Guidebook for Tucson

Jeremy
Guidebook for Tucson

Sightseeing

Breathtaking cactus forest set against the Rincon mountains. Great visitor's center, walking trails, and 8-mile bike/car loop. Beautiful cactus flower blooms in April/May.
16 locals recommend
Rincon Mountain Visitor Center
3693 S Old Spanish Trail
16 locals recommend
Breathtaking cactus forest set against the Rincon mountains. Great visitor's center, walking trails, and 8-mile bike/car loop. Beautiful cactus flower blooms in April/May.
Gorgeous mountain canyon with excellent water pools, picnic spots, wildlife & trails. An easy tram ride to the top of the canyon and back for those who don't want the hike.
212 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon
212 locals recommend
Gorgeous mountain canyon with excellent water pools, picnic spots, wildlife & trails. An easy tram ride to the top of the canyon and back for those who don't want the hike.
Amazing views & Rock climbing.
Windy Point Lookout
930 Catalina Hwy
Amazing views & Rock climbing.
Amazing caves & scenic landscape.
216 locals recommend
Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90
216 locals recommend
Amazing caves & scenic landscape.
Great riverside biking / walking / jogging path along the Rillito riverbed .
29 locals recommend
Rillito River Park
4288 Diamond St Loop
29 locals recommend
Great riverside biking / walking / jogging path along the Rillito riverbed .
Beautiful cactus garden with tea room and gift shop.
168 locals recommend
Tohono Chul
7366 N Paseo Del Norte
168 locals recommend
Beautiful cactus garden with tea room and gift shop.
Near the Air Force "Bone Yard" with an up-close look at military air equipment through the years,
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia Rd
258 locals recommend
Near the Air Force "Bone Yard" with an up-close look at military air equipment through the years,
Nearby horseback riding stables.
10 locals recommend
Houston's Horseback Riding
12801 E Speedway Blvd
10 locals recommend
Nearby horseback riding stables.
Nearby horseback riding stables & spa!
17 locals recommend
Tanque Verde Ranch
14301 E Speedway Blvd
17 locals recommend
Nearby horseback riding stables & spa!
A beautiful Mexican wishing shrine along downtown's "Turquoise Trail" walking historic tour route.
11 locals recommend
El Tiradito Wishing Shrine
418 S Main Ave
11 locals recommend
A beautiful Mexican wishing shrine along downtown's "Turquoise Trail" walking historic tour route.
"The Town Too Tough to Die" is the real deal! Step into the "Old West" and visit the famous OK Corral along with several other historic spots!
332 locals recommend
Tombstone
300 N Sumner St
332 locals recommend
"The Town Too Tough to Die" is the real deal! Step into the "Old West" and visit the famous OK Corral along with several other historic spots!
See the famous Copper Queen Hotel and visit numerous artisan stores. This is a funky, fun little town!
171 locals recommend
Bisbee
171 locals recommend
See the famous Copper Queen Hotel and visit numerous artisan stores. This is a funky, fun little town!
A great spot for astronomy lovers!
95 locals recommend
Kitt Peak National Observatory
95 locals recommend
A great spot for astronomy lovers!
Another great spot for astronomy lovers!
21 locals recommend
Mt. Lemmon Sky Center Observatory
9800 E Ski Run Rd
21 locals recommend
Another great spot for astronomy lovers!
Spanish mission and ruins.
La Misión San José de Tumacácori
Spanish mission and ruins.
This park is on the edge of downtown. This is where youcan walk over the popular "Rattlesnake Bridge" that marks the gateway into downtown Tucson. The kids will LOVE it!
Iron Horse Park
75 N 1st Ave
This park is on the edge of downtown. This is where youcan walk over the popular "Rattlesnake Bridge" that marks the gateway into downtown Tucson. The kids will LOVE it!
Located at Tucson City Hall, this is the future site of the "January 8th Memorial." The park will honor the victims of the "Congress on Your Corner" shooting that wounded Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
6 locals recommend
El Presidio Park
165 W Alameda St
6 locals recommend
Located at Tucson City Hall, this is the future site of the "January 8th Memorial." The park will honor the victims of the "Congress on Your Corner" shooting that wounded Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
A fun daytrip for the architecture lover.
296 locals recommend
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
296 locals recommend
A fun daytrip for the architecture lover.
A fun Phoenix daytrip destination to enjoy an array of desert plant life. (Or just go to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum at see wildlife too! ;-)
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
1231 locals recommend
A fun Phoenix daytrip destination to enjoy an array of desert plant life. (Or just go to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum at see wildlife too! ;-)
1300s-era Hohokam compound in the desert comprising a 4-story house, ballcourt & irrigation canals.
37 locals recommend
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
1100 W Ruins Dr
37 locals recommend
1300s-era Hohokam compound in the desert comprising a 4-story house, ballcourt & irrigation canals.

