TR OFF AV IC EL IAL GU IDE
TUCSON INSIDERS GUIDE
AMERICA'S BEST MEXICAN FOOD Learn the A to Z’s of Sonoran cuisine
VOLUME 01 / NO. 01 Jointly published by Visit Tucson and Tucson Lifestyle VISIT TUCSON 115 N. Church Ave., Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85701 800-638-8350 | 520-624-1817 VisitTucson.org | info@visittucson.org PRESIDENT & CEO J. Felipe García VP OF MARKETING Lee McLaughlin VP OF COMMUNICATIONS & TOURISM Mary Rittmann TUCSON LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER John Hudak EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Scott Barker
EXPLORE ORO VALLEY
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Anne Kellogg
World-class hiking, golf, spas and original cuisine.
HOME & GARDEN EDITOR Debby Larsen DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING & MARKETING Daniela Siqueiros SENIOR MARKETING STRATEGISTS Sandee Fischlin | Jill Long MARKETING STRATEGISTS Chris Hinde | Vili Langi GROUP ART DIRECTOR Chris Westin ART DIRECTOR Matthew Kauffman ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Paul D. Fitzgerald BUSINESS AND CIRCULATION MANAGER Alicia C. Brightman
Oro Valley is just north of Tucson, set against the backdrop of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. Outdoor adventures abound, with views you won’t find anywhere
TUCSON OFFICIAL TRAVEL GUIDE ©2024.
else in Southern Arizona. Explore our trails and paved
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paths. Play a round of golf. Savor a meal at an OV
The information listed in the Tucson Official Travel Guide has been carefully compiled to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, but it is subject to change without notice. Visit Tucson and Tucson Lifestyle cannot, guarantee the accuracy of all information and will not be responsible for omissions and errors. Responsibility for performance of services will be with individual businesses. Visit Tucson and Tucson Lifestyle shall have no liability for any claims or damages incurred prior to, during, or following the conduct of any business listed in this guide, and the purchaser agrees to hold Visit Tucson, Tucson Lifestyle its agents, and employees harmless therefrom.
Original restaurant. Relax in one of our spas. Enjoy all that Oro Valley has to offer. Scan the QR code for details on the adventures that await you in Oro Valley.
orovalleyaz.gov |
YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE The Pima County Historic Courthouse and Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center is your starting point for all there is to see and do in Tucson and Pima County.
Kick things off with a stop at the Visitor Center than head across the courtyard to check out the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum.
Grab a drink, hot or cold, at Five-To-Oh! Coffee before heading upstairs to enjoy the free exhibits about the history of Pima County and the days of the Wild, Wild West.
Located in downtown Tucson 115 N. Church Ave.
visitsouthernarizona.com
Enjoy free, local music in the courtyard on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on major holidays.
Welcome to
TUCSON SOUTHERN ARIZONA!
GASTRONOMY 12 Must-See Attractions 8 Annual Events 12 Visitor Map 16
An A-Maize-ing Heritage 20 Tucson’s culinary roots are explored.
A Following of Foodies 26
On the Cover
KEEP IN TOUCH with VISIT TUCSON
6 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Jackie Tran
If you’re curious about where Tucson derives its heartbeat, you’ve come to the right place. Tucson Insiders Guide: Official Travel Guide provides an insider’s perspective on the rich flavors, traditions, arts and the environs that make our city unlike anywhere else. The Gastronomy section explores why UNESCO named Tucson as its first U.S. Creative City of Gastronomy in “An A-Maizing Heritage.” In “The A-Z’s of America’s Best Mexican Food,” we offer a brief glossary of less-common culinary terms. But the city has more than just Mexican food. In addition to the usual Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek and Indian restaurants, in restaurants around town you can sample everything from East and West African cuisine to Jamaican, Bosnian, Brazilian, Egyptian, Salvadorian, Eritrean, Peruvian and Polish foods. Check out “A Following of Foodies” for more. In the guide’s Outdoors section, we note some of the more popular Tucson and Southern Arizona hiking and biking trails as well as a bit about the flora and fauna you might encounter during your visit. In Explore, we’ve provided information on terrific Southern Arizona day trips, a feature on birdwatching, and spotlight some Pima County Attractions that are not to be missed. Tucson’s golfing history goes back to 1915, and our area currently features more than 40 different courses to challenge you. In the Culture section, both performing and visual arts are explored. And to wrap it up, we also show how the Old Pueblo has been featured on both the big and small screens. For additional information about Tucson or Southern Arizona, stop by VisitTucson.org or glean insight from a local expert at 800-638-8350. We hope to welcome you to our Sonoran Desert paradise soon!
Southern Arizona’s culinary heritage is demonstrated by this trio of tacos from BOCA, a local restaurant that has made a national mark. In this issue, you can read about our expansive Mexican food scene, Indigenous food ingredients, and diverse cuisines. Photo by Shannon Christine
Our city’s diverse cuisine is highlighted.
The A-Z’s of America’s Best Mexican Food 30 Descriptions of some popular menu items at local restaurants.
CONTENTS OUTDOORS
EXPLORE Leslie Leathers
Take a Hike! 38
CULTURE
Take to the trail to discover our region.
Get Your Ride On 42
Tucson’s Thriving Art Scene 70 Visual and performing arts are featured.
We’re Ready for Our Closeup 74
Julie Foskett
Steven Meckler
Since 1914, Tucson’s been featured on screens big and small.
Explore Tucson via road and mountain biking.
The Flight Stuff 52 Get the 411 on birding in Southern Arizona.
Time for a Road Trip! 56 Amazing Southern Arizona experiences await!
Countywide Adventures 62 Hello Flora, Hello Fauna 46 We feature local plants and animals.
Pima County offers myriad attractions for visitors.
In the Swing of Things 66 Tucson’s 40+ golf courses offer challenges for all.
VisitTucson.org | 7
12
Must-See ATTRACTIONS
1 Arizona State Museum Delve deeper into culture and heritage at the Amerind Museum, Arizona History Museum, Jewish History Museum, and Tucson Presidio Museum.
Keep on trekking at Oracle State Park, Patagonia Lake State Park, or Picacho Peak State Park.
Joseph Hauge II
2 Catalina State Park
3 Kartchner Caverns Head underground for a different caving experience at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
4 Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
Amy Haskell
There’s even more fun to be had at Children’s Museum Tucson | Oro Valley, Reid Park Zoo, and Franklin Auto Museum.
5 Mission San Xavier Del Bac Find other examples of historical architecture at St. Augustine Cathedral, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, and Tumacácori National Historical Park.
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[ MUST SEE ]
6 Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Keep your focus skyward with tours of Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, Kitt Peak National Observatory, and Mt. Graham International Observatory.
7 Old Tucson Rustle up more Old West history at Museum of the Horse Soldier, Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum, and the O.K. Corral.
Andres Lobato
8 Pima Air & Space Museum Further broaden your scientific horizons at Biosphere 2, the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, and Titan Missile Museum.
9 Sabino Canyon Set your sights on other birding hotspots like Madera Canyon, Mt. Lemmon, and Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
10 Tohono Chul Branch out on the nature paths at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson.
11 Saguaro National Park Discover more Sonoran Desert beauty at Ironwood Forest National Monument and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
12 University of Arizona Museum of Art Be further inspired at Center for Creative Photography, Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, and DeGrazia Galley in the Sun. VisitTucson.org | 9
Make unforgettable memories and connect with over 250 animals from around the world. Your visit helps save wild animals and wild places.
ReidParkZoo.org
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Climb, slide, explore – all the world’s your playground!
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TOP 10 ATTRACTION IN TUCSON
BEST HIDDEN GEM IN TUCSON The magic of this place can’t be overstated! – The Chicago Tribune
A few of our ★★★★ Google Reviews AMAZING museum!! Best I’ve been to in ages!
