Guidebook for Tucson

Ana
Guidebook for Tucson

Parks & Nature

This place is an oasis in the desert. It has lots of great hiking trails with lots of creeks, waterfalls and ponds. Abundant wildlife, picnic areas and a tram that travels up into the canyon if walking is not your thing.
212 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon
212 locals recommend
This place is an oasis in the desert. It has lots of great hiking trails with lots of creeks, waterfalls and ponds. Abundant wildlife, picnic areas and a tram that travels up into the canyon if walking is not your thing.
This is a zoo out in the desert that has lots of desert wildlife as well as other animals common to the Sonora Desert, such as otters and lately a new addition, the Sting Ray exhibit. There is a really nice sit-down restaurant with tasty food, a great place to relax and satisfy your hunger.
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd
670 locals recommend
This is a zoo out in the desert that has lots of desert wildlife as well as other animals common to the Sonora Desert, such as otters and lately a new addition, the Sting Ray exhibit. There is a really nice sit-down restaurant with tasty food, a great place to relax and satisfy your hunger.
Mount Lemmon is a great place to visit as it is always about 30 degrees cooler since it's at an elevation of 8,000 ft. The little town at Mount Lemmon is Summer Haven, where there is a ski area complete with it's own working ski lift. Lot of hiking trails, campsites, great sightseeing and being "one with nature." There are a only a couple of selections for restaurants but thankfully they have a great food. Don't forget to stop by the Mount Lemmon general store and gift shop where in addition to lots of cool trinkets, you can pick up a bottle of wine or the fixings for a picnic as an alternative to restaurant dinning.
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon is a great place to visit as it is always about 30 degrees cooler since it's at an elevation of 8,000 ft. The little town at Mount Lemmon is Summer Haven, where there is a ski area complete with it's own working ski lift. Lot of hiking trails, campsites, great sightseeing and being "one with nature." There are a only a couple of selections for restaurants but thankfully they have a great food. Don't forget to stop by the Mount Lemmon general store and gift shop where in addition to lots of cool trinkets, you can pick up a bottle of wine or the fixings for a picnic as an alternative to restaurant dinning.

Shopping

There are lots of specialty shops on this avenue. From clothing, jewelry, crafts, smoke shops and lots of great eateries and bars for nightlife. You can spend lots of time here just wandering around from store to store and grabbing a cool alcoholic beverage and something yummy to eat. At night the various bars and clubs come to life as they are just a stones throw from the University of Arizona and the newly revitalized downtown scene.
45 locals recommend
North 4th Avenue
North 4th Avenue
45 locals recommend
There are lots of specialty shops on this avenue. From clothing, jewelry, crafts, smoke shops and lots of great eateries and bars for nightlife. You can spend lots of time here just wandering around from store to store and grabbing a cool alcoholic beverage and something yummy to eat. At night the various bars and clubs come to life as they are just a stones throw from the University of Arizona and the newly revitalized downtown scene.
Lots of quality stores with not outlet prices, but still somewhat reasonable for stores such as Coach, Calvin Klein, Disney, Gap, Lucky Jean's and my favorite, the Levi's Store. Beautifully landscaped and laid out with great places to eat and mingle.
70 locals recommend
Tucson Premium Outlets
6401 Marana Center Blvd
70 locals recommend
Lots of quality stores with not outlet prices, but still somewhat reasonable for stores such as Coach, Calvin Klein, Disney, Gap, Lucky Jean's and my favorite, the Levi's Store. Beautifully landscaped and laid out with great places to eat and mingle.
A wonderful and unique place to pick up some souvenirs for your garden. In addition to many species of exotic succulents and cactus this place has some beautiful pottery, wind chimes and garden art for your home. Also a great place to find those thank-you gifts for the good people left behind to watch your pets or water your plants.
6 locals recommend
B & B Cactus Farm
11550 E Speedway Blvd
6 locals recommend
A wonderful and unique place to pick up some souvenirs for your garden. In addition to many species of exotic succulents and cactus this place has some beautiful pottery, wind chimes and garden art for your home. Also a great place to find those thank-you gifts for the good people left behind to watch your pets or water your plants.
The St Phillips Farmer's markets are held here every Wednesday evening, Saturday and Sunday mornings. This market features lots of local produce, fruits, baked and canned goods as well as lots of fun goods such as clothing, local arts and crafts. There are several other farmer's markets, another good one is held at the Rillito Racetrack. This market also has food vendors from a few great restaurants in town. Another great place to pick up souvenirs and those important thank-you gifts. And good to know, St Phillips is also home to many upper-scale specialty shops and restaurants.
44 locals recommend
St Philip's Plaza Farmers' Market
4280 N Campbell Ave
44 locals recommend
The St Phillips Farmer's markets are held here every Wednesday evening, Saturday and Sunday mornings. This market features lots of local produce, fruits, baked and canned goods as well as lots of fun goods such as clothing, local arts and crafts. There are several other farmer's markets, another good one is held at the Rillito Racetrack. This market also has food vendors from a few great restaurants in town. Another great place to pick up souvenirs and those important thank-you gifts. And good to know, St Phillips is also home to many upper-scale specialty shops and restaurants.
Another unique multi level shopping plaza situated at the base of the Catalina foothills features many great places to shop such as Crate and Barrel, Tiffany Jewelers, Clarks Shoes, Soma, Ann Taylor, The Apple Store, Aveda Salon and much more. Lots of great places to eat as well as places to enjoy drinks and appetizers while taking in the city views.
229 locals recommend
La Encantada
2905 E Skyline Dr
229 locals recommend
Another unique multi level shopping plaza situated at the base of the Catalina foothills features many great places to shop such as Crate and Barrel, Tiffany Jewelers, Clarks Shoes, Soma, Ann Taylor, The Apple Store, Aveda Salon and much more. Lots of great places to eat as well as places to enjoy drinks and appetizers while taking in the city views.

