Top 5 Reasons to Go

Cacti: Unique to this region, the saguaro cactus is the quintessential symbol of the Southwest; the best places to see them are Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon.

Mexican food: Tucson boasts that it's the "Mexican Food Capital" of the United States.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Anyone who thinks that museums are boring hasn't been to this one, where you can learn about the wildlife, plants, and geology of the region in a gorgeous, mostly outdoor, setting.

Mission San Xavier del Bac: The "White Dove of the Desert" is the oldest building in Tucson. Ornate carvings and frescoes inside add to the mystical quality of this active parish on the Tohono O'odham reservation.

Strolling the U of A campus: Stop in at one of the five museums, then stroll University Boulevard and 4th Avenue for a taste of Tucson's hipper element.