AS UNIQUE AS TUCSON ITSELF The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures features over 300 miniature houses and room boxes, expertly displayed in over 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space. The Museum’s permanent collection boasts antique dollhouses dating to 1742, contemporary fine-scale miniatures and enchanting collectibles. There’s always something new to see with Special Limited Engagements.
UP NEXT: International sensation Salavat Fidai’s exhibition featuring over 50 micro sculptures on the tip of a pencil. TREAT YOURSELF TO A MOST UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
520-881-0606 | theminitimemachine.org 4455 E Camp Lowell Dr., Tucson, AZ 85712 Order tickets online using discount code TMIG & get $2 OFF.
SO COOL!! Our family of 5, ranging from ages 6-40, visited the museum and all of us had a phenomenal experience! Truly a unique gem, and worth the 5 hour drive to come back. Such an awesome place, so much to see! I’ll certainly be back, again and again. I don’t think you’ll see anything like this anywhere else. Definitely worth a visit!
©StevenMeckler2018
ANNUAL EVENTS A year in Tucson and Southern Arizona is packed with fun things to do, indoors and out. At annual events like these, you can get to know this special place.
JANUARY
MARCH
American Indian Arts Exposition usaindianinfo.com
Cologuard Classic PGA TOUR Champions Event cologuardclassic.com
Dillinger Days hotelcongress.com
Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair fourthavenue.org
Savor Food & Wine Festival saaca.org/savor TAR Soccer Shootout fortlowellshootout.org Tucson Desert Song Festival tucsondesertsongfestival.org Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase tucsongemshow.org Tucson Jazz Festival tucsonjazzfestival.org
Texas Canyon Trail Run amerind.org Tucson Festival of Books tucsonfestivalofbooks.org Tucson Invitational Games tigsports.com Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival arizonachambermusic.org
Find one-of-akind treasures at the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase
APRIL
MAY
Agave Heritage Festival agaveheritagefestival.com
Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb bikegaba.org
Arizona International Film Festival filmfestivalarizona.com
Pueblos del Maiz Pueblosdelmaiz.com
Cyclovia Spring Ride cycloviatucson.org Pima County Fair pimacountyfair.com Sugar Skulls Indoor Football Season Opens tucsonsugarskulls.com Tucson Folk Festival tucsonfolkfest.org
San Ysidro Festival missiongarden.org Tucson International Mariachi Conference tucsonmariachi.org Willcox Wine Spring Festival willcoxwinecountry.org Wyatt Earp Days tombstonechamber.com
Wings Over Willcox wingsoverwillcox.com
FEBRUARY 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo epicrides.com La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo & Parade tucsonrodeo.com
Rillito Park Winter Meet rillitoracetrack.com Tubac Festival of the Arts tubacaz.com
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Photo by Kevin Van Rensselaer
MLS Preseason in Tucson fctucson.com
[ ANNUAL EVENTS ]
Bisbee Pride bisbeeprideaz.com
El Tour Loop de Loop eltourdetucson.org
El Dia de San Juan Fiesta missiongarden.org
Hispanic Heritage Month visittucson.org/events/festivalsand-annual-events/hispanicheritage-month
Juneteenth Festival aamsaz.org
Oktoberfest on Mt. Lemmon skithelemmon.com
Tucson Saguaros Baseball saguarosbaseball.com
Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo sonoitafairgrounds.com
World Margarita Championship saaca.org
Sonoran Restaurant Week sonoranrestaurantweek.com
JULY HarvestFest-Sonoita Vineyards sonoitavineyards.com
Tucson Fall Gem Shows tucsongemshow.org Tucson Pride Festival tucsonpride.org
Courtesy of Tohono Chul | Botanical Gardens & Galleries
JUNE
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Amerind Autumn Fest amerind.org
All Souls Procession Weekend allsoulsprocession.org
AUGUST
Film Fest Tucson filmfesttucson.org
Dusk Music Festival duskmusicfestival.com
Ballet Tucson’s The Nutcracker with TSO ballettucson.org
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival tucsonaudubon.org
Loft Film Fest loftfilmfest.org
El Tour de Tucson eltourdetucson.org
Sky Islands Artisan Market skyislandsartisanmarket.com
GABA Bike Swap bikegaba.org
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair Fourthavenue.org
Tucson Meet Yourself tucsonmeetyourself.org
Holiday Artisans Market tucsonmuseumofart.org
Holiday Nights tohonochulpark.org
Tucson Roadrunners Ice Hockey Season Opens tucsonroadrunners.com
TenWest Impact Festival tenwest.com
La Fiesta de Tumacácori nps.gov/tuma
Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta mexicanbaseballfiesta.com
Tucson Modernism Week PreserveTucson.org/ modernism-week/
LightsUp! tucsonbotanical.org
Southwest Wings Festival swwings.org Celebration of All Things S-cuk Son/Tucson downtowntucson.org
SEPTEMBER Chile Festival heirloomfm.org
Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival downtowntucson.org
Patronato Christmas at San Xavier Del Bac patronatosanxavier.org Tamal and Heritage Festival casinodelsol.com The Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl thearizonabowl.com Tucson Marathon tucsonmarathon.com
Find out more at: Courtesy of El Tour De Tucson
Sweet Corn Festival appleannies.com
VisitTucson.org/events
VisitTucson.org | 13
2024 EVENTS Jan 13
Home and Garden Tour
Feb 7-11
65th Annual Tubac Festival of the Arts
Mar 1-31
Hawk Watch
Mar 8-10
Open Studio Tour
Mar 22-24 Tubac Spring Art Walk Apr 19-20 Bonanza Days Oct 26
Anza Day
Nov 2
Día de los Muertos
Nov 8-10
Tubac Fall Art Walk
Dec 6-7
Luminaria Nights
Dec 7-8
La Fiesta de Tumacácori
TUBAC Where Art and History Meet Located 45 minutes south of Tucson, Tubac offers a unique destination with its rich history, vibrant art scene, and natural beauty. Stroll among charming shops and fine art galleries, take a hike on nearby trails, or play a round of golf. Voted “Best Small Town Arts Scene” by USA Today three years in a row.
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[ VISITOR INFORMATION ]
WELCOME TO
TUCSON
GETTING HERE
We invite you to follow local custom and “free yourself” in laidback Tucson. Fancy dress is optional. You can explore the region’s wide-open spaces on a hike, bike, or horseback ride, discover real science at a University of Arizona museum, or learn why Tucson was named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the U.S. at a variety of locally owned restaurants.
IT’S A DRY HEAT
Tucson’s climate is mostly dry and clear, with about 325 days of sunshine each year. Hats, sunglasses, lightweight skin-covering clothing, sunscreen, and reusable water bottles are advised year-round. In the summer: enjoy indoor activities; venture outdoors at sunrise and after sundown; visit nearby mountains; seek shade at the swimming pool. Stay hydrated! Drink water before feeling thirsty.
HISTORY
In the heart of the Sonoran Desert region of the American Southwest, Tucson and surrounding area have been continuously inhabited for more than 5,000 years. First by Native Americans, including the Tohono O’odham and the Pascua Yaqui, and more recently by Europeans. Spanish explorers founded Presidio San Agustín del Tucson, which became the City of Tucson, on August 20, 1775.
TIME ZONE
Tucson is in the Mountain Standard Time zone. Except for the Navajo Nation, Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Make sure you set your watch right, so you don’t miss last-call at 2:00 a.m.
TWO-NATION VACATION
Head across the international border to Mexico for a “two-nation vacation” with beaches, shops, and restaurants. Travelers are required to present a valid passport at the border and are encouraged to verify auto insurance requirements before driving in Mexico. For information or to make hotel or other travel arrangements, call 520-225-0631 when in the U.S. Visit Tucson operates Spanish-speaking visitor centers in Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico. To make Tucson hotel and other travel reservations from Mexico, call 01-662-213-7282 or visit VamosATucson.com.