Arts & Culture

Ted DeGrazia's unique artwork is displayed at the location which was once his studio. The chapel there is a popular spot for local weddings.
96 locals recommend
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
6300 N Swan Rd
96 locals recommend
Ted DeGrazia's unique artwork is displayed at the location which was once his studio. The chapel there is a popular spot for local weddings.
The studios where most of Hollywood's greatest classic westerns were filmed. Fun old west reenactments, rides, and entertainment.
200 locals recommend
Old Tucson
200 locals recommend
The studios where most of Hollywood's greatest classic westerns were filmed. Fun old west reenactments, rides, and entertainment.
Fun, vaudeville style theater with audience participation. A Tucson favorite!
50 locals recommend
Gaslight Theatre
7010 E Broadway Blvd
50 locals recommend
Fun, vaudeville style theater with audience participation. A Tucson favorite!
Reserved seats movie theater with food & drinks served at your seat.
77 locals recommend
Roadhouse Cinemas
4811 E Grant Rd
77 locals recommend
Reserved seats movie theater with food & drinks served at your seat.
Great gift shop.
181 locals recommend
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
140 N Main Ave
181 locals recommend
Great gift shop.
For the casino lovers.
81 locals recommend
Casino Del Sol
5655 W Valencia Rd
81 locals recommend
For the casino lovers.
Popular movie theater.
62 locals recommend
Century 20 El Con and XD
3601 E Broadway Blvd
62 locals recommend
Popular movie theater.
Popular movie theater.
11 locals recommend
Century Park Place 20 and XD
5870 E Broadway Blvd
11 locals recommend
Popular movie theater.
A "cheap seats" theater for movies that have already been out awhile.
10 locals recommend
Century Gateway 12 Movie Theater
770 N Kolb Rd
10 locals recommend
A "cheap seats" theater for movies that have already been out awhile.
Tucson's "Art House" movie theater with a lobby snack, wine & craft beer bar.
140 locals recommend
The Loft Cinema
3233 E Speedway Blvd
140 locals recommend
Tucson's "Art House" movie theater with a lobby snack, wine & craft beer bar.
The closest bowling alley.
Bowlero Tucson
114 S Camino Seco
The closest bowling alley.
If you're a daredevil....
24 locals recommend
Skydive Arizona
4900 N Taylor St
24 locals recommend
If you're a daredevil....

