Jason’s Tucson guidebook
Sightseeing
Tohono Chul-Desert Discovery Education Center
7211 N Northern AveEl Presidio Historic District
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StJohn Dillinger was caught here.
Killer view of downtown Tucson from rooftop terrace. A local favorite.
46 locals recommend
Playground Bar & Lounge
278 E Congress StKiller view of downtown Tucson from rooftop terrace. A local favorite.
Unique desert botanical garden and tea house cafe. Has the highest concentration of night bloomming desert cacti in N America.
168 locals recommend
Tohono Chul
7366 N Paseo Del NorteUnique desert botanical garden and tea house cafe. Has the highest concentration of night bloomming desert cacti in N America.
Catalina State Park
11570 North Oracle RoadBeautiful hiking 15 minutes away.
Pima Canyon Trail
Pima Canyon TrailHiking 10 minutes away.
Sabino Canyon
Tram tour or hike 30 minutes away.
Mount Lemmon
Mountain rides and sking.
Biosphere Road
Biosphere RoadBiosphere research center
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
1601 E University BlvdAstronomers love this place.
Starizona
5757 N Oracle RdFree telescope set up most weeks.
Saguaro National Park West
Close to desert museum.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney RdThe place to go sightseeing in Tucson.
Old Tucson
Many westerns filmed here.
Bisbee
Great day trip near Tombstone.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90Best living cave tour in the world.
Bird Cage Theatre
535 E Allen StOK Corrall is up yonder and cool tour.
Kitt Peak
Great observatory that has public tours with stellar views!
Grand Canyon
4 to 5 hours away, bucket list.
Sedona
On the way to Grand Canyon, Airport mesa has amazing sunset views.
Jerome
Old mining town with good antiques.
Tubac
Great artisan shopping
Tumacacori-Carmen
One of the many Spanish Missions that connected the trail to San Xavier.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdHistoric Spanish Mission from early colonialism.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle Road2hrs away and on the way to Flagstaff.
Downtown Scottsdale
Shopping and art.
Cofounder Ansel Adams left his collection to this world reknown photo museum.
41 locals recommend
Center for Creative Photography
1030 N Olive RdCofounder Ansel Adams left his collection to this world reknown photo museum.
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
4455 E Camp Lowell DrGreat for kids
Children's Museum Oro Valley
7366 N Oracle RdGreat stop for kids.
Honey Bee Canyon
Quick hikes nearby.
Cold war target. Combo tickets available with the Pima Air Museum.
101 locals recommend
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W Duval Mine RdCold war target. Combo tickets available with the Pima Air Museum.
SR71 Blackbird, AirForceOne, B52... truly amazing collection currated by former airmen that flew them. Don't miss the airplane graveyard bus tour.
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdSR71 Blackbird, AirForceOne, B52... truly amazing collection currated by former airmen that flew them. Don't miss the airplane graveyard bus tour.
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum
414 N Toole AveWyatt Earp killed Stillwell here after the OK Corral.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum
6300 N Swan RdFamous local artist lives on.
Historic Southwestern Mayan Grand Theater fully restored. Free cartoons on Saturday mornings and shows/movies on the weekends.
55 locals recommend
Fox Tucson Theatre
17 W Congress StHistoric Southwestern Mayan Grand Theater fully restored. Free cartoons on Saturday mornings and shows/movies on the weekends.
St Phillips Plaza
Farmers market and crafts most weekends
Food scene
Foothills mall
7401 N La Cholla BlvdMariscos Chihuahua Mexican Seafood Restaurant Tucson Best Mexican Tucson Authentic Ceviche
1009 N Grande AveMosaic Cafe Dos
7350 N La Cholla BlvdCafe Poca Cosa
110 E Pennington StLa Parrilla Suiza
5602 E Speedway BlvdMexico City style cuisine.
Claims to be inventor of the chimichanga. Closest location, orginial one is downtown. Carne seca is local specialty.
151 locals recommend
El Charro Café
311 N Court AveClaims to be inventor of the chimichanga. Closest location, orginial one is downtown. Carne seca is local specialty.