BLEISURE TRAVEL
Tucson is open for business and leisure travel. You can host your group meeting here and experience the area through team-building and other planned activities. Contact our convention and sports sales teams at 800-638-8350 or TucsonOnUs.com.
Tucson International Airport Nonstop service to 19 destinations, with connections worldwide. 520-573-8100, flytucson.com Amtrak Passenger Rail Located in downtown Tucson’s Historic Train Depot, the Amtrak station is served by the Sunset Limited train. 800-872-7245, amtrak.com
GETTING AROUND Sun Tran Regional Bus Service Transit centers are located at major destinations throughout the metro Tucson area. The fleet uses such clean-burning fuels as compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel, and hybrid technologies. 520-792-9222, suntran.com Sun Link Streetcar In central Tucson, the four-mile Sun Link streetcar connects exciting dining and entertainment districts: University of Arizona, Main Gate Square, Historic Fourth Avenue, Downtown Tucson, the Convention Center complex, and Mercado San Agustín. 520-792-9222, sunlinkstreetcar.com Shuttle Service, Car Rental & Cab Shuttle service, car rental, taxis and ride-sharing platforms are widely available in Tucson.
Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center Start your exploration of Tucson at the Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center where knowledgeable volunteers share their insights and recommendations, and beautifully crafted displays tell the story of the region’s history, its people, and the land. Located in the Historic Pima County Courthouse, this hub of culture and tourism-related information and activities also includes the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum and Tucson’s January 8th Memorial, dedicated to victims of the 1/8/11 shooting in northwest Tucson, and community’s VisitSouthernArizona.com 115the N. Church Ave. response afterward. 1-800-638-8350 Randy Metcalf
16 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Tucson, AZ 85701
Book Now At Flytucson.com
GASTRONOMY EXPLORE THE UNIQUE FLAVORS OF THE SONORAN DESERT
20
AN A-MAIZE-ING HERITAGE
26
A FOLLOWING OF FOODIES
30
THE A-Z’S OF AMERICA’S BEST MEXICAN FOOD El Güero Canelo Photo by Steven Meckler
VisitTucson.org | 19
AN A-MAIZE-ING
HERITAGE The Old Pueblo’s culinary history not only goes back thousands of years, you can still experience many of those traditional flavors today.
BY ELIZABETH HUNTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNON CHRISTINE PHOTO
I
It would be fitting if becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy was a piece of cake, but quite the opposite is true. Tucson is just one of 49 cities globally, with only two in the U.S. (the other is San Antonio, Texas), to be recognized as such. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, launched the Creative Cities Network in 2004. Its goal — to build global unity by recognizing and awarding cities that abound in, as well as historically honor and nurture, one of seven creative fields, including gastronomy. Tucson’s City of Gastronomy designation — the first in the U.S. — is managed by the non-profit Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCoG). The official mandates to win CoG accreditation are listed in scholarly terms, but reduced down, like a good sauce, they are: a city must have a well-developed gastronomy, characteristic of the region or city; a vibrant food community with plenty of traditional restaurants and chefs using locally sourced and heritage ingredients, using long-established methods of food preparation; an abundance of traditional food markets; a prospering trade food industry with plenty of food-centric festivals, farmers markets and culinary competitions; farming culture that promotes sustainable practices, and a nurturance of public appreciation for and promotion of nutrition in schools. History is on our side as Southern Arizona is the oldest continually inhabited and cultivated area of the U.S., with an archaeological record
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[ GASTRONOMY ]
of habitation and crop cultivation extending back more than 4,000 years, and a 300-year tradition of orchards, vineyards, and livestock ranching. Our Tucson cuisine features influences of Indigenous, Mission-era Mediterranean, Sonoran, and Ranch-Style Cowboy food traditions. TCoG Executive Director Jonathan Mabry offers specifics on the unusual amalgam: “For many thousands of years, the Tohono O’odham people indigenous to the region have harvested wild plant edibles, including pods of mesquite trees; wild greens; cactus fruits, buds, and pads, including fruits of the prickly pear and giant saguaro; the spinach-like greens of desert amaranths; and non-bitter acorns.” Maize, beans, and squash are tropical Mesoamerican crops known collectively as “the three sisters.” The first maize arrived in the Santa Cruz Valley (where Tucson is located) from Mexico 4,100 years ago. Historically, native peoples in the region surrounding Tucson cultivated and selected for a vast genetic diversity of these crops. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe also has a deep history here and have influenced the cuisine with their wild foods and varieties of these crops.
Opposite top: At Tito & Pep, many of their menu items are prepared over a mesquite fire, including (opposite bottom) the grilled New York strip steak. Top left: At 5 Points, the breakfast salad and (top right) seasonal frittata are brunch favorites. Above: 5 Points’ spacious dining room
VisitTucson.org | 21
Left: El Charro Café is said to be the originator of the Chimichanga.
Above: El Charro offers the plant-based Tamale Platter.
Beginning around 1700 A.D., other desert-adapted crops from the Mediterranean and additional arid regions in the Old World were introduced by missionaries and colonists from Europe and what is now Mexico during the Spanish Colonial period. The first missionary to this region, a Jesuit from northern Italy, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, planted White Sonoran wheat, fruit trees and grapes, and raised cattle. Colonists brought a variety of other field crops and herbs, and fruit tree stocks of figs, pomegranates, quinces, apricots, citrus, and olives. After Mexico achieved independence from Spain in 1821, what is now Southern Arizona 22 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
was part of Sonora, and its food culture shared the distinctive features of Sonoran-style food of northwestern Mexico. These include the use of flour tortillas instead of the corn tortillas predominant throughout the rest of Mexico, an emphasis on beef cooked over mesquite wood fires, and a blending of native and Mediterranean ingredients. Red chile sauces are favored over the green chile sauces that characterize New Mexico-style Mexican food. Chiltepines, the small, round “mother of all chiles,” grow wild here and are typically the only very hot ingredient. Fish, shrimp, and other seafoods from the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) also are popular ingredients of the style.
