WEST TUCSON. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of Tucson's star attractions, with good reason. Part zoo, part natural history museum, and part botanical garden, the facility is set on 21 acres and is home to numerous animals that roam freely within invisibly-fenced enclosures. After checking out the exhibits in the main visitor center, wander along two miles of paved pathways, where you can catch sight of endangered species such as the Mexican wolf, thick-billed parrot, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and the Gila topminnow; and not-so-endangered critters like leafcutter ants, black bears, river otters, bighorn sheep, coatis, beavers, coyote, javelinas, black-tailed prairie dogs, termites and roadrunners. And don't miss the captivating cactus garden or the Hummingbird Aviary!

SOUTHEAST ARIZONA. This dry cave in the Rincon Mountains east of Tucson offers tours that cover the extensive and colorful history of the cave. This tour is particularly popular during the hot summer months, when the cave maintains its cool temperature of 70 degrees, providing a respite from the desert heat. Try a trail ride on horseback, or visit the museum to learn more about the indigenous wildlife, such as bats and ringtailed cats. A butterfly garden and desert tortoise exhibit are other offerings. Reservations are suggested for the guided trail rides, which leave from La Posta Quemada Ranch.

FOOTHILLS. Tohono Chul Park is a wildlife refuge within the metropolitan area of Tucson. Covering 48 acres, the park is designed to educate visitors about this desert area via demonstration gardens, greenhouse and the unique geology wall. Visitors enjoy the pleasant tea room, the greenhouse shop and the small but informative museum.

NORTHEAST. Set in the heart of the city, the Tucson Botanical Gardens offers plenty of winding pathways taking visitors past floral exhibits, greenhouses, classrooms for instruction, and a superb exhibit on xeriscaping, a concept of planning yards and gardens using minimal water in the desert climate. Don't miss the iris garden, the herb garden, the unique tropical exhibit or the well-stocked gift shop. NOTE: BUTTERFLY MAGIC IS CLOSED UNTIL OCTOBER 2007.