Top-Ranked Cycling City. During National Bike Month, in May, Tucson was recognized with rankings in two national top-ten lists for bicycle friendliness. The Travel Channel rated Tucson #6 on its list of Top 10 Cycling Cities in the Nation, while the fitness website Walkscore.com placed Tucson #8 on its list of Top 10 Most Bikeable Large U.S. Cities. Three Tucson historic districts - Pie Allen, Iron Horse, and Armory Park - were ranked among the "most bikeable neighborhoods in the country," according to an analysis of Walkscore.com's bike rankings by TheAtlanticCities.com.   Bike Score uses a 100-point scale weighted equally on bike lanes, hills, destinations and road connectivity, and bike commuting mode share, according to a summary on TucsonVelo.com. visitTucson.org/things-to-do/biking

Bicycle Friendly Community. Speaking of Tucson's bicycling accolades, the organizers of El Tour de Tucson (Perimeter Bicycling Association of America (PBAA)) are spreading the word that the Tucson and East Pima County region is recognized as a gold-level "Bicycle Friendly Community" by the League of American Bicyclists. Only 18 communities in the United States have achieved gold-level status, the second-highest a community can receive. bikeleague.org; perimeterbicycling.com

El Tour de Tucson. University Medical Center El Tour de Tucson is organized annually by Perimeter Bicycling Association of America on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. "El Tour" is Tucson & Southern Arizona's largest perimeter cycling event, attracting roughly 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide; and consisting of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional riders. Participants cycle main event distances of 111, 85, 60 or 42 miles, or choose the Fun Ride 6, 3 or 1/4-miles. Main event routes show off Sonoran Desert scenery. Course profiles range from flat to rolling or moderately hilly, though the 40-mile route is basically flat and a great family affair or a perfect first event for beginners. perimeterbicycling.com

Hello, Big Kitty. An orphaned mountain lion cub has been adopted by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum after being rescued and nursed back to health by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The six-month-old cub, unsuitable for reintroduction into the wild, was recently presented to the public as the newest resident of the Mountain Woodland habitat at the world-renowned outdoor, living museum in Tucson Mountain Park, 12 miles west of downtown Tucson. Curators say the 51-pound cub is thriving, and enjoys chasing rock squirrels and lazing in the shade to the delight of visitors who appreciate his energy and youthful curiosity. desertmuseum.org

Rivers to the Sea. A new permanent exhibition, "From Rivers to the Sonoran Sea," has opened at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum . With 14 tanks, including two "touch tanks," displaying fresh- and salt-water sea life, this exhibit will reveal the mysteries of the rivers and aquatic life of the Sonoran Desert as well as the sea life representative of the Sea of Cortez. As one of the most biologically diverse seas on the planet, the Sea of Cortez also provides much of the moisture for summer rains in the Sonoran Desert region that includes Tucson and Southern Arizona. desertmuseum.org

San Xavier Public Tours. The Mission San Xavier del Bac, located nine miles south of downtown Tucson, is offering free guided tours for the first time in its 214-year history. Volunteer docents lead 45-minute tours, Monday - Saturday, and explain the mission's rich history and ornate interior that includes painted murals and original statuary. Tours of the mission, a National Historic Landmark, are made possible through Patronato San Xavier, a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to promote the restoration, maintenance, and preservation of the mission, which was completed in 1797. The tour schedule is subject to change because the mission is a working Roman Catholic Church. Information can be found under Docent Tours on SanXavierMission.org.

Legendary Art and Architecture. A new exhibit of work by acclaimed Tucson artist Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia has opened at the gallery he built in the 1960s and dedicated to Mexico's most popular religious and cultural icon. The "Our Lady of Guadalupe" exhibit at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun features dozens of devotional images in ink, watercolor, encaustic, tempera and ceramic created by the artist over his prolific 50-year career. Though DeGrazia died in 1982 at the age of 73, his foundation carries on his memory at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun National Historic District, a 10-acre museum of the artist's work and architectural landmark in Tucson's northern foothills. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except New Year's, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. degrazia.org

Digital Art Photography. The "Anticipating Digital" exhibition at the Center for Creative Photography, July 13-October 20, features the prescient work of archive artist Todd Walker (1917-1998). Three decades of Walker's work are examined, highlighting his early use of computers to digitize images, and features examples of Walker's use of alternate printing methods, including offset lithos, silkscreens, collotypes, self-published artist books, and portfolios. The Center for Creative Photography, on the University of Arizona campus, was co-founded by one of photography's greatest masters, Ansel Adams, in 1975. It is largest institution in the world devoted to documenting the history of modern North American photography. creativephotography.org

Desert Japanese Garden. The southernmost Japanese garden in the West opened recently in Tucson. At the new Yume Japanese Gardens the young plants in five traditional gardens - including courtyard, grass, stone and gravel, Zen contemplative, and strolling pond - are adapting to Tucson's warm, dry climate and are gently evolving in true Japanese style. In addition to these spaces designed for experiencing nature and tranquility, Yume Japanese Gardens also offers cultural events, festivals, and workshops. tucsonjapanesegardens.com.