Ranch-Style Cowboy cooking became a new influence during the late 1800s. New cuts of beef, one-pot stews, pinto beans, potatoes in various forms, fruit pies and cobblers, quickbreads, and boiled coffee were introduced from trail cooking out of chuckwagons — the original food trucks — and also became part of the multicultural, blended cuisine of our region. Some examples of traditional food preparation techniques historically characteristic of this region, and still in use today in both restaurant and home kitchens, include grilling over mesquite-wood fires; drying beef then shredding and frying it with other ingredients to make carne seca; “cooking” seafood with citrus juice marination to make ceviches; sun drying and roasting cactus buds and chiles; baking with combinations of wheat flour and ground mesquite pods; wrapping green corn masa (alone or along with meats) with corn husks and steaming them to make tamales; wrapping various fillings in large flour tortillas to make burros (and sometimes deep frying them to make the iconic chimichanga); and flavoring with wild chiltepin peppers and sea salt from the Gulf of California. Some distinctive features of our restaurant culture are the relatively large proportion of locally owned, independent restaurants and bars (almost two-thirds, compared to the national average near 40%), the multicultural
[ GASTRONOMY ] menu mashups alongside traditional regional favorites, and our many creative chefs constantly inventing new recipes with heritage ingredients. Tucson is the only City of Gastronomy to offer certification to restaurants and food producers. “Through certifications,” says Mabry, “the nonprofit Tucson City of Gastronomy recognizes locally owned restaurants and food artisans that are exemplary in supporting our local food economy, keeping our food heritage alive, using socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and giving back to the community. Both locals and visitors are voting with their wallets to support these certified food businesses, representing a positive vision of where our culinary sector is headed.” Among the dozens of restaurants and artisan food producers that have the TCoG accreditation is 5 Points Market in Barrio Viejo. The eatery, which recently added dinner to its schedule along with breakfast and lunch, offers food that is handcrafted and legendary, from the cinnamon-kissed pancake to the seasonal frittata. The latter is served in a lofty wedge, moist and eggy, singing of fresh vegetables and sharp cheese, contrasted by a side of peppery organic greens tossed in roasted tomato and rosemary vinaigrette and buttery slices of French baguette. Another very popular restaurant, The Blue Willow, a Tucson fixture for more than 40 years, also has earned TCoG certification. Owner Rebecca Ramey enthuses, “We support local producers like Double Check Ranch, Cheri’s Desert Harvest and many other vendors in the gift shop. We use sustainable practices like recyclable containers; we recycle and donate our oil and have switched to LED lighting.” A top menu pick at Blue Willow is Migas Verdes. The traditional Mexican breakfast dish features softly scrambled eggs, spicy pulled chicken, tomatoes and crunchy strips of housemade corn tortilla topped with red and green chiles, tomatillo salsa, sided by hearty black beans and a velvety flour tortilla. Ramey says her favorite heritage ingredient is the versatile prickly pear fruit. “It can be used in savory or sweet dishes, cocktails and mocktails. We use prickly pear syrup in Margaritas, lemonade, and pancake syrup.” But it isn’t the only nod to traditional Southwestern ingredients. “Our apple crisp is made topped with local mesquite flour, pecans, and Cheri’s Orange Blossom Honey.” In 2001, Chef and owner Doug Levy opened
Cauliflower gets the star treatment at Feast, with olive oil, poached garlic, lemon peel, anchovies and blistered shishito peppers. Photo by Thomas Veneklasen
his own restaurant, Feast, after working at other fine dining establishments. The eatery enjoyed writeups in The New York Times and Zagat for unique offerings and excellent service. Levy and his staff create new menus for each month. “I just want to have fun and try new things,” Levy says. “One of your jobs as a restaurateur is to educate.” An ingredient that often is featured on their plates is mushrooms, which are cultivated on site. For December’s menu, main courses included 18-hour lamb neck, served with pickled mushrooms, fried stuffed mushrooms, white polenta and collard greens; and Red and gold beets, encrusted with sesame seeds and almonds and served over Tequila-chicory tahini-almond butter with Swiss chard and tarragon garnish. Desserts range from the “Cartoonishly large brown butter triple chocolate chip pecan cookie,” to the extravagant Three chocolate terrine with caramelized white chocolate, cacao-nib milk chocolate and coffee-peanut-studded dark chocolate layers, with cassis crème anglaise.
These dishes may be new flavor combos to some palates, but in the hands of expert culinary guide Levy, they are fabulous. A short drive away, and established in 1922 by Tía Monica, the original El Charro Café on Court Avenue downtown is the oldest restaurant in continuous operation by the same family in the U.S. The Flores family has since bloomed into Flores Concepts, with more than a dozen incarnations. Flores Concepts’ Ray Flores Jr. explains his initial reaction to Tucson’s UNESCO accreditation as a City of Gastronomy. “At first it was ‘what does that mean?’ but as we learned more we realized it was really about what we’ve been doing all along — sustaining our local food heritage. That heritage is about a respect for the earth, people, and processes that go into so much of how our community survived for the last several hundred years. It’s the appreciation and understanding of the food sources and the people who bring those foods to the table. It’s an awesome recognition, but it needs to mean VisitTucson.org | 23
Above: The Blue Willow’s Sonoran carnitas benedict and (above right) their charming patio.
more to everyone here. Many have transplanted their roots to Tucson, but what does the local food culture mean to them? Do we give enough credence to the actual food and its makers here in Tucson? The City of Gastronomy honor should mean all of that to everyone here and should attract more to come experience it. “El Charro has been around for 100 years, and it’s easy to think of many reasons why we believe we exemplify what the CoG means, but it’s easier to answer it this way — we simply respect the food and what Tucson has provided us, and honor all of the people who have been part of that journey. The CoG recognition helped put another stamp on that.” As for Flores’ favorite heritage food, “I don’t think anything is more simple and more gratifying to my ‘Tucson senses’ than an order of Sonoran enchiladas with a little bit of carne seca on the side … heaven.” The popular mesquite grill Tito & Pep on East Speedway has earned a City of Gastronomy stamp of approval. John Martinez,
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chef/owner, has a powerful take on why the Old Pueblo was chosen as a CoG. “I feel this honor speaks to the hard work of all the people who have called our valley home before us, from the indigenous peoples to the first European colonists from the south, to the descendants of both who established their own culture here in Southern Arizona. Their work to make this pocket of the desert fruitful and livable is what I feel this designation truly honors.” Of his own eatery’s place in the scheme of things, Martinez observes, “We are a restaurant that focuses on the cuisine of our region in a way that is unique to Tucson. We strive to be a voice that will amplify the history of the region’s cuisine to locals and visitors alike. We are dedicated to using ingredients from, and familiar to, our region. Baja Arizona’s culinary heritage and the cultural diversity of its present are a constant source of inspiration for our food. The heart of our kitchen is our mesquite-fired hearth. The ingredients that have been used in our region for centuries, and the
dishes that are cultural touchstones for locals, are our inspiration to create new and exciting dishes that appeal to both local and visiting guests. All of our meat and poultry is cooked over the embers and our seafood selections draw inspiration from the Sea of Cortez.” As the seasons change so do Martinez’s passions. “These foods are the ones that I find inspiration in … so there are many favorites, depending on the time of year — green corn tamales in September, chile Colorado and Christmas tamales in the winter, calabacitas and squash blossom soup in the spring, and there is nothing better in the summer than a great asada!” For readers interested in tasting dishes featuring heritage ingredients of the Tucson region, the list of certified Tucson City of Gastronomy restaurants and food artisans recognized for keeping our food heritage alive is the perfect place to start. The list is updated every year and can be found on the web at Tucson.cityofgastronomy.org.
AT TUCSON’s MOST LEGENDARY FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS
Savor Every Moment At
Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge Discover tantalizing Sonoran-style cuisine paired with weekly live music in the heart of the Catalina Foothills. HaciendaDelSol.com | 520-529-3500 | 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Rd, Tucson, 85718
Le Rendez-Vous’ menu features many French favorites.
