Ocotillo House
Food & Restaurants
Tucson was designated City of Gastronomy due to its 4,000+ years of agricultural history in the region, the confluence of cultures in the region, the huge breadth of food-related businesses, cultural celebrations, festivals, activism and research that exist there today.
Unpretentious watering hole offering tavern eats & spirits, plus an outdoor patio/bar.
40 locals recommend
Saguaro Corners Restaurant & Bar
3750 S Old Spanish TrailUnpretentious watering hole offering tavern eats & spirits, plus an outdoor patio/bar.
Low-key option with a patio, serving burgers, salads & sandwiches, plus shared plates & desserts.
14 locals recommend
The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery
11011 East Tanque Verde RoadLow-key option with a patio, serving burgers, salads & sandwiches, plus shared plates & desserts.
Brightly colored Mexican eatery with festive atmosphere featuring nightly mariachi music.
21 locals recommend
Guadalajara Grill, Fiesta, Tucson's Best Mexican Restaurant
750 N Kolb RdBrightly colored Mexican eatery with festive atmosphere featuring nightly mariachi music.
The original El Charro, founded in 1922, is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Tucson. Family-run Mexican cafe serving Sonoran-style fare inside a charming, century-old home.
151 locals recommend
El Charro Café
311 N Court AveThe original El Charro, founded in 1922, is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Tucson. Family-run Mexican cafe serving Sonoran-style fare inside a charming, century-old home.
Local Attractions
Saguaro National Park is in 2 sections that are on either side of the city of Tucson. The park is named for the large saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment. There are tons of great hiking trails. Be sure to bring your camera!
320 locals recommend
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is in 2 sections that are on either side of the city of Tucson. The park is named for the large saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment. There are tons of great hiking trails. Be sure to bring your camera!
One of the mountain ranges known as a “sky island” range and are located on the east side of Tucson. Several hiking trails exist and the highest peak (Mica Mountain) is 8,664 feet.
Rincon Mountains
One of the mountain ranges known as a “sky island” range and are located on the east side of Tucson. Several hiking trails exist and the highest peak (Mica Mountain) is 8,664 feet.
Sky island range located on the north/ northeast side of Tucson. They are accessed by numerous hiking trails and the Catalina Highway which connects the city with Mount Lemmon and the town of Summerhaven. Mount Lemmon also hosts the southernmost ski area in the United States at 9,159 feet.
6 locals recommend
Santa Catalina Mountains
Sky island range located on the north/ northeast side of Tucson. They are accessed by numerous hiking trails and the Catalina Highway which connects the city with Mount Lemmon and the town of Summerhaven. Mount Lemmon also hosts the southernmost ski area in the United States at 9,159 feet.
Limestone cave and adventure park just 20 minutes to the southeast of the Ocotillo House.
131 locals recommend
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
16721 E Old Spanish TrailLimestone cave and adventure park just 20 minutes to the southeast of the Ocotillo House.
Consists of a nearly 100-acre zoo, garden and museum highlighting the history, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Several live animal exhibits, including a reptile and insect house and aquarium.
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney RdConsists of a nearly 100-acre zoo, garden and museum highlighting the history, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Several live animal exhibits, including a reptile and insect house and aquarium.
Recreation area with hiking and biking trails at the base of the Catalina Mountains about 10 minutes north of Ocotillo House
212 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon
Recreation area with hiking and biking trails at the base of the Catalina Mountains about 10 minutes north of Ocotillo House
An 80-acre museum showcasing over 400 historic aircraft from historic Wright flyer to modern day commercial jets. Exhibits outdoors and indoor hangars.
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdAn 80-acre museum showcasing over 400 historic aircraft from historic Wright flyer to modern day commercial jets. Exhibits outdoors and indoor hangars.
Garden, gallery and bistro that contains nature trails, educational programs and concerts on the north end of Tucson.
168 locals recommend
Tohono Chul
7366 N Paseo Del NorteGarden, gallery and bistro that contains nature trails, educational programs and concerts on the north end of Tucson.
Neighborhoods
Only 15 minutes away, downtown hosts several restaurants, bars, shops and museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art.
76 locals recommend
Downtown
Only 15 minutes away, downtown hosts several restaurants, bars, shops and museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Meaning “old neighborhood” in Spanish, Barrio Viejo is known for its brightly-colored adobe houses, Mexican cantinas and hip eateries and pubs.
47 locals recommend
Barrio Viejo
Meaning “old neighborhood” in Spanish, Barrio Viejo is known for its brightly-colored adobe houses, Mexican cantinas and hip eateries and pubs.
The historic Tucson Presidio District encompasses the site where the City of Tucson was established as a Spanish military fort in 1775.
6 locals recommend
El Presidio
The historic Tucson Presidio District encompasses the site where the City of Tucson was established as a Spanish military fort in 1775.
