Visitor’s Guide to the Arizona Bowl

Here is your complete list of where to stay, what to do after the game, and surrounding attractions.

You can count on two things for the December 30th Arizona Bowl:

  1. If you are here to support your team, the weather here will be MUCH better than where you're coming from.
  2. If you're travelling such a distance, you might as well stay a while and enjoy the outdoor and indoor things to do.

May we suggest staying in Marana where you can avoid the crowds, but still have easy access to Interstate 10 to get to the game?

Where to Stay in Marana

Enjoy your time in Tucson from the comfort of centrally located hotel accommodations in Marana, all within 20 minutes of Arizona Stadium. Marana is contiguous with Tucson (to the north) and is close to Saguaro National Park West, Old Tucson, and has many things to do, such as Topgolf Marana, craft breweries, and Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center.

Hotels along the I-10 Freeway at Cortaro Road are located in a suburban family neighborhood surrounded by new shopping and locally-owned restaurants. This is a perfect home base area. With easy access the I-10, Arizona Stadium is only 20 minutes away, Topgolf Marana just 10 minutes away (on the way to Arizona Stadium). The Hampton Inn & Suites at the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center off the I-10 Freeway Twin Peaks Road exit, is also 20 minutes from Arizona Stadium. Visit our hotels section for more information.

Marana Luxury

Feel like having a serious get away? The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is the place. The only resort in Arizona that has a Forbes Five Star-rating for both the hotel and spa. The Ritz will spoil you in new ways, especially for New Year's Eve. Hiking, biking (road and trail), golf, spa, fitness, and guided activities are all available at The Ritz.

What to Do After the Game

Where better to celebrate/drown your sorrows than Topgolf Marana? No matter what happens on the field, Topgolf Marana will elevate your mood as the ultimate after-game party destination. Located only 20 minutes from Arizona Stadium, you can take in gorgeous views from the rooftop patio lounge, hit the driving range, play games, dine on gastropub style food, and enjoy the ambiance with TV screens and music everywhere.

Make the most of your visit with a trip to the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center, located 24 minutes from Arizona Stadium. With 70 stores, including Michael Kors, Coach, Vans, J. Crew, Lucky Brand, Express, and many more, there is plenty for everyone to choose from.

Must-see Places

Marana is within an easy 30-minute drive distance to one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., Saguaro National Park West (23 min. away). Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (30 min. away), is a couple of miles from Saguaro National Park West and it is one of the world's top-rated zoological gardens. If you head in this direction, you might as well make time to visit Old Tucson, the most-filmed cowboy Western movie location backlot outside of California, since 1939.

If you want to experience some of the most authentic cowboy Western film locations in the West, check out our guide here.

For a quick immersion into the Sonoran Desert without going far from town, visit Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens and Galleries (18 min. away).

May the best team win! And may you enjoy delightful holidays in Southern Arizona.

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