A FOLLOWING OF
FOODIES Tucson has developed a reputation for not only having a long history of food traditions, but a great diversity of cuisines. BY BRYN BAILER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNON CHRISTINE
Y
You’re in luck: you’ve landed in a city where you can dine around the world without leaving the county’s borders. What’s more, we have chefs who have competed on the national stage; local growers and ranchers who supply many of our restaurants; and a long heritage of utilizing native and natural ingredients in our food. Choices: that’s what’s on the menu in Tucson. “There’s a diverse population here, and that translates into a diversity of restaurants,” says Mat Cable, a native Tucsonan, chef and co-owner of Zio Peppe, works with Tucson Originals — a collective of independently owned restaurants that promotes noshing local. 26 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Formed in 1999, the Tucson Originals saw the abundance of talent here early on and was further buoyed by UNESCO’s 2015 decision to designate Tucson as the nation’s first City of Gastronomy. The designation brought additional interest to the Old Pueblo’s heritage of food, as well as increased tourism for those curious to sample one of the richest food landscapes you’re likely to come across. From the mélange of Mexican delights found in the classic, baconwrapped and jalapeño-and guacamole-spiked Sonoran Hot Dog sold from streetside food trucks … to the complex, piquant flavors of wild-harvested desert food found in recipes from the Tohono O’odham Nation’s San Xavier Cooperative Farm, there is virtually something for everyone’s taste in Tucson. (Tip: At the latter, which focuses on catering and special events, be sure to ask about ciolim (cholla bud) tamales. They’re fab.) The UNESCO designation, it’s important to note, goes beyond merely the number of restaurants located here. The Tucson area itself has a storied history with food, starting with Indigenous peoples who have continuously farmed crops in the region for more than 4,000 years. Organizations like Native Seeds/SEARCH have worked hard to conserve and promote the American Southwest’s arid-adapted crop diversity, and to teach people today about agricultural lessons to be learned from the past. Their seed bank today holds nearly 2,000 varieties of crops, many of which are rare or endangered. The collection represents the farming knowledge of local Indigenous communities, as well as the more “recent” immigrants like the Spanish missionaries. The city also celebrates food with great abandon — including regularly scheduled farmers markets, curated events like the Agave Heritage Festival, and communitywide fiestas like the annual Tucson Meet
[ GASTRONOMY ]
Yourself held downtown each October. The rollicking, three-day food-and-folk-culture festival is now in its 51st delicious year. We also are blessed with chefs and restaurants that celebrate food from virtually every part of the globe: You’ll find spicy Peruvian seafood at casual Inca’s; and airy Neapolitan ’za at Fiamme Pizza. You can explore Southern fusion cuisine at The Parish; or health-conscious, plant-driven Mexican fare at Charro Vida. There’s fine French dining at Le RendezVous, rustic, farm-to-table lunches at Ghini’s French Caffe, and exquisitely spiced East African fare at Nur Market and Restaurant. Authentic milk teas and boba drinks from Hong Kong are available at Miss Dessert, with additional sweets in the form of premium, hand-crafted ice cream at The Screamery. Tucson also boasts a wide variety of university-area cheap eats, fun Fourth Avenue haunts like The Boxyard, and fashionable downtown cocktail lounges and craft-beer breweries. On the eastside, you’ll discover gourmet burgers and fried delicacies at Divine Bovine Burgers, down-home fixings and generous portions at Jethro’s Café & Tavern — or a smorgasbord of Asian delights at, among other venues, Ba-Dar Chinese Restaurant. (And don’t forget about prime Western steaks at The Cork, or at Tanque Verde Ranch — a historic cattle and dude ranch.)
Above: Chile Con Queso from Zio Peppe combines chile components and queso Oaxaca with Italian staples Parmigiano Reggiano and mascarpone. Photo by Thomas Veneklasen Left: Taqueria La Esquina’s menu pays homage to Mexican street food like Sonoran hot dogs and cinnamon-dusted churros.
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In and around the square mile city of South Tucson, you’ll find a youthful, sophisticated twist on Mexican street food at Taquería La Esquina — along with some of the best family owned, Sonoran Mexican-food restaurants north of the border. We have food trucks specializing in a variety of specialty and ethnic cuisines, and a rich assortment of markets catering to those from other cultures, or those wanting to try new ingredients in their own kitchens. Among the best: Middle Eastern Caravan Market and Babylon Market; fresh produce and spice store India Dukaan Fine Food Market. “I can’t remember what the stat is,” Cable notes, “but the per capita (ratio) of local restaurants to chains is much higher in Tucson than the rest of the country.” That’s because Tucson is a thriving university, military and snowbird retirement town, and — let’s face it — most of its residents are from somewhere else. It also means that people have brought a variety of tastes, cooking techniques and food-and-celebratory traditions with them. Of course, Tucson also has longstanding local faves, such as the venerable El Charro Café, which has been owned and run by members of the Flores family since the 1920s. But adventurous chefs and restauranteurs — like Top Chef contestants Maria Mazon and Brian Hill (chef-owners of BOCA and Chef Brian’s Comfort Kitchen, respectively) are flooding in as well, Cable observes. “Honestly, I see (Tucson) evolving and really turning into one of the nation’s leading culinary cities,” he insists. “I’m super excited to see it in 10 years: I think it’ll be continuing to push the envelope and creating some of the best flavors in the country.”
Top Left: Mexican eatery El Charro Café has been run by members of the Flores family for more than 100 years. Left: Adventurous Chef Maria Mazon of BOCA was a Top Chef contestant.
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The A-Z's of America's Best
MEXICAN FOOD If you aren’t readily familiar with the cuisine of Arizona’s border region, this handy list will help.
BY DEBBY LARSEN
Enchiladas 30 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
[ GASTRONOMY ]
S
Situated a little more than an hour’s drive from the Mexican state of Sonora, Tucson is ideally placed to be at the apex of cuisine based on recipes and techniques fromsouth of the border. In almost every part of the city there are restaurants that offer everything from authentic family recipes to modern fusion with a Latin flair. Food trucks, tiny eateries that barely seat Ten customers, and places with indoor and outdoor accommodations that can accommodate a large wedding party, we have it all. More than 200 restaurants await the opportunity to serve you and show you why the Old Pueblo offers “America’s Best Mexican Food.” And if you’re concerned about deciphering some of the menu options, have no fear! We have put together a list and descriptions of some of the most popular choices.
Birria
Shannon Christine Photo
Albondigas Soup A soup made with meatballs, vegetables and broth flavored with green chiles. Al carbón Meat cooked over a charcoal fire and served in a taco or other dish. Al pastor Translated as “shepherd style,” this dish (often served as a taco) involves thin slices of seasoned, usually spit-roasted, pork. Birria Originally, this term referred to spiced goat meat, but mostly now it refers to beef cooked like a spicey stew. Calabacitas Typically a side dish, this is a mixture of squash, tomatoes, onions and corn topped with cheese. Caramelo Often found at food trucks and walk-up style restaurants, a caramelo is a type of quesadilla filled with meat and cheese. Ceviche A dish made with raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice that contains peppers, onion and other seasonings.
Al carbón
Shannon Christine Photo
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Chimichanga
©StevenMeckler2021
Chilaquiles This popular breakfast and lunch dish is made from lightly fried corn tortilla strips served in a savory sauce (often a tomato-based enchilada-style sauce). There are many vegetarian and non-vegetarian variations. Chimichanga This is a burrito — a flour tortilla filled with meat, or beans and cheese — except deepfried. This dish originated at El Charro Café in Tucson, and can be offered enchilada style. Enchilada A corn tortilla rolled around a filling — usually meat, vegetables and/or rice — and covered with a savory sauce. Huarache No, not the sandals, this is a dish made from fried corn masa, topped with beans, meat (often beef) and cheese. Machaca Generally, the name refers to dried beef that is shredded, reconstituted and used in a variety of dishes. It’s sometimes used interchangeably with “carne seca,” though each cook (or restaurant) may define it a bit differently.
Calabacitas 32 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Jackie Alpers
Chilaquiles
Photo by Jackie Tran
Nopales Made from the pads of the prickly pear, these cactus strips with a slight green bean taste are used in salads, tacos and other dishes. Pozole A robust, spicy soup made with pork or chicken, hominy, onions and spices. There are vegetarian versions of this dish. Sopapilla A type of fried bread, this can be served with honey or melted chocolate as a dessert, or stuffed with a savory filling (chicken, beef, or beans). Tinga Usually made with chicken, this dish features a sauce with adobo, chiles and onions, and is often served in a taco or on a tostada. Topopo There are many stories about the origin of this salad, with various versions saying that the name translates to “mountain” or “volcano,” but in any case, it’s always a large salad, often with a layer of tortilla chips, beans, and then shredded iceberg lettuce, cheese, corn, and possibly meat of some sort, topped with salsa.
Tres Leches Cake
Tom Spitz
Tres Leches Cake Of all the dessert options, this is one of the most decadent: a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk — evaporated, condensed and heavy cream. Zacahuil There are many different types of tamales that are available throughout the Southwest, but these originated in Veracruz, and are made with banana leaves stuffed with turkey, tomatoes and ground chili peppers. VisitTucson.org | 33
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OUTDOORS SUNNY SKIES AND UNLIMITED ADVENTURES AHEAD
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TAKE A HIKE!
