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Tucson touristy places that even locals visit
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items These are places that I’ve visited and that I’ve taken my friends and family from out of town. Some are worth multiple trips, others are good to visit just once.
Map
Sections
3
Downtown Tucson/U of A
Greater Tucson Area
Will need to drive a bit from Tucson
Downtown Tucson/U of A
Congress Street in Downtown Tucson has some memorable spots, including the Fox Theatre.
Fox Tucson Theatre
Hotel Congress has a wild history. Check it out while you’re in town. Enjoy some food and a margarita on the back patio while watching the trains roll past.
Hotel Congress
The photos aren’t showing up correctly here, but the MSA Annex is a small group of stores, businesses, and cafes made out of old shipping containers. It’s also where the WhyILoveWhereILive store is located. Fun to wander around while sipping a local ...
MSA Annex
A shop full of Tucson treasures! While it’s obviously geared towards those of us who call the desert home, there are also plenty of gifts you could pick up as souvenirs!
Why I Love Where I Live
It gets BUSY here so be prepared! If you come early you can walk over to the MSA Annex and check that out for a bit. The food is amazing, there’s a reason it’s popular, but be prepared to wait in line and you might not get a table. Sometimes there is...
Seis Kitchen
Eat on the patio if you can! I once rented a room here for a friend’s wedding shower that was “tea time” themed.
Café à La C'Art
Fourth Avenue is home to some of the more artsy shops and restaurants in Tucson, and also home to the giant Fourth Avenue Street Fair. Find a place to park and just explore for a short while (it’s not that big, it won’t take long). Some great restaur...
N 4th Ave
I’ve taken so many people to visit the telescope on the U of A campus. It’s actually a whole observatory, but I found it fun to take turns looking through the giant telescope and seeing what’s visible. Tucson is a dark sky city, so it’s surprising wh...
Steward Observatory (University of Arizona)
This is more of an event than a location, but if you’re into any type of book, you’re sure to find it at the Tucson Festival of Books. Held at the University of Arizona, you’ll find meet and greets with authors, booths of merchandise, and more books ...
Tucson Festival of Books
Greater Tucson Area
Keep in mind that you’re still in the desert, so don’t expect the type of flowers and trees that you would see in other locales. Instead, enjoy learning about desert trees, cactus, and even vegetable gardening. Best to go when the weather is cooler s...
Tucson Botanical Gardens
It’s literally a museum of miniatures, so it helps if you’re interested in that. Worth a visit!
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
A beautiful spot for desert plants. If you eat at the cafe, try the prickly pear lemonade!
Tohono Chul Sonoran Botanic Garden
Legitimately one of my favorite spots in Tucson, but it’s not for everyone. Built before most of the other buildings in Tucson, the Arizona Inn once had some famous celebrities that visited in the 1940s and 50s. The grounds have an old-time charm, th...
Arizona Inn
Know someone interested in aviation? They’ll love this museum. It’s still amazing to see all of the old aircraft just sitting out in the desert!
Pima Air & Space Museum
This is an event, not a location, but it takes over much of the city and hundreds (thousands) of people visit Tucson for this cycling event. Roads are closed across town, so be aware if you are in town the same day as the race!
Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc./El Tour de Tucson
Will need to drive a bit from Tucson
This “museum” isn’t your typical museum, as most of it is outside so you can enjoy the plant and animal life found in the Sonoran Desert. Wear sunscreen and bring water!
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
A drive up Mt. Lemmon is always a good idea. Travel from saguaros to pines and enjoy the cooler temperatures. Stop for a hike, a picnic, or just a photo op. The town of Summerhaven has stores, restaurants, and bathrooms for visitors.
Mt Lemmon
If you like caves, this is worth a visit!
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
It’s worth checking out once, especially if you’re interested in science, history, or the crazy story of why the biosphere was built. One time they hosted a viewing of the movie “The Martian” on the lawn and the setting was very fitting!
Biosphere 2