Arizona is a truly special place in the southwestern United States. It's home to some of the most scenic natural beauty on earth, including the impressive Grand Canyon and beautiful cities that should be on everyone's bucket list. One of those special places for him is Tucson. There are endless reasons to visit Tucson, one of Arizona's shining gems and a city with so much to do and discover.

However, travelers often miss out on exploring all of the charming small towns near Tucson. It's easy to want to explore the most traveled and popular destinations, but there's always a good reason for that. However, it may be worth the extra time and effort to find some of these hidden gems. One of these hidden gems is a small town north of Tucson called Oracle, Arizona. There's a lot to know about this scenic alternative to Tucson.

Oracle, Arizona is a scenic alternative to Tucson

50 minutes drive from Tucson, 2 hours drive from Phoenix

Saguaros at dusk in the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix

One of the reasons Oracle is a great alternative or addition to Tucson is its proximity and ease of access from Tucson. This means travelers don't have to skip the Tucson experience entirely and can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Oracle is located 47 miles northwest of Tucson It's a scenic 50-minute drive through the Sonoran Desert. If you're flying into Phoenix, Oracle is a two-hour drive south of central Arizona and offers visitors the following services: One of Arizona's most beautiful drives.

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The town of Oracle is nestled in the beautiful Mount Lemmon, the highest peak in the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains, providing not only a beautiful backdrop but also a wealth of hiking trails for visitors to explore.

Oracle has much less traffic than Tucson, so you're more likely to enjoy the solitude and peace of its natural surroundings.

What is Oracle, Arizona best known for? (and why to go)

Oracle has a western flare, spectacular stargazing, and plenty of outdoor activities.

Biosphere 2, Oracle, Arizona, USA

Oracle has been around for almost 200 years, so visitors will immediately feel the charm of the historic West. Originally a haven for miners and ranchers, over the years it has developed a unique character with a diverse community that thrives on arts, crafts, and outdoor activities. Oracle has an unmistakable Wild West feel that is the backbone of this eclectic small Arizona town.

One of Oracle's popular attractions (I kid you not) is its stargazing.oracle is official dark sky community Just east of town, Oracle State Park contains 4,000 acres of state land. What makes this a great place for stargazing is the fact that this park is one of the least visited stretches of land in all of Arizona. Therefore, for those looking for a more intimate experience with nature, Oracle is the place to be.

Oracle is The perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Arizona is home to some beautiful hiking trails, and Oracle is no exception.There are some Spectacular hiking trails in the Santa Catalina Mountains Here, you can enjoy bird watching, plant viewing, and even mountain biking while being surrounded by beautiful desert scenery.

There are two must-see locations at Oracle. The first one, World Famous Biosphere 2serves as a living lab where guests can learn about the Earth and its ecosystems. The second one is arizona zipline adventureyou can experience a zipline ecotour that includes five different ziplines while enjoying a unique bird's eye view of the Sonoran Desert.

biosphere 2

• address: 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739
• time: Sunday – Saturday – 9:30am – 3:30pm
• price: $27 per person
• Reasons to go: The world's largest managed environment dedicated to understanding the impacts of climate change.

arizona zip line

• address: 35406 S. Mount Lemon RoadOracle, AZ 85623
• time: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm Closed Monday – Wednesday
• Price: Zipline Eco Tour: $94 per person Sunset Zipline $100 per person

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Oracle is known for being home to the Dude Ranch.

Oracle, Arizona with Mt. Lemon in the background

Since the 1800s, Oracle has been a destination for ranchers. Of course, along with the ranchers comes ranches, giving visitors to Oracle the opportunity to experience ranch life with modern comforts and amenities.

Oracle may not have as many hotels, but staying at one of these ranches will be an unforgettable experience.

El Rancho Robles Guest Ranch

• address: 1170 N Rancho Robles Rd, Oracle, AZ 85623
• price: From $150 per night
• Reasons to stay: A combination of a historic ranch and a boutique hotel with beautiful rooms surrounded by oak trees.

Misumi L Ranch

• address: 2805 N Triangle L Ranch Rd, Oracle, AZ 85623
• price: From $125 per night
• Reasons to stay: Another historic ranch with cozy private cottages

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Where to eat and drink while staying at Oracle

Hilltop Tavern is a must-visit for local food, beer, and live music

Sunset over Tucson, Arizona

Oracle is home to local eateries that give you the feel of this urban western town. Oracle has several institutions that visitors are most likely to visit, whether or not they plan to visit.

Hilltop Tavern is the perfect place to unwind after a day of hiking or ziplining with a burger, beer, and live music. There are several places around town where you can enjoy breakfast or morning coffee.

Ore House Hilltop Tavern

• address: 1200 N Jefferson Dr, Oracle, AZ 85623
• time: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11am – 9pm Friday, Saturday 11am – 11pm
• Reasons to go: Enjoy classic izakaya food, delicious beer, and live music. What more do you need in the middle of the desert?

Bean Road – Coffee Club

• address: 335 W American Ave, Oracle, AZ 85623
• time: Sunday to Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Reasons to go: Great spot for coffee and breakfast

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For those looking for a quieter destination, head to the other side of the Santa Catalina Mountains from Tucson and get a taste of this hidden gem. While it may be worth a visit just for the hiking and stargazing, there are many reasons to consider spending a day or two at Oracle.

There's no better place to experience the quiet solitude of the Sonoran Desert while staying at a boutique ranch. Oracle, Arizona is where space meets the Wild West.