Tucson Pro Tips
Sightseeing
🔥 Whether it’s a museum, planetarium, campus tour, the optics lab (part of the James Webb space telescope was built here! They have great tours, look ‘em up!), or if you cheer on the cats, there is always something fun to do on campus.
197 locals recommend
The University of Arizona
1200 East University Boulevard🔥 Whether it’s a museum, planetarium, campus tour, the optics lab (part of the James Webb space telescope was built here! They have great tours, look ‘em up!), or if you cheer on the cats, there is always something fun to do on campus.
A quick 45 minute drive away, and a 7,000 ft elevation climb, the temperature drops about 20 degrees and the sights are incredible. The drive is also stunning
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
A quick 45 minute drive away, and a 7,000 ft elevation climb, the temperature drops about 20 degrees and the sights are incredible. The drive is also stunning
A beautiful natural reserve with a plethora of trails awaits you. Be sure to bring water regardless of the season!
320 locals recommend
Saguaro National Park
A beautiful natural reserve with a plethora of trails awaits you. Be sure to bring water regardless of the season!
We did the 20-mile Sabino Canyon loop and almost died. I can’t say I recommend that hike, but the 4-mile hike to 7 Falls is wonderful. Bring more water than you think you'll need!
457 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadWe did the 20-mile Sabino Canyon loop and almost died. I can’t say I recommend that hike, but the 4-mile hike to 7 Falls is wonderful. Bring more water than you think you'll need!
Markets
This market is a local spot to get some of the best homemade pasta noodles you’ve ever had. There is also a restaurant attached and a few other pretty excellent ones in the area. This one is kind of walkable but we usually drive.
57 locals recommend
Flora's Market Run
2513 E 6th StThis market is a local spot to get some of the best homemade pasta noodles you’ve ever had. There is also a restaurant attached and a few other pretty excellent ones in the area. This one is kind of walkable but we usually drive.
🔥 This is a great place to grab some groceries, a slice of pizza, or a casual beer. Great atmosphere and very close. It's walkable but we usually drive here.
148 locals recommend
Time Market
444 E University Blvd🔥 This is a great place to grab some groceries, a slice of pizza, or a casual beer. Great atmosphere and very close. It's walkable but we usually drive here.
Coffee & Tea
Scented Leaf Tea House & Lounge
943 E University BlvdThis is our go-to local tea joint. GO HERE if you like tea.
Some of the best coffee I’ve ever had ☕️ and a pretty decent chorizo burrito too!
77 locals recommend
Cartel Coffee Lab
2516 N Campbell AveSome of the best coffee I’ve ever had ☕️ and a pretty decent chorizo burrito too!
Food scene
OBON Sushi Bar Ramen
350 E Congress StOur go-to date night sushi
It’s the closest food available and it’s pretty excellent Chinese food. Get some pork steamed buns as an appetizer 🤌🏼
China Pasta House
430 N Park AveIt’s the closest food available and it’s pretty excellent Chinese food. Get some pork steamed buns as an appetizer 🤌🏼
🔥 This downtown restaurant is one of our go-to ‘fancy’ restaurants downtown. It’s about a 15-minute walk and has the BEST pizza. Don't forget to check out the speakeasy-styled bar called the Tough Luck Club downstairs.
79 locals recommend
Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink
101 E Pennington St🔥 This downtown restaurant is one of our go-to ‘fancy’ restaurants downtown. It’s about a 15-minute walk and has the BEST pizza. Don't forget to check out the speakeasy-styled bar called the Tough Luck Club downstairs.
This is another excellent, award winning, and historic restaurant - a Tucson classic.
27 locals recommend
Charro Steak
188 E Broadway BlvdThis is another excellent, award winning, and historic restaurant - a Tucson classic.
Rated #1 on Yelp for all South West eateries. Vegan/vegetarian Mexican cuisine
72 locals recommend
Tumerico
2526 E 6th StRated #1 on Yelp for all South West eateries. Vegan/vegetarian Mexican cuisine
Bars
🔥 This and Crooked Tooth are our favorite go-to bars. If it’s a nice day the outdoor patio is an incredible space to have a beer. Live music too! The walk home from Borderlands is always an enjoyable one too.
23 locals recommend
Borderlands Brewing Co.
119 E Toole Ave🔥 This and Crooked Tooth are our favorite go-to bars. If it’s a nice day the outdoor patio is an incredible space to have a beer. Live music too! The walk home from Borderlands is always an enjoyable one too.
🔥 Our other favorite bar. It’s a little hipster and their sour beers are never a disappointment.
34 locals recommend
Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.
228 E 6th St🔥 Our other favorite bar. It’s a little hipster and their sour beers are never a disappointment.
Portal Cocktails
220 North 4th AvenueGreat cocktails and it feels like the inside of a spaceship!
The trashiest tiki bar you’ve ever been to. It’s big, dancy, and pretty fun tbh
6 locals recommend
Hut
305 N 4th AveThe trashiest tiki bar you’ve ever been to. It’s big, dancy, and pretty fun tbh
This place gets rowdy and is a hotspot in tucson. Walk over to hut and then hit hotel Congress. It’s a good time
232 locals recommend
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StThis place gets rowdy and is a hotspot in tucson. Walk over to hut and then hit hotel Congress. It’s a good time
Beware, Dirtbag lives at the edge of Greek row. This is as ‘college bar’ as it gets. I can’t say I recommend it but I feel obligated to inform you of it.
6 locals recommend
Dirtbag's Bar and Grill
1800 E Speedway BlvdBeware, Dirtbag lives at the edge of Greek row. This is as ‘college bar’ as it gets. I can’t say I recommend it but I feel obligated to inform you of it.
🔥 This is by FAR my favorite bar in Tucson. It's underneath Reilly Craft Pizza and has a very speakeasy bar kind of feel. If you're feeling brave try the $5 special (a Banquet Coors with a shot of corn whiskey), otherwise they have wonderful cocktails.
8 locals recommend
Tough Luck Club
101 E Pennington St🔥 This is by FAR my favorite bar in Tucson. It's underneath Reilly Craft Pizza and has a very speakeasy bar kind of feel. If you're feeling brave try the $5 special (a Banquet Coors with a shot of corn whiskey), otherwise they have wonderful cocktails.
Museums
An award-winning aviation museum that is WELL worth your day if military aviation interests you! Our son (2.5) has a yearly membership here.
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdAn award-winning aviation museum that is WELL worth your day if military aviation interests you! Our son (2.5) has a yearly membership here.
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
140 N Main AveMuseum of Contemporary Art
265 S Church AveBrunch
Go-to brunch spot. It's a 15-20 minute walk. Get the steak salad ❤️
27 locals recommend
Café à La C'Art
150 N Main AveGo-to brunch spot. It's a 15-20 minute walk. Get the steak salad ❤️
Another GREAT brunch place but it gets full fast. The Bloody Mary bar is ridiculous!
111 locals recommend
Cup Cafe
311 E Congress StAnother GREAT brunch place but it gets full fast. The Bloody Mary bar is ridiculous!