Our Favorite Things to do With Holiday Visitors

Do you have family, friends, or any other guests coming to Southern Arizona to enjoy the holidays in a warm and sunny way? Here are some of our favorite ways to show off the best of Marana and the surrounding area!

CreditJD Fitzgerald Photography/Marana Parks & Recreation

Tee off in Marana this holiday!

Marana is a true golf oasis in the desert. With four championship-level courses, your guests can experience rolling greens and fairways framed by iconic saguaro cacti, all set against panoramic desert and mountain views under Southern Arizona’s endless blue skies. Whether your family plays or just enjoys the scenery, Marana makes for an unforgettable holiday escape.

CreditThe Golf Club at Dove Mountain

In Marana, weekends aren’t just plans — they’re possibilities.

When family comes to town and you’re looking for something fun to do, Marana delivers. Sip cold pints at local taprooms, jump into a trivia night, catch live music under the stars, or graze your way through our food truck favorites. There’s always something happening here — and always something to share with your guests. Make sure to check our weekend happenings for all the fun happening this weekend.

A December to remember

If you are visiting Marana this holiday season with friends or family, experience over 200,000 music-synchronized lights, a 45-foot Christmas tree, and a new 30-foot light tunnel. The lights and music come alive every half hour from 6 PM to 9 PM, December 6 through 26. It is the tallest municipal Christmas tree in Arizona, making it a holiday experience everyone will be talking about when they go home.

PicturedMarana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting

CreditJ.D. Fitzgerald/Marana Parks & Recreation

Tell them all to "Take a Hike" (and go with them)!

One of the first things that comes to mind when people think of Arizona is of course our beautiful scenery, and Marana is no exception to that! Marana is the gateway to the Saguaro National Park West, home to the largest cactus forest in the nation, many miles of trails, endless desert vistas, and panoramic views of Arizona's famous sunsets. Learn more about our Top 3 Hikes in Saguaro National Park West!

Also to the west of Marana is Ironwood Forest National Monument, named after one of the longest-living trees in the desert. The monument offers a significantly more secluded and wild experience than Saguaro National Park.

On the eastern side of Marana, you find the Tortolita Mountains and the Tortolita Preserve, with dozens of miles of trails winding their way through canyons and displaying a vast array of desert life, including crested saguaros, palo verdes, ironwoods, mesquites, and other cacti.

Are they more into strolling than hiking?

Marana also has many miles of The Loop, a paved, shared-use path connecting various parts of Pima County. It's possible to walk or ride around the entire county! This is the perfect path for those looking to get out on a walk or bike ride and get some exercise, but without the terrain and rocks.

For those interested in birdwatching, check out the El Rio Preserve, a riparian area along the Santa Cruz River where nearly 250 bird species have been observed. Find more birding hotspots in Marana here.

You can also go for a stroll through the beautiful gardens full of plants native to the Sonoran Desert at Tohono Chul, and see the animals native to Arizona, along with an incredible trek through the Sonoran Desert at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

CreditEl Rio Preserve

Are they into something more adventurous? Well, you’re in luck.

Soar above the desert in a hot air balloon with Foolish Pleasure Hot Air Balloon Rides, or in a parachute with Skydive Marana!
Not adventurous in the traditional sense but definitely unique, head to Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, a working ostrich ranch and petting zoo, which is the self-proclaimed “Darndest Place You’ll Ever Visit”! Certainly an experience your family will never forget!
Take a step back in time and experience the holidays the Old West Way at Old Tucson! Yuletide, the park's annual holiday event, mixes the magic of the holidays with the authentic, historic look and feel of the beloved theme park with rides, stunt shows, musical theatre performances, and much more.

Are you just looking to spend some quality time together – but with some friendly competition?

Topgolf Marana – You don’t have to be good at golf to have a great time at Topgolf! Hit some balls, grab a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy each other’s company. If they do happen to be good at golf, Marana has some award-winning golf courses for you to hit the links at!
Wanting to up the competition a little? Head out to Disruptive Paintball or BKW Paintball for a great day of battling and strategy! They provide everything you’ll need.

Are they foodies? Or have they just heard about the amazing food we have here in Southern Arizona?

One of the best things to do with family anywhere is to enjoy a meal out, and Marana has many restaurants for you to show off to them, from award-winning upscale establishments to delicious local street food vendors! Southern Arizona is known for its great food, including signature Sonoran-style Mexican food and Sonoran Hot Dogs! Marana certainly has no shortage of either of those.

If there’s an occasion that might call for a more upscale experience, may we suggest the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain? The property features five restaurants serving up fine dishes inspired by the Sonoran Desert. Check out Cayton's, which blends casual family dining, great views, and the luxury and attention to detail that The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is known for.

Several of the restaurants host specialty holiday dining events on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's that require reservations, so it's recommended to check the hotel website or call ahead for more information.

Many of our restaurants also feature unique twists on classic drinks, specially-themed drinks, and even some award-winning beverages, that are great to share with out-of-town visitors. Check out our Drink Marana series for more!

PicturedEnchilada from La Olla Mexican Café, a Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner.

CreditTucson Foodie

Places for Your Guests to Stay

When your guests do arrive, Marana has a variety of different lodging options for them to chose from, from luxurious to budget-friendly and everything else in between!

CreditThe Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain