Local Guidebook
Sightseeing
Absolutely amazing museum! A favorite of kids and adults alike and a must see for first time Tucson visitors. See our desert critters up close and personal. Visiting in the warmer months? Check out their evening hours! Many desert animals are nocturnal so it’s a perfect time to go.
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney RdAbsolutely amazing museum! A favorite of kids and adults alike and a must see for first time Tucson visitors. See our desert critters up close and personal. Visiting in the warmer months? Check out their evening hours! Many desert animals are nocturnal so it’s a perfect time to go.
Wonderful in all seasons! The drive alone is spectacular. Watch for the spot where the landscape changes drastically and suddenly from desert to mountains. It’s stunning. Saguaros fade to pine trees. It’s like no where else. Great for camping, hiking and day trips. Windy Point is a local favorite and fabulous at sunset. Lots of hidden gems as well. Explore and enjoy!
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
Wonderful in all seasons! The drive alone is spectacular. Watch for the spot where the landscape changes drastically and suddenly from desert to mountains. It’s stunning. Saguaros fade to pine trees. It’s like no where else. Great for camping, hiking and day trips. Windy Point is a local favorite and fabulous at sunset. Lots of hidden gems as well. Explore and enjoy!
Absolutely stunning! There are no other words needed here.
Enjoy it in conjunction with the Desert Museum!
321 locals recommend
Saguaro National Park
Absolutely stunning! There are no other words needed here.
Enjoy it in conjunction with the Desert Museum!
A little cheesy but a lot of fun. ☺️ As many know it was used to film the movie Tombstone and is a local favorite. Kids will love stepping into the old west... as will grown up “kids”.
200 locals recommend
Old Tucson
A little cheesy but a lot of fun. ☺️ As many know it was used to film the movie Tombstone and is a local favorite. Kids will love stepping into the old west... as will grown up “kids”.
Locally known as sombrero peak because of the way it resembles a sombrero hat. This is one of my favorite views in the whole city and it’s a short 10 minute drive away. Great place to hike and stargaze. As you get close, take note of the ground around you. It’s a great place to find beautiful rocks and minerals.
Safford Peak
Locally known as sombrero peak because of the way it resembles a sombrero hat. This is one of my favorite views in the whole city and it’s a short 10 minute drive away. Great place to hike and stargaze. As you get close, take note of the ground around you. It’s a great place to find beautiful rocks and minerals.
Wonderful place for camping and day trips. Hike to Romero Pools for a truly beautiful sight. After a good rain the landscape will be several shades of green and the water will be flowing. Entry is $7 per car, so carpool if you can.
192 locals recommend
Catalina State Park
11570 North Oracle RoadWonderful place for camping and day trips. Hike to Romero Pools for a truly beautiful sight. After a good rain the landscape will be several shades of green and the water will be flowing. Entry is $7 per car, so carpool if you can.
Peppersauce Cave
Fun. Dirty. Beautiful. Away from the heat!
Everything you hope it will be. Cowboys everywhere. Watch a re-enactment of the famous gunfight at OK Corral. Enjoy lunch in the Crystal Palace. Find Doc Holliday’s grave. Step back in time.
332 locals recommend
Tombstone
300 N Sumner StEverything you hope it will be. Cowboys everywhere. Watch a re-enactment of the famous gunfight at OK Corral. Enjoy lunch in the Crystal Palace. Find Doc Holliday’s grave. Step back in time.
Fun little mining town. Enjoy a mine tour and walk around the quaint, historic, mining town. There is a small museum showing the history of the area.
79 locals recommend
Bisbee
Fun little mining town. Enjoy a mine tour and walk around the quaint, historic, mining town. There is a small museum showing the history of the area.
Gorgeous rock formations and fabulous hiking. Visit the old farmhouse for a little bit of history.
58 locals recommend
Chiricahua National Monument
12856 E Bonita Canyon RdGorgeous rock formations and fabulous hiking. Visit the old farmhouse for a little bit of history.