Sightseeing

This is a very old mission that is on the Tohono Reservation. The mission was founded by Father Kino There are tours and mass is still celebrated there on Sundays. There is also a gift shop and various spiritual places to meditate and connect with God and nature. Some Sundays there are festivities after church where there are booths where local food is sold. Try the Fry Bread for sure!
329 locals recommend
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier Rd
329 locals recommend
This is a very old mission that is on the Tohono Reservation. The mission was founded by Father Kino There are tours and mass is still celebrated there on Sundays. There is also a gift shop and various spiritual places to meditate and connect with God and nature. Some Sundays there are festivities after church where there are booths where local food is sold. Try the Fry Bread for sure!

Food Scene

Mexican food is huge in Tucson and Guadalajara Original Grill is one of the best. Featuring hand squeezed limes in their lemonade and Margaritas. How do I know? That is one of the dreaded sidework for servers when I worked there. Yes, they squeeze cases of real lime. There is live Mariachi music every night of the week and the salseras make your salsa fresh at the table as per your request. Hot, spicy, extra cilantro. Tell your salsera, she'll get it just right for you.
103 locals recommend
Guadalajara Original Grill
1220 E Prince Rd
103 locals recommend
Mexican food is huge in Tucson and Guadalajara Original Grill is one of the best. Featuring hand squeezed limes in their lemonade and Margaritas. How do I know? That is one of the dreaded sidework for servers when I worked there. Yes, they squeeze cases of real lime. There is live Mariachi music every night of the week and the salseras make your salsa fresh at the table as per your request. Hot, spicy, extra cilantro. Tell your salsera, she'll get it just right for you.
A real western steak house situated out in the west side of town, smack dab in the desert. Delicious food and drinks. Nobody leaves hungry here! Giant baked potatoes with all the fixings, cooked to perfection steaks and ice cold beer make this a favorite place to dine.
19 locals recommend
Daisy Mae's Steak House
2735 W Anklam Rd
19 locals recommend
A real western steak house situated out in the west side of town, smack dab in the desert. Delicious food and drinks. Nobody leaves hungry here! Giant baked potatoes with all the fixings, cooked to perfection steaks and ice cold beer make this a favorite place to dine.
A visit to Tucson would not be complete without going to Eegee's for their frozen drinks , sandwiches and salads. Every month they feature a new flavor and always, always there is the lemon, strawberry and pina colada flavors available.
70 locals recommend
Eegee's
2510 E Speedway Blvd
70 locals recommend
A visit to Tucson would not be complete without going to Eegee's for their frozen drinks , sandwiches and salads. Every month they feature a new flavor and always, always there is the lemon, strawberry and pina colada flavors available.
This guy started out with a hotdog cart on the Southside of Tucson. Since then his place has been a favorite hangout with all the locals for many years. From the Sonoran Hotdogs to the Caramelo, Guero Canelo does it deliciously.
79 locals recommend
El Güero Canelo Restaurant
2480 N Oracle Rd
79 locals recommend
This guy started out with a hotdog cart on the Southside of Tucson. Since then his place has been a favorite hangout with all the locals for many years. From the Sonoran Hotdogs to the Caramelo, Guero Canelo does it deliciously.

