Local Eats:
The Coronet
198 W Cushing St, Tucson, AZ 85701
Restaurant, bar, and café depending on the time of day. In El Presidio neighborhood in downtown Tucson. Prettiest little courtyard anywhere plus delicious food and fancy cocktails.
El Guero Canelo
2480 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705
Nothing fancy, but the best place to get a Sonoran Dog- a hot dog wrapped in bacon, served on a bolillo bun with pinto beans, onions, pico de gallo, mayo, mustard, and salsa.
https://www.elguerocanelo.com/
Boca Tacos
533 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
The head chef is a world famous, award-winning, and Top Chef contestant, Sonoran Mexican chef, Maria Mazon. The tacos are super unique and yummy.
Zemam’s
119 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85705
Amazing, succulent, delicious Ethiopian food. Highly recommend!
https://www.zemamsrestaurants.com/
Wildflower
7037 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85704
For an upscale experience, try this modern American spot inspired by flavors from all over the world. Menus change with the seasons, and their lush patio will transport you out of the desert. Reservations recommended at this must-try local gem.
https://www.wildflowertucson.com/
Cup Café at Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701
Step into Tucson’s most iconic hotel for an unforgettable meal surrounded by living history. You really cannot go wrong with breakfast, lunch or dinner here – everything is cooked to perfection. From Southwestern and Mexican inspired dishes to new-American style options, The Cup brings a modern menu with accommodations for all diets. Check out the hotel’s many other offerings (bar, live music, and sometimes markets) or venture beyond the historic walls to discover more of downtown Tucson!
https://hotelcongress.com/family/the-cup/
Locale
60 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711
Local, 100% fresh, homemade Italian food that mixes the classics with local products. Their warm indoor spaces include a wine bar, bakery and cafe, as well as multiple dining rooms, and a small curated shop. Their relaxing atmosphere expands outside to their spacious patio front patio that has bocce ball and lights glowing, or to the back for a more intimate, quiet setting on the bakery side. Whether you want the perfect cappuccino, handmade pasta, a delectable pastry, crispy Roman-style pizza or a smooth glass of wine – Locale’s got you covered!
5 Points Market and Restaurant
756 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
The perfect marriage of a restaurant and market, 5 Points is local, ethical and sustainable. Their menu is filled with fresh, flavorful dishes, as well as coffee, tea and bakery items. (Pro tip: go for brunch and order their smoked beet sandwich). The market sells local produce, dairy products and a thoughtfully curated selection of housewares, fresh flowers, natural wines, treats and other food products.
Culture & Activities:
Old Town Artisans
201 N Court Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Beautiful 19th century adobe buildings with a courtyard full of vines and flowers. Shops, galleries, and the famous La Concina Restaurant and Cantina.
https://oldtownartisanstucson.com/
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
4455 E Camp Lowell Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712
Tiny renditions of famous abodes headline at this educational & interactive museum of miniatures.
https://theminitimemachine.org/
Saguaro National Park West
2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743
National park absolutely chock full of saguaros- so many it looks like a bunch of nematodes poking out from the forest floor.
https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746
A mission built in the baroque style back in 1797 which is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. Just so beautiful.
https://www.sanxaviermission.org/
4th Avenue
444 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Quirky and fun shopping and bar district which is an extension of downtown. Lots of cute shops, great food, usually live music, street art, food trucks, etc. Very fun!
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750
Hiking, biking, and picnicking – oh my! Enjoy some of the best outdoors Tucson has to offer tucked into the Northeast corner of the city. There’s a hike for everybody here, with varying lengths and difficulty levels within this intricate system of trails. After paying your entrance fee, you’ll also have access to restrooms, water fountains, the visitor’s center, museum and gift shop, plus interpretations and guided walks from volunteer naturalists! Check their website for up-to-date information on events, offerings and conditions.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=75425
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641
Explore an intricate cave system that has a wild west history. From serving as a shelter to the Hohokam people as early as 900AD to a hideout for train robbers during Arizona’s Territory days, followed by a mining site for bat guano, and then providing jobs during the Great Depression with the Civilian Conservation Corps – this cave system is filled with stories! Choose your own adventure from a variety of tours offered.
Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum
115 N Church Ave Ste 121, Tucson, AZ 85701
The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is dedicated to providing public education, and the preservation of minerals and meteorites while also serving the research needs of professionals, students, and collectors. Their stunning collection is worldwide in scope, but with specific emphasis on minerals from Arizona and Mexico.
