Guidebook for Central Tucson
Food Scene
Not your typical Mexican food! Oaxacan style with fresh ingredients, great margaritas, and a menu that changes daily. I highly suggest ordering "The Plato" which is the chef's choice of 3 dishes picked at random.
106 locals recommend
Cafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington StNot your typical Mexican food! Oaxacan style with fresh ingredients, great margaritas, and a menu that changes daily. I highly suggest ordering "The Plato" which is the chef's choice of 3 dishes picked at random.
Amazing pizza and delicious sides. The dining room is a lively atmosphere. The beer garden is fun and casual. The speakeasy called the Tough Luck Club is a great way to end the night.
79 locals recommend
Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink
101 E Pennington StAmazing pizza and delicious sides. The dining room is a lively atmosphere. The beer garden is fun and casual. The speakeasy called the Tough Luck Club is a great way to end the night.
Huge portions and creative combinations! Great breakfast/brunch spot.
42 locals recommend
Baja Cafe on Campbell
2970 N Campbell AveHuge portions and creative combinations! Great breakfast/brunch spot.
Creative, authentic Japanese sushi. A little pricey but worth the money for the quality.
53 locals recommend
OBON Sushi Bar Ramen
350 E Congress StCreative, authentic Japanese sushi. A little pricey but worth the money for the quality.
The cucumber martini is delicious. Contemporary food with a French twist. Delicious always.
83 locals recommend
Maynards Market & Kitchen
400 N Toole AveThe cucumber martini is delicious. Contemporary food with a French twist. Delicious always.
Great drinks and delicious dinners. One of the few places I would get oysters in Tucson. Contemporary dishes with a southwest twist. The street car ends here, too.
70 locals recommend
Agustin Kitchen
100 South Avenida del ConventoGreat drinks and delicious dinners. One of the few places I would get oysters in Tucson. Contemporary dishes with a southwest twist. The street car ends here, too.
Did you know south eastern AZ has the same soil and climate as Bordeaux, France? Kief-Joshua is just one of many wineries in Elgin and Sonoita, AZ. About an hour away, but always a fun, casual good time! I suggest you pack a picnic basket since there are only a few restaurants around there.
7 locals recommend
Kief-Joshua Vineyards
Did you know south eastern AZ has the same soil and climate as Bordeaux, France? Kief-Joshua is just one of many wineries in Elgin and Sonoita, AZ. About an hour away, but always a fun, casual good time! I suggest you pack a picnic basket since there are only a few restaurants around there.
I have never had a bad meal here. Janos is an amazing chef. Drinks are very creative and use many ingredients from this region including jalapenos, mescal, prickly pear, etc.
43 locals recommend
DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails
135 S 6th AveI have never had a bad meal here. Janos is an amazing chef. Drinks are very creative and use many ingredients from this region including jalapenos, mescal, prickly pear, etc.
Pretty much an adult playground with lots of fun games like ping pong, shuffleboard,etc. Food and atmosphere are so much fun!
97 locals recommend
Culinary Dropout
2543 E Grant RdPretty much an adult playground with lots of fun games like ping pong, shuffleboard,etc. Food and atmosphere are so much fun!
Blue Willow Restaurant
2616 N Campbell AveDelicious for brunch! Always packed so get in line early.
Maple bacon cro-nuts and other delicious brunch favorites. Get there early to beat the line!
170 locals recommend
Prep & Pastry
2660 N Campbell AveMaple bacon cro-nuts and other delicious brunch favorites. Get there early to beat the line!
This place is good for dates, groups, happy hour and brunch. Everything is delicious. Brunch bloody marys are phenomenal. Modern Italian food and delicious cocktails.
51 locals recommend
North Italia
2995 E Skyline DrThis place is good for dates, groups, happy hour and brunch. Everything is delicious. Brunch bloody marys are phenomenal. Modern Italian food and delicious cocktails.
Sushi Garden - Broadway
3048 E Broadway BlvdFresh, delicious and energetic atmosphere!
I could eat here everyday. Salads, mac and cheese, salmon, ice cream.
74 locals recommend
HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery
266 E Congress StI could eat here everyday. Salads, mac and cheese, salmon, ice cream.
One of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Tucson. Authentic and delicious.
151 locals recommend
El Charro Café
311 N Court AveOne of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Tucson. Authentic and delicious.
Great for catching a game and grabbing some quality bar food! The beer is always cold and they have the best bloody mary, too.
22 locals recommend
Trident Grill
2033 E Speedway BlvdGreat for catching a game and grabbing some quality bar food! The beer is always cold and they have the best bloody mary, too.
Eating here was a part of college life. Live music on certain nights. Great pizza and salads. Fun for watching games.
