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Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center

Categories Services Visitor Services / Tours

115 N Church Ave Tucson, AZ 85701 1-800-638-8350

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The Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center is your starting point to discover all that southern Arizona, the Sonoran Desert and the Sky Islands have to offer.

Southern Arizona and the Sonoran Desert have lots to offer. Before you start your adventure, be sure to visit our Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center. You can’t miss us – we’re located in downtown Tucson, Arizona inside the Pima County Historic Courthouse.

Our Visitor Center includes various exhibits, a Theater, gallery and other neat features designed to introduce you to new places and provide inspiration to guide your journey.

FREE ADMISSION

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• Visit Tucson 115 N Church Ave (37 feet N)
• Pima County Historic Courthouse 115 N Church Ave (93 feet SE)
• Pima County Administrator 115 N Church Ave (212 feet S)
• Pima County Attractions and Tourism 115 N Church Ave (216 feet SE)
• El Presidio Parking Garage 165 W Alameda St (229 feet SW)
• Library Garage 45 W Alameda St (372 feet NE)
• Public Works Parking Garage 50 W Alameda St (377 feet NE)
• Council and Church Lot 300 N Church Ave (683 feet N)

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Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center

Pima County Historic Court House 115 N. Church Ave., Ste 101 Tucson, AZ 85701 (800) 638-8350 visitsouthernarizona.com

Head downtown to the Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center located in the Pima County Historic Courthouse, 115 N. Church Ave. Our friendly concierges, interactive displays, heritage theatre and locally sourced gift shop are ready to help you plan and enjoy your adventure in Southern Arizona.

Free. Public parking is available in the El Presido Garage located directly behind the Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center.

Operating Calendar

Open Daily: Check website for operating calendar

Visit Tucson

When you land at Tucson International Airport (TUS) you have arrived in the heart of the unique Sonoran Desert, the only place on earth that is the natural habitat of the iconic and majestic Saguaro cactus. With an average of more than 350 days a year of sunshine you can play outdoors in wide open spaces or relax in the casualness of Tucson and its rich cultural heritage.

COVID-19 Information and Resources for Travelers     COVID-19 Información y Recursos para Visitantes

Getting Oriented

With a population of more than 1 million, Tucson uniquely combines the amenities of 21st century thinking with a deep respect for a sense of place and heritage. The region is home to world-renown resorts, golf courses, a thriving arts community and food. It was the first city in the United States to be named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. It also celebrates being home to “The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food.” The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a unique indoor-outdoor exhibition featuring the wildlife of the Sonoran Desert and nearby, Old Tucson offers visitors a taste of the old west through modern shows themed to the season. The University of Arizona is ranked among the top 0.5% of universities in the world by the Center for World University Rankings.

Whatever your outdoor passion may be you are likely to find it in Southern Arizona.

While there’s plenty to do and enjoy nearby, there is also the opportunity for some quick getaways. Mexico is only about an hour’s drive south. Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, is “Arizona’s Beach” on the Sea of Cortez and about four hours’ drive away. The Grand Canyon is about 6 hours to the north. And, with usually reasonable air fares, Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles are only quick flights of about an hour away. If you’re looking for a big city, nearly 5 million people live in metropolitan Phoenix, less than two hours’ drive north. Be forewarned, though, this is the western United States where things tend to be spread out and Phoenix, a relative youngster as cities go, has more of a “strip mall” vibe than a traditional urban central business district.

Mileage estimates to locations around Southern Arizona are here .

Getting Acquainted

Start exploring your options online at Visit Tucson or its Mexico marketing division Vamos a Tucson .

You’re invited to thumb through the pages of the latest Official Travel Guides below.

2024 Official Travel Guide   Guia de Visitantes

Visit Tucson can also help with planning meetings and provide information about special events, including the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows.

Administrative Office: 115 N. Church Avenue, Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: 1-800-638-8350 or (520) 624-1817 Email: [email protected]

Visit Tucson Contact Info

Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center

115 N. Church Ave., in the Historic Pima County Courthouse downtown. It’s about 9 miles northwest of Tucson International Airport. Google directions

The Visitor Center has exhibits, a theater, gallery and other features designed to introduce you to new places and provide inspiration to guide your journey around the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands. There is also a gift shop.