Soaring mountains, deep canyons and the unique plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert all found here. Stop in at the visitors center and bookstore for information and tram rides. Guests are also welcome to hike. Paid parking and fee for tram.
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadSoaring mountains, deep canyons and the unique plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert all found here. Stop in at the visitors center and bookstore for information and tram rides. Guests are also welcome to hike. Paid parking and fee for tram.
Southern Arizona’s wine country. Local wineries each offering their own options for tours and tastings. They also do a few wine festivals throughout the year as well.
56 locals recommend
Sonoita
Southern Arizona’s wine country. Local wineries each offering their own options for tours and tastings. They also do a few wine festivals throughout the year as well.
Apple Annie’s is huge! In the fall they offer pumpkin and produce picking, including some of the biggest zucchini you’ve ever seen! Hayrides, corn mazes and fun for all. Just down the road are the apple and peach orchards where you can pick for yourself and enjoy a slice of apple pie.
Apple Annie's Produce & Pumpkins
6405 Williams RdApple Annie’s is huge! In the fall they offer pumpkin and produce picking, including some of the biggest zucchini you’ve ever seen! Hayrides, corn mazes and fun for all. Just down the road are the apple and peach orchards where you can pick for yourself and enjoy a slice of apple pie.
Entertainment
They tell the same jokes in every show... but somehow they are still funny. Watch spoofs and satires with talented local actors and musicians. Always a good time! Little Anthony’s is next door with great pizza (which you can order in the theater). Fairly often there is an old car show in the parking lot as well. Lots of fun!
50 locals recommend
Gaslight Theatre
7010 E Broadway BlvdThey tell the same jokes in every show... but somehow they are still funny. Watch spoofs and satires with talented local actors and musicians. Always a good time! Little Anthony’s is next door with great pizza (which you can order in the theater). Fairly often there is an old car show in the parking lot as well. Lots of fun!
Only a couple minutes away and tickets are only $6 for all showings
18 locals recommend
Harkins Arizona Pavilions 12
5755 Arizona Pavilions DrOnly a couple minutes away and tickets are only $6 for all showings
Great place to let the kids burn some energy. Just a few minutes away. Various sporting fields, splash pad, playground and bike paths. Library is located here as well
Crossroads at Silverbell District Park
7548 N Silverbell RdGreat place to let the kids burn some energy. Just a few minutes away. Various sporting fields, splash pad, playground and bike paths. Library is located here as well
The Loft Cinema
3233 E Speedway BlvdQuirky Independent Theater
Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and lounge with drinks and games. Fun for the whole family.
46 locals recommend
Topgolf
4050 W Costco DrSprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and lounge with drinks and games. Fun for the whole family.
Golf resort surrounded by saguaros in the Tortolita Mountains. Stunning views
11 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
15000 N Secret Springs DrGolf resort surrounded by saguaros in the Tortolita Mountains. Stunning views
Beautiful 36 hole championship golf course and club with views of the stunning Catalina Mountains. Three restaurants and award winning spa.
10 locals recommend
Omni Tucson National Resort
2727 W Club DrBeautiful 36 hole championship golf course and club with views of the stunning Catalina Mountains. Three restaurants and award winning spa.
18-hole golf course and practice facility. Golf shop and restaurant. Views of the Tucson Mountains. 2.6 miles away
9 locals recommend
Quarry Pines Golf Club
8480 N Continental Links Dr18-hole golf course and practice facility. Golf shop and restaurant. Views of the Tucson Mountains. 2.6 miles away
Indoor rock climbing. Kids welcome. Harnessed walls downstairs and a section of free climbing upstairs.
14 locals recommend
Rocks & Ropes of Tucson, Inc
330 S Toole AveIndoor rock climbing. Kids welcome. Harnessed walls downstairs and a section of free climbing upstairs.
If shopping is your thing you will love the Premium Outlets. Beautiful outdoor mall with lots of shade and cool misters. Fire pit and seating areas. Look up their schedule of live local bands and other events. Literally less than 5 minutes away! Part of the VIP Premium Outlet chain. Make sure to sign up for the coupons online, or you can at guest services.