17 locals recommend
Frog & Firkin
874 E University BlvdEating here was a part of college life. Live music on certain nights. Great pizza and salads. Fun for watching games.
Great for lunch, dinner, watching sports. Come for whisky Wednesday for live music and dancing. Sit out on the patio.
78 locals recommend
Union Public House
4340 N Campbell AveGreat for lunch, dinner, watching sports. Come for whisky Wednesday for live music and dancing. Sit out on the patio.
Beautiful presentation, delicious original dishes. Pricey but worth the money. Perfect for date night or special occasions.
48 locals recommend
Wild Garlic Grill
2870 E Skyline DrBeautiful presentation, delicious original dishes. Pricey but worth the money. Perfect for date night or special occasions.
Drinks & Nightlife
Good drinks and people watching.
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StR Bar
350 E Congress StHi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails - Tucson
345 E Congress StGood for dancing, drinking and people watching, especially from the roof top dance floor.
46 locals recommend
Playground Bar & Lounge
278 E Congress StGood for dancing, drinking and people watching, especially from the roof top dance floor.
Sidecar
139 S Eastbourne AveCrafty cocktails and chill atmosphere.
Live country music and lots of dancing. Beers go down pretty smooth here. Feel free to wear your boots and cowboy hat.
28 locals recommend
The Maverick King of Clubs
6622 E Tanque Verde RdLive country music and lots of dancing. Beers go down pretty smooth here. Feel free to wear your boots and cowboy hat.
Live music, DJ and dancing, great tacos, chill atmosphere. Fun on Friday nights for sure.
101 locals recommend
LaCo Tucson | Outdoor Downtown Tucson Restaurant
76 N Court AveLive music, DJ and dancing, great tacos, chill atmosphere. Fun on Friday nights for sure.
Sightseeing
Part zoo, part botanical garden, part mineral and fossil displays. Enjoy all the treasures the desert has to offer. A must see!
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney RdPart zoo, part botanical garden, part mineral and fossil displays. Enjoy all the treasures the desert has to offer. A must see!
If you want to get away from the desert, Mt Lemmon is less than an hour away but 9000 ft up in the forest. Cute little cabins, ski lifts and hiking in the forest.
22 locals recommend
Mt Lemmon Cookie Cabin
12781 N Sabino Canyon ParkIf you want to get away from the desert, Mt Lemmon is less than an hour away but 9000 ft up in the forest. Cute little cabins, ski lifts and hiking in the forest.
Beautiful Catholic mission that has stood the test of time. Iconic pictures of this mission can be seen all over Tucson.
329 locals recommend
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdBeautiful Catholic mission that has stood the test of time. Iconic pictures of this mission can be seen all over Tucson.
If you love military airplanes and spacecraft, this is a must see. The airplane graveyard is incredible.
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdIf you love military airplanes and spacecraft, this is a must see. The airplane graveyard is incredible.
The iconic old west town still survives. Catch the reinactment of the famous shoot out at the OK Corral. The original buildings including the Bird Cage Theater and the Tombstone Courthouse are still standing.
332 locals recommend
Tombstone
300 N Sumner StThe iconic old west town still survives. Catch the reinactment of the famous shoot out at the OK Corral. The original buildings including the Bird Cage Theater and the Tombstone Courthouse are still standing.
Remember that experiment where people lived in a model of Earth for 2 years? The Biosphere 2 still exists and functions as a research facility complete with an ocean, rain forest, desert, etc.
156 locals recommend
Biosphere 2
32540 S Biosphere RdRemember that experiment where people lived in a model of Earth for 2 years? The Biosphere 2 still exists and functions as a research facility complete with an ocean, rain forest, desert, etc.
Shopping
Funky thrift stores, boutiques, book stores, jewelry, and everything else. It's a fun walk towards downtown!
45 locals recommend
North 4th Avenue
North 4th AvenueFunky thrift stores, boutiques, book stores, jewelry, and everything else. It's a fun walk towards downtown!
Beautiful open air mall with high end shops and delicious restaurants. Start shopping in the afternoon then stay for happy hour and dinner.
229 locals recommend
La Encantada
2905 E Skyline DrBeautiful open air mall with high end shops and delicious restaurants. Start shopping in the afternoon then stay for happy hour and dinner.
Your basic big mall with all the stores you need. Macy's, Dillards, JC Pennys are the department stores.
98 locals recommend
Tucson Mall
4500 N Oracle RdYour basic big mall with all the stores you need. Macy's, Dillards, JC Pennys are the department stores.
A smaller mall that has just what you need. Macy's and Dillards are the department stores. Yard House has great food. There is a nice movie theater as well.
