Today, Tucson, Arizona is the home to 800,000 residents and is an attractive destination to visitors. However, its warm, inviting weather and busy event calendar belie its colorful past. Tucson's history dates back to the time of Christ's birth, and it is among the oldest continually inhabited areas in the United States. According to the Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, in 1884 there were 25 saloons in the city. Still on the books is an old law forbidding women to wear pants. John Dillinger was arrested in Tucson, while Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday made a stop at the train depot before going on to Tombstone.
Although its Wild West days may be behind it, Tucson, Arizona, still holds its residents and visitors captive. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Saguaro National Park, home to the giant cactus, as well as hiking in the Sonoran Desert. Baseball aficionados show up to watch three major league teams - the Arizona Razorbacks, the Colorado Rockies, and the Chicago White Sox - during spring training each year. Duffers enjoy world-class golf courses while cyclists ride to their heart's content throughout the area. Amateur ornithologists are delighted by the area's large number of hummingbird species.
Tucson also attracts many events and conventions. Foremost on the event calendar is the gem show, officially known as the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase. Drawing everyone from mineralogists to buyers of fine jewelry, the January and February shows represent the largest gathering of gem show exhibitors in the world. For those whose interests lie in the heavens rather than the earth, Tucson offers unparalleled opportunities for amateur astronomers to stargaze.
Tucson, Arizona's rich heritage of Spanish, Mexican, and Native American influences is evident in both the area's cuisine and entertainment. Its event calendar is filled with such gatherings as La Fiesta de los Vaqueros and the Annual Waila Festival.
Those who appreciate art can find a variety of venues in which to enjoy creativity. A street fair will draw local artists and artisans, while art museums - such as Ansel Adams' Center for Creative Photography and the University of Arizona Museum of Art - abound.
Whatever activity residents and visitors choose to engage in, it's almost certain that the sun will be out. According to the Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tucson enjoys 300 sunny days each year, with summer temperatures averaging in the high 90s and winter temperatures averaging about 70 degrees.
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