Guidebook for Tucson
Essentials
This is a wonderful Farmer's Market stocked with fresh, seasonal produce, bulk dry goods, and an endless array of health & wellness products. We shop here constantly!
Sunflower Market
This is a wonderful Farmer's Market stocked with fresh, seasonal produce, bulk dry goods, and an endless array of health & wellness products. We shop here constantly!
We love us some TJ's. From the wine selection to the unique seasonal products, we are BIG fans of this store. Our friend Scott manages this TJ's so its our favorite location in town!
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Trader Joe's
4209 N Campbell AveWe love us some TJ's. From the wine selection to the unique seasonal products, we are BIG fans of this store. Our friend Scott manages this TJ's so its our favorite location in town!
This market has not only has the best selection of organic produce and seafood in town, but is also stocked with a vast array of Asian foods, gifts, and an in-house music shop.
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17th Street Market
840 E 17th StThis market has not only has the best selection of organic produce and seafood in town, but is also stocked with a vast array of Asian foods, gifts, and an in-house music shop.
Roma is complete, not only with a retail shop full hard-to-find pastas, olive oils, and cheeses, but they also offer a fabulous dine-in/carryout restaurant with the best arancini (rice balls) ever!
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Roma Imports
627 S Vine AveRoma is complete, not only with a retail shop full hard-to-find pastas, olive oils, and cheeses, but they also offer a fabulous dine-in/carryout restaurant with the best arancini (rice balls) ever!
Bulk foods and coffees, much local and organic produce and beer and wine selections. This is where I do most my shopping besides Trader Joe's
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Sprouts Farmers Market
4645 E Speedway BlvdBulk foods and coffees, much local and organic produce and beer and wine selections. This is where I do most my shopping besides Trader Joe's
Excellent resource for wines, beer and dry goods as well as interesting cheeses that are affordable. Not quite as good for produce but there are many choices
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Trader Joe's
4209 N Campbell AveExcellent resource for wines, beer and dry goods as well as interesting cheeses that are affordable. Not quite as good for produce but there are many choices
For the discerned shopper of many delectables, including meats, eclectic foods and veggie juices. They also have a excellent salad bar for lunch and places to sit and enjoy people watching and food
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Whole Foods Market
3360 E Speedway BlvdFor the discerned shopper of many delectables, including meats, eclectic foods and veggie juices. They also have a excellent salad bar for lunch and places to sit and enjoy people watching and food
Arts & Culture
Wonderful movie house screening independent and classic films. They are always having some sort of fun, whacky event. Check out First Friday Shorts hosted by local celeb Max Cannon.
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The Loft Cinema
3233 E Speedway BlvdWonderful movie house screening independent and classic films. They are always having some sort of fun, whacky event. Check out First Friday Shorts hosted by local celeb Max Cannon.
Dillinger was captured here back in 1934 & it is a major Tucson hotspot. Complete with a club with live music nightly, The Tap Room- a cowboy bar w/ Tucson's best juke box, & The Cup Cafe.
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Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StDillinger was captured here back in 1934 & it is a major Tucson hotspot. Complete with a club with live music nightly, The Tap Room- a cowboy bar w/ Tucson's best juke box, & The Cup Cafe.
Historic theater in Tucson hosting a variety of entertainment "from rock to Bach". We have seen many amazing shows here, so check out their current line-up at http://rialtotheatre.com/.
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Rialto Theatre
318 E Congress StHistoric theater in Tucson hosting a variety of entertainment "from rock to Bach". We have seen many amazing shows here, so check out their current line-up at http://rialtotheatre.com/.
Gorgeous historic theatre in downtown Tucson built in 1929. Check out their upcoming shows at http://www.foxtucsontheatre.org/.
17 W Congress St
17 West Congress StreetGorgeous historic theatre in downtown Tucson built in 1929. Check out their upcoming shows at http://www.foxtucsontheatre.org/.
Now in its 45th season, over 300,000 people a year attend its performances at the historic Temple of Music and Art in downtown Tucson. Check http://www.arizonatheatre.org/ for this season's line-up.
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Arizona Theatre Company - Temple of Music and Art
330 S Scott AveNow in its 45th season, over 300,000 people a year attend its performances at the historic Temple of Music and Art in downtown Tucson. Check http://www.arizonatheatre.org/ for this season's line-up.
