Trifter

If the winter blues are getting you down, consider escaping the chilly states of Colorado, Nevada, Utah and northern New Mexico for a week or weekend in balmy Tucson.

Located about 75 miles north of the Mexico border, Tucson only rarely has snow. Daytime highs during the winter range from 64 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s plenty of good weather for you to see all that the city has to offer.

While it’s not warm enough to lie in the sun during December, January or February in Tucson, the mild winters and nonstop adventure are enough to keep you out of any cold-weather funk. From exciting events and culture to restaurants and attractions, you’ll never run out of things to do in this winter-friendly city.

Events

Tucson offers a number of enticing events during the winter months, such as the Fourth Avenue Street Fair in December, which features pottery, paintings, wood working, metal decorations, candles, food vendors and street performers. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February is the one of the largest in the world, drawing more than 50,000 people annually to shop its rows of jewelry and gemstones. Also in February, the La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo allows spectators to watch spinning bulls, barrel races, the Rodeo Parade and much more.

Outdoor Recreation

For outdoor enthusiasts, Tucson is the perfect backdrop of cactus forests, rolling hills and breathtaking mountain vistas. Hike the Pima Canyon Trail; rock climb at Mt. Lemmon, which rises 9,157 feet above the Sonoran Desert Floor, or at Rocks and Ropes, Tucson’s only indoor climbing gym; or see amazing desert wildlife and wildflowers at the Sabino Canyon Recreational Area or Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If you’re a cyclist, you probably already know Tucson is perfect for biking: the city was ranked by “Bicycling” magazine as one of the top cycling cities in the U.S. With popular trail areas Starr Pass and Fantasy Island, as well as the Tour de Tucson, both road and mountain bikers will feel right at home in Tucson.

The Arts

If you’d rather spend your days indoors, Tucson has a wealth of activities to offer, from performing arts to art museums and galleries. With more than 215 art groups and organizations and more than 35 art galleries in the downtown district alone, Tucson allows you to see world renown as well as local artists, no matter where you are in the city. Tucson has its own ballet company, professional theater, symphony and opera company. If you’re interested in visual arts, the city is home to the Center for Creative Photography, Tucson Museum of Art and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Visit DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun for legendary Arizona art and architecture on a 10-acre Foothills retreat, or stop by Gallery Row, located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains for a diverse group of locally owned galleries offering world-class art and sculpture.

Museums

To learn about the culture and history of the area, step inside one of the many museums in Tucson. The Pima Air and Space Museum features more than 250 modern and historical aircraft; the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum has more than 150 vehicles, historic artifacts from pioneer days and a recreated Western Main Street; and the Museum of the Horse Soldier includes artifacts detailing Western cavalry and dragoon military units. Also, don’t forget about the afore-mentioned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

In addition to all the above, Tucson offers residents and visitors so much more, from shopping in Trail Dust Town, an outdoor shopping mall built from the remnants of a 1950s movie set, to interesting architecture, landscaping and golf courses. For more information, visit the Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau or the City of Tucson sites.