Plan Ahead for 2024 Cynosport

Top Spots to Visit in Tucson

It’s not too soon to start thinking about a trip to the USDAA^® Cynosport^® Dog Agility World Games Presented by Purina^® Pro Plan^® at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., this November. Here are a few top spots to visit (many with your dog), to add a little sightseeing and exploration to the competition. (Note: Not all sites allow dogs.) 

Museums/Landmarks and Other Attractions

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum “is a fusion experience,” with a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery and classes, natural history museum and aquarium. 

Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the “largest non-government funded aviation and space museums in the world.” The museum features nearly 400 historic aircraft, including a Wright Flier and a 787 Dreamliner. Seated on 80 acres, the museum has six indoor exhibit hangars with three dedicated to WWII. 

San Xavier del Bac Mission is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. Tours of the National Historic Landmark are available, allowing visitors to travel back in time to the 18th Century, with original statues and mural paintings. 

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum was designed and built by Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia, whose bold art depicts Southwestern life. 

Old Tucson, built in 1939, features a renowned film set that has been the filming location for hundreds of western films and TV shows starring John Wayne, Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood. The studio has served as a theme park since 1960 and offers immersive experiences, special events and tours. 

Southern Arizona Tours & Excursions offers tours featuring Tucson history, nature and even one that includes a trip to the historical town of Tombstone. 

Parks 

Saguaro National Park features thousands of saguaros, a tree-like cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert. Late fall to early spring is the perfect time to visit. Make note of pet guidelines before you visit.  

Colossal Cave Mountain Park, just 15 minutes southeast of Tucson, lets you take a Classic Cave Tour in the middle of the Sonoran Desert and surround yourself with stalactites and stalagmites during the 40-minute exploration. (Dogs are not permitted in the cave.) 

Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails

(Dogs must be on a leash for all.) 

Big Wash Trail is an easy-to-intermediate trail that follows a wash for 1.2 miles, providing views of cholla catci and the Santa Catalina Mountains.  

50-Year Trail (Catalina State Park) is a moderate-level path that takes you down through the foothills. The 8.6-mile one-way hike begins at the park’s equestrian center and runs along a ridgetop for 2.6 miles.  

Romero Ruin Trail (Catalina State Park) is an easy hike that provides historical views with a 0.75-mile loop that leads you to the Romero Ruins archaeological site, where you can observe the remnants of a Hohokam village dating back to around AD 500.  

For more ideas on things to do and places to visit in Tucson, visit https://www.visittucson.org/.