Tucson, AZ: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit Tucson, AZ

Tucson is known for its hot summers and moderate winters, but its high elevation leads to slightly cooler and wetter weather than other Arizona locales. During the typical Tucson summer, you'll encounter daily highs around 100 degrees. July and August constitute the monsoon season, and each month has an average of 10 days of rain.

The spring and fall seasons tend to be mild, with highs in the low 80s or upper 70s and very little rain. Temperatures often dip into the 50s during the winter, though daily highs typically reach the mid-60s. Due to its elevation, Tucson also receives about a half inch of snow every winter.

If you want to see this Arizona city at its best, plan your visit during one of its family-friendly festivals. Every January, the Tucson Jazz Festival draws jazz musicians and fans from around the globe for a 10-day event. In February, La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros brings professional rodeo to Tucson, with saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, and team roping. In October, the Tucson Film and Music Festival attracts movie and music lovers, and the Winterhaven Festival of Lights will help you get in the holiday spirit throughout December.

Best Hotel Discounts in Tucson, AZ

Save on hotel stays throughout the Tucson area when you apply the area's best group discounts. AARP members and senior travelers get discounts at the Lodge on the Desert and other area hotels. Members of the military, government employees, and AAA members get low rates at the Tucson Arizona Travelodge.

Best Value Options in Tucson, AZ

Whether you want to stay in the city center or on the outskirts, you'll get the most value at these Tucson hotels.

When you stay at the Hotel Tucson City Center, you'll be right in the heart of the action. The University of Arizona campus is just minutes away, and the Tucson Convention Center and Center for Creative Photography are just a short drive from the hotel. Save by booking a queen or king studio, or upgrade to a larger executive suite with extra space. No matter which you choose, you'll enjoy amenities like a mini fridge, a microwave, and free Wi-Fi. Have a meal at the on-site restaurant, grab a drink by the outdoor pool, or cool down with a swim.

At the Best Western Royal Sun Inn & Suites, you'll be in the city center, just minutes from the Pima County Courthouse, downtown shopping, and dining, and the Arizona Stadium. South Tucson is a short drive away, as are the many national and regional parks in the Tucson area. Rooms include comfortable pillow-top beds, convenient mini fridges, and relaxing private balconies. Take a dip in the outdoor pool, dance the night away at the hotel's nightclub, and enjoy a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast in the morning.

Also located in the heart of Tucson, the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Tucson City Center, Arizona is near cultural highlights including the Red Barn Theater, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Berger Performing Arts Center. Rooms include everything you need, from mini fridges to microwaves to LCD TVs with cable programming. Take advantage of the on-site lending library, which allows you to borrow books and return them during a subsequent stay, and have a fresh cookie or two, available in the lobby. Stop by the grab-and-go breakfast area for a cup of coffee and a granola bar.

Situated on the city's west side, Ramada Limited Tucson West is convenient to the Tucson Amtrak station, the Tucson Convention Center, and the University of Arizona campus. Room options range from standard queen rooms to suites with king or queen beds. All come equipped with mini fridges and microwaves, so you can save by keeping snacks close at hand. In the morning, brew a fresh cup of coffee in your room, or sit down to a complimentary continental breakfast. The hotel offers an airport shuttle for an additional fee.

Can’t-Miss Attractions in Tucson, AZ

In Tucson, it's easy to get out and explore the great outdoors. Saguaro National Park is just a short drive outside of the city, and it's the ideal place to see cacti, explore miles of hiking trails, and learn more about this beautiful region. Nearby, Catalina State Park offers stunning views of Tucson and features more than 5,000 acres of hiking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities.

Learn about Tucson's natural history at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is home to over 200 animals and 1,200 different plant species. At the Tucson Museum of Art & Historic Block, you can tour exhibitions of American and Latin American art in adobe homes designed like a historic Mexican village.

With so much to do, see, and explore, you won't want to wait another minute to start planning your trip to Tucson.

Travel overview of Tucson, AZ

A scenic metropolis, the city of Tucson is surrounded by mountains that can be seen from most parts of the city. It is one of the largest cities in the area, offering a wide range of activities to do. Tourism is a major part of the economy of Tucson, providing a major chunk of revenue. There are around 3.5 million visitors that visit the city every year. Set in the Sonoran Desert, the city has a hot climate but it also experience snowy winters from time to time. No matter if the snow falls in several inches thick or just a few millimeters, Tucson is a great place for cycling. There are plenty of trails, many leading up the mountain ranges that surround the city. With lots of interesting natural landmarks and destinations, Tucson is truly a good option for outdoor fun and adventure. While traveling there, make sure to explore the Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, and Tohono Chul Park. Still, the city is also offering interesting destinations such as the Pima Air & Space Museum, Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory, and the Titan Missile Museum.

The genius writer Ray Bradbury once said, 'Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.

This appreciation for both culture and nature are an essential part of the way the people of Tucson have always lived and you can see it in the wilderness that surrounds it, on the street, and even among the hotels in Tucson. The city is the second biggest municipality in the state and has a strange but wonderful blend of Mexican and Anglo cultures that make it unique. This is seen in the name of the place which comes from the O'odham Cuk Son tribes word for "(at the) base of the black [hill]" and its nickname "The Old Pueblo".

Not Too Much for Tucson

Those looking to enjoy Tucson on a budget have plenty of choices when it comes to finding places to stay. There are many cheap hotels in the city and one of them is the Econo Lodge University, a place that is located right in the middle of downtown, offering guests all the great places to see where you can also enjoy the fruits of the city. The hotel offers all sorts of amenities and they include cable TV, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and microwaves along with a complimentary continental breakfast. Another option among the cheap hotels in Tucson is the Motel 6. This is a very basic budget establishment that is right near the Tucson convention center they offer expanded cable channels in standard rooms plus Wi-Fi with a fee and kids under 18 stay for free.

Sparkling Tucson

Those looking for higher end luxury hotels in Tucson there are options as well. Though the city does have a bit of a rustic cowboy mentality it doesn't lack for refinement and creature comforts. Among these establishments is the W Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. The hotel is in Tucson Mountain Park and is described as an upscale resort. It features Wi-Fi at a fee, a Mexican eatery, flat-screen TVs, a spa, desks, coffeemakers and pillow-top mattresses. Another option amongst the luxury Tucson hotels is the Arizona Inn. The place is right near the Arizona State Museum and offers guests amenities like DVD players, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers all in a casita-style rooms or suites.

To Be Found in Tucson

There are loads of things to be seen inside and outside of the city and these remarkable features are typically only a short walk or drive for most Tucson hotels. One the more popular attractions among them is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum a place that houses the treasures of the state's history and the wonders of the natural world that it is a part of. The museum features a walking path for guest that is approximately a mile and a half long, and a wondrous hummingbird enclosure that is a must see. For more natural wonders there is the Sabino Canyon which is accessible from many locations and you can take a trip to the top off the trailhead via tram.