Tucson, Arizona Things To Do and Pueblo Gem Show

Come to Tucson on business, stay for fun.  Or come for fun and have plenty of it!  Tucson's mild climate and the areas cultural and historic uniqueness make it perfect for all types of events and the Arizona Riverpark Inn hotel is conveniently located to Southern Arizona's many attractions.

Area Events -- Winter 2012

While in Tucson, or prior to your trip, make plans to explore the area, attend a festival or concert, see a film, visit a museum or attend a sports event.  Tucson offers something for everyone -- fiestas to music and film festivals, gem shows to sports.  Explore the distinctive cultural heritage of Tucson and the surrounding area.  With its fusion of European Catholic and Native American traditions you can attend  Yaqui Easter ceremonials, a Mariachi Festival, visit the Poetry Center, the Arizona State Museum's Mexican mask collection, the astronomical research site on Kitt Peak, go bird / wildlife watching, attend an art walk or attend a dark sky program.   Tucson is one of only 14 cities in the U.S. with a symphony as well as ballet, opera and theatre.  Outdoor sporting opportunities abound.  And, if you are a cycling enthusiast, Tucson is the place for you as it has 700 miles of bike lanes including 50 miles of off-street bike paths. 

The entire family will enjoy the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show at the Riverpark Inn from January 28 through February 9, 2012.  This is the most diverse jewelry, gem and mineral show in Tucson -- a premier buyer's location for more than 30 years.   It is so much fun to shop and there is something for everyone.  And best of all, admission is free.

Do remember to check local listings to confirm time, location and fees if applicable.

JANUARY 2012

1/28-2/9 - The Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show at the Arizona Riverpark Inn.  Discover a wealth of treasures at the most diverse gem show in Tucson.  

FEBRUARY 2012

2/3 - Flame Off! 2012 - Sonoran Glass Art Academy's Flame Off competition features 28 glass artists from across the globe competing against the clock to create the wildest glass art creations. 

2/4 - National Dance Company of Colombia is presented at UA Centennial Hall.

2/4 Art Safari presented by the Central Tucson Gallery Association featuring exhibit openings and artist receptions.

2/4-5 - Madama Butterfly at Tucson Music Hall.

2/9-12 - 58th Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

2/10-12 - Downtown Centennial Celebration.  Free concerts, food vendors, rides and historic re-enactments.

2/11 - 31st Annual Fort Lowell Day Celebrations.  This family fun event provides education and entertainment.

2/17 - The University of Arizona Wildcats 2012 Baseball Season begins. 

2/17-19 - Kona Bikes 24-Hours in the Old Pueblo.  This is one of the largest 24-hour mountain biking events in the world.

2/18 - 2nd Saturday's Science in the City.

2/20 - Harlem Globetrotters.  Tucson Arena at the Tucson Convention Center

2/23 - 87th Tucson Rodeo Parade.

2/18-26 - 87th La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Festival of the Cowboys).

2/20-26 - The World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship.

2/22-3/3 - Desert Diamond Cup (Four Star Major League Soccer Teams will train and compete in four double-header matches at Kino Sports Complex:  The LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake).  Fees apply.

MARCH 2012

3/2-3 - Ages & Stages Tradeshow at the Tucson Convention Center. 

3/3-4 - Aida at Tucson Music Hall.

3/4 - Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival at the Leo Rich Theatre.

3/10-11 - Tucson Festival of Books.  The fourth largest book festival in the United States on the UA campus.

3/23 - Alvin Ailey American Dance at UA Centennial Hall.

3/23-April 1 - The 2012 International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup with athletes from over 30 countries. For additional information visit TucsonTrapand Skeet.com

3/29 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Tucson Convention Center

According to a recent story in USA Today's Travel Section, Tucson is one of the 10 great places for urban cycling in the country.  The recently expanded Rillito River Park Trail -- a 23-mile path offers traffic-free access to Tucson and Pima County parks and trailheads. 

Did you realize you can take a behind-the-scenes look at how University of Arizona engineers and scientists build the next generation of giant telescope mirrors?  Reservations are required to tour the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab, call 520.626.8122.  Cost is $8 for students and $15 for adults.

Whether you are attending a special event or an alumni meeting, high-school or military reunion, conference or an annual meeting the Riverpark Inn is the perfect hotel.  We welcome you to Tucson and encourage you to take time to enjoy what our city has to offer.  

Make your hotel reservations today for the Arizona Riverpark Inn so you, your family and friends can at one of the areas nicest hotels while experiencing all that Tucson has to offer.

