the first city to earn the designation of World City of Gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Plus, with a thriving visual and performing arts scene and respected galleries and museums, Tucson’s vibrant multicultural heritage shines.

Famous for its dramatic beauty, the Sonoran Desert covers this region with spectacular cacti – including the giant saguaro, a symbol of the American Southwest. But don’t be fooled by the term “desert” because mountain ranges in all directions offer scenic drives, and even snow skiing. In the winter you can go for a hike in the valley, then drive up to Mt. Lemmon and enjoy the slopes. Tucson’s legendary year-round sunshine and saguaro-and-sunset landscape have romanced visitors for decades.

Once you immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of Tucson, you may never want to leave.