Regional Attractions
Located about 15 minutes south of Tucson on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation. The mission is the oldest European structure in Arizona (completed in 1797).
329 locals recommend
Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdLocated about 15 minutes south of Tucson on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation. The mission is the oldest European structure in Arizona (completed in 1797).
A handful of vineyards exist an hour south of Tucson in the grasslands in the shadow of the Santa Rita Mountains. Explore the vineyards, partake in wine tasting, or enjoy a snack and glass of wine which enjoying the scenery.
56 locals recommend
Sonoita
A handful of vineyards exist an hour south of Tucson in the grasslands in the shadow of the Santa Rita Mountains. Explore the vineyards, partake in wine tasting, or enjoy a snack and glass of wine which enjoying the scenery.
Tombstone, AZ, the legendary town 'too tough to die' has been the subject of an endless number of books, movies, TV shows enjoyed by Western enthusiasts for generations. On historic Allen Street, the O.K. Corral outdoor theater re-enacts an 1881 cowboy gunfight.
332 locals recommend
Tombstone
300 N Sumner StTombstone, AZ, the legendary town 'too tough to die' has been the subject of an endless number of books, movies, TV shows enjoyed by Western enthusiasts for generations. On historic Allen Street, the O.K. Corral outdoor theater re-enacts an 1881 cowboy gunfight.
Bisbee, AZ is a haven for creatives;, this historic mining town has maintained its authentic Western quirk to the delight of visitors. Bisbee has transformed from a booming mining town to a hippie haven to an arts and culture community - over only the past century or so.
171 locals recommend
Bisbee
Bisbee, AZ is a haven for creatives;, this historic mining town has maintained its authentic Western quirk to the delight of visitors. Bisbee has transformed from a booming mining town to a hippie haven to an arts and culture community - over only the past century or so.
International biosphere and scenic park along the Mexican border that is host to the only Organ Pipe cactus in North America. About a 3 hour drive from Tucson.
16 locals recommend
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
10 Organ Pipe DrInternational biosphere and scenic park along the Mexican border that is host to the only Organ Pipe cactus in North America. About a 3 hour drive from Tucson.
Research facility that serves as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. It is a 3.14-acre structure originally built to be an artificial, materially closed ecological system, or vivarium. It remains the largest closed ecological system ever created.
Biosphere Road
Biosphere RoadResearch facility that serves as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. It is a 3.14-acre structure originally built to be an artificial, materially closed ecological system, or vivarium. It remains the largest closed ecological system ever created.
Just 3.5 hours from Tucson, enjoy the sandy beaches of this up and coming Mexican resort town.
62 locals recommend
Puerto Peñasco
Just 3.5 hours from Tucson, enjoy the sandy beaches of this up and coming Mexican resort town.
Nogales is the major border entry to Sonora from Arizona. The main tourist attractions for tourists are the shops and street vendors in the neighborhood near the border crossing.
15 locals recommend
Nogales
Nogales is the major border entry to Sonora from Arizona. The main tourist attractions for tourists are the shops and street vendors in the neighborhood near the border crossing.
Traveler advice
Ways to save
Attractions Passport
Get a passport For $24, the Tucson Attractions Passport will grant you an assortment of deals at popular attractions like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park. There is also a free mobile app with more deals.
https://www.visittucson.org/things-to-do/attractions/attractions-passport/
Ways to save
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
You might consider flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as an alternative to Tucson International. You'll likely save on airfare but you'll then either need to drive or take a shuttle to Tucson, which is about 120 miles southeast of Phoenix.
Getting around
Tucson by car
The best way to get around Tucson is by car. Although there are several public transportation options, you'll need your own wheels to reach top sites like Saguaro National Park and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Rental rates are reasonable, and there are rental stations in town and at the Tucson International Airport (TUS), which is located about 10 miles south of downtown.
Customs and culture
Habla Español
Because of Tucson's large Mexican-American population, it's not uncommon to hear Spanish spoken in certain neighborhoods.
Book before you go
Beat the heat
Prepare for scorching temperatures if you're visiting between May and September. Make sure to always have a full bottle of water and to reapply sunscreen regularly.
Book before you go
This is a college town
The University of Arizona dominates a large portion of Tucson, and school spirit is strong. Expect heavier traffic and a rowdier atmosphere on football or basketball game days.
Customs and culture
What to Eat
It should come as no surprise that Mexican cuisine is Tucson's specialty. You'll encounter smoky, sweet and spicy flavors throughout your visit, so prepare your taste buds. Sonoran is a unique type of Mexican food - be sure to try a Sonoran Dog and eat your fill of fresh tortillas!
Book before you go
Desert critters
We share the desert with all types of life that existed here before we did. Unfortunately, some of this wildlife can be dangerous. Take extra caution when reaching into areas you cannot see and always watch your step. We have additional safety guidelines in our in-home Welcome Guide - plus a fun overview of all the amazing desert critters you may encounter during your stay.