Tucson is shadowed from the travel limelight as compared to other holiday destinations, but by all means, you shouldn't tick it off your bucket list. Reason being, this Old Pueblo City has its own unique desert charm and
one-of-a-kind attractions, that offer an unparalleled travel experience. Anyone who has been here will surely agree with this. From miles of hiking trails to vast bike paths, to stunning parks, to amazing mountain drive, to extensive museums & art galleries, to the thriving college scene - You've got to experience it yourself.
Image by tblackburn via http://www.panoramio.com/photo/8862939Tucson Day 1 Itinerary!
Breakfast at 8:00 AM
Kick start your morning with a delicious breakfast at Mutts Premuim Hot Dogs & Sausages (806 E University Blvd). There are lots to choose from the breakfast menu - Lobster-seafood Omelet, eggs with bacon & sausage, all meat burrito, Blueberry Crepes, to name a few. For coffee lovers, the Cafe Passe () will absolutely delight you. You can choose from its different trypes of coffee, chai tea latte and pair it up with a yummy bagel meal.
University of Arizona Campus at 9:30 AM
A visit here is inevitable if you're in Tucson - The College town. Spanning a vast acres of land, the campus is studded with several prime attractions, including the University of Arizona Art Museum, the Arizona State Museum, the Arizona Stadium and of course the sprawling University space. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours touring the entire campus. Also if you're a book lover, make sure to swing by the university bookstore to rejoice in your love affair with books.
Address: 811 North Euclid Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
Website:
www.arizona.edu/visit-uaDistance from Midtown: 3.3 miles or 8 minutes drive
World of Aircrafts and Spacecrafts at 11:30 AM
Visit Pima
Air & Space Museum for a singular exploration of the world of historic spacecrafts and air crafts. This is one of the world's largest privately owned air and space museums. You will be amused to see the display of over 300 air crafts and spacecrafts, including several Russian MiGs. Wander around and also tour the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) in the vicinity.
Address: 6000 East Valencia Rd, Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.pimaair.orgDistance from UOA: 10.3 miles or 16 minutes drive
Or,
If you are not that interested in air crafts, then head to
Mission San Xavier del Bac. This Roman Catholic Church is an 18th century architectural masterpiece that lets you engross in the breathtaking Renaissance and Mexican architectural styles. The church hosts a weekly mass and you are welcome to participate in it.
Address: 1950 West San Xavier Rd., Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.sanxaviermission.orgHours: Daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m
Distance from UOA: 11.5 miles or 19 minutes drive.
Lunch at 1:00 PM
Step in Los Nopales Mexican Resturant (3051 S Kinney Road) to relish on an unbeatable Mexican fare. The friendly atmosphere, good services and outstanding food with a seriously large serving, are absolute delight. Every single item in the menu will fully satiate your palate. For a take on Italian cuisine, stop by Dominick’s Real Italian (8330 N Thornydale Rd). Pizza or spaghetti or ravioli - the quality, taste and service will not disappoint you at all.
Check out some best restaurants in Tucson!
Visit One of the Country's Best Attractions at 2:30 PM
You must definitely stack away some time to visit
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, that has received rave reviews from renowned publication, as one of the country's best museum or perhaps a zoo. It is called a museum, but actually it is a zoo. The facility is home to over 300 native species, including exotic animals and vast indigenous plants. As you explore the place, you will get a good insight of desert life. You can grasp a quick bite at one of the museums's four eatery outlets.
Address: 2021 North Kinney Rd, Tucson, Arizona 85743
Website:
www.desertmuseum.orgDistance from Mission San Xavier del Bac: 20 miles or 30 minutes drive
Tucson Shopping Experience at 4:30 PM
While in Tucson, you must by all means explore the city's numerous shopping options. For vintage collections or funky fashion choice, head to
4th Avenue (434 E. 9th Street) - Tucson's premier shopping hub, that is home to several boutiques, bookstores, art galleries, sundry shops, and more. The entire street is also clustered by many cafes and restaurants, for you to enjoy a quick nosh.
Distance from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: 14.1 miles or 29 minutes
Or,
You can also enjoy shopping in the the city's largest mall -
Tucson Mall (4500 N Oracle Road). This two storey shopping haven has many specialty stores, that will feed your shopping appetite.
Distance from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: 16.5 miles or 30 minutes drive
Find out the top shopping destinations in Tucson!
Off Beat Entertainment at 6:30 PM
Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros Wild West Stunt Show offers no ordinary entertainment and you're in for a startling amusement. Beyond the usual episode of live music, concerts, dance numbers and drinks, this this western themed venue features high-impact stunts, gunfights, explosion effects, comedy and cowboy-style fist fights. Make yourself available between 7 pm to 8 pm to not miss the stunt show. Aside from these shows, you can also ride the Ferris wheel, rail raod joyride or explore the charming Western-themed shops.
Address: 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, Arizona
Distance from Tucson Mall: 10.8 miles or 20 minutes drive
Dinner at 8: 30 PM
Sit down for a delicious Chinese meal at
Ba-Dar (7321 E Broadway Blvd). Some of the popular items you can try are egg fried rice, pork lo mein, pork egg roll and jar jiang mien. If steak or BBQ is what you're craving, step in
Texas Roadhouse (170 S. Wilmot Rd). They serve fresh and delicious Grilled Shrimp, Boneless Buffalo Wings, Killer Ribs, Cheese Fries, Hand-Cut Steaks and lots more.