Mi Nidito
1813 S 4th AvePresident Clinton ate here. Hard to get a seat but worth the wait.
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs 12th Ave
5118 S 12th AveOne of the best Sonoran hotdogs in Tucson.
El Güero Canelo Restaurant
2480 N Oracle RdTacos and Sonoran hot dogs.
Aqui Con El Nene Restaurant
65 W Valencia RdPapachangas and yaqui tacos are best in town.
Sullivan's Steakhouse
1785 East River RoadHigh end and Thursday night music in the bar.
Caruso's
434 N 4th AveOldest Itailian in Tucson
James Beard award winning chef Janos Wilder returns to downtown Tucson with his signature southwest continental cuisine.
43 locals recommend
DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails
135 S 6th AveJames Beard award winning chef Janos Wilder returns to downtown Tucson with his signature southwest continental cuisine.
Old world style Itailian cuisine. Incredible Fra Diavolo and spicy calimarri creama. Amazing aperatif and wine list.
42 locals recommend
Piazza Gavi
5415 N Kolb RdOld world style Itailian cuisine. Incredible Fra Diavolo and spicy calimarri creama. Amazing aperatif and wine list.
La Indita
722 N Stone AveStaple mexican food on 4th Ave
Solar powered pizza and garlic knotts. Can get pizza delivered at sister SkyBar next door.
34 locals recommend
Brooklyn Pizza Company
534 N 4th AveSolar powered pizza and garlic knotts. Can get pizza delivered at sister SkyBar next door.
Multiple locations for authentic Italian gelato. Ina and Oracle is cloest location to the house.
18 locals recommend
Frost Gelato
7301 E Tanque Verde RdMultiple locations for authentic Italian gelato. Ina and Oracle is cloest location to the house.
North Italia
2995 E Skyline DrOrginal Fox restaurant that founded the chain.
Li'l Abner's Steakhouse
8501 N Silverbell RdOrginal Tucson steakhouse near the mountains.
El Corral
2201 E River RdBest mesquite grilled prime rib West o' the Pecos.
Magpies Gourmet Pizza
105 S Houghton RdMutiple locations. Orange Grove and Oracle location will deliver.
Multiple locations. Magee and Oracle location will deliver. 24 inch family size is the biggest in town.
10 locals recommend
Mama's Famous Pizza & Heroes
6996 E 22nd StMultiple locations. Magee and Oracle location will deliver. 24 inch family size is the biggest in town.
Bottega Michelangelo
420 W Magee RdItalian nearby. Upscale.
Eegee's
2510 E Speedway BlvdLocal sub chain known for frozen fruit drinks.
Blue Willow Restaurant
2616 N Campbell AveLocal organic eatery.
3844 E Fort Lowell Rd
3844 East Fort Lowell RoadFrench restaurant
Ghini's French Caffe
1803 E Prince RdFrench cafe and bakery
Maynards Market & Kitchen
400 N Toole AveEclectic eats.
Feast
3719 E Speedway BlvdDynamic menu changes daily. Foodies adore this place.
Pappoule's
7475 N La Cholla BlvdQuick service Greek nearby.
Luke's Chicago Sandwiches
6741 N Thornydale RdAuthentic Chicago fare. Informal.
Soup and sandwich combos with happy hour deink specials daily.
28 locals recommend
Bison Witches Bar & Deli
326 N 4th AveSoup and sandwich combos with happy hour deink specials daily.
El Chinito Gordo
2920 N Oracle RdNew fusion place in landmark spot opened by local veteran restaurateur.
The B Line
621 N 4th AveGreat for breakfast.
Greasy spoon staple. Flying saucer pancakes are a usual sighting.
38 locals recommend
Bobo's Restaurant
2938 E Grant RdGreasy spoon staple. Flying saucer pancakes are a usual sighting.
Sushi On Oracle
6449 N Oracle RdSmall place, fresh sushi.
Where Japanese people in Tucson go to eat when they don't cook at home.
