Tucson, Ariz., is steeped in history and human culture that dates back 10,000 years. Although it is the second-largest city in Arizona, it has a small-town vibe and offers all the amenities of a larger destination. The weather in southern Arizona is a very big draw, especially with groups with attendees from colder climates. Tucson has more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Combine all that sunshine with a multitude of outdoor activities and adventures, and you’ve got the ideal location to meet and recreate.
As the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, Tucson has a food scene that dates back hundreds of years. To this day, chefs are creating culinary masterpieces using the same ingredients indigenous to the Sonoran Desert that were used back then. An excellent way to discover these historical flavors is a trip to the Mission Gardens, where native foods are preserved and cultivated for use. Meeting attendees can enjoy a private cooking class utilizing these heritage foods within the Mission Garden.
Dark Sky City: The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Tucson is a special astronomy city, thanks to the many observatories on top of its mountains. Tucson has a very dry, dark sky and more than 300 cloudless days a year. Light-pollution restrictions throughout the city ensure the night sky is very visible. Groups can take advantage of this by incorporating stargazing at their opening reception.
Tucson is a year-round outdoor mecca: Tucson is situated among Saguaro National Park, home to millions of giant cacti. The National Park (West or East) is a great introduction to the Sonoran Desert and has a wide variety of native plants and animals. Groups can take advantage of the park and hire a naturalist to lead a guided hike. Another fun way to experience the desert is by open-air Jeep tours that will take your group on fun and informative rides through the desert. For the more adventurous groups, rock-climbing lessons will get the adrenaline flowing, and the sense of accomplishment will stay with each attendee long after the experience.
Tucson boasts a lively walkable downtown with more than 600 new hotel rooms in its downtown and university districts. The two areas connect via a modern streetcar, making downtown Tucson a favorite for those who prefer dining options right outside their door. These new hotel options are a perfect complement to the Tucson Convention Center, which features more than 233,000 square feet of meeting space and three performance venues.
While downtown, make a stop in Barrio Viejo, one of Tucson’s oldest neighborhoods. Stroll down streets lined with colorful historic adobe homes. This amazing “destination within a destination” is scheduled to receive a National Historic Landmark designation. Groups can enjoy having a world-class meal in a cozy enclosed courtyard of a 150-year-old adobe home, or try their hand at the art of glassblowing at the Sonoran Glass School.
 Contact: Mary Meade, Vice President Sales Mary Meade is a passionate advocate for Tucson meetings and has dedicated her career to sharing with meeting planners what makes Tucson so special. She fell in love with Tucson more than 30 years ago and never left. 520-271-4096 | mmeade@visittucson.org |