Food Scene

The neighborhood Starbuck's!
71 locals recommend
Starbucks
3025 E Speedway Blvd
71 locals recommend
The neighborhood Starbuck's!
Great pizza joint for eat-in or dine out.
10 locals recommend
Mama's Famous Pizza & Heroes
6996 E 22nd St
10 locals recommend
Great pizza joint for eat-in or dine out.
Fun "Old West" steakhouse, but don't wear a tie! They cut them right off your neck.
58 locals recommend
Pinnacle Peak
6541 E Tanque Verde Rd
58 locals recommend
Fun "Old West" steakhouse, but don't wear a tie! They cut them right off your neck.
Delicious Pizza.
Magpies Gourmet Pizza
105 S Houghton Rd
Delicious Pizza.
Excellent Italian with good ambiance.
42 locals recommend
Piazza Gavi
5415 N Kolb Rd
42 locals recommend
Excellent Italian with good ambiance.
One of Tucson's favorite Mexican restaurants for generations. The Chesse Crisp is national award-winning. Great location on the edge of downtown in one of the city's most scenic barrios.
40 locals recommend
El Minuto Cafe
354 S Main Ave
40 locals recommend
One of Tucson's favorite Mexican restaurants for generations. The Chesse Crisp is national award-winning. Great location on the edge of downtown in one of the city's most scenic barrios.
Some of the best Tortilla Soup in town.
28 locals recommend
Eclectic Cafe
7053 E Tanque Verde Rd
28 locals recommend
Some of the best Tortilla Soup in town.
Fantastic "organic" menu.
35 locals recommend
Renee's Organic Oven
7065 E Tanque Verde Rd
35 locals recommend
Fantastic "organic" menu.
Fantastic "New Mexico style" restaurant.
33 locals recommend
Poco & Moms Cantina
7000 E Tanque Verde Rd
33 locals recommend
Fantastic "New Mexico style" restaurant.
Fun, local 24-hour coffee shop with Wifi and patio seating.
11 locals recommend
Coffee X Change
6841 N Camino Principal
11 locals recommend
Fun, local 24-hour coffee shop with Wifi and patio seating.
In the land of Dairy Queen...
Dairy Queen (Treat)
8955 E Tanque Verde Rd
In the land of Dairy Queen...
Easily one of the best menus in town! Local farm-to-table dining. At the end of the Streetcar line near downtown.
70 locals recommend
Agustin Kitchen
100 South Avenida del Convento
70 locals recommend
Easily one of the best menus in town! Local farm-to-table dining. At the end of the Streetcar line near downtown.
Great local coffee shop / eatery / market on the streetcar line near UofA.
148 locals recommend
Time Market
444 E University Blvd
148 locals recommend
Great local coffee shop / eatery / market on the streetcar line near UofA.
A great restaurant in the heart of downtown with fantastic gourmet ice cream.
10 locals recommend
The HUB Grill and Bar
1925 S Sossaman Rd
10 locals recommend
A great restaurant in the heart of downtown with fantastic gourmet ice cream.
Tuesdays are steak nights. Long-standing destination offering a meat-heavy menu plus salads, drinks & panoramic views.
8 locals recommend
McGraws
4110 S Houghton Rd
8 locals recommend
Tuesdays are steak nights. Long-standing destination offering a meat-heavy menu plus salads, drinks & panoramic views.
Excellent prime rib.
31 locals recommend
El Corral
2201 E River Rd
31 locals recommend
Excellent prime rib.
For those who love juices & smoothies.
Robeks Fresh Juices & Smoothies
50 S Houghton Rd
For those who love juices & smoothies.
Sandwiches on-the-go for an impromptu Saguaro Nat'l Park hike & picnic?
10 locals recommend
Subway
105 S Houghton Rd
10 locals recommend
Sandwiches on-the-go for an impromptu Saguaro Nat'l Park hike & picnic?
Friendly local coffee house.
Civano Coffee House
5278 S Civano Blvd
Friendly local coffee house.
Very casual family atmosphere with delicious Mesquite broiled chicken.
Chuy's Mesquite Broiler
7585 S Houghton Rd
Very casual family atmosphere with delicious Mesquite broiled chicken.
Closest "31 Flavors"
Baskin-Robbins
8670 E Broadway Blvd
Closest "31 Flavors"
A fast & healthy favorite.
26 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
4774 E Grant Rd
26 locals recommend
A fast & healthy favorite.
A wide selection of delicious gelato flavors!
18 locals recommend
Frost Gelato
7301 E Tanque Verde Rd
18 locals recommend
A wide selection of delicious gelato flavors!
Who doesn't love Bruegger's?
22 locals recommend
Bruegger's Bagels
1064 N Campbell Ave
22 locals recommend
Who doesn't love Bruegger's?
Great casual menu with optional patio seating.
33 locals recommend
Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar
6390 E Grant Rd
33 locals recommend
Great casual menu with optional patio seating.
A favorite local breakfast spot.
Millie's Pancake Haus
6541 E Tanque Verde Rd
A favorite local breakfast spot.