Song and Dance at 10:00 PM
Put your best dress on and get ready to get engulfed in a sizzling world of song and dance at
the Gaslight Theatre. The spot features many fun shows put up by talented artists, of the likes of western saloon themed shows or you can tap your feet along the kitschy song and dance performances.
Address: 7010 East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Day 1 Tour Map Guide
Tucson Day 2 Itinerary!
Breakfast at 7 Midtown
Quell your morning hunger at Cup Cafe (Pie Allen, 311 E Congress St). This cozy cafe is set inside the Hotel Congress and serves really good breakfast items - quiche, silverside Hash, biscuit gravy, Andouille sausage and more.
Man made Biosphere at 8:00 AM
After a good breakfast, prepare for a short jaunt outside Tucson, to the small town of Oracle. It is absolutely worth a one hour drive outside city limits to visit Oracle's pride - Biosphere 2. Inside this enclosed glass and space frame, man made structure, it houses all of the elements from Biosphere 1 and consists of 7 wilderness ecosystems. The center is currently used as a research and experimentation platform by Columbia University. Take part in the guided tour available, so as to get a better understanding of the place.
Address: 32540 S Biosphere Road, Oracle, Arizona
Website:
www.bio2.comHours: Daily 9am-4pm
Distance from Tucson: 9.3 miles or 17 minutes drive
Or,
For any reasons, if you're not interested to travel outside Tucson, you can stick around the city and visit
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. This is the perfect spot to venture into hiking or take a dip in the various swimming areas. You can also explore the entire area by hopping on the Sabino Canyon Tram. The place will give you a unique picnic experience among the the saguaro cacti and by the beautiful Sabino Creek.
Address: 5700 North Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.fs.usda.gov/coronadoDistance from Midtown: 23.6 miles or 40 minutes drive
Lunch at 1:00 PM
Enjoy a beautiful korean meal at
Kimchi Time (Broadmoor-Broadway Village, 2900 E Broadway Blvd). You must definitely not miss on kimchi and end your meal with the delicious strawberry manju ice cream. If you're looking fro gluten free, vegetarian restaurant,
Tucson Tamale Company (2545 E Broadway Blvd) will serve you just right. The outlet also serves non vegetarian delights.
Exotic Animal Kingdom - Reid Park Zoo at 2.30 PM
Spend some time in the Reid Park Zoo, exploring the exotic animal kingdom. The animals, ranging from flamingos to Ostrich, to elephants are a big hit of course, but there are other exciting draws, such as the Zoo Train ride and the wet plat area. The zoo also play host to many events and safari for all ages.
Address: 1100 South Randolph Way, Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.reidparkzoo.orgDistance from Midtown: 3.9 miles or 10 minutes drive
Honor the City's Vibrant Past at 4:30 PM
As you enter the El Presidio district, you will see a multitude of galleries lined up along the street, which together make up the
Tucson Museum of Art & Historic Block. This is a perfect place to learn more about the city's past. Simply meander around leisurely and explore each structure that represents a different artistic theme. You can visit the museum from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10 am to 5 pm.
Address: 140 North Main Ave., Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.tucsonmuseumofart.orgDistance from Zoo: 4.4 miles or 11 minuted drive
Home to Several Towering Saguaro Cacti - Saguaro National Park at 6:00 PM
If you're in Tucson, you ought to visit Saguaro National Park and pay tribute to the city's symbol, Saguaro cactus. You can explore both sections of this huge park - the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District. Whichever district you choose to explore, both has miles of hiking trails, a visitor center and not to mention, the extensive spread of towering saguaro cacti.
Address: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.nps.gov/sagu/indexDistance from Tucson Museum of Art: 14.5 miles or 25 minutes drive
Have a Good Belly Laugh at 7:30 PM
Laughter is a good medicine and you'll get a taste of it in Tucson's only and the oldest still operating stand up comedy club -
Laffs Comedy Caffe. Rearrange your schedule and try to make it here on Friday or Saturday, to see the performances of renowned nationally touring comedians.
Address: 2900 East Brdwy, Tucson, Arizona
Website:
www.laffstucson.comDistance from Saguaro National Park: 12.6 miles or 24 minutes
Dinner at 9:00 PM
The
Diablo Burger (Pie Allen, 312 E Congress St) serves some seriously good burgers in the city. You will get to taste the heavenly combination of juicy meat, good homemade toppings, coupled with delicious drinks. For a stellar experience, stop by
47 Scott (47 N Scott Ave, Tucson) and enjoy a delicious American fare.
Explore Tucson's Hip Live Music Venues at 10:30 PM
Let your hair down for a sizzling night of dance and live music at
Club Congress. This upscale dance club has theme charted out for every night - Mondays on 80s theme, Friday is amazing live music night, and DJs spin awesome music on Saturday night.
Address: 311 E Congress Street, Tucson, Arizon85701
Website:
www.hotelcongress.comOr,
Another great stop for music lovers is
Plush. You will quickly jell up with the hippest crowds here and the outstanding live music will totally engage you. If you want a cocktail, the well trained mixologists will put up the best concoction for you.
Address: 340 E 6th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Website:
www.plushtucson.com
Explore Tucson's best nightlife spots!
Tucson Day 2 Tour Map Guide
