Green Valley is located along the western side of the Santa Cruz River. Surrounded by copper mines, and near the cycling, hiking and birding areas of the Santa Rita Mountains, Green Valley is an unincorporated retirement community composed of Homeowner Associations.
Read on to find out about the top 11 things to do in Green Valley, Arizona.
The Titan Missile Museum is the only remaining Titan II site open to the public, allowing you to re-live a time when the threat of nuclear war between the US and the former Soviet Union was a reality. This is an activity highly recommended for kids. Entry Fees are 9.50 USD per adult and 6 USD for kids aged 5 to 12 years. The museum is open from 9.45 am until 4 pm from Sunday until Friday and from 8.45 am until 5 pm on Saturdays.
The Green Valley Gardeners licensed a 4.2 acre (1.6 hectare) park property at 999 South La Huerta in Green Valley to be used as a botanical garden for the enjoyment of all the garden-loving friends in the community. This is a lovely neighborhood park that everyone can visit. It is open from 5 am until 10 pm everyday.
Just a short drive south of Tucson, there is a desert oasis that brings together beauty and tranquility. It makes for a remarkable wedding venue, located amidst striking views of the Santa Rita Mountains, on beautifully manicured grounds. There is a golf course as well, designed by Ken Kavanaugh, and this championship course presents an enjoyable challenge for novices as well as avid golfers.
You can explore the mystery and complexity of an extended network of communities and irrigation canals. An Ancient Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm for visitors to enjoy.
Every Wednesday until 2pm in the Green Valley Village/mall you can find a wonderful array of crafts, produce, Mexican items, food trucks, etc. Tourists recommend you to try the Sonora hot dogs, located in the parking lot. This is surely a great way to see and buy in Green Valley. It isn't overly large but there is enough to interest you. There is an awful lot of jewelry booths, crafty booths, soap and lotion booths. There is also wood work, glass work, cloth work and other home made items.
There are a few vegetable booths and home baking stalls, along with a few clothing booths. Kids might not enjoy this outing since there is nothing for them, unless they like shopping for jewelry. At the back in the parking lot are food trucks and food stations. You can treat yourself to burgers, hotdogs, pizza and popcorn. It is always fun to check out the market on Wednesday!
This desert refuge is said to have sheltered people for over a thousand years. It has been a home, shrine, hideout, inspiring workplace, exciting playground as well as a tranquil retreat. On the National Historic Register, the 2,400-acre (971 ha) park showcases crystal-filled Colossal Cave and historic La Posta Quemada Ranch. Cave tours, Western trail rides, camping, and picnicking can be enjoyed here. Open everyday from 8 am until 5 pm, a regular cave tour costs 16 USD per adult and 9 USD for kids.
Celebrating Anza Day at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa.
If you are interested in ranching and history this is a fascinating place to visit. The ranch is only open on Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. All tour guides are volunteers so some may be better than others. Walking tours are held at 9:30 am and 11:30 am. Admission is a free will offering and all money goes towards restoration costs. This tour may not be recommended for young children but is great for teens and adults who love horses, ranching, and history!
Catalina State Park is a state park of Arizona, United States, that is adjacent to Coronado National Forest on the western slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. Enjoy the nature, go on a hike, and don't forget your camera!
Madera Canyon is a canyon in the northwestern face of the Santa Rita Mountains, 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Tucson, Arizona. As part of the Coronado National Forest, Madera Canyon has campsites, picnic areas, and miles of hiking trails.
The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is an American astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; it is their largest field installation outside of their main site in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The observatory is open on weekdays from 8.30 am until 4.30 pm.
Just a 20 minutes' drive from Green Valley is the San Xavier Mission. This historic landmark is a great place for history buffs and Catholics (and definitely worth the short drive). Completed in 1797 as part of a Catholic mission, the church is the oldest example of European baroque architecture in Arizona and is one of the most visited sites in the state. To this day, San Xavier Mission is still a working church and visitors can even attend for mass. If you're not religious or simply want to visit during non-service hours, you will still get to see the church's incredible original statues and mural paintings.
Green Valley has a lot of educational experiences to offer, along with fun outings for the family. So why not make a trip soon? Have fun and let us know if this list helped you plan your itinerary!