A "hidden" local favorite restaurant & bar.
14 locals recommend
Jonathan's Cork
6320 E Tanque Verde Rd
14 locals recommend
A "hidden" local favorite restaurant & bar.
Some of the best sushi in town with good lunch specials.
11 locals recommend
Sachiko Sushi
1101 N Wilmot Rd
11 locals recommend
Some of the best sushi in town with good lunch specials.
My mom's favorite frozen yogurt spot.
Frozen Delight
1101 N Wilmot Rd
My mom's favorite frozen yogurt spot.
A popular breakfast restaurant.
The Good Egg
10565 N Oracle Rd
A popular breakfast restaurant.
It's a "Tucson thing!' Make sure to order an eegee's (that's a frozen slushy-type drink) with your "original grinder" or chili dog. It's a casual local chain, so you'll only find eegee's in Tucson.
23 locals recommend
eegee's
7102 E Broadway Blvd
23 locals recommend
It's a "Tucson thing!' Make sure to order an eegee's (that's a frozen slushy-type drink) with your "original grinder" or chili dog. It's a casual local chain, so you'll only find eegee's in Tucson.
Amazing food. Period.
106 locals recommend
Cafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington St
106 locals recommend
Amazing food. Period.
Great coffee, wine & other treats in the heart of downtown.
44 locals recommend
Caffe Luce
245 E Congress St
44 locals recommend
Great coffee, wine & other treats in the heart of downtown.
Delicious menu.
8 locals recommend
Proper
300 E Congress St
8 locals recommend
Delicious menu.
A coffeehouse for the hip at heart!
77 locals recommend
Cartel Coffee Lab
2516 N Campbell Ave
77 locals recommend
A coffeehouse for the hip at heart!
Excellent food & wine tucked into a sweet spot downtown.
32 locals recommend
47 Scott
47 N Scott Ave
32 locals recommend
Excellent food & wine tucked into a sweet spot downtown.
Great (more upscale) pizza & bar joint!
79 locals recommend
Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink
101 E Pennington St
79 locals recommend
Great (more upscale) pizza & bar joint!
A popular local coffee shop. Great stop on the way up or down from Mt. Lemmon.
52 locals recommend
Le Buzz
9121 E Tanque Verde Rd
52 locals recommend
A popular local coffee shop. Great stop on the way up or down from Mt. Lemmon.
A favorite local deli.
Fortunato's Italian Deli
9100 E Tanque Verde Rd
A favorite local deli.
"Serve yourself" frozen yogurt with LOTS of flavor choices.
Twirls Frozen Yogurt
3587 E Broadway Blvd
"Serve yourself" frozen yogurt with LOTS of flavor choices.
No Californian would forgive me if I left this option out!
In-N-Out Burger
7111 E Broadway Blvd
No Californian would forgive me if I left this option out!
Fantastic bakery with all items fresh daily, so get there earlier for the best selection!
6 locals recommend
La Baguette Parisienne
7851 E Broadway Blvd
6 locals recommend
Fantastic bakery with all items fresh daily, so get there earlier for the best selection!
If you love tamales or just want to try one, they've got a varied menu.
35 locals recommend
Tucson Tamale Company
2545 E Broadway Blvd
35 locals recommend
If you love tamales or just want to try one, they've got a varied menu.
A great, casually upscale restaurant & bar that won't break your budget. Open to 2AM with a smaller "bar menu" after 11PM.
78 locals recommend
Union Public House
4340 N Campbell Ave
78 locals recommend
A great, casually upscale restaurant & bar that won't break your budget. Open to 2AM with a smaller "bar menu" after 11PM.
One of Tucson's oldest and most loved Italian restaurants. The herbs are grown on-site and there's garden seating.
33 locals recommend
Caruso's
434 N 4th Ave
33 locals recommend
One of Tucson's oldest and most loved Italian restaurants. The herbs are grown on-site and there's garden seating.
Great, casual coffee & light lunch location. Often live singer/songwriter music or poetry readings. Great back garden seating area as well.
26 locals recommend
Unplugged Wine Bar
118 E Congress St
26 locals recommend
Great, casual coffee & light lunch location. Often live singer/songwriter music or poetry readings. Great back garden seating area as well.
Sometimes you crave Pho! This is the place to go.
45 locals recommend
Miss Saigon
1072 N Campbell Ave
45 locals recommend
Sometimes you crave Pho! This is the place to go.
Food & wine in Tucson's old Train Depot. Amtrak is next door where you can hop a cheap overnight ride to Los Angeles or Palm Springs.
83 locals recommend
Maynards Market & Kitchen
400 N Toole Ave
83 locals recommend
Food & wine in Tucson's old Train Depot. Amtrak is next door where you can hop a cheap overnight ride to Los Angeles or Palm Springs.