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GET YOUR RIDE ON
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HELLO FLORA, HELLO FAUNA
Catalina Highway Photo by Tim Bardsley-Smith
VisitTucson.org | 37
TAKE A
HIKE! What better way to spend a day in and around Tucson than to go out for a hike? With our 350+ days of sunshine and clean, clear air, it’s easy to understand why so many residents and visitors prefer to exercise outdoors. The desert valley that is home to most of Metropolitan Tucson is surrounded by five cactus-covered mountain ranges and boasts a wonder and beauty all its own. Which are the “best” trails in town? Not an easy question to answer. As they say, “Ask 10 hikers, get 15 opinions.” Here are some of our favorites.
InMountains the Santa Catalina
At the top of the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains, Mt. Lemmon is a favorite for hikers, particularly during the warmer months as its elevation (9,157 at its very top) keeps temps down. Wander among the pines and discover the treasure trove of hiking trails up in one of the few places around Tucson where you can witness the changing of seasons. The aptly named Butterfly Trail is a feast for the eyes with clusters of colorful winged creatures fluttering atop wildflowers and the Sunset Trail is a short, family friendly hike that offers scenic views of the mountain. Rose Canyon Lake is another lovely stop, while many folks enjoy visiting Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley to ride the sky ride, which during winter is used as its ski lift. From that lofty perch, you can see down to the desert floor and around to the surrounding mountains. Make sure to stop in the picturesque village of Summerhaven, where you can shop at several stores or find sustenance at Beyond Bread, Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin, or Sawmill Run Restaurant. 38 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Back down from the mountaintop, an absolute must-visit destination is Sabino Canyon Recreation Area — one of Tucson’s true treasures. You can’t help but be overwhelmed by the awesome beauty of this “Oasis in the Desert.” For a nominal fee, you can catch a narrated ride up the canyon and back via the electric Sabino Canyon Crawler. It travels the 3.7-mile paved road many times a day and you can hop off at any of the stops to explore. Just hang onto your ticket in case you get tired to catch the Crawler for a ride back to the Visitor’s center. Whether out for a leisurely stroll or seeking some serious exercise, you have any number of options in Sabino Canyon. The road is accessible to all (including strollers and wheelchairs), but you may need periodically to stand aside for the Sabino Canyon Crawler. As you cross the nine stone bridges, you might not even notice the gradual 500-foot climb to the top — until that last half mile, which really gets you huffing and puffing. Among the most popular Sabino Canyon trails is the Phoneline, which provides a panoramic perspective as you wind along the Canyon rim. This one is relatively easy, even for novices. No difficult or steep surprises, although the path does get a bit narrow at
times. One helpful hint: if you have a fear of heights, it’s best to come back down on the paved road rather than via the trail. Either way, it’s approximately an eight-mile round trip. Winning the “best short strenuous hike” award is Blackett’s Ridge. A somewhat steep, 6.5-mile round trip rising 1,800 feet takes you atop the ridge between Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon for picture-postcard views. Another perennial favorite is Seven Falls in lower Bear Canyon, where water can be found most of the year. About 4.4 miles one way takes you to the incredible seven-tiered waterfall, which has frequently been described as one of the most beautiful in town. More often than not, it’s an effortless endeavor — but can be arduous (or even temporarily closed) when water levels rise. Depending on the time of year, the creek beds may be parched with barely a trickle … or contain a raging river. Err on the side of caution when attempting to cross flooded bridges or flowing creeks … the current can be amazingly — and perilously — powerful. Farther west in the Santa Catalina Mountains, The Finger Rock Trail (six strenuous miles, round trip) starts at the north end of Alvernon Way. Another challenging hike is the Ventana Canyon Trail (a 13.6-mile round-trip
[ OUTDOORS ]
Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance Photo
Photo by Julie Foskett
Top Left: Sabino Canyon Top Right: Butterfly Trail, Mt. Lemmon Left: Tucson Mountain Park
Photo by Josiah Q. Roe
VisitTucson.org | 39
Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District
The Signal Hill Trail, Saguaro National Park WEST, has excellent views, extending over 20 miles in some directions.
hike) begins at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and follows a steep trail up Ventana Canyon in the front range of the Santa Catalinas and ends at a rock arch at the top of a peak.
Saguaro National Park
The park is broken into two districts on opposite sides of town: the Rincon Mountain District (referred to by locals as Saguaro East) and the Tucson Mountain District (called Saguaro West by locals). The Rincon Mountain District — is a monument of majestic multi-armed cactus uniquely indigenous to the Sonoran Desert. The eightmile paved Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a trip well worth taking that offers access to several trailheads, scenic vistas and picnic areas. Hiking trails range from easy to challenging. An example of an easy jaunt would be The Mica View Trail to Cactus Forest Trail, a 1.9-mile loop. If you’re an experienced and fit hiker, start out at the Javelina picnic area for an 18-mile, all-day adventure on the steep, narrow and rocky Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, which takes you from low desert to juniper forest, with a 4,000-foot elevation gain. On Tucson’s west side, Tucson Mountain District also offers hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. The Valley View Trail Overlook Trail is an easy family hike at .8 miles that reaches a ridge providing great views. Moderate hikes can be found on The
40 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Wild Dog Trail (1.95 miles round trip), and Gould Mine Loop (2.4 miles). An intermediate/difficult trail is Wasson Peak Summit, for a 9.4-mile round trip. South of the Tucson Mountain District is Tucson Mountain Park, which has a great variety of fun trails to explore. Bowen Trail is an easy 1.5-mile out-and-back that is very popular for birding and hiking. Camaro Loop also is easy at 2.3 miles and is enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers and runners. The moderately challenging Bobcat Ridge and Starr Pass Trail Loop takes just under two hours to complete, at 4.1 miles (it traverses some steep and rocky sections of Bobcat Ridge). For a challenging hike, try the David Yetman Trail, which is 12.1 miles out and back that takes an average 4 hours, 51 minutes.
Heading South…
Forty miles south of Tucson, in the Santa Rita Mountains — Madera Canyon offers something for everyone. Cool and shady with high canyon walls and a spring-fed stream, it’s a refreshing respite in the heat of summer. For a moderate stroll, Madera Creek Trail follows the creek from the Proctor parking area all the way to the Amphitheater parking area, approximately 1.5 one way, but with a mild grade and plenty of shade. Highly recommended is the 10.8-mile, round-trip hike to Mt. Wrightson along the Old Baldy Trail.
Starting at 5,420 feet and rising to an elevation of 9,753, it might take your breath away — literally, especially when you see the spectacular 360-degree view.
A Few Words of Advice
Don’t hike alone unless you know the trail you’re taking very well, and make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to return. Plan for the weather; summer heat can be deceptive — tolerable in the early morning and downright dangerous by lunchtime. Likewise, it does get cold in the winter months in the desert, especially after the sun sets, so be prepared with the appropriate clothing. During the summer and early fall, monsoon rains can come in very quickly with little warning. Be aware that the trail you’ve chosen that crosses washes and low-lying areas can be washed out in a matter of a few minutes.
FIND Tucson hikes for all levels
Chuck Huckelberry Loop Photo by Steven Meckler
GET YOUR
RIDE ON 42 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Tucson and Southern Arizona are named as the “Biking Capital of the World” by BikeArizona.org. And with abundant sunshine and great infrastructure, cyclists can “get their ride on” nearly all year! USA Today has named Tucson twice in its 10Best Readers’ Choice poll: once for El Tour de Tucson as the best road cycling event in 2023, and again for the Chuck Huckelberry Loop (a two-time winner in 2021 and 2022) as the best recreational trail in the United States. Cyclists of all ranks and abilities will find plenty of streets and trails to explore. As a visitor to Tucson, you may not have brought your own bicycle, but don’t despair — our city has a goodly number of shops and organizations where one can rent almost any type, from standard and racing, to mountain bikes, tandem, and even electric. Additionally, there are 40 stations in 13 neighborhoods where you can rent Tugo bikes 24/7. There are many maps available (hard copy and downloadable) for the different Southern Arizona biking destinations. If you’re just starting out and looking for somewhere safe to spin your wheels, try the Chuck Huckelberry Loop, the year-round jewel in Tucson’s cycling crown. It is a system of paved shared-use paths of buffered bike lanes used by walkers, runners and equestrians as well. Currently the path offers 137 miles of well-maintained, two-lane, motor-free thoroughfare that circles the city. This amazing route meanders through Pima County connecting the communities of Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson, and South Tucson.
