Neighborhood Highlights
Kennedy Lake
Located in John F. Kennedy Park in Tucson, Lake Kennedy is spread out over 10 acres. The lake is famous for its many fish species, including catfish, rainbow trout, carp, and bass. Enjoy beautiful scenery, fauna, and views as you stroll around the lake. Make a day of it and go boating or fishing.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
If you love botanical gardens, then this is the spot for you. The Tucson Botanical Gardens are a must-see for those who seek out opportunities to interact with nature. Whether you’re exploring the butterfly garden, the Zen garden, or any of the other fourteen gardens, you’ll find yourself in a sea of floral tranquility. Discover the local flora and learn how impressive Arizona's agriculture is.
University of Arizona Museum of Art
A must-see, favorite destination for the Tucson art lover, the University of Arizona Museum of Art had a modest start beginning with its first art exhibition in 1924. The first gallery was housed in the University Library. In 1955, the museum moved to its new home on the university campus. The museum’s collections feature important works from several different eras and cultures. To date, American and European art (with pieces that date from the Renaissance through modern-day works) are some of the most popular attractions.
About Tucson
Tucson was founded in 1776, making it one of North America’s oldest continually inhabited areas. Before Spanish missionaries and explorers arrived in the late 1600s, Hohokam Indians had lived here for at least 4,000 years.
In 1854, Mexico sold all of Arizona south of the Gila River as a part of the Gadsden Purchase. This transaction made Tucson an official part of the United States. The incorporation of Tucson as a city in 1877 made it the oldest city in Arizona. Tucson’s roots expanded with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880.
Today, more than one million residents call Tucson home. There’s something majestic about this area, where five mountain ranges create a picturesque, protected valley. You'll also find magnificent saguaros standing tall on the desert floor and aspen and pine growing above them on stark, wind-swept mountain peaks.