Area Attractions

• Downtown Tucson.  As the cultural and historical heart of what was the "Old Pueblo", downtown Tucson has something for everyone. Downtown Tucson boasts ten nearby historic districts, plus the arts district, which is the home of many unique galleries and artist workshops.  Downtown is Tucson's cultural hub and features performances by local theater, opera, symphony and ballet companies, as well as touring Broadway Shows and national performing artists. Downtown Tucson’s historic landmarks include St. Augustine Cathedral, the old Pima County Courthouse and two historic railroad depots. There is plenty of shopping, great restaurants, night spots and more. Take the Presidio Trail walking tour of downtown Tucson and don’t miss anything!
• Mercado San Agustine (MSA).  The Mercado San Augustine is located West of I-10 in the Menlo Park neighborhood of downtown on the corner of the Avenida del Convento and Congress Street.  Focused on small business growth, this will be Tucson's first public market with 18 small businesses and a vendor mix that offers a little something for everyone. The businesses include start-up's Taqueria el Puebilto, La Estella Bakery, Dolce Pastello, Sonoran Snow Cones and Mercado Kitchen.    Visit mercadosanagustine.com for additional information. 
• Mission San Xavier del Bac.  This historic church has been restored to look as it did in the 1790's when it was built. A visit to the mission will take you back to the old days of Spanish exploration and settlement in Mexico and the American southwest. The Mission is still served by the Franciscan Friars and is an active church for people in the area.
• Reid Park Zoo. Come and visit more than 400 different animals from all over the world. Go behind the exhibits and cages and get a glimpse of how the zoo operates. You can even schedule a birthday party at the zoo. Classes, programs, camps and special events are ongoing.
• Mt. Lemmon.  Take the scenic road to the top of Mt. Lemmon for spectacular views of the entire valley.  Mt. Lemmon is the United States southern-most ski center and is 20-30 degrees cooler year-round.  Mt. Lemmon and Summerhaven are nestled among the lush forests of the Coronado National Forest and are one of the Southwest's "sky islands".  A not-to-be-missed attraction.
• Saguaro National Park. The giant Saguaro cactus is familiar to us all from John Wayne's movies.  It is the living symbol of the American West and gives its name to this national park, whose two districts feature more than 164 miles of hiking trails. A must-see for visitors and a must-do for backpackers and hikers.
• Old Tucson Studio.  Arizona’s “Hollywood in the Desert.” Since 1939, more than 300 feature films and television westerns featuring scenes of the Arizona desert have been filmed here. Film and television shoots are going on throughout the year.  A great place for a special party, Old Tucson Studios has spacious facilities, top-flight banquet menus, and of course lots of entertainment including stunt shows, gunfights and musical revues as well as unique shops.   See OldTucson.com for additional information.
• Kitt Peak National Observatory.  Astronomy buffs will not want to miss this. The Kitt Peak National Observatory is actually the hub of a group of observatories that conduct nighttime observations of the stars, planets and galaxies, and daytime observations of the sun. The observatory is just 56 miles southwest of Tucson and has a visitor’s center, open daily.
• Tohono Chul Park.   There is no better place to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Sonoran Desert than Tohono Chul Park. When the wildflowers come out, it’s truly a spectacular sight. Events such as lectures and workshops are regular features.
• Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.  Aviation enthusiasts will want to visit the base, only 8 miles east of the Riverpark Inn, which has the largest aircraft storage facility in the United States.  Tours to the public can be arranged through the Pima Air & Space Museum.
• Pima Air and Space Museum.  Ranked as the sixth best aviation attraction in the United States according to traveler ratings, the Pima Air and Space Museum is one of the world's largest, non-government funded aerospace museums.  Adjacent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the museum occupies 80 acres with 48 aircraft on display.  The Pima Air & Space Museum's new restaurant, the Flight Grill is now open.  The new quick-service grill features an expo kitchen, comfortable furniture and floor to ceiling windows.  You can enjoy a variety of foods from the restaurant or the patio as aircraft take-off and land just across the street at David Monthan Air Force Base.
• Sabino Canyon.  Talk about history. Columbian mammoth wandered the area around 12,000 B.C. Later local Indian tribes used the creek for irrigation purposes. Cavalry soldiers in the 1800's came to make use of a swimming hole that’s still there today. Hiking trails, an outdoor tram ride, a museum and six galleries of displays and pictures round out the offerings of this unique Tucson attraction.