Elaine's Guidebook
Sightseeing
In the neighborhood only a few blocks away. they have an incredible butterfly exhibition from October through May and a decent exhibition of local plants, herbs, and cacti. There is also a whimsical cafe and store for nicknacks.
260 locals recommend
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon WayIn the neighborhood only a few blocks away. they have an incredible butterfly exhibition from October through May and a decent exhibition of local plants, herbs, and cacti. There is also a whimsical cafe and store for nicknacks.
This is a must-visit for anyone coming to Tucson. Well worth the money and time and try to plan it to see the raptor show... It is really incredible!
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney RdThis is a must-visit for anyone coming to Tucson. Well worth the money and time and try to plan it to see the raptor show... It is really incredible!
Although this is a bit of a drive out of town, it is a pristine "wet" cave that was only recently opened to the public and an incredible example of a growing live cave
216 locals recommend
Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90Although this is a bit of a drive out of town, it is a pristine "wet" cave that was only recently opened to the public and an incredible example of a growing live cave
great place to take the kiddos and we recently had a baby elephant and giraffe join the growing population. Very close to the airbnb!
169 locals recommend
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E Zoo Ctgreat place to take the kiddos and we recently had a baby elephant and giraffe join the growing population. Very close to the airbnb!
I hear this is a great place to visit but have yet to visit so can't say much...
258 locals recommend
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E Valencia RdI hear this is a great place to visit but have yet to visit so can't say much...
The wild west at its best. The "western fight" is worth timing your visit and watching. The local cemetery is also quite entertaining.
332 locals recommend
Tombstone
300 N Sumner StThe wild west at its best. The "western fight" is worth timing your visit and watching. The local cemetery is also quite entertaining.
This is a funky hippy kind of town built into the hills in the mining times in 1880. There is a great mining tour. There are apparently ghosts in the Copper Queen hotel and if you spend the night, I would recommend the "ghost tour". The elevation is a bit higher the Tucson as well, so it can be nice and cool there. There is a new and old part to the town and in the newer area, they have an amazing Farmer's Market worth checking out.
79 locals recommend
Bisbee
This is a funky hippy kind of town built into the hills in the mining times in 1880. There is a great mining tour. There are apparently ghosts in the Copper Queen hotel and if you spend the night, I would recommend the "ghost tour". The elevation is a bit higher the Tucson as well, so it can be nice and cool there. There is a new and old part to the town and in the newer area, they have an amazing Farmer's Market worth checking out.
8000+ feet elevation out of the heat with some great hiking in the pine forest
485 locals recommend
Mount Lemmon
8000+ feet elevation out of the heat with some great hiking in the pine forest
I love this canyon in northeast Tucson. It is full of beautiful saguaro, wildlife, a stream, awesome views, and hiking trails. there is a tram that will take you to the top an if you get off at stop 8, an amazing little swimming hole and "jump off the rocks' spot to cool off in the summer
457 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadI love this canyon in northeast Tucson. It is full of beautiful saguaro, wildlife, a stream, awesome views, and hiking trails. there is a tram that will take you to the top an if you get off at stop 8, an amazing little swimming hole and "jump off the rocks' spot to cool off in the summer
This is an old historic hotel downtown that was built in 1918 where they captured John Dillinger in 1934 after he robbed some banks. Check out the pictures and newspaper articles on the wall on the way to the tiny public bathroom. They have a great restaurant, an outside patio area, music in the hotel, and often outside on the patio a band. There are some real characters who frequent the place.
232 locals recommend
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StThis is an old historic hotel downtown that was built in 1918 where they captured John Dillinger in 1934 after he robbed some banks. Check out the pictures and newspaper articles on the wall on the way to the tiny public bathroom. They have a great restaurant, an outside patio area, music in the hotel, and often outside on the patio a band. There are some real characters who frequent the place.
There are lots of small restaurants/bars and a good vibe all around. There are two street fairs every year when they close this street down and it becomes an open market with tons of fun things to buy, see and eat.
N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ, USA
There are lots of small restaurants/bars and a good vibe all around. There are two street fairs every year when they close this street down and it becomes an open market with tons of fun things to buy, see and eat.
This independent cinema has some great foreign and classic films. They have a decent selection of local beers, and tamales, and show some really diverse and eclectic films. Also a short walk from Casa Blanca.
140 locals recommend
The Loft Cinema
3233 E Speedway BlvdThis independent cinema has some great foreign and classic films. They have a decent selection of local beers, and tamales, and show some really diverse and eclectic films. Also a short walk from Casa Blanca.
Food scene
this is a great breakfast place with that diner feel but also with amazing mimosas! and eggs benedict to die for! super close
27 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
2500 E Grant Rdthis is a great breakfast place with that diner feel but also with amazing mimosas! and eggs benedict to die for! super close
5$ before 5pm for a glass of wine and the cauliflower appetizer is huge!