Entertainment & Activities

One of the best "museums" in the nation. Excellent wildlife & education on the Sonoran Desert.
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd
670 locals recommend
One of the best "museums" in the nation. Excellent wildlife & education on the Sonoran Desert.
"Old West" themed shops & restaurants with a few rides for the little ones.
55 locals recommend
Trail Dust Town
6541 E Tanque Verde Rd
55 locals recommend
"Old West" themed shops & restaurants with a few rides for the little ones.
Fantastic science center.
156 locals recommend
Biosphere 2
32540 S Biosphere Rd
156 locals recommend
Fantastic science center.
Fun miniature golf, batting cages, go-carts, bumper boats, arcade, etc. for kids... or just the kid inside you!
23 locals recommend
Golf N' Stuff
6503 E Tanque Verde Rd
23 locals recommend
Fun miniature golf, batting cages, go-carts, bumper boats, arcade, etc. for kids... or just the kid inside you!
One of the best spots in town to enjoy some educational play time with kids.
69 locals recommend
Children's Museum Tucson
200 S 6th Ave
69 locals recommend
One of the best spots in town to enjoy some educational play time with kids.

Everything Else

A park with stunning views & walking trails.
Agua Caliente Park Road
Agua Caliente Park Road
A park with stunning views & walking trails.
Great golf set against the backdrop of the Catalina Mountains.
28 locals recommend
Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club
6200 N Club House Ln
28 locals recommend
Great golf set against the backdrop of the Catalina Mountains.
A must see! A beautiful Spanish mission on the Tohono O'Odham Nation. Usually wonderful Native American vendors set up out front with everything from jewelry to Indian Fry Bread.
329 locals recommend
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier Rd
329 locals recommend
A must see! A beautiful Spanish mission on the Tohono O'Odham Nation. Usually wonderful Native American vendors set up out front with everything from jewelry to Indian Fry Bread.
Captivating look of a missile program via a partially underground museum.
101 locals recommend
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W Duval Mine Rd
101 locals recommend
Captivating look of a missile program via a partially underground museum.
Wonderful artisan community with many quaint galleries, shops, & restaurants.
152 locals recommend
Tubac
152 locals recommend
Wonderful artisan community with many quaint galleries, shops, & restaurants.
Great hiking & picnic locations.
81 locals recommend
Madera Canyon
South Madera Canyon Road
81 locals recommend
Great hiking & picnic locations.
Desert sunsets don't get any better than this view!
127 locals recommend
Gates Pass Trail
6400 W Gates Pass Rd
127 locals recommend
Desert sunsets don't get any better than this view!
A great view of downtown Tucson on ancient Native American ground, including a loop drive or a fairly easy hiking trail.
135 locals recommend
Sentinel Peak Park (“A” Mountain)
1001 Sentinel Peak Rd S
135 locals recommend
A great view of downtown Tucson on ancient Native American ground, including a loop drive or a fairly easy hiking trail.
Excellent museum of Arizona history on the University of Arizona campus.
24 locals recommend
Arizona History Museum
949 E 2nd St
24 locals recommend
Excellent museum of Arizona history on the University of Arizona campus.
Excellent outdoor mall for "mainstream" shopping.
229 locals recommend
La Encantada
2905 E Skyline Dr
229 locals recommend
Excellent outdoor mall for "mainstream" shopping.
Beautiful scenery & picnic spots.
192 locals recommend
Catalina State Park
11570 North Oracle Road
192 locals recommend
Beautiful scenery & picnic spots.
Hope you won't need it, but this is a closeby urgent care center with online check-in to avoid long waiting room stays. (http://nextcare.com/locations/search/)
NextCare Urgent Care
4280 N Oracle Rd
Hope you won't need it, but this is a closeby urgent care center with online check-in to avoid long waiting room stays. (http://nextcare.com/locations/search/)
The nearest Emergency Room.
Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital
350 N Wilmot Rd
The nearest Emergency Room.
The best hospital in town. (Nationally ranked with a top-notch Trauma Center.)
22 locals recommend
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
1625 N Campbell Ave
22 locals recommend
The best hospital in town. (Nationally ranked with a top-notch Trauma Center.)
A good offering of various daily yoga classes.
49 locals recommend
Yoga Oasis
2631 N Campbell Ave
49 locals recommend
A good offering of various daily yoga classes.
Park with hiking trails leading from a campground to a 1,500-ft.-high peak & Civil War battlefield. The westernmost battle of the Civil War - CA Union soldiers vs. AZ Confederates.
33 locals recommend
Picacho Peak State Park
15520 Picacho Peak Rd
33 locals recommend
Park with hiking trails leading from a campground to a 1,500-ft.-high peak & Civil War battlefield. The westernmost battle of the Civil War - CA Union soldiers vs. AZ Confederates.