Exhibits include seven storytelling portals focusing on:

• Arts & Culture

The center is a collaboration of Visit Tucson, Tucson’s January 8th Foundation, the University of Arizona Gem & Mineral Museum and Pima County Attractions and Tourism.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except closed New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day, Presidents Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday and Christmas Day.

More Information:

Phone: 1-800-638-8350

Mileage to Lodging

To give you an idea of how far it is to your bed, this chart shows mileage estimates from Tucson International Airport. (Click on names to see lodging’s website.)

Looking to stay near the airport? Click here to see a map of places within two miles of the terminal.

How Far Is It to … ?

With so much to see and do in Southern Arizona, this chart shows cities, towns and points of interest with approximate mileage from Tucson International Airport (click on linked names to go to website):

Stay Connected

Be among the first to know and get regular updates about Tucson International Airport from the Tucson Airport Authority in our monthly newsletter.

Volunteering Opportunities

• Guided School Tours
• Plan Your Visit
• Rental Spaces & Packages Available
• Rental Inquiry Form
• Media Policies
• Photography Application
• +1 (800) 638-8350
• Opening Hours - Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hours & Phone

115 N. Church Avenue Tucson, AZ 85701

Opening Hours

Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Center will be closed on the following holidays:

January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 19 – President’s Day

March 31 – Easter Sunday

May 27 – Memorial Day

July 4 – Independence Day

September 2  – Labor Day

November 11 – Veteran’s Day

November 21 – 22 – Thanksgiving Holidays

December 24 –25 –Christmas Holidays

December 31 – New Year’s Eve

January 1 – New Year’s Day

1-800-638-8350

Learn more about our volunteering opportunities.

Venue Rentals

Learn more about our venue rentals.

Pima County © 2024. All Rights Reserved.

For issues concerning this website, please contact the Pima County Web Team .

Red Hills Visitor Center

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Visitor Centers

Maybe you planned your trip to the minute, or maybe you’re just winging it. Either way, be sure to fit in a stop to your nearest Arizona Visitor Information Center.

Why stop at an Arizona Visitor Information Center?

For starters, you can:

• Pick up our latest Official State Travel Guide, maps and other brochures from local businesses and travel partners to spark more ideas for your trip.
• Get the inside scoop from locals on what’s happening in the area, restaurants to try, places to stay and attractions to put on your must-see list.
• Learn which nearby sites or parks need permits (and how to get one) and which are free to visit.
• Find discount coupons or “passport books” with special offers and deals for visitors and tourists.

Important details to know: Most Arizona Information Visitor Centers are open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. but check each listing as hours may vary. Centers are closed on all major and federal holidays, including Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Sabino Canyon Visitor Center

Hundreds of thousands of people visit Tucson's Sabino Canyon each year. The recreation area offers opportunities for jogging, hiking, wildlife viewing, and swimming.

Since 1982, PLIA has partnered with the Forest Service at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area to provide products that educate visitors about the area, create interpretive events and opportunities, and answer recreation questions.

At our bookstore, we offer publications and products for purchase that help people gain a deeper connection to the canyon and help keep them safe from extreme desert temperatures. Our outstanding staff are also available alongside Forest Service rangers to find answers to your trail and natural history questions. The Sabino Canyon Crawler is a shuttle offering full tours of the canyon, as well as one-way trips to the top of the canyon trails. PLIA does not operate the shuttle; you can find more information about the shuttle and their partnership with the Coronado National Forest here.

PLIA also partners with the Coronado National Forest to provide retail locations at the Palisades Visitor Center (Mt. Lemmon) and Sierra Vista Ranger District as well as interpretive signage and visitor guides for areas throughout the forest.

A beautiful canyon in the desert southwest

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is nestled in the rugged front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, AZ. Mountains, water, and valley meet at Sabino Canyon to form a desert oasis. The heart of Sabino Canyon is Sabino Creek, a gurgling brook that originates on Mount Lemmon at 9,196 feet.

