The Sentinel Peak has been an age-old tourist attraction for travelers in Tucson. Local residents are also known to use the area and the adjacent Tucson Peak Park as popular venues for weekend getaways and camping. The peak is of particular importance, mainly for its shape, which gives it the name A-peak. The mountain itself is of high historic value, mainly owing to the stories of first American settlements around the mountain.

Wiki Info on Sentinel Peak

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel_Peak_%28Arizona%29

The Sentinel peak is a significant tourist spot located less than five miles away from Tucson's main business district at the center. The interesting history and view are the main features that attract a large number of tourists every year. The Sentinel Peak Park is an added feature, which can be visited while you travel to the outskirts on the western borders of Tucson. A truly beautiful spot, the area also plays home to a number of reputed hotels.

The Peak stands about 2,900 feet tall, which makes for a view of the beautiful Tucson Basin, and food outlets on the highways and outskirts of the city. Historically the peak was used to inspect the horizon of raging warriors mostly from the Apache tribes in the surrounding areas of Arizona.

The mountain also serves as a popular subject for college and university teams to be associated with it. The Sentinel Peak road is one of the most attractive developments that have ensued as a result of students' efforts in order to popularize the site of great historic and cultural importance. The following links will help you to learn more about the mountain:

Sentinel Peak Road

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~sandiway/bike/amountain/index.html

Sentinel Peak Reviews on Yahoo

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2809921-sentinel_peak_tucson-i

Reviews on Sentinel Peak from Tripadvisor

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60950-d524680-Reviews-A_Mountain_Sentinel_Peak-Tucson_Arizona.html

Sentinel Peak is also known as the "A Mountain", being a ridge on the Tucson Mountains. The peak is made up largely by volcanic rocks even though the mountain itself is not a volcanic one. The peak is made prominent by a large "A" that is painted with basalt rock formation, by the University of Arizona students. This "A" is maintained and colored by student organizations at the Tucson school and on St. Patrick's day the A is painted Green.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel_Peak_(Arizona)

1. What are the other nearby attractions?

There are some other places near to the sentinel peak which on your day out around the city you could visit:

- El Tiradito, Wishing Shrine-this is more than a mile away from the Sentinel Peak. It is an important monument and landmark of the city involving legends and stories behind it.

- Tucson Convention Center-This is a landmark and a great attraction for tourists for its performing arts especially theater.

- Tucson Museum of Art-All kinds of art. From traditional to western and modern art are on display.

http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/near-77972005-United_States_Arizona_Tucson_Sentinel_Peak_attractions.html

2. Which are the best nearby Tucson AZ hotels?

Here is a list of some of the nearest hotels to Sentinel peak along with the Tucson hotel rates:

- La Quinta Inn-less than a mile away. $79 are the rates

- Tucson AZ Travelodge-This is also less than a mile away. $70 are the rates

- Pueblo Inn-This is a mile away. $70 are the rates

Browse through the hotels that are farther away by following this link

http://www.mytravelguide.com/hotels/near-77972005-United_States_Arizona_Tucson_Sentinel_Peak_hotels.html