Essentials

Great organic & health food choices at reasonable prices.
149 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
4645 E Speedway Blvd
149 locals recommend
Great organic & health food choices at reasonable prices.
The closest Trader Joe's... because who can live without TJ's?!
220 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
4209 N Campbell Ave
220 locals recommend
The closest Trader Joe's... because who can live without TJ's?!
Safeway Grocery Store opens here March 16, 2016.
Silverado Plaza
115 S Houghton Rd
Safeway Grocery Store opens here March 16, 2016.
The closest Whole Foods. But Sprouts & Trader Joe's are cheaper & closer options for many of the same types of products.
186 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3360 E Speedway Blvd
186 locals recommend
The closest Whole Foods. But Sprouts & Trader Joe's are cheaper & closer options for many of the same types of products.

Drinks & Nightlife

Fantastic funky shops, bars, & lots of weekend/nightlife.
45 locals recommend
North 4th Avenue
North 4th Avenue
45 locals recommend
Fantastic funky shops, bars, & lots of weekend/nightlife.
Great bar & entertainment venue.
232 locals recommend
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress St
232 locals recommend
Great bar & entertainment venue.
Dance club & bar. (Mostly gay)
13 locals recommend
IBT's
616 N 4th Ave
13 locals recommend
Dance club & bar. (Mostly gay)
A fun country-ish "dive bar" with karaoke.
8 locals recommend
COWPONY
6510 E Tanque Verde Rd
8 locals recommend
A fun country-ish "dive bar" with karaoke.
A quaint spot in a beautiful old barrio setting at the edge of downtown.
11 locals recommend
Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant
198 W Cushing St
11 locals recommend
A quaint spot in a beautiful old barrio setting at the edge of downtown.
A local favorite sports bar.
40 locals recommend
Saguaro Corners Restaurant & Bar
3750 S Old Spanish Trail
40 locals recommend
A local favorite sports bar.
Excellent wine & beer menu.
54 locals recommend
Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar
220 N 4th Ave
54 locals recommend
Excellent wine & beer menu.
Probably Tucson's oldest and best-loved wine bar.
10 locals recommend
The Shanty
401 E 9th St
10 locals recommend
Probably Tucson's oldest and best-loved wine bar.
A favorite local brewery.
23 locals recommend
Borderlands Brewing Co.
119 E Toole Ave
23 locals recommend
A favorite local brewery.