The lush vegetation along the creek stands in sharp contrast to the dry, saguaro-studded slopes above the canyon and offers rich diversity of plant species and wildlife for visitors to enjoy. Developed trails from Sabino Canyon wind through the bordering Pusch Ridge Wilderness, to the slopes of Mt. Lemmon above.

Shop Sabino Canyon

Map: Coronado NF: Safford & Santa Catalina RD AZ

Map: Pusch Ridge Wilderness AZ

Hello, Arizona!

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road

Tucson, AZ 85750

(520) 749 - 7711

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Learn how to find us, how to prepare for a safe and comfortable visit, and understand our environment.

The Kitt Peak Visitor Center is your first stop on any visit and your springboard to informative daytime tours, nighttime stargazing and telescope viewing programs, fascinating exhibits, a terrific gift shop, and beautiful panoramic mountain top views!

We host a variety of Day-time Tours and Nighttime programs .

Weather on Kitt Peak

Weather varies with the seasons and temperatures are typically 15 to 20 degrees F (7-10 degrees C) cooler than in Tucson and often windy. Dress appropriately and bring layers of clothing. From late fall through mid-spring, hats, gloves, warm socks and insulated jackets are strongly advised. Bringing a blanket is also recommended in cooler months. It is better to bring a few extra clothes or blankets you end up not using than to be uncomfortable during your night program.

A phone hotline is updated every day by 5:45 am MST during weather related events. Please call +1-520-318-8010 to check whether it is safe to drive to the summit.

See the phases of the Moon on this page .

Kitt Peak is located at the end of route 386 on the Tohono O’odham Nation, 54 miles west of Tucson. Coming from Tucson, take route 86 (Ajo Way) west to the junction of 386. Make a left turn at the sign and follow the road to the top of the mountain. Please see the Google map for additional information and directions to Kitt Peak Visitor Center.

The public parking area for both day and evening activities is near the Visitor Center. RVs may not be parked overnight on observatory grounds.

KPNO, Tucson, AZ 85634, USA Tucson, AZ 85719, USA Tel: +1 520 318 8726 [email protected]

Map of telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory

Accessibility, elevation, & health.

Kitt Peak is just shy of 7,000 feet (2096 meters) above sea level at the summit. Please consider any personal health issues that could arise from the altitude or walking at this elevation, such as: decreased lung capacity, cardiac issues, or other issues with altitude. If you have health concerns, please consult your doctor before visiting us.

Our programs typically involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs. Working service animals are welcome.

The walk to the Visitor Center from the parking lot is about 45 meters (50 feet).

The Daytime tour to the McMath-Pierce Solar telescope at 10 am is the only tour that does not have stairs. A guest can pick up a driving permit at the gift shop and follow the walking tour to first the optical tunnel and then into the main building. Both can be accessed by a walker.

The second tour to the KPNO 2.1-meter Telescope at 11:30 am and the third tour to the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at 1:30 pm require walking up almost two flights of stairs. The former requires 1/4 mile walking somewhat uphill and the latter 1/2 mile walking uphill.

The Nightly Observing Program views the sunset, which is about 275 meters (300 yards) uphill from the visitor Center. Transport to the sunset viewing area can be arranged. The Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope has a short flight of stairs or a slow elevator to the telescope. Reaching the telescope eyepiece, though, may be difficult for guests restricted to wheelchairs.

Please let us know 24 hours in advance at [email protected] or phone +1 520 318 8726 if you require mobility assistance. The Visitor Center’s ability to provide special accommodations is severely limited. This is particularly true for evening programs. We cannot provide sign language interpreters for nighttime programs. These programs run under extremely dark conditions.

If You Are Not a US Citizen

Although the Visitor Center is open to all, the US Government requires passports or green cards for visitors from other countries when driving eastbound through the Border Control checkpoint on Arizona State Route 86. Please be sure you bring your passport with you in order to avoid difficulties.

Gas, Lodging, Food, Camping

There are no gas stations, restaurants, or hotels on Kitt Peak. Be sure to have a full tank of gas in your car and bring your lunch if you believe you will get hungry. There are snacks and drinks for sale in the Visitor Center during regular hours of operation. Meals for evening and overnight guests are provided as part of the program. There is no overnight camping near the peak, and no overnight parking on Observatory property.