Browse a Botanical Garden. Tucson Botanical Gardens recently unveiled the first phase of its capital campaign with a new front entryway, titled First Impressions. The entryway, a classic steel arch, is modeled after Tucson's important ranching past. The new arch already is making a remarkable impact on the visitor experience by cementing not only Tucson's history but by honoring the founding Porter family's legacy without which Tucson would not enjoy this lush city oasis. Tucson Botanical Gardens, designated as an America's Best Secret Garden by Reader's Digest, is an urban oasis in the heart of Tucson featuring a five-and-a-half-acre collection of 17 specialty gardens. 520-326-9686, Ext. 10; tucsonbotanical.org

A Culinary Marathon. Some say the greatest contribution Tucson has made to America's culinary scene is the chimichanga, which was introduced at one of the city's restaurants in the 1950s. The classic chimichanga is a tortilla wrapped around chicken or refried beans or dried beef and shaped into a cylinder, then deep fried and topped with cheese, sour cream and salsa. Diners can sample a "chimi" at any of dozens of family-owned, Mexican-style restaurants throughout the city. A new website, The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food, makes it easy to embark on a Tucson-style culinary marathon. best23milesofmexicanfood.com

Sip the World's Greatest Margarita. The "Tatas & Tequila Margarita," created by Ryan Clark, executive chef at Lodge on the Desert boutique hotel, won the top spot at the World's Greatest Margarita Championship, hosted at the Tucson Museum of Art in October. Click here to check out Clark's concoction: a blend of pomegranate jam, pomegranate white balsamic vinegar, citrus, and Tequila Penasco. This year's cocktail contest, a Tucson Culinary Festival event, featured a record 18 mixologists from the independently owned Tucson Originals restaurants who faced off in a spirited celebration of tequila and the quest for the perfect margarita. tucsonoriginals.com/culinary-festival/world-margarita-championship

Stay at a Historic Hotel. Legend has it that the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort's Casita Grande was the favorite hideaway of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Rich in history, this award-winning resort hotel originally opened in 1929 as an exclusive ranch school for girls; today, it is a proud member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of America. With 34 acres of surrounding natural desert terrain and established gardens of cacti, flowers, and sculpture, Hacienda del Sol's secluded landscape helped earn its recent selection as a Fodor's Choice property. This designation as a leader in its field for service, quality, and value in 2012 means this legendary Tucson retreat will receive special recognition in the next Fodor's guidebook to Tucson as well as on Fodors.com. Explore the property on haciendadelsol.com

Downtown's Public Market. Tucson's newest downtown development, the Mercado San Agustin, is a bustling marketplace located in a green building with 15,000-square-feet of space, west of downtown. Billed as "Tucson's first and only public market," the Mercado is home to independent merchants that range from small kiosks with locally produced goods to the Agustin Brasserie, a chic French bistro whose outdoor dining options include both courtyard and rooftop seating. The Mercado's shared-use commercial kitchen allows small-business owners to prepare and package foods for retail. A weekly farmers' market, a holiday bazaar, community activities, and a prime location at the base of "A" Mountain on the forthcoming Tucson Modern Streetcar route make the Mercado a dynamic component of Tucson's expanding city center. 520-398-5382. mercadosanagustin.com

Downtown Dining. With more than 50 choices, featuring everything from innovative culinary adventures to the classic Sonoran hot dog, downtown Tucson restaurants are serving up the excitement. And the number of award-winning restaurants, street vendors, and food trucks found in the heart of the city is growing: 47 Scott, Agustín Brasserie, Casa Vicente, Cup Café at Hotel Congress, Cafe a la C'art, Empire Pizza, Café Poca Cosa, Caffé Milano, Downtown Kitchen & Cocktails, El Charro Café, HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery, La Cocina Restaurant, Vila Thai, Maynards Market & Kitchen and Sparkroot are but a few. New to the scene is Reilly Craft Pizza, Elliott's on Congress, Proper and Diablo Burger. downtowntucson.org/visit/dining

All Souls Weekend. A Tucson event inspired by Mexico's Dia de los Muertos, the All Souls Procession, will take place in downtown for the 24th year this fall. On this evening, as many as 35,000 people will walk together through downtown Tucson until they reach a huge urn, filled with notes and prayers written by participants, which are burned as part of a grand finale. Participants dress in garments belonging to deceased loved ones and carry photos of them; many wear white skeleton makeup or giant masks, some carry lanterns and marigolds; other beat drums and sing or chant. The grand finale includes music and a pyrotechnics show by Tucson's circus and fire theater, Flam Chen. Photos from past processions can be seen on allsoulsprocession.org.