Drinks & Nightlife

With the revitalization of downtown Tucson, there are lots of fun choices of where to go throw back a few drinks. Go bar/nightclub hopping downtown. Start at the District Tavern, then move on to the Playground. There's more to see at the Club Congress and for some romantic dancing under the stars try La Cocina Restaurant and Bar. And still there's so much more all within walking distance. Lot's of great places to socialize and take in the local fun.
7 locals recommend
Downtown Tucson Partnership
100 N Stone Ave
7 locals recommend
With the revitalization of downtown Tucson, there are lots of fun choices of where to go throw back a few drinks. Go bar/nightclub hopping downtown. Start at the District Tavern, then move on to the Playground. There's more to see at the Club Congress and for some romantic dancing under the stars try La Cocina Restaurant and Bar. And still there's so much more all within walking distance. Lot's of great places to socialize and take in the local fun.

Essentials

This store has a full service deli, bakery and butcher block. You can pretty much get anything from groceries, beauty supplies and seasonal items. Great prices and selection, located in the Campbell Plaza Shopping Center, where you'll also find several great restaurants and many different types of stores. There is a Ross, GNC, Cost Cutters and PostNet for all you shipping needs. Across the street there are several upscale stores and salons. Up and down Campbell avenue are Wells Fargo, BofA and a Chase Bank.
62 locals recommend
Albertsons
2854 N Campbell Ave
62 locals recommend
This store has a full service deli, bakery and butcher block. You can pretty much get anything from groceries, beauty supplies and seasonal items. Great prices and selection, located in the Campbell Plaza Shopping Center, where you'll also find several great restaurants and many different types of stores. There is a Ross, GNC, Cost Cutters and PostNet for all you shipping needs. Across the street there are several upscale stores and salons. Up and down Campbell avenue are Wells Fargo, BofA and a Chase Bank.
A Tucson favorite for groceries, wine, beautiful bouquets of flowers to brighten your space and pretty much anything you need to survive nutrition and heath and beauty-wise while visiting.
221 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
4209 N Campbell Ave
221 locals recommend
A Tucson favorite for groceries, wine, beautiful bouquets of flowers to brighten your space and pretty much anything you need to survive nutrition and heath and beauty-wise while visiting.
Another favorite place to shop for great produce, protein, dairy and everything grocery. Wonderful full service deli and butcher block. Lots of quality healthy food and other natural products at reasonable prices.
149 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
4645 E Speedway Blvd
149 locals recommend
Another favorite place to shop for great produce, protein, dairy and everything grocery. Wonderful full service deli and butcher block. Lots of quality healthy food and other natural products at reasonable prices.

Arts & Culture

66 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art
265 S Church Ave
66 locals recommend
Ettore "Ted" de Grazia, Tucson's most famous painter, left his studio/gallery in the Catalina foothills for the public to enjoy as a museum of Southwestern art. The building is made from adobe, which is common for this hot and arid area, and is surrounded by cactus and other desert plants. De Grazia was fascinated by the colors and cultures of the American Southwest, and that is what his art is all about. Gallery tours can be scheduled and take 90 minutes.
De Grazia
63 N Swan Rd
Ettore "Ted" de Grazia, Tucson's most famous painter, left his studio/gallery in the Catalina foothills for the public to enjoy as a museum of Southwestern art. The building is made from adobe, which is common for this hot and arid area, and is surrounded by cactus and other desert plants. De Grazia was fascinated by the colors and cultures of the American Southwest, and that is what his art is all about. Gallery tours can be scheduled and take 90 minutes.
This is the oldest archaeological museum in the Southwest, and the best place in Tucson to learn about the life of Arizona's Indians, both past and present. Impressive displays of Indian art tell the cultural history of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. There is also a good natural history section demonstrating earth and climate changes in the area. A museum shop is also located on-site and sells related books and crafts.
50 locals recommend
Arizona State Museum
1013 E University Blvd
50 locals recommend
This is the oldest archaeological museum in the Southwest, and the best place in Tucson to learn about the life of Arizona's Indians, both past and present. Impressive displays of Indian art tell the cultural history of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. There is also a good natural history section demonstrating earth and climate changes in the area. A museum shop is also located on-site and sells related books and crafts.