Mt. Lemmon
An absolute all-time favorite challenge bike ride named by newbies and pros alike is the Catalina Highway to Mt. Lemmon. It’s not particularly steep — with an average grade of 4.5% over a 6,600-foot ascent — but it’s long. And the best part, of course, is flying down. There is quite a bit of traffic, so some experience on the road will come in particularly handy. Lance Armstrong once named it among his top picks of Tour de France training grounds. Don’t let that intimidate you. Riders of any level can most likely master at least parts of the mountain. If you’re not in pro-racer shape, perhaps limit your initial goal to Molino Basin, which is only five miles. If you make it all the way to the top, 27 miles (9,157 feet), you can reward yourself with a respite in the village of Summerhaven. You’ll have earned it! Many in Tucson say that the ultimate road ride/ race is definitely “El Tour” — officially known as El Tour de Tucson. Now heading into its 41st year, the Tour evolved from a one-day cycling event to a multi-day, integrated health and fitness extravaganza, culminating in the main race as well as other shorter ones held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The full 102-mile route is by far the most scenic, allowing you to view just about every aspect of the city as you cover the bases of several mountain ranges. The event is open to cyclists of all ages and abilities.
[ OUTDOORS ]
Photo by Tory Powers
El Tour de Tucson
Photo by Kathleen Dreier
VisitTucson.org | 43
Sweetwater Preserve Photo by Josiah Q. Roe
On the other extreme, advanced-beginner to pro road cyclists might want to jump into the fray with the tough Fair Wheel Bikes Saturday “Shoot Out.” Every Saturday morning, in any conditions, the famed group ride (often with more than 100 riders) starts from the University of Arizona mall on University between Park and Euclid. Start times depend on the season, so be sure to check the schedule on the website fairwheelbikes.com/ service/disclaimer Forty miles south of Tucson, in the Santa Rita Mountains — Madera Canyon offers something for everyone. Pedaling out there is an extraordinary excursion. Enjoy a relaxing road ride with minimal traffic and wide bike lanes, then kick into gear for those extremely steep, hilly climbs near the end. Mountain bikers and gravel grinders need not feel left out. Fantasy Island, a 19-mile single track with six loops, located on Tucson’s east side near Pima Air & Space Museum is like a playground for dirt-loving pedal pushers. It is located not far off a section of the Chuck Huckelberry Loop and is a favorite spot for local and visiting riders. In fact, the twists and turns are such a challenge that Shimano once brought out a crew to test their line of bikes there. 44 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
The MTB Prioject recommends 25 routes in the Tucson area, including the Sweetwater Trail System, which includes a number of loops of varying difficulty levels through classic desert terrain; the Golder Ranch Trail System, an 11.1mile intermediate-to-difficult route that includes steep sections and sharp turns; and the Starr Pass Main Loop, also an intermediate/difficult ride that’s 9.3 miles. For very experienced riders, try the Lemmon Drop on Mt. Lemmon — a difficult 18.8-mile link up of all the fantastic singletrack trails that Mt. Lemmon has to offer. For a very difficult ride, the Full Lemmon Drop at 29.4 miles takes you from high alpine to the desert floor. BikeArizona.org recommends exploring the “Big 4” mountain bike trails of Oro Valley/ Northwest Tucson. These that include HoneyBee Canyon (Arizona’s most scenic trail) Upper 50 Year (scenic and challenging) Old Pueblo Trail (home of the famous Epic Race) as well as the majestic Tortolita Trail. Among The Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists’ featured rides are the Sweetwater Preserve Easy Out and Back at 9 miles; the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead to McKenzie Race Course, at 23 miles; and the 30-mile Tucson Mountain Park East to West Tech route.
The Sweetwater Trail System includes a number of loops of varying difficulty through classic desert terrain.
Explore more of Tucson's Bike Scene
Welcome to Extraordinary!
Discover forested mountains and “life list” birds by bike or boot. Savor a relaxing afternoon at nearby award-winning vineyards or fish and kayak Parker Canyon Lake. At the foothills of Arizona’s southeastern Sky Islands, Sierra Vista offers a year-round cool destination — where outdoor adventure is second nature. Welcome to Sierra Vista. Welcome to Extraordinary! VisitSierraVista.com | 800-288-3861 | Download the free digital guide
HELLO
FLORA, HELLO
FAUNA Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert, which boasts a highly diverse ecosystem and is the most complex desert in North America. WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE LEATHERS
The Sonoran Desert is home to more than 2,000 native plant species and at least 60 types of mammals, more than 350 bird species, 20 amphibians and 100 kinds of reptiles. Southern Arizona is known for its mild winters and hot summers. With more than 350 days of sunshine each year, Tucson is one of the sunniest cities in the United States. Our average rainfall ranges between 10 and 11 inches arriving with summer monsoon storms, and less than half that amount during the winter. During the winter, days can be mild and sunny, but temperatures plummet after sundown and rare, hard freezes do occur. Mammals that thrive in the Sonoran Desert include large animals like the mountain lion, javelina, coyote, Mexican wolf, bighorn sheep, and bobcat. Smaller mammals like the fox, squirrel, skunk, desert cottontail, bat and jackrabbit also are desert-adapted species. Distinctive reptiles and arachnids also make their home here, such as many types of lizards (including the spiny desert lizard and venomous but beautiful Gila monster); snakes Top Right: Cactus Wren (Arizona’s state bird) on a cholla cactus Right: Bobcat with kittens 46 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
[ OUTDOORS ]
Photo by Rocky LaRose
Clockwise from Top: Palo verde trees in bloom; Gambel’s quail on a cholla cactus skeleton; saguaro cactus blossom, our state flower
Photo by Adrienne McLeod
VisitTucson.org | 47
and rattlesnakes; and arachnids like scorpions, tarantulas, black widows and wolf spiders. In addition to the signature cacti of the desert — the saguaro, barrel, organ pipe, prickly pear and cholla — our local flora also includes ocotillo, agave, yucca and creosote, as well as mesquite and palo verde trees. These plant species provide food and shelter for Tucson’s distinctive wildlife. Most reptiles and animals stay inactive in protected hideaways during the heat of the day and come out to forage at dusk, dawn or at night, when the desert is cooler.
We’re Top 10!
Ocotillo (which means “little torch” in Spanish) is a spiny shrub.
There are several venues to learn more about our native plants and animals. TripAdvisor named the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and is Tucson’s number one attraction. At 98 acres, it’s part zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium, with a couple of different eateries so you can power up for your excursions. Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) and Tohono Chul are also fantastic places to learn about local plants and their uses, plus both have wonderful cafés, educational programs and art exhibits. TBG features “Butterfly Magic” from October through May — a greenhouse filled with tropical plants and butterflies!
Below Left: Javelina Below: Coyote
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Paul Richardson, “Golden Hour”
OroValley Oro Valley Your adventure begins in
Explore the history and stories of the people and cultures that first inhabited these visual wonders while experiencing Southern Arizona’s otherworldly beauty for yourself.
Hike Honey Bee Canyon Park Experience the Sonoran Desert and discover petroglyphs created by the Hohokam people over a thousand years ago. There is plenty of unique Sonoran Desert vegetation to discover along the hiking trail. When you come to the fork in the trail, take the trail on the right and hike for about a mile for amazing petroglyphs. They’re right off the trail and at eye level. It’s an easy hike the whole family will enjoy.