Great local vaudeville theatre and you can eat while watching. Well worth getting tickets way in advance as they sell out easily
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Gaslight Theatre
7010 E Broadway BlvdGreat local vaudeville theatre and you can eat while watching. Well worth getting tickets way in advance as they sell out easily
Drinks & Nightlife
Colors is a local gay bar boasting THE BEST karaoke in town on Sunday from 3-7PM (nice & early for us old-timers). Its one of our favorite guilty pleasures. :)
Colors Food & Spirits
5305 E Speedway BlvdColors is a local gay bar boasting THE BEST karaoke in town on Sunday from 3-7PM (nice & early for us old-timers). Its one of our favorite guilty pleasures. :)
The owners of HUB just opened up this whimsical establishment which brings adults back to the schoolyard. An array of specialty drinks, cabanas, an outdoor movie screen, & rooftop deck included.
East Congress Street
East Congress StreetThe owners of HUB just opened up this whimsical establishment which brings adults back to the schoolyard. An array of specialty drinks, cabanas, an outdoor movie screen, & rooftop deck included.
Barrio Brewing Co
800 E 16th Stpleasant atmosphere, good brews.
Food Scene
Traditional, uncomplicated Mexican fair. I used to come here with my grandparents all the time. Check out their bar "Uno Mas Cantina". Its absolutely fabulous!
Las Margaritas Restaurant
3602 E Grant RdTraditional, uncomplicated Mexican fair. I used to come here with my grandparents all the time. Check out their bar "Uno Mas Cantina". Its absolutely fabulous!
Amazing tasty Ethiopian cuisine. Food is served family-style on a giant piece of injera (Ethiopian bread). They do not sell alcohol, but guests are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.
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Zemam's
2731 E Broadway BlvdAmazing tasty Ethiopian cuisine. Food is served family-style on a giant piece of injera (Ethiopian bread). They do not sell alcohol, but guests are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.
Atmosphere and presentation besides delicious food! The menu, a far cry from Tex-Mex tacos, changes twice daily and boasts moles, beef w/ plums & chipotles & much more. Tip: get the chocolate mousse!
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Cafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington StAtmosphere and presentation besides delicious food! The menu, a far cry from Tex-Mex tacos, changes twice daily and boasts moles, beef w/ plums & chipotles & much more. Tip: get the chocolate mousse!
My good friends own this establishment which prides itself on simple, delicious comfort food. Rotisserie meats, mac & cheese, homemade ice cream, beer & wine on tap.
Xoom
Congress StreetMy good friends own this establishment which prides itself on simple, delicious comfort food. Rotisserie meats, mac & cheese, homemade ice cream, beer & wine on tap.
Everything We've ever gotten here has been absolutely delicious, so its worth the drive! The BEC Burger on English muffin is to die for as is there chocolate torte with caramel & sea salt.
The Abbey
6960 E Sunrise DrEverything We've ever gotten here has been absolutely delicious, so its worth the drive! The BEC Burger on English muffin is to die for as is there chocolate torte with caramel & sea salt.
Wonderful little spot for breakfast with courtyard patio seating. Make sure to call ahead, as lines can be long, especially on Sunday a.m. They do have a lovely gift shop to browse while you wait.
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Blue Willow Restaurant
2616 N Campbell AveWonderful little spot for breakfast with courtyard patio seating. Make sure to call ahead, as lines can be long, especially on Sunday a.m. They do have a lovely gift shop to browse while you wait.
The best sushi in town (and we've tried it all)! Call ahead, as lines can be long. And check out their happy hour from 4-7 Sunday to Thursday for 1/2 price beer and amazing deals on their menu
3048 E Broadway Blvd
3048 East Broadway BoulevardThe best sushi in town (and we've tried it all)! Call ahead, as lines can be long. And check out their happy hour from 4-7 Sunday to Thursday for 1/2 price beer and amazing deals on their menu
Eclectic and delicious foods the chef here goes the extra mile. It is walking distance (less then one mile) from the casita and the wine selections are delectable.
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Feast
3719 E Speedway BlvdEclectic and delicious foods the chef here goes the extra mile. It is walking distance (less then one mile) from the casita and the wine selections are delectable.
If you are looking for elegant and quiet dining this is your place. Also outdoor luncheons, piano bar for cocktail hour and an old fashioned library/tea room. Excellent service.
Main Dining
2200 East Elm StreetIf you are looking for elegant and quiet dining this is your place. Also outdoor luncheons, piano bar for cocktail hour and an old fashioned library/tea room. Excellent service.
Traditional Sonoran cuisine that is well worth a visit. They have been around for a long time and the service is excellent. They do well with large groups and their salsas are delicious.
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La Parrilla Suiza
5602 E Speedway BlvdTraditional Sonoran cuisine that is well worth a visit. They have been around for a long time and the service is excellent. They do well with large groups and their salsas are delicious.