30 locals recommend
Postino Grant
2500 E Grant Rd5$ before 5pm for a glass of wine and the cauliflower appetizer is huge!
Best hole-in-the-wall greasy diner for breakfast in Tucson and a few blocks from Casa Blanca. House rules include "eat, tip, and get out!" "fine dining elsewhere" and touts themselves as a friendly neighborhood joint. Expect to wait for a table here.
30 locals recommend
Frank's & Francisco's Denoche Restaurant
3843 E Pima StBest hole-in-the-wall greasy diner for breakfast in Tucson and a few blocks from Casa Blanca. House rules include "eat, tip, and get out!" "fine dining elsewhere" and touts themselves as a friendly neighborhood joint. Expect to wait for a table here.
Whole Foods Market
3360 E Speedway Blvd3 blocks away for groceries. A bit pricey but good quality.
Well, Arizona is not going to beat California, any time soon for fine wines but they are getting better. You can take a day trip out to Sonoita and sample some of the wines. I think they do a bit better with the whites but I have had a few decent reds too. There are some good, some great, and a few not-so-good... In the plaza by Campbell and River Road is a wine-tasting place and they only serve Arizona wines. You could go there and check them out if you don't have time to get to Sonoita.
29 locals recommend
Sonoita Vineyards
290 Elgin Canelo RdWell, Arizona is not going to beat California, any time soon for fine wines but they are getting better. You can take a day trip out to Sonoita and sample some of the wines. I think they do a bit better with the whites but I have had a few decent reds too. There are some good, some great, and a few not-so-good... In the plaza by Campbell and River Road is a wine-tasting place and they only serve Arizona wines. You could go there and check them out if you don't have time to get to Sonoita.
This is a little tiny place about 3 blocks from here. They have great coffee, smoothies, and wraps all very reasonably priced. Try the chicken salad wrap. Love this place!!
15 locals recommend
Coffee Times Drive-Thru Espresso
3401 E Speedway BlvdThis is a little tiny place about 3 blocks from here. They have great coffee, smoothies, and wraps all very reasonably priced. Try the chicken salad wrap. Love this place!!
This is a great little tucked-away bar and restaurant. The owner is super friendly and the food is great. I recommend the margaritas here. They often have nice music in the quart yard and if open, check out the little artisan market next door.
101 locals recommend
LaCo Tucson | Outdoor Downtown Tucson Restaurant
76 N Court AveThis is a great little tucked-away bar and restaurant. The owner is super friendly and the food is great. I recommend the margaritas here. They often have nice music in the quart yard and if open, check out the little artisan market next door.
This little dive bar has pool tables and absolutely great hamburgers. It is a short walk from Casa Blanca.
14 locals recommend
Red Garter Bar and Grill
3143 E Speedway BlvdThis little dive bar has pool tables and absolutely great hamburgers. It is a short walk from Casa Blanca.
This is upscale hoity-toity food at its best. The chef here really knows what he is doing and the menu changes all the time. Portions are small but thought out and they have a great wine list. It is also a short walk from Casa Blanca on Speedway.
52 locals recommend
Feast
3719 E Speedway BlvdThis is upscale hoity-toity food at its best. The chef here really knows what he is doing and the menu changes all the time. Portions are small but thought out and they have a great wine list. It is also a short walk from Casa Blanca on Speedway.
This is my go-to place to get decent wine but they also have other liquors. It is local and family-owned also with fresh cheeses and other yummy gourmet groceries such as pate, jams and jellies, chorizo, olives, smoked salmon, and prosciutto. The perfect place for a charcuterie board also a walk away from Casa Blanca.
15 locals recommend
The RumRunner
3131 E 1st StThis is my go-to place to get decent wine but they also have other liquors. It is local and family-owned also with fresh cheeses and other yummy gourmet groceries such as pate, jams and jellies, chorizo, olives, smoked salmon, and prosciutto. The perfect place for a charcuterie board also a walk away from Casa Blanca.
Your typical dive bar ( and there are a few in the neighborhood). It looks weird from the outside, weirder on the inside. 7 minutes away by car and professes to have the best martinis in town ( they are pretty good!). There is one small pool table squished in at the top of the stairs. It's dark and has interesting music playing. Overall good atmosphere.
30 locals recommend
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge
4155 E Grant RdYour typical dive bar ( and there are a few in the neighborhood). It looks weird from the outside, weirder on the inside. 7 minutes away by car and professes to have the best martinis in town ( they are pretty good!). There is one small pool table squished in at the top of the stairs. It's dark and has interesting music playing. Overall good atmosphere.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Street tacos are amazing
There are a few taco trucks that really have authentic tacos ( Grant Road/Country Club) and you must try a Mexican "Sonoran" hot dog with the works! Wrapped in bacon, smothered in beans, salsa, mayo... yum!