20 locals recommend
Ginza Sushi & Izakaya
5425 N Kolb RdWhere Japanese people in Tucson go to eat when they don't cook at home.
Yoshimatsu Japanese Eatery
2741 N Campbell AveBento boxes.
Lucky Wishbone
4701 E Broadway BlvdGreasy fried shrimp, steak, chicken, and gizzards. Fast food.
Pat's Chili Dogs
1202 W Niagara StLocal staple known for its chilidogs in Barrio Hollywood.
Fast food local spot with tamales, tortillas, mini chimis to go.
11 locals recommend
St Mary's Mexican Food
1030 W St Marys RdFast food local spot with tamales, tortillas, mini chimis to go.
Ikkyu
2040 W Orange Grove RdFresh ramen
Bing's Boba Tea
2510 N Campbell AveBoba and thai tea fast.
Neighborhoods
Unique vibe brings back history of Tucson in the 18th century
13 locals recommend
El Presidio Historic District
Unique vibe brings back history of Tucson in the 18th century
Local brews
Use local ingredients. The Saison is made with Agave Nectar.
28 locals recommend
Dragoon Brewing Company
1859 W Grant RdUse local ingredients. The Saison is made with Agave Nectar.
Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar
220 N 4th AveNice outdoor patio.
1912 Brewing Co.
2045 Forbes BlvdOne if the best new local brews.
Barrio Brewing Co
800 E 16th StIn the warehouse district east of downtown.
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
115 E Broadway BlvdOne of Tucson's top 5 local breweries.
Great place to sample microbrews both local and visiting. Growler fill ups. 2nd location at Oracle and Ina near the house.
87 locals recommend
Tap & Bottle - Downtown
403 N 6th AveGreat place to sample microbrews both local and visiting. Growler fill ups. 2nd location at Oracle and Ina near the house.
On the town
The Shanty
401 E 9th StProper pub with outdoor patio.
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StOne of the top ten tiki bars worldwide according to Critiki.com.
20 locals recommend
Kon Tiki Restaurant & Lounge
4625 E Broadway BlvdOne of the top ten tiki bars worldwide according to Critiki.com.
La Encantada
2905 East Skyline DriveUpscale shopping and dining
Cajun gastropub. Dutch well water is one of their signature drinks made from their inhouse marinated spirits.
43 locals recommend
The Parish
6453 N Oracle RdCajun gastropub. Dutch well water is one of their signature drinks made from their inhouse marinated spirits.
Trail Dust Town
6541 E Tanque Verde RdNostaglic Cold War throwback modelled after a swanky fallout shelter.
30 locals recommend
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge
4155 E Grant RdNostaglic Cold War throwback modelled after a swanky fallout shelter.
Trident Grill
2033 E Speedway BlvdBest bar food in town. Founded by retired Navy Seals.
Bashful Bandit
3686 E Speedway BlvdBiker bar featured in Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man film.
The Boxyard
238 N 4th AveSea container hotspot with many food and drink.
Old Town Artisans
201 N Court AvePreimier american glassblowing studio. Founded seminal glass school in the Venetian milano tradition.
Philabaum Glass Gallery
711 S 6th AvePreimier american glassblowing studio. Founded seminal glass school in the Venetian milano tradition.
D&D Pinball
331 E 7th StPinball hall with 30 machines.
Cobra Arcade Bar Tucson
63 E Congress StNew arcade bar for the gamer in all of us.
Frog & Firkin
874 E University BlvdGreat for people watching
Pop Cycle
422 N 4th AveUnique upcycled crafts and currios.
High end art and photography dealer. Orginial Ansel Adams prints. Great art openings.
21 locals recommend
Etherton Gallery
340 S Convent AveHigh end art and photography dealer. Orginial Ansel Adams prints. Great art openings.
Mac's Indian Jewelry
2400 E Grant RdLegit native American jewelry dealer.
Rialto Theatre
318 E Congress StConcert venu.
Giant Maori Head was salvaged from the defunct Magic Carpet Golf across town at the fin de siecle. Live music, fish bowls, and a Quonsut hut.
6 locals recommend
Hut
305 N 4th AveGiant Maori Head was salvaged from the defunct Magic Carpet Golf across town at the fin de siecle. Live music, fish bowls, and a Quonsut hut.
Whiskey Roads
2290 W Ina RdNew watering hole nearby popular with the locals