Excellent southwestern American dining outside in an old village like setting. After dinner stroll around in the old west village and have an ole time picture taken as well as watch local slap stick
Dakota Grill and Catering
6541 E Tanque Verde RdExcellent southwestern American dining outside in an old village like setting. After dinner stroll around in the old west village and have an ole time picture taken as well as watch local slap stick
Best salad bar, close to home and really THE local hangout and lunch as well as breakfast place. Sometimes local musicians grace the afternoon or evening. Now also with coffee and wine bar
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Rincon Market
2513 E 6th StBest salad bar, close to home and really THE local hangout and lunch as well as breakfast place. Sometimes local musicians grace the afternoon or evening. Now also with coffee and wine bar
Close by and excellent southwestern american foods with outdoor patio and excellent service. Easy relaxed dining.
Old Pueblo Grille
60 North Alvernon WayClose by and excellent southwestern american foods with outdoor patio and excellent service. Easy relaxed dining.
Melt. a sandwich joint
5056 E Broadway BlvdBest luxurious sandwiches if you don't want to make your own and close by
one of my favorite holes in the wall mexican food. Generous portions, fast service, great food and the real deal
Poco & Moms
1060 S Kolb Rdone of my favorite holes in the wall mexican food. Generous portions, fast service, great food and the real deal
Family owned and the best I have eaten here for as long as I have lived in Tucson. The food here is real and the wait to get a table worth your while.
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Rosa's Mexican Food Restaurant
1750 E Fort Lowell RdFamily owned and the best I have eaten here for as long as I have lived in Tucson. The food here is real and the wait to get a table worth your while.
This is a fun old timey place to visit. Wear your least favorite tie and they will cut it and hang it up with all the other thousands of ties. The food is average, the atmosphere unique.
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Pinnacle Peak
6541 E Tanque Verde RdThis is a fun old timey place to visit. Wear your least favorite tie and they will cut it and hang it up with all the other thousands of ties. The food is average, the atmosphere unique.
Close by and an excellent selection of wines and great food. This place is small so you wanna time this one just right to go there. Call to see if they take reservations. The last time they didn't
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Dish Restaurant
3131 E 1st StClose by and an excellent selection of wines and great food. This place is small so you wanna time this one just right to go there. Call to see if they take reservations. The last time they didn't
Southwestern food, good wine selections. What more can be said?
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Pastiche Modern Eatery
3025 N Campbell AveSouthwestern food, good wine selections. What more can be said?
Mexican food at its' finest. There are always crowds here; that tells you something about the authenticity of the food.
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Mi Nidito
1813 S 4th AveMexican food at its' finest. There are always crowds here; that tells you something about the authenticity of the food.
This is a uniquely Tucson place, where they make your guacamole and salads at table side. No reservations. Great steaks. This place has character.
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El Corral
2201 E River RdThis is a uniquely Tucson place, where they make your guacamole and salads at table side. No reservations. Great steaks. This place has character.
Everything Else
This park is has a well-maintained, paved walkway around the entire perimeter which is perfect for running. You can also find a rec center, tennis courts, indoor pools, and a golf course.
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Reid Park
900 S Randolph WayThis park is has a well-maintained, paved walkway around the entire perimeter which is perfect for running. You can also find a rec center, tennis courts, indoor pools, and a golf course.
Open 24/7 with 33 tennis courts, 11racquetball courts, 2 heated pools, 2 jacuzzis, steam room, sauna, basketball & volleyball courts, track, weight room, cardiovascular machines, & fitness classes.
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Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club
4001 N Country Club RdOpen 24/7 with 33 tennis courts, 11racquetball courts, 2 heated pools, 2 jacuzzis, steam room, sauna, basketball & volleyball courts, track, weight room, cardiovascular machines, & fitness classes.
Shopping
Our favorite local bookstore, Bookman's has miles of literature, games, magazines, handmade gifts, music, instruments and other oddities. You have to see it to believe it!
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Bookmans East Entertainment Exchange
6230 E Speedway BlvdOur favorite local bookstore, Bookman's has miles of literature, games, magazines, handmade gifts, music, instruments and other oddities. You have to see it to believe it!
If you like antiques, Tucson is brimming with fabulous curiosity shops. This is our favorite one, but plan on spending at least an hour here roaming the endless vignettes.
Annabell’s Attic
6202 E Speedway BlvdIf you like antiques, Tucson is brimming with fabulous curiosity shops. This is our favorite one, but plan on spending at least an hour here roaming the endless vignettes.
