Encircled by five mountain ranges and several state and national parks, Tucson seduces visitors with its awesome beauty, spectacular spas, guest ranches, lush golf courses, art galleries and more than 350 sunny days a year. Forget hotels, the best way to fully enjoy the diverse surroundings is a vacation rental. Imagine staying in luxurious, multi-bedroom home, amenity-laden condo or comfortable cabin rather than a staid, small hotel room.

Attention art aficionados! Tucson has more than 215 art groups and organizations and there are more than 35 art galleries in the downtown district where you can view works and purchase art. For family fun, Tucson lets the good times roll with attractions such as Old Tucson Studios, an Old West theme park with live shows, stunts and trail rides, Tucson Children’s Museum, an interactive museum with 10 galleries and hands-on exhibits and Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, where you can had feed ostriches, deer and miniature donkeys and Reid Park Zoo, which has over 500 exotic animals in their natural habitats.

No visit to Tucson is complete without enjoying some form of outdoor recreation. For hiking, try the trails at Saguaro National Park West, 10 miles west of Tucson, where you can climb at 4,600-foot peak. Bikers should head to the Old Spanish Trail to Colossal Cave Mountain Park, about 40 minutes from downtown, which concludes at the intriguing Colossal Cave. Bird lovers, venture to Tohono Chul Park in the city, a 49-acre desert preserve with many different birds and docent guided birding tours. Family vacation rentals in Tucson