Tucson Meet Yourself. Ethnic food, folk art exhibits, music and dance presented by more the than 64 cultural groups living in the Southern Arizona--Sonora, Mexico borderland region will be on the program at the 39th annual Tucson Meet Yourself, folk life festival in October. This grassroots celebration of the Southwestern cultural landscape attracts more than 100,000 people to downtown Tucson, annually. This year, the festival was recognized, for shining a light on folk and traditional arts, with two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). To learn more or to volunteer, visit tucsonmeetyourself.org

Southern AZ Wine Country. Experts say the climate and soil conditions in the Southern Arizona villages of Sonoita, Elgin and the Wilcox area are perfect for growing grapes. The local wineries tend to agree. Why not see for yourself? A journey into Arizona wine country makes a pleasant day trip from Tucson. arizonawine.org

Arizona Wine Travel Card. Explore the wine regions of Arizona, and experience world-class Arizona travel destinations while saving money on purchases using the new Arizona Wine Travel Card. The card is accepted at 60 destinations, including 27 wineries throughout Arizona; among them are many in the Sonoita and Willcox areas, just south of Tucson. Arizona wine fans will receive discounts on wine purchases at participating Arizona wineries and at dozens of restaurants, resort/spas, and golf courses. Costs are $20 for one card, or $40 for three. az.winetravelcard.com/purchase

Virtual Arizona Experiences. The interactive Arizona's Recreation & Cultural Sites Map, containing information for more than 425 recreational, historical and cultural sites throughout Arizona, is now live on the Arizona Experience website. With this map, visitors can identify where to boat, fish, view mountain vistas or wildlife, ride equestrian trails, hike, bicycle, and camp throughout Arizona. This website celebrates Arizona via fly-throughs of iconic landscapes, interactive maps, historic timelines, oral histories, informative articles, videos, and slide shows. arizonaexperience.org

Tucson Attractions Passport. Download the digital application for the 10th anniversary print and online editions of theTucson Attractions Passport. This savings guide to attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and shops in Tucson and Southern Arizona is available on Android and Apple smartphones. The 2013 Tucson Attractions Passport costs $18, and offers up to $400 in savings. Learn more on visittucson.org/visitor/attractions/passport

Local Wonders. The Tucson Small Wonders Map features a collection of more than 60 local, independent businesses and attractions, including fine restaurants, cafés, boutiques, housewares stores, and art galleries. The CD-sized, full-color map is designed to help visitors and locals find one-of-a-kind places to eat and shop and do fun things. The map's boundaries cover a walkable area from Mercado San Agustin on the west side of downtown, through the downtown arts districts, and along 4th Avenue to Main Gate Square near the University of Arizona. More than 50,000 complimentary copies of the Tucson Small Wonders Map have been printed and are being distributed across Arizona. localfirstaz.com/small-wonders/tucson.

Hilton El Conquistador Enhanced. At the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, a $6 million enhancement project has been completed. The enhancement at the property, located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains Mountains in northwest Tucson, included a redesigned lobby and lobby lounge, the new Southwestern-themed restaurant Epazote, an age-exclusive retreat, 16 resurfaced tennis courts, and a new Executive Conference Center -- the only one of its kind in the area. The AAA Four Diamond Award-winning El Conquistador offers sweeping views of mountains and the surrounding valley. 520-544-5000. hiltonelconquistador.com

Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa has completed a $30 million rejuvenation of all its public spaces and private rooms, including makeovers of the 487 guest rooms and 25 suites as well as upgrades to new banquet amenities. Upgrades to the guest rooms and suites include Westin Heavenly Bed, headboard incorporating LED technology, working desk with power outlets and Internet hard-wired access, accent table that expands to accommodate a laptop or in-room dining tray, 42" HD-TV, smart mini-refrigerator, wood finished fiberglass entry doors, and full-length mirrors. Improved bathrooms will include Westin Heavenly Rain Forest showerhead, Heavenly Mirror, expanded shower, double vanities, deep soaking tub, accent tiles, and low-flow toilets. New technology features will include INNCOM Energy Management System (draws fresh air from outside rather than recirculating), and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) door locks. The 60,000-square-foot conference space has been rejuvenated with new carpeting with ballroom chandeliers, and state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. westinlapalomaresort.com

Aloft Tucson University.  The newest hotel in Tucson, the Aloft Tucson University, opened in April in midtown at 1900 E. Speedway Blvd., near the University of Arizona and the University Medical Center, minutes from shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The totally renovated, seven-story hotel will offer 154 loft-style guest rooms featuring modern furniture and entertainment centers, and hotel-wide, free Internet access. Other amenities will include a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a lounge specializing in creative cocktails, billiards, and a DJ. The two conference rooms will provide 1,723 square feet of meeting space. The Aloft Tucson University is a member of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts chain. 520-908-6800. alofthotels.com

Tucson Modern Streetcar. The City of Tucson is constructing its first electric railway streetcar. When completed in late 2013, the Sun Link Tucson Modern Streetcar will connect major activity centers in central Tucson -- the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue, Main Gate Square, Downtown Tucson and Mercado District -- along a 3.9-mile route featuring 18 stops adorned with public art and LED poetry panels. Tucson's eight streetcar vehicles will be part of the first order of vehicles made in the United States in nearly 60 years, meeting 'Buy America' requirements. This project is part of Tucson's regional plan for a multi-modal transportation system that offers bike lanes and paths, new sidewalks and greenways, and added transit service. tucsonstreetcar.com