A truly curious curiosity shop, this consignment store is chock-full of the bizarre and unique. A sweet little diner also awaits inside. Just look for the giant buffalo on the roof!
Copper Country Antiques
5055 E Speedway BlvdA truly curious curiosity shop, this consignment store is chock-full of the bizarre and unique. A sweet little diner also awaits inside. Just look for the giant buffalo on the roof!
Frost Gelato
7301 E Tanque Verde RdThe one and only gelato place in town and yummie!!!
Sightseeing
Gorgeous canyon with a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. Hike to Seven Falls to enjoy one of the only places in Tucson with flowing water! Tram rides & guided tours available.
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Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadGorgeous canyon with a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. Hike to Seven Falls to enjoy one of the only places in Tucson with flowing water! Tram rides & guided tours available.
This scenic hour-long drive from the desert floor to a lush, regrowing, forest over 9,000 feet in the sky is breath-taking. Stop in Summerhaven for a bite to eat or for skiing in the winter.
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Mount Lemmon
This scenic hour-long drive from the desert floor to a lush, regrowing, forest over 9,000 feet in the sky is breath-taking. Stop in Summerhaven for a bite to eat or for skiing in the winter.
One of the largest air & space museums in the world! Over 300 aircraft and spacecraft, including many of the most historically significant & technically advanced, from the U.S. & around the world.
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Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdOne of the largest air & space museums in the world! Over 300 aircraft and spacecraft, including many of the most historically significant & technically advanced, from the U.S. & around the world.
Built in 1939, Old Tucson has been the setting for more than 300 movies and TV productions including Rio Bravo, The Three Amigos, & Tombstone. It now operates as an old west theme park.
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Old Tucson Studios
Built in 1939, Old Tucson has been the setting for more than 300 movies and TV productions including Rio Bravo, The Three Amigos, & Tombstone. It now operates as an old west theme park.
A world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one. Discover more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants over 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of desert.
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Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney RdA world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one. Discover more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants over 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of desert.
Called “The Best Secret Garden in America”, TBG is located on over five acres in the middle of a very busy urban center. See their magnificent Butterfly Affair exhibit in the first part of the year.
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Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon WayCalled “The Best Secret Garden in America”, TBG is located on over five acres in the middle of a very busy urban center. See their magnificent Butterfly Affair exhibit in the first part of the year.
Part of the Catalina Mountains this is a beautiful drive with many vistas, change in scenery and elevation: 2700 to 10,000 ft. Well worth the drive there are many hiking trails and picnic sites.
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Mount Lemmon
Part of the Catalina Mountains this is a beautiful drive with many vistas, change in scenery and elevation: 2700 to 10,000 ft. Well worth the drive there are many hiking trails and picnic sites.
Excellent place for hiking, easy or strenuous, close to Tucson. Great birding area also.
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Madera Canyon
South Madera Canyon RoadExcellent place for hiking, easy or strenuous, close to Tucson. Great birding area also.
Oldest settlement around. Still run by the St. Franciscan Friars, many of the frescos have been expertly restored. This is a sacred place and a "don't want to miss this" visit.
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Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdOldest settlement around. Still run by the St. Franciscan Friars, many of the frescos have been expertly restored. This is a sacred place and a "don't want to miss this" visit.
Well worth a visit to view their excellent butterfly exhibit and desert plantings. Nice for a stroll and peaceful setting and information about the Sonoran desert beauty
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Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon WayWell worth a visit to view their excellent butterfly exhibit and desert plantings. Nice for a stroll and peaceful setting and information about the Sonoran desert beauty
About an hours drive to a historic town where they re-enact old street fights and shoot-outs. Interesting, touristy and a pleasant drive
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Tombstone
300 N Sumner StAbout an hours drive to a historic town where they re-enact old street fights and shoot-outs. Interesting, touristy and a pleasant drive
Wow, one of 11 live caves left in the world this is an excellent place to visit and sight see. Look at their website to see how to get tickets and take a whole morning. Drive back through Sonoita
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Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90Wow, one of 11 live caves left in the world this is an excellent place to visit and sight see. Look at their website to see how to get tickets and take a whole morning. Drive back through Sonoita
Well worth the drive and spend the afternoon in old Scottsdale town shopping and dining before returning to Tucson. Easy drive there and back
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Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdWell worth the drive and spend the afternoon in old Scottsdale town shopping and dining before returning to Tucson. Easy drive there and back
Yes, this is where the famous painter lived and worked and they house quite a nice collection of his works.
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DeGrazia-Galerie im Sun Museum
6300 N Swan RdYes, this is where the famous painter lived and worked and they house quite a nice collection of his works.