Things to Do in Tucson in December

This tour connects the architectural dots of Tucson's evolution. Feel the smooth, worn bricks of the Presidio wall. See the brilliant murals that tell stories of the city's cultural layers. Your guide narrates tales of gamblers, ranchers, and revolutionaries.

Instructors guide you up routes with panoramic city views. You will hear the call of a cactus wren from a nearby palo verde tree. Feel the satisfying grip of solid rock as you ascend into the clear December air.

Walk beside still ponds reflecting cottonwood trees with gold leaves. Listen to the rustle of willow branches in the breeze. The guide points out javelina tracks in the damp soil. They explain how these rare ecosystems sustain life.

Actors in period costume recreate frontier justice with humor. You will see staged bank robberies and showdowns on dusty streets. Feel the wooden bleachers vibrate with each dramatic fall.

Touch the irregular textures of handmade adobe bricks. Smell the faint aroma of wood smoke from a traditional horno oven. Your guide points out unique folkloric designs pressed into cement around doorways. They tell stories of the families who built these homes.

Drift soundlessly over a waking Tucson. See the first light catch the windows of distant houses. Watch the long shadows of saguaros stretch across the desert floor. Feel the chill of high altitude give way to the sun's warmth. Later, taste crisp champagne and a warm breakfast upon landing.