106 locals recommend
Park Place
5870 E Broadway BlvdA smaller mall that has just what you need. Macy's and Dillards are the department stores. Yard House has great food. There is a nice movie theater as well.
Have you seen Slobby's World on Netflix? It was filmed here at this 80-90s resale shop. Come meet Slobby and buy your favorite old school memorabilia.
Generation Cool
404 N 4th AveHave you seen Slobby's World on Netflix? It was filmed here at this 80-90s resale shop. Come meet Slobby and buy your favorite old school memorabilia.
Essentials
Safeway
1940 E Broadway BlvdRincon Market
2513 E 6th StTrader Joe's
4209 N Campbell AveWhole Foods Market
3360 E Speedway BlvdIf you need Asian groceries and supplies, this place has the biggest selection on this side of town.
Grant-Stone Supermarket
8 W Grant RdIf you need Asian groceries and supplies, this place has the biggest selection on this side of town.
Entertainment & Activities
Dine -in theater. Recline in comfortable chairs. The food is great. Full bar. Gourmet popcorn, gelato and other desserts.
77 locals recommend
Roadhouse Cinemas
4811 E Grant RdDine -in theater. Recline in comfortable chairs. The food is great. Full bar. Gourmet popcorn, gelato and other desserts.
I always laugh throughout the whole show. A good mix of touring and local comedians. The drinks are strong!
12 locals recommend
Laff's Comedy Cafe
2900 E Broadway BlvdI always laugh throughout the whole show. A good mix of touring and local comedians. The drinks are strong!
Musical comedy dinner theater. Great fun for families, date night, and special occasions. The atmosphere is casual. The food is 50's diner with burgers, shakes, pizza and all kinds of desserts. Tickets need to be purchased over the phone. Check out the website to see what shows are available. Let them know if there is a birthday or occasion so they can recognize you in the crowd :)
50 locals recommend
Gaslight Theatre
7010 E Broadway BlvdMusical comedy dinner theater. Great fun for families, date night, and special occasions. The atmosphere is casual. The food is 50's diner with burgers, shakes, pizza and all kinds of desserts. Tickets need to be purchased over the phone. Check out the website to see what shows are available. Let them know if there is a birthday or occasion so they can recognize you in the crowd :)
If your family loves science, this is a great place. Check out the shows in the planetarium. Laser shows play at night for the adults. In the basement is a huge collection of gems and minerals. This is located on the University of Arizona campus.
39 locals recommend
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
1601 E University BlvdIf your family loves science, this is a great place. Check out the shows in the planetarium. Laser shows play at night for the adults. In the basement is a huge collection of gems and minerals. This is located on the University of Arizona campus.
Good ranch style BBQ, casual atmosphere and lots of small shops and activities in Trail Dust Town. Kids love to ride the train. Check out the shootout stunt show. Make sure you go to the gag shop as well.
58 locals recommend
Pinnacle Peak
6541 E Tanque Verde RdGood ranch style BBQ, casual atmosphere and lots of small shops and activities in Trail Dust Town. Kids love to ride the train. Check out the shootout stunt show. Make sure you go to the gag shop as well.
Tee off and compete against your friends. Fun for groups and families. A great place to hang out with awesome food and lots of drinks.
46 locals recommend
Topgolf
4050 W Costco DrTee off and compete against your friends. Fun for groups and families. A great place to hang out with awesome food and lots of drinks.
Parks & Nature
A great zoo in the middle of town.
Beautiful canyon with amazing hiking trails and wildlife.
457 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadBeautiful canyon with amazing hiking trails and wildlife.
Tour the Colossal Cave and maybe find the Lost Duchman's treasure?
131 locals recommend
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
16721 E Old Spanish TrailTour the Colossal Cave and maybe find the Lost Duchman's treasure?
Ventana Canyon Trailhead
6601 N Resort DrIncredible views. Bring lots of water and a camera.
Mt Lemmon is only an hour away and such a great escape from the desert heat. You will be surrounded by pine forests and snow in the winter. It has the most southern ski lift in the USA. There are cute shops, great restaurants, hiking, cabins, and skiing.
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
Mt Lemmon is only an hour away and such a great escape from the desert heat. You will be surrounded by pine forests and snow in the winter. It has the most southern ski lift in the USA. There are cute shops, great restaurants, hiking, cabins, and skiing.
A great smaller zoo that is very walkable. Perfect for kids and families with lots of activities. The Reid Park is also close by for large gatherings and picnics.
169 locals recommend
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E Zoo CtA great smaller zoo that is very walkable. Perfect for kids and families with lots of activities. The Reid Park is also close by for large gatherings and picnics.