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My top Tucson picks that you must try..food and fun

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Some of our favorite restaurants, places that are a must see and do and some other fun things if you are visiting or live in Tucson that you have never been too. When we eat out we try to spend local if at all possible and these are some of our repea...
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Delicious Restaurants

These are some of our go to places to have a date night, a family dinner out, and also support local. Mexican food is a family favorite and there are some amazing places in Tucson for delicious food. 

 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
They have some of the best Mexican food with the authentic flavor everyone loves. Our favorite are the tacos!!!! SOOOO good!
Rosa's Mexican Food Restaurant
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
This is our favorite date night restaurant. The food is amazing, the service is great and the margaritas are some of the best we have had, Prickly Pear being our favorite. Definitely a must try. Also some beautiful mountain views.
El Charro Cafe Ventana
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Our favorite pizza place as a family. Delicious pizza everytime and wings as a bonus!
Barro's Pizza
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Such a cute little restaurant with ama ing food. The bubble waffle is a family favorite. Along with the chilaquiles and Strawberries and cream crosssaint. New location now open on east as well. Definitely a must try.
Teaspoon - Tucson
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
We love the breakfast or brunch options they have here! THe Shaggy snack are delicious!!!
BAJA CAFE - Broadway
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
This is one of our go to breakfast spots…the waffles and hashbrowns are a family favorite.
Jethro's Cafe Menu Tucson
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A small hidden gem in east Tucson, great for a date night or even just a pick up and go options as well. They have some great pizza and food with fresh ingredients and vegan options.
Renee's Tucson
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Locally owned....they have some good bbq and a salad bar to book. Everything is cooked in house.
The Horseshoe Grill - Tucson
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
This place has some great food but such a fun atmospher and family friendly. Lots of outdoor seating, a small little waterfall in the landscape, lots of outdoor games for the kids to keep busy.
The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Great Bar with a Cheers vibe. Also very family friendly for lunch or dinner or even Sunday football. They have kids menus and games and pool tables. Such a great family that owns it. We also love Wednesday Trivia and wing night with some of the best ...
ON THE ROCKS
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
We love to go here and grab pizza to cook at home on those days you just want that easy dinner.
Papa Murphy's | Take 'N' Bake Pizza

Attractions for the whole family

These are places in Tucson that are popular visits for sight seeing but also for locals do get out and do something fun, we frequent several of them.  

 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
All things desert! The best place to see all the things in the desert up close and personal as well as seeing them in the wild. From local cactus and plants to reptiles and even deer and wolves. My kids don't care for the reptiles but sure love check...
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A cool place to visit, with lots to see and amazing architecture to check out the earths wonders. It is truly beautiful.
Biosphere 2
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A beautiful place, especially when the butterflies are here or during the holidays when it is all lit up. A must visit.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Another beautiful place to visit especially at the holidays when it is all lit up and decorated. The pumpkins are the kids favorite during Halloween.
Tohono Chul | Gardens, Galleries, and Bistro
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
My kids have fun with this every year, a walk to remember with all the different light displays, themed set-ups or just the classics, a little bit for everyone. Grab the hot chocolates and enjoy.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Cute little family outing with small rides, stores with old fashioned toys and a beautiful courtyard. There are family events all year round. My kids love panning for gold.
Trail Dust Town
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A fun little in town gun show while visiting Trail dust town, stop by and see a show, they won't dissappoint. They even offer headphones for the littles.
Pistoleros Wild West Show
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Fun place to visit with the family to where some of the old west gun shows were filmed. I remembered my childhood memories here and wanted my kids to enjoy the same. They also have a Halloween themed Nightfall and Christmas theme as well.
Old Tucson
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A fun day activity for the kids and adults, they will be expanding soon with more animals to come. My kids are very excited for all of the new exhibits and animals.
Reid Park Zoo
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Catalina State Park is great for fall hiking, the weather is perfect and you might catch some fall colors if you are lucky, even though it is mostly desert scenery.
Catalina State Park
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Fun place to go for a fun filled date night or a night out with friends.
Laffs Comedy Caffé
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
This place is so much fun with the kids. They enjoy seeing, petting and feeding all of the animals. Definitely recommend.
Ghost Ranch Exotics and Funny Foot Farm
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
We went here as a family for something different to do at Christmas time and they had a Frosty the snowman themed escape that the kids had a blast with trying to put frosty together again. It was nice that they had a fun family friendly escape room f...
Ace of Escape - Tucson’s Escape Room
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
If you live here or are here in the winter a Roadrunners game is a must, Lots of fun for the family very action packed.
Schedule 2025-2026
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
My son loves football. And these games are so much fun and very fast passed for IFL. The entire family loves it.
Tucson Sugar Skulls
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Such a beautiful place to go with the kiddos to look at the wildlife or fish and ducks, go to relax or even for a hike.
Agua Caliente Regional Park

Places to visit near Tucson that are a reasonable drive

Living in Tucson, we have found some hidden gems on the outskirts of Tucson that are places to visit for a little drive. 

 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Such an iconic place to visit where some of the best westerns were filmed and the best gun fights were made. I loved it as a kid, still do as an adult and my kids have a blast everytime we visit.
Tombstone AZ Information ⋆ Discover Tombstone Arizona
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A fun place to take the kiddos to pick your own fruit for all seasons, summers with peaches, apples, and other fun things, the fall for pumpkins and sunflowers. Such a fun visit everytime we go.
Apple Annie's You-Pick Orchard
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A great place for camping, fishing and hiking. Rent a boat and go out on the lake, enjoy the beach area for swimming or playing by the water.
Patagonia Lake State Park | Arizona
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
If you love wine….there are some beautiful wineries down in Sonoita just about an hour away from Tucson.
Winery & Vineyards Tucson, AZ by Sonoita Vineyards
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A great place to visit for the day for some cooler weather or go up to stay at the lake overnight to camp or even just for a hike
Mount Lemmon
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Sabino Canyon is a beauty in itself. Such a beautiful place to hike (although avoid the summer hiking), see wildlife and the beauties of the desert.
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Such a cool place to take the kids….some cool underground caves to go inside and see.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
More cool caves to go down and see, you can even camp in the park.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
a beautiful drive to say the least…great to enjoy the AZ sunsets or just take in the scenery..
Gates Pass (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Another great visit with cool scenery and beautiful desert views.
Kitt Peak
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Great place to go four wheeling and camping and explore the desert with a hike.
Redington Pass – Explore the Arizona Trail
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Bisbee is a small beautiful town with the old town feel.
Discover Bisbee - Discover How to Have Fun in Bisbee
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
A neat place to check out, beautiful in the winter to see with all the snow they can get.
Mount Graham International Observatory
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
If visiting in October, the Marana pumpkin patch is a great place for family fun, rides and picking pumpkins! Locally owned lots of acres to explore.
Marana Pumpkin Patch
 
Nicole Lopez profile picture
Taking a tour of the beautiful lavendar farm is a site to see, an absolute stunning beauty.
Firesky Farms