Visit the UA

The UA’s main campus covers 380 acres in central Tucson. It is a hub of community activity – concerts, plays, lectures, museums, poetry readings, athletic events and more.

  • Things to Do at the U

    • Arizona State Museum

      Experience the enduring cultures of Arizona, the American Southwest, and northern Mexico through dynamic exhibits, engaging programs, and an educational museum store. Arizona State Museum is the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the region (est. 1893), an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and home of the world’s largest collections of Southwest American Indian pottery and Southwest American Indian basketry. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Closed Sundays and federal and state holidays. Admission: Adults 18+-$5.

    • Biosphere 2

      Just north of Tucson on Oracle Road/Highway 77, explore a “world under glass.” Biosphere 2 contains a living rainforest, ocean, and four other biomes in a 3.14-acre laboratory. Tours take you inside this engineering marvel where construction and experiments on the Landscape Earth Observatory have begun. Experience one of Time Life Books 50 must-see “Wonders of the World.” Open daily, 9am-4pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission: Adults-$20; Seniors, AAA, Military-$18; Children-$13; UA Catcard-$10.

    • Campus Arboretum

      The UA campus is the oldest continually-maintained green space in Arizona. This unique collection of trees, shrubs and plants offers specimens from arid and semi-arid climates around the world. More than 50 campus trees are the only existing samples of their kind in Arizona and several are unique in the Southwest.

    • Center for Creative Photography

      Experience this one-of-a-kind archive, museum and research center dedicated to photography as an art form and cultural record. The Center’s changing exhibits include key collections of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Garry Winogrand, Harry Callahan and other great 20th century photographers. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday, 1-4pm.

    • Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium

      Open your mind at Southern Arizona’s only planetarium, with fun and educational programs for everyone. Hands-on exhibits and sky shows highlight the wonders of science, and music laser shows immerse audiences in light and sound. Tour the heavens via the observatory’s 16-inch telescope (no reservations needed). Open seven days a week, see website or call for hours, exhibits and admission information.

    • Gallagher Theater

      A campus movie theater equipped with Dolby Digital Sound, 340 seats, and a 26 X 11 ft. screen. Assisted-hearing devices are available.

    • Jim Click Hall of Champions

      Live the heritage and rich traditions of Arizona Athletics. Rotating exhibits feature historic moments in UA sports history and the legendary Wildcat student-athletes and coaches who have contributed to Arizona’s tradition of excellence. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Saturday, 12-5pm. Closed Sundays and holidays. Hours vary on game days. Admission: Free.

    • University Libraries, Special Collections

      Explore a treasure trove of historical Southwestern documents and photos, and unique, unusual books, letters, photographs and manuscripts you can’t see anywhere else. Changing exhibits present a variety of topics from indigenous languages to video gaming. Open weekdays; hours vary. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

    • University of Arizona Museum of Art

      The University of Arizona Museum of Art houses wide-ranging collections of over 5,000 paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, with an emphasis on European and American fine art from the Renaissance to the present. Open Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm. Closed Mondays and University holidays. Admission: $5 for adults. Free for museum members, children, students with ID and UA faculty and staff.

    • UA BookStores

      It’s so much more than just textbooks! Explore the UA bookstore, your source for everything from best-sellers to officially licensed UA insignia products to unique gifts and books from across the Southwest. Join us for book signings, story time for kids and special events; see website for latest listings. Open Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10am - 4pm.

    • UA Master Calendar

      What's happening at the UA? You can find complete listings of all public events -- performances, lectures, community happenings, athletics competitions, activities and more -- on the UA Master Calendar.

    • UA Mineral Museum

      This exquisite collection of minerals, gemstones and meteorites presents specimens from around the world, emphasizing the minerals of Arizona and Mexico. View 27,000 minerals up close and listen to oral histories in the Miners’ Story Project. Located in the Flandrau Science Center. Open Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm. Field trips times available Tuesday-Friday, 9am-1pm, by reservation only.

    • UA Performing Arts

      The College of Fine Arts – including the Schools of Art, Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, and Media Arts – is one of Tucson’s premier presenters of exceptional entertainment. The college stages theatre, dance and music performances throughout the year, along with art exhibitions, film screenings and more.

    • UApresents

      The UA's professional performing arts presenter brings the world's finest music, dance and popular events to Southern Arizona each year. Most performances are held in the historic Centennial Hall on the UA campus.

    • UA Visitor Guide

      This guide, published in print and online twice a year, includes campus maps, things to do and schedules for UA academic, cultural and athletic events.

    • Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter

      Explore the night skies with access to superb telescopes and UA scientists in hands-on astronomy programs on Mt. Lemmon – a scenic hour-long drive from the desert floor of Tucson to a lush forest at an elevation of 9,000 feet.

    • Steward Observatory Mirror Lab

      UA scientists and engineers are producing the world’s largest telescope mirrors that are changing the way we explore the universe. Visitors can take a behind the scenes tour of the cutting-edge technology and revolutionary processes involved in making the next generation of premier giant telescope mirrors. Tours available Monday-Friday, advance reservations required.

    • The Museum of Optics

      The College of Optical Sciences offers access to its collection of antique and historic telescopes, microscopes, lenses and cameras. These specimens represent work by the world's most respected instrument makers from the 18th century to the present.

    • UA Visitor Center

      Launch your discovery of the University of Arizona. Nestled between campus and the historic West University neighborhood, the Visitor Center will help make your UA visit memorable and inspiring. Come by for weekly guided walking tours, public Internet access and plenty of parking. Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

    • University of Arizona Poetry Center

      Discover Arizona’s first literary arts center and internationally renowned library collection of more than 70,000 poetry-related items. Located in the landmark Helen S. Schaefer Building, the Poetry Center presents exhibitions, readings, lectures, classes, discussion groups and children’s activities all year long.

  • Campus Tours

    • Middle School Tours

      These walking tours offer middle school students a glimpse of the UA and the diversity of programs we offer to inspire them to think about their higher education goals.

    • Points of Interest Tour

      Several units offer a tour of the facilities where many of UA's achievements happen. Learn about UA's accomplishments in everything from athletics to astronomy to art while you visit these points of interest.

    • Public Tours

      Amongst tours available are CatWalks Tours (in-depth UA experiences coordinated for specific groups), docent-led tours and much more. Contact the UA Visitor Center to schedule your experience.

  • Dining and Lodging

    • Where to Eat on Campus

      The Student Union provides over 35 different eateries, conveniently situated throughout the campus.