Guidebook for Tucson
Parks & Nature
The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors! The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors! The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.
"Located on the site of the historic Porter property, Reader’s Digest named Tucson Botanical Gardens as the BEST Secret Garden in America. Among mature trees and expertly cultivated foliage, specialty gardens such as the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden and Herb Garden highlight the diversity of native plants while offering a lush oasis in the heart of Tucson. Tropical butterflies from around the world are featured in the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion Oct.–May. Experience year-round tours, community events, classes, and art exhibits, as well as the creative, seasonal menu of Café Botanica. Now celebrating 40 years of living beauty, The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a unique gem not to be missed."
260 locals recommend
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon Way"Located on the site of the historic Porter property, Reader’s Digest named Tucson Botanical Gardens as the BEST Secret Garden in America. Among mature trees and expertly cultivated foliage, specialty gardens such as the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden and Herb Garden highlight the diversity of native plants while offering a lush oasis in the heart of Tucson. Tropical butterflies from around the world are featured in the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion Oct.–May. Experience year-round tours, community events, classes, and art exhibits, as well as the creative, seasonal menu of Café Botanica. Now celebrating 40 years of living beauty, The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a unique gem not to be missed."
The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
320 locals recommend
Saguaro National Park
The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
Sightseeing
The finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the American Southwest.
329 locals recommend
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdThe finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the American Southwest.
A nice day trip southeast of Tucson, Tombstone looks pretty much as it did in the 1880s. Sure, it's a tourist trap, but most of the buildings date to the 19th century.
332 locals recommend
Tombstone
300 N Sumner StA nice day trip southeast of Tucson, Tombstone looks pretty much as it did in the 1880s. Sure, it's a tourist trap, but most of the buildings date to the 19th century.
An old copper mining town from the turn of the 20th century set in the mountains southeast of Tucson. Now it's an artists' colony. A nice day trip or overnight out of Tucson (and you pass through Tombstone!).
171 locals recommend
Bisbee
An old copper mining town from the turn of the 20th century set in the mountains southeast of Tucson. Now it's an artists' colony. A nice day trip or overnight out of Tucson (and you pass through Tombstone!).
Arts & Culture
The University of Arizona
1200 East University BoulevardA charming town about an hour south of Tucson via I-19 full of artist galleries and shops.
152 locals recommend
Tubac
A charming town about an hour south of Tucson via I-19 full of artist galleries and shops.
Drinks & Nightlife
Conress Street Clubs
125 E Congress StFood Scene
"OBON Sushi Bar Ramen innovates both traditional and modern methods for a complete Japanese dining experience located in the heart of Downtown Tucson. "
53 locals recommend
OBON Sushi Bar Ramen
350 E Congress St"OBON Sushi Bar Ramen innovates both traditional and modern methods for a complete Japanese dining experience located in the heart of Downtown Tucson. "
Cup Cafe
311 E Congress StGreat food at good prices in the historic Hotel Congress.
Excellent food without the prices being too high. Great brunch on the weekends at good prices!
32 locals recommend
47 Scott
47 N Scott AveExcellent food without the prices being too high. Great brunch on the weekends at good prices!
This Thai restaurant that opened in summer 2016 is already a local favorite.
11 locals recommend
Senae Thai Bistro
This Thai restaurant that opened in summer 2016 is already a local favorite.
Miss Saigon Downtown
88 N 6th AveGood Vietnamese food at great prices.
El Charro Café
311 N Court AveMexican food. A Tucson institution since 1923.
Stylish option offering a Mexican menu that's updated twice daily, including a popular sampler dish. This is not Tex-Mex!
106 locals recommend
Cafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington StStylish option offering a Mexican menu that's updated twice daily, including a popular sampler dish. This is not Tex-Mex!
Outstanding fresh cuisine, a seasonal selection of traditional dishes from Central Mexico, and an international bar featuring over 30 mezcals, premium tequilas, award winning craft cocktails, dynamic wine list, and more. Penca is a charming blend of old world charm and urban chic, offering seating options in the comfortable dining room, intimate bar and a private dining room.
51 locals recommend
Penca
50 E Broadway BlvdOutstanding fresh cuisine, a seasonal selection of traditional dishes from Central Mexico, and an international bar featuring over 30 mezcals, premium tequilas, award winning craft cocktails, dynamic wine list, and more. Penca is a charming blend of old world charm and urban chic, offering seating options in the comfortable dining room, intimate bar and a private dining room.
This family-run Mexican eatery has been around since the 1930s and serves Sonoran-style cuisine & well-known cheese crisps.
40 locals recommend
El Minuto Cafe
354 S Main AveThis family-run Mexican eatery has been around since the 1930s and serves Sonoran-style cuisine & well-known cheese crisps.
Essentials
Johnny Gibson's Downtown Market
11 S 6th AveShopping
North 4th Avenue
North 4th AvenueA variety of non-chain restaurants and stores line N 4th Avenue.