Riverpark Inn Hotel -- Area Events and Attractions

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 Riverpark Inn is conveniently located to Southern Arizona's many attractions.

Area Events for 2010

Tucson offers something for everyone -- fairs and fiestas, culture and sports. While in Tucson, or prior to your trip, make plans to attend a festival or concert, see a film, visit a museum or attend a sports event.  Do remember to check local listings to confirm time, location and fees if applicable.

March events include the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Festival, Tucson Cine Mexico 2010 at the Arizona Hanson Film Institute, the Tucson Festival of Books, the Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair, the Spring Artisans Market and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Festival.  Sports fans of all ages enjoy the excitement as the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and other big league teams play in Tucson.  Take me out to the ballgame!  There is nothing like Spring Training!

Whether you are attending a special event such as the Global Retailing Conference (GRC) at the University of Arizona's Terry J. Lundgren Center (April 8-9),  the La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference (April 22-24), the Pima County Fair (April 15-25), the 2010 Tucson Invitational Games, an alumni meeting, high-school or military reunion or an annual meeting we welcome you to Tucson and encourage you to take time to enjoy what our city 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!
• Mission San Xavier del Bac.  This historic church has been restored to look as it did in the 1790s 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 going on all the time.
• 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, movies and television programs 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.
• 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.  
• 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 1800s 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.