Area Attractions

Located 15 miles south of downtown Tucson. I-19 to exit 80 at Pima Mine Road. The center offers an inside look at an operating open-pit copper mine. Displays and exhibits in the Discovery Center explain the history and process of mining. Discovery Theater shows presentations related to mining and minerals. Admission to the Center is free but there is a charge for the one hour bus tour which includes views of the mining operations and a visit inside one of the copper mills. Admission fee for tour. Senior (62) discounts.

Located north of Tucson on Oracle Road/Highway 77 at mile marker 96.5. The center is an environmental research, teaching, and learning facility. Inside the 7,200,000 cubic foot glass and space frame structure, Biosphere 2 contains a tropical rain forest, savanna, marsh, desert, a million gallon salt water ocean complete with a coral reef, and a human habitat which now houses interactive exhibits. The 3/4 mile tour includes the Biosphere Theater, Demonstration Labs, Human Habitat, Climate and Earth Exhibit, Ocean Viewing Gallery, restaurants, and gift shop. A Technical Tour is available at additional charge by reservation only. A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent. CALL for tour times. Admission fee with AAA, college student, military, and senior discounts available.

Located at 6000 E. Valencia in Tucson. I-10 to exit 267. Davis-Monthan is home to AMARC, a 2,600 acre open-air warehouse for aircraft, missiles, components, and support equipment. Aviation enthusiasts will view, by bus tour only, the more than 5,000 aircraft currently stored here. The Pima Air and Space Museum conducts tours. Reservations suggested. Admission fee.

Located on the University of Arizona campus at N. Cherry Avenue and E. University Blvd., the center has interactive exhibits dealing with sound, light, optical illusions, magnetism, and astronomy. The planetarium theater presents science, cultural, and laser light shows. In the public observatory a 16-inch telescope is available for night viewing. The lower level of the Science Center, the Mineral Museum, displays fine gems, meteorites, and mineral specimens from around the world. Admission fee.

Located 56 miles southwest of Tucson via State Route 86. Allow 90 minutes of drive time from Tucson. Take I-10 to I-19 south. In less than one mile take the Ajo Way/Hwy 86 exit 99. The observatory houses the world’s largest collection of ground-based optical telescopes, conducts research in astronomy, and monitors the sun and stars. There are 3 tours daily lasting 1 hour. The Nightly Observing Program is available by reservation only and an admission fee is charged.