70 locals recommend
Tucson Premium Outlets
6401 Marana Center BlvdIf shopping is your thing you will love the Premium Outlets. Beautiful outdoor mall with lots of shade and cool misters. Fire pit and seating areas. Look up their schedule of live local bands and other events. Literally less than 5 minutes away! Part of the VIP Premium Outlet chain. Make sure to sign up for the coupons online, or you can at guest services.
Food and Drinks
Good food. Nice atmosphere. A little bit of a drive but worth it if you’d like a really good burger
27 locals recommend
Zinburger
1865 E River RdGood food. Nice atmosphere. A little bit of a drive but worth it if you’d like a really good burger
Five minutes away and delicious. Our go to for takeout. No MSG, great prices, vegan and vegetarian options, friendly service and convenient.
Asian Spice Restaurant
7850 N Silverbell RdFive minutes away and delicious. Our go to for takeout. No MSG, great prices, vegan and vegetarian options, friendly service and convenient.
Great place for local brews. The owners are friendly and love to talk about their mountain biking adventures. 🙂
Catalina Brewing Company
6918 N Camino MartinGreat place for local brews. The owners are friendly and love to talk about their mountain biking adventures. 🙂
Really good local beers and a short 10 minute drive. Right by Catalina Brewing if you’d like to try both places.
Button Brew House
6800 N Camino MartinReally good local beers and a short 10 minute drive. Right by Catalina Brewing if you’d like to try both places.
Nice atmosphere. Good service. Large selection. Great beer! Check their Facebook page for their food truck schedule.
Caps & Corks
3830 W River RdNice atmosphere. Good service. Large selection. Great beer! Check their Facebook page for their food truck schedule.
5 minute drive. Good sushi and wide variety of Japanese dishes. Happy hour 3-6 pm Sunday-Thursday. All you can eat $30.
8 locals recommend
Sushi Cortaro
8225 N Courtney Page Way5 minute drive. Good sushi and wide variety of Japanese dishes. Happy hour 3-6 pm Sunday-Thursday. All you can eat $30.
Great food and atmosphere in a beautiful strip of old brick buildings. Modern American food at moderate prices. Check out the other shops while you are there!
46 locals recommend
Wildflower
7037 N Oracle RdGreat food and atmosphere in a beautiful strip of old brick buildings. Modern American food at moderate prices. Check out the other shops while you are there!
Quick, delicious, close and affordable. You can get ingredients to everything and they have plant based options. 10 minute drive.
13 locals recommend
MOD Pizza
3780 W Ina RdQuick, delicious, close and affordable. You can get ingredients to everything and they have plant based options. 10 minute drive.
If you are looking for donuts... look no further. Local, family owned place that has been there for years. Try the blueberry cake donut!
If you’re looking for an amazing croissant donut, find a Bashas grocery store. They made croissant donuts before cronuts were a thing and they are amazing! 7 minute drive.
Donut Wheel
4524 W Ina RdIf you are looking for donuts... look no further. Local, family owned place that has been there for years. Try the blueberry cake donut!
If you’re looking for an amazing croissant donut, find a Bashas grocery store. They made croissant donuts before cronuts were a thing and they are amazing! 7 minute drive.
Best Sonoran dogs and authentic Mexican street food. Roughly 15 minutes away.
18 locals recommend
Taqueria Aqui Con El Nene
4415 N Flowing Wells RdBest Sonoran dogs and authentic Mexican street food. Roughly 15 minutes away.
Long standing local favorite. Fabulous, authentic Mexican food. A little on the salty side. Great chips and salsa! Try the carne asada or green chili con carne. Kids love the mini chimis. Good taco salads as well. Not a great option for plant based eating. Affordable prices. Oro Valley is the nicest location, but Ina Rd is closer by 5-10 minutes.
