We know the ballparks are the big draw. But during the few waking hours your eyes are not glued to a diamond, we offer nine things to do off the main drag:
1. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
See a rattlesnake, javelina and pet a desert tortoise, all at one of the nation's wildlife attractions. The gardens are good for pictures, too.
• Address: 2021 N. Kinney Road
• Hours: October-February, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; March-September, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (no entry after 4:15 p.m).
• Cost: $13 adults, $4.25 kids
• Web site: www.desertmuseum.org
2. Colossal Cave Mountain Park
The park offers tours of a dormant cave and horseback rides through the property.
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• Address: 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail
• Hours: Sept. 16-March 15: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; March 16-Sept. 15: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Web site: www.colossalcave.com
3. Mission San Xavier del Bac
About nine miles south of Tucson, this historic Spanish cathedral is a great place to spend the day.
• Address: 1950 W. San Xavier Road
•Hours: Church and gift shop open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; museum open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
•Cost: Free, but donations are accepted.
•Web site: ww.sanxaviermission.org
4. Mount Lemmon
Check out the 50- to 60-degree temperatures, hike and experience a nice change from the desert floor. The short drive up also shows great views of Tucson.
• To get there: Take Tanque Verde Road (east) to Catalina Highway and go north.
• Cost: Vehicle passes are $5 a day. Annual pass is $20.
5. Old Tucson Studios
Wild West entertainment is on display daily, as well as film and television shoots throughout the year.
• Address: 201 S. Kinney Road
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Cost: Adults $16.95; children (ages 4-11) $10.95
• Web site: www.oldtucson.com
6. Pima Air & Space Museum
Spend the day looking at more than 250 planes, indoors and outdoors, at one of the largest air and space museums in the world.
• Address: 6000 E. Valencia Road
• Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Cost: $15.50 for ages 13 and older; $12.75 for Pima County residents, AAA members, active and retired military and those 62 and older.
• Web site: www.pimaair.org
7. Reid Park Zoo
Meet more than 400 animals including rhinos, elephants, giraffes and many more.
• Address: 1100 S. Randolph Way
• Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Cost: $6 for adults; $4 for seniors; $2 for children (ages 2-14)
• Web site: www.tucsonzoo.org
8. Sabino Canyon
Nature hikes packed with an abundance of Sonoran Desert vegetation and great views.
• Address: 5900 N. Sabino Canyon Road
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily
• Cost: $5 day pass; annual pass is $20.
• Web site: www.sabinocanyon.org
9. Saguaro National Park East/West
The Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world saguaros grow, and here you'll find a forest of them.
• Address: 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail
• Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset
• Cost: $10 per car; $5 for bike, foot, motorcycle, moped
• Web site: www.saguaro.national-park.com
