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5 Best Things to Do in Green Valley, AZ

Located south of Tucson, the charming community of Green Valley, Arizona, has the best of both worlds – peaceful residential streets in a magnificent desert setting and convenient access to a vibrant, bustling city.

Green Valley is an unincorporated community in Pima County. It was founded in 1964 and occupies part of the vast San Ignacio de las Canoa Land Grant which spans 46,697 acres. Today, it is a vibrant retirement community and gateway to historic southern Arizona.

Whether you’re planning to spend a vacation here or considering making this lovely location your new home, here’s your guide to the best things to do in Green Valley, AZ, so you can experience everything this place has to offer.

Bird watching are things to do in green valley az

Credit: Image by Dulcey Lima | Unsplash

Exploring Madera Canyon

What makes Madera Canyon one of the best things to do in Green Valley, Arizona, is its pleasant weather, extensive trail systems, and stunning mountain scenery.

Madera Canyon is a world-renowned spot for bird watching, offering a warm retreat for migrating bird species. This place also boasts an extensive trail system for hikers with stunning mountain scenery.

Below are the park entrance fees:

  • Day Pass: $5
  • Week Pass: $10
  • Annual Pass: $20

Address and Website:

Going to historic parks are things to do in green valley az

Credit: Image by John Nupp | Unsplash

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is the oldest European community and the best-preserved Spanish colonial presidio site in the state of Arizona.

Home to 2,000 years of history, the park is a great place to familiarize yourself with Arizona’s historic and territorial culture.

Visit the Tubac Presidio and experience the history of a Tohono O’odham, Apache, Mexican, Spanish, Territorial American, Hohokam, African Moors, African Americans, Chinese immigrants, and Russian-Jewish Settlers.

Below are the park entrance fees:

  • Adults (14 years and above): $7
  • Children (ages 7 to 13): $2
  • Children (6 and under): Free

Address and Website:

Titan Missile Museum

The Titan Missile Museum features the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the country.

Go back in time during the Cold War as you tour the underground missile site. This National Historic Landmark site allows visitors to see the three-ton blast doors, eight-foot-thick silo walls, and an actual Titan II missile inside the launch duct.

Below are the museum entrance fees:

  • Adults: $15.50
  • Seniors: $15.50
  • Children (ages 5 to 12): $12.00
  • Children (4 and under): Free

Address and Website:

Girl at the farmers market, things to do in green valley az

Credit: Image by oe Deal | Unsplash

Green Valley Farmers Market

The Green Valley Farmers & Artisans Market is open year-round. The area’s longest-running and largest marketplace and weekly community event is nestled along the I-19 corridor (off Esperanza Exit).

Locals look forward to freshly roasted coffee, flaky pastries, fresh vegetables, and beautiful handmade arts and crafts every Wednesday from over 100 artisans and small local food businesses.

Address and Website:

Guy using binoculars in National Conservation area, things to do in green valley az.

Credit: Image by Jordan Spalding | Unsplash

Birding at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

This 56,000-acre preserve along the upper San Pedro River is home to over 100 species of breeding birds and offers an invaluable habitat for over 250 species of migrant and wintering birds.

Many activities can be enjoyed here – birdwatching, picnicking, hunting, hiking, fishing, biking, horseback riding, primitive camping, pre-historic and historic site visiting, guided hikes, interpretive site visitation, and weekend children’s programs.

Address and Website:

Wrap Up

Green Valley, AZ, rich in history and culture and surrounded by spectacular natural attractions, is such an amazing place to visit and even move into. The community offers quiet solitude and a great lifestyle ideal for those looking for a relaxed setting.

If you are planning to visit Green Valley, AZ, and would like to know more about this area, feel free to give us a call today at 520.245.9000, and we will gladly provide you with more information, like where to eat or book your accommodations.

Considering moving here? That’s great! The community is an excellent place to live, and we can help you find the best neighborhood and property based on your preferences and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re visiting Green Valley, you must try the local favorites – Fry Bread and Chimichangas. Sopapillas, Sonoran hot dogs, and Nopales, a grilled cactus and corn salad, are also some of the foods that Arizona is famous for.

The best months to visit Green Valley, AZ, are February, March, and November. During these months, you are most likely to experience pleasant weather with average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.

Yes. If you’re visiting or residing in Green Valley, you can go horseback riding on trails that offer scenic and relaxing rides, such as the Bog Spring to Sylvester Spring Loop. It is the longest horseback riding trail in Green Valley, 7.4 km long.

Yes, Green Valley is a bustling retirement community, offering numerous amenities for active seniors, such as public courses like Haven Public Golf Club, Quail Creek Country Club, San Ignacio Golf Club, and Torres Blancas Golf Club.

Green Valley’s Community Performance & Art Center stages over a hundred concerts, live theater productions, and art exhibitions every year. The Green Valley Recreation Center presents a performing arts series and hosts seasonal Farmers’ Markets.

Outdoor activities to encourage a healthy lifestyle include tours and environmental education programs like bird walks and stargazing. Southeast of Green Valley, there are extraordinary nature trails starting at Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains.

These are nearby medical facilities to accommodate the needs of the residents:

  • Centro Medico de Especialidades, Sonors Mexico
  • IMSS UMF 64, Sonora, Mexico
  • Mariposa Community Health Center, south of Nogales
  • Medical Center Nogales
  • Medical Center Sonora