Fire Danger

Fire is an enormous danger to life and property on this mountain. All smoking is prohibited while on Kitt Peak, both indoors and outdoors. Please report any indications of smoke or fire to any personnel you see so they can take appropriate action. Follow all directions issued to you by Kitt Peak Staff in the event of a fire.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is prohibited for calls and data transfers. Please place cell phones in “Airplane mode” or turn them off completely while visiting the observatory. Kitt Peak is home to two large, highly sensitive radio telescopes that are performing scientific research 24 hours a day, and the cellular signal can disrupt this research. Limited Wi-Fi is available.

Tourist & Professional Photography

Visitors are welcome to photograph objects of interest while on the mountain. The Tohono O’odham people regard the surrounding terrains to be of significant cultural importance and request that visitors refrain from photographing those areas. When in doubt, please ask for assistance.

Watch for Animals & Rocks

Please be on the alert for roaming wildlife and livestock both while driving and during your visit. You might encounter mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, bears, deer, skunks, spiders, and snakes. Do not feed, pet, or otherwise approach or disturb any wildlife as these animals may be dangerous. Report any wildlife sightings to mountain personnel.

Cattle and horses range freely around the lower portions of Arizona State Route 386 and 86 and may cross the road in front of you. Rocks sometimes fall from cliff faces and can be big enough to damage your car. Please be alert at all times and drive at or slower than posted speed limits.

Age Restrictions

Due to the nature and location of our night-time programs, they are strongly not recommended for children under the age of 8 years. Parents or guardians are fully responsible for the conduct of accompanying minors. Disruptive youth (or adults) may be asked to remove themselves from the program without receiving a refund.

Driving and Arrival Time

We need all guests on the mountain and checked in at the Visitor Center before sunset, so please do not arrive later than your check-in time. Keep in mind that we are at least a 90-minute drive from downtown Tucson. Allow plenty of drive time. Upon your arrival, park in the parking lot near the Visitor Center. NOTE : If you arrive after 4:00 pm MST and you see the gate located near the beginning of the Observatory road (AZ State Route 386) is closed only in the right lane, please carefully drive around it and proceed up the mountain.

We discourage bringing pets. Service animals are welcome. Should animals be traveling with visitors, the following rules are to be observed:

• Pets are not allowed in any building on the mountain.
• Pets must be kept on leashes while on the grounds.
• Owners must clean up after their animals.

Additional Summit safety

Please read and observe the rest of the recommendations in our Summits Safety Document .

Explore Kitt Peak virtually before you visit with out Virtual Tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Do I need to buy a ticket to just visit the Visitor Center? A: No. The visitor center is open seven days a week from 9 am to 4 pm. There is free parking right outside the Visitor center.
• Q: Can I walk around the grounds without a tour? A: No, due to active construction areas at the observatory, visitors need to be part of a guided tour.
• Q: Are the tours disabled accessible? A: Yes in parts. The Visitor Center is a short walk from the parking lot. Our nightly programs are accessible for disabled people. We have a wheelchair in the Visitor Center reception that you can borrow. However, please note that some parts of the Daytime tours are not wheelchair accessible. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes, and be able to walk the distances between the telescopes and climb stairs. For example the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope Guided Tour tour is a 1/2 mile hike uphill. More information is in the Accessibility section here .
• Q: If I book the one tour do I have enough time to join the next tour? A: Yes.
• Q: Can I bring a coach or RV to the summit? A: Yes. Buses and RV can drive to the summit and park in the parking lot.
• Q: Is there food for purchase on site? A: No, unfortunately not. We only have some snacks and beverages for sale.
• Q: Can I bring a picnic? A: Yes, you are most welcome to bring a picnic and eat at our outdoor terrace.
• Q: Can I buy things I see in the gift shop? A: Yes, our shop sells high-quality Kitt Peak-inspired gifts and merchandise. T-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more, designed and sold by independent artists around the Tohono O'odham Nation. We do not offer an online shop.

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PO Box 129 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

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