Tucson Food and Activities Guidebook
Mexican Food
A mix of authentic trucks, fast casual, and modern Mexican Food. This is in now way an exhaustive list, and you can't go wrong in Tucson, but you are guaranteed a delicious meal at any of these spots.
Their carne asada is amazing and is grilled over mesquite wood for extra delicious flavor. Another must have is the Sonoran hot dog, a local specialty.. Other favorites are the taco yaqui and tacos dorados. Delicious salsa bar in an indoor/outdoor setting.
18 locals recommend
Taqueria Aqui Con El Nene
4415 N Flowing Wells RdTheir carne asada is amazing and is grilled over mesquite wood for extra delicious flavor. Another must have is the Sonoran hot dog, a local specialty.. Other favorites are the taco yaqui and tacos dorados. Delicious salsa bar in an indoor/outdoor setting.
A modern and delicious take on staples like burritos, tacos and tortas with marinated and grilled meats. This is also one of our favorite spots for nachos and giant salads. The surf & turf burrito is highly recommended.
Multiple locations in Tucson, all great.
140 locals recommend
Seis Kitchen
1765 E River RdA modern and delicious take on staples like burritos, tacos and tortas with marinated and grilled meats. This is also one of our favorite spots for nachos and giant salads. The surf & turf burrito is highly recommended.
Multiple locations in Tucson, all great.
A local celebrity, Chef Maria was on Top Chef and puts out great tacos, moles, and authentic modern mexican cuisine.
70 locals recommend
BOCA Tacos Y Tequila
533 N 4th AveA local celebrity, Chef Maria was on Top Chef and puts out great tacos, moles, and authentic modern mexican cuisine.
Braised meats, delicious cocktails, and a killer view from the patio. Always start with the guac.
44 locals recommend
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
2905 E Skyline DrBraised meats, delicious cocktails, and a killer view from the patio. Always start with the guac.
Mesquite grilled carne asada with fresh hand made totillas. Killer drinks too.
40 locals recommend
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
2680 N 1st AveMesquite grilled carne asada with fresh hand made totillas. Killer drinks too.
Coffee - Best of Tucson
We have scoured all of Tucson in search of the best coffee around. This list gives you the best three shops in town where you are guaranteed a great latte or other creative drink.
Nestled inside a great little market, Floras has a great cafe with fresh coffee and pastries with comfortable seating throughout. Also does amazing brunch, dinner, and pizza.
57 locals recommend
Flora's Market Run
2513 E 6th StNestled inside a great little market, Floras has a great cafe with fresh coffee and pastries with comfortable seating throughout. Also does amazing brunch, dinner, and pizza.
Exo is our local roaster with espresso drinks and freshly roasted beans, located downtown.
104 locals recommend
Exo Roast Co
403 N 6th AveExo is our local roaster with espresso drinks and freshly roasted beans, located downtown.
Another favorite spot located in the Annex. Amazing lattes with some creative twists on their Mochas. Walk along the river or grab your latte and head up Sentinel Peak.
9 locals recommend
Hermosa Coffee Roasters
267 South Avenida del ConventoAnother favorite spot located in the Annex. Amazing lattes with some creative twists on their Mochas. Walk along the river or grab your latte and head up Sentinel Peak.
Pizza
Nestled inside a quaint grocery store, Time Market is known for their great pizza, subs, and tap beer! While you’re out grabbing some produce, stick around for some great pizza and a cold beer.
148 locals recommend
Time Market
444 E University BlvdNestled inside a quaint grocery store, Time Market is known for their great pizza, subs, and tap beer! While you’re out grabbing some produce, stick around for some great pizza and a cold beer.
In addition to their cafe, Flora’s also offers amazing pizza, soups, and other brunch or dinner items on their menu.
57 locals recommend
Flora's Market Run
2513 E 6th StIn addition to their cafe, Flora’s also offers amazing pizza, soups, and other brunch or dinner items on their menu.
Hiking, Biking, and Sightseeing
The trailhead is a 30 minute drive from our home, and it’s an easy and enjoyable opportunity to see dense stands of saguaro cactus. Many other trails connect to Saguaro Vista so you can get in additional mileage, but we do the Saguaro Vista + Sun Circle Loop if we’re in a hurry but want to get outside. This is also a great mountain biking trail.
Saguaro Vista Trail
Saguaro Vista TrailThe trailhead is a 30 minute drive from our home, and it’s an easy and enjoyable opportunity to see dense stands of saguaro cactus. Many other trails connect to Saguaro Vista so you can get in additional mileage, but we do the Saguaro Vista + Sun Circle Loop if we’re in a hurry but want to get outside. This is also a great mountain biking trail.
Multiple creek crossings and deep into the canyon, you’ll find a glorious cascade of waterfalls. This is our favorite hike! Water levels are seasonal in pools and creek crossings.
50 locals recommend
Seven Falls
5700 Bear Canyon TrailMultiple creek crossings and deep into the canyon, you’ll find a glorious cascade of waterfalls. This is our favorite hike! Water levels are seasonal in pools and creek crossings.
There are a myriad of trails from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, so this can be a choose-your-own-adventure trek. There are many shorter, flat trails around the visitor center that are great for kids. Also, they have many of the cacti identified and labeled, so it’s a fun learning experience as well. Be sure to ask where the cristate saguaro is!
457 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadThere are a myriad of trails from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, so this can be a choose-your-own-adventure trek. There are many shorter, flat trails around the visitor center that are great for kids. Also, they have many of the cacti identified and labeled, so it’s a fun learning experience as well. Be sure to ask where the cristate saguaro is!
This trail is mostly flat and winds you through a variety of dense cacti in Saguaro National Park East. Great for trail running and for kids as well.
Cactus Forest Trail
This trail is mostly flat and winds you through a variety of dense cacti in Saguaro National Park East. Great for trail running and for kids as well.
A local favorite hike in the morning with your coffee in hand. Sweeping views of all of Tucson and its mountains.
135 locals recommend
Sentinel Peak Park (“A” Mountain)
1001 Sentinel Peak Rd SA local favorite hike in the morning with your coffee in hand. Sweeping views of all of Tucson and its mountains.
Enjoy the scenic drive through Gates Pass, and stretch your legs on an easy trail through the cactus forest. This is one of Tucson’s best places to watch the sun set.
127 locals recommend
Gates Pass Trail
6400 W Gates Pass RdEnjoy the scenic drive through Gates Pass, and stretch your legs on an easy trail through the cactus forest. This is one of Tucson’s best places to watch the sun set.