Do yourself a favor and don’t be taken in by the hype... skip El Charro.
El Molinito
10180 N Oracle RdLong standing local favorite. Fabulous, authentic Mexican food. A little on the salty side. Great chips and salsa! Try the carne asada or green chili con carne. Kids love the mini chimis. Good taco salads as well. Not a great option for plant based eating. Affordable prices. Oro Valley is the nicest location, but Ina Rd is closer by 5-10 minutes.
Do yourself a favor and don’t be taken in by the hype... skip El Charro.
Newer place quickly becoming a local favorite. Pub food and lots of beer on tap. 10 minute drive.
7 locals recommend
Growler's Taphouse
8275 N Silverbell RdNewer place quickly becoming a local favorite. Pub food and lots of beer on tap. 10 minute drive.
Pricey but good. Rotating drafts and menu. Try the chefs special. Fire pits on the patio and a direct view of the amazing Catalina Mountains.
37 locals recommend
Noble Hops
1335 W Lambert LnPricey but good. Rotating drafts and menu. Try the chefs special. Fire pits on the patio and a direct view of the amazing Catalina Mountains.
Breakfast and lunch. Great eggs benedict... their speciality. Serving up traditional liege waffles and specialty pancakes. For lunch try the veggie burger.
10 locals recommend
Baja Cafe
Breakfast and lunch. Great eggs benedict... their speciality. Serving up traditional liege waffles and specialty pancakes. For lunch try the veggie burger.
Great place for breakfast. Delicious house made granola. Amazing chia seed pudding and muffins. Good coffee and out of this world fresh juices! Try the Morning Day Glow... so good. Healthy options, including ones for various nutrition plans. Oro Valley location sits at the bottom of the Catalina’s and the patio has a wonderful view. Very close to Catalina State Park so a great option after a morning hike.
17 locals recommend
First Watch
5055 N Oracle RdGreat place for breakfast. Delicious house made granola. Amazing chia seed pudding and muffins. Good coffee and out of this world fresh juices! Try the Morning Day Glow... so good. Healthy options, including ones for various nutrition plans. Oro Valley location sits at the bottom of the Catalina’s and the patio has a wonderful view. Very close to Catalina State Park so a great option after a morning hike.
Local favorite since they opened in 1990. My family has been going since the beginning and I still love it. Year after year they wine “Best Chinese in Tucson” and they deserve it. Traditional, authentic and delicious.
Golden Dragon Restaurant
6433 N Oracle RdLocal favorite since they opened in 1990. My family has been going since the beginning and I still love it. Year after year they wine “Best Chinese in Tucson” and they deserve it. Traditional, authentic and delicious.
So so good. Family place with a fabulous buffet at awesome prices. Flavorful and delicious! Lots of plant based options. 🌱
7 locals recommend
Flavor Of India
12112 N Rancho Vistoso BlvdSo so good. Family place with a fabulous buffet at awesome prices. Flavorful and delicious! Lots of plant based options. 🌱
Groceries
5.6 miles. Best produce in town and usually the lowest price on it. Caps and Corks is in the same parking lot if you’d like to enjoy a beer.
149 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
4645 E Speedway Blvd5.6 miles. Best produce in town and usually the lowest price on it. Caps and Corks is in the same parking lot if you’d like to enjoy a beer.
Costco Wholesale
6255 E Grant Rd5.8 miles
Safeway
1940 E Broadway Blvd4.7 miles
Trader Joe's
4209 N Campbell Ave7.8 miles
Outdoor Adventures
Located 30 minutes northwest of Tucson. Great intermediate hike with unobstructed desert views to the west. Visit during the spring to enjoy the wildflowers! ☺️
18 locals recommend
Picacho Peak
Located 30 minutes northwest of Tucson. Great intermediate hike with unobstructed desert views to the west. Visit during the spring to enjoy the wildflowers! ☺️