Tohono Chul Named One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Discover the secrets of the desert and gain knowledge of the natural and cultural heritage of the region through a variety of lectures, guided tours, and special events year-round. Bonus: Their Garden Bistro features locally sourced, seasonal dishes you’ll only find in Oro Valley!
Enjoy a stress-free hike Hiking the Linda Vista Trail, part of the Coronado National Forest, is a stress-free sunset hiking experience in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains with towering Pusch Ridge as a backdrop and sweeping views to the west, as the sun sets over the valley below.
Experience the beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve offers guests a gentle stroll that winds through a beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape with an abundance of wildlife and native birds. Enjoy scenic views of the Catalina and Tortolita mountains.
SCAN ME FOR A MAP! Scan the QR code or visit orovalleyaz.gov to access the Oro Valley Parks, Trails, and Bikeways Map
Stay with us!
Oro Valley is the perfect home-base to explore Southern Arizona, and there are lodging options for every budget. The El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort, and the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa are the crown jewels of any visitor experience. If you prefer vacation rental properties (e.g. Airbnb and VRBO), Oro Valley has hundreds to choose from. You’ll also find trusted brands like Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn and WorldMark.
www.orovalleyaz.gov |
FLA
G S TA F F
AS GRAND AZ it gets
A MEMORABLE STAY AT 7,000 FEET, AND JUST A SHORT DRIVE TO THE WORLD’S GRANDEST CANYON AND
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MORE
MUST-SEE
NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS
LEARN MORE: Request your free OFFICIAL Visitor Guide at discoverflagstaff.com or at the Flagstaff Visitor Center, one e. route 66
STAY & PLAY RESPONSIBLY G R A N D C A N Y O N N AT I O N A L PA R K
EXPLORE SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA
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THE FLIGHT STUFF
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TIME FOR A ROAD TRIP
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COUNTYWIDE ADVENTURES
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IN THE SWING OF THINGS
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Photo by Steven Meckler
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THE FLIGHT STUFF Arizona is the richest state for birds in the United States with more than 500 species, and Southern Arizona — which boasts 350 species — is considered a birder’s paradise. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE LEATHERS 52 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Southern Arizona features many different elevations, with mountain ranges — referred to as Sky Islands — that rise so high from the desert floor that multiple habitats can be found from base to peak. For example, Madera Canyon, which is 25 miles to the south of Tucson on the northwest face of the Santa Rita Mountains, is a habitat for many migrating species. Birders enjoy Southern Arizona as a place to add to their “Life Lists,” by espying rare specimens such as the blue-throated mountain-gem, flame-colored tanager, sandhill crane and elegant trogon. There are many Southern Arizona parks with water features that attract a variety of resident birds like doves, sparrows, finches, quail, roadrunners, woodpeckers, warblers, cactus wrens, cardinals, vultures, owls, herons, cranes, hawks, ravens and hummingbirds. Our more unusual specimens include vermilion flycatchers, phainopeplas, belted kingfishers, great egrets and yellow-bellied sapsuckers. A not-to-be-missed venue for birders is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which has a walk-in aviary, as well as a Raptor Free Flight shows. The Reid Park Zoo features several bird species including East African crowned cranes, ostriches, and a South America aviary with birds such as the scarlet ibis and roseate spoonbill. North of Tucson in Marana is a pristine desert birding site owned and managed by the Tucson Audubon Society (TAS) — the Mason Center. The TAS also owns and manages the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, about an hour away in the Santa Cruz town of Patagonia. Above: Sandhill crane Opposite Page, Clockwise from Top Left: American kestrel; western bluebird; and burrowing owls
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Upcoming Festivals
Wings Over Willcox Birding and Nature Festival (Jan. 11-14, 2024) www.wingsoverwillcox.com
Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival (Sierra Vista) “Spring Fling” (May 1-4, 2024) “Summer Festival” (July 31-Aug. 3, 2024) www.swwings.org
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival (Aug. 7-11, 2024) At DoubleTree by Hilton, Reid Park www.tucsonaudubon.org/festival
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in Arizona, roughly the size of an American Robin!
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For information geared to local birding activities, check out the Tucson Audubon Society page at https://tucsonaudubon.org/discover-birding. That organization also includes a helpful online bird-search tool, replete with photographs, videos of bird activity in the wild, and a large library of bird songs and sounds, at https://tucsonaudubon.org/meet-your-birds.
Bird Walks
Tucson Audubon Society offers many informative field trips for birders each month in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Some free, others with a cost. TucsonAudubon.org Tohono Chul, 7366 North Paseo del Norte, offers regular bird walks with a docent free with admission. Their 11 different gardens attract a variety of birds. TohonoChul.org Mission Garden at 946 W. Mission Lane, holds monthly bird walks every second Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m., or until 9:30 during the summer. A $5 donation is suggested at Garden entry gate. MissionGarden.org
Top Right: Crested caracara Right: Rufous hummingbird
A world-renowned spot for bird watching, Madera Canyon is the resting place for migrating species. Photo by Enrique Noriega
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Explore wide-open spaces in Cochise County. From hiking to biking, rock climbing to camping, experience real adventure. Discover the real West, “life list” birds, and real friendly communities. Then kick back under starstudded skies and savor real local wine. Step away from it all and GET REAL.
Explore Our Communities
BISBEE • DOUGLAS • SIERRA VISTA • WILLCOX
www.ExploreCochise.com
Los Milics Vineyards, Elgin photo by Bruce Racine
Time for a
ROAD TRIP!
With so much to explore in Southern Arizona, it’s hard to narrow down the list of cities, towns, and villages to visit, but we’ve picked a handful that are definitely worth your time and money. FROM THE EDITORS OF TUCSON LIFESTYLE
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Less than two hours away are two Cochise County communities where the storied past coexists comfortably with the 21st century. Driving east on I-10 to State Route 80 and then heading south takes you along a scenic stretch that perfectly sets the mood for exploring these former mining communities. State Route 83 south is a trip into the heart of Southern Arizona’s Wine Country.
Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia
The big appeal of the trio of communities is the amazing landscape, with its rolling grasslands that stood in for Oklahoma in the 1955 movie musical. But it’s no secret any more that the region also is popular for the multiple wineries that are open for tours and tastings. Some of the standouts are Los Milics Vineyards, Dos Cabezas Wineworks, Flying Leap Vineyards and Distillery, Callaghan Vineyards, Arizona Hops and Vines, and Sonoita Vineyards (the oldest commercial winery in Arizona). There are many events throughout the year dedicated to wine production and tasting, such as HarvestFest, held in July, which includes grape stomping, vineyard tours, and wine and food pairings. Speaking of food, check out The Café in Sonoita — open for Friday dinners, and lunch Saturday and Sunday — where Chef Adam Puckle puts his own spin on the classics. Another popular place in nearby Patagonia is The Velvet Elvis at La Mision, a pizza restaurant located in a rebuilt 1915 adobe building. If you have time to see the sights in Patagonia, there’s a free, self-guided walking tour that will take you to points of interest such as the original railroad depot building, built in 1902; Cady Hall, a circa 1912 structure that is now a public library; and the 1914 Patagonia Elementary School, designed by O.J. Omstead, and today housing the Patagonia Museum where you can see permanent exhibits, hear guest speakers, and watch film screenings.
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Bisbee
The winding road of State Route 80 east will take you into the Mule Mountains to Bisbee. For many years this was a booming mining town, and the good news is that many of the historic buildings are intact and repurposed as shops and restaurants. There are numerous reasons to visit here, including the fact that it features a fascinating mix of architecture — from Victorian to Eclectic Movement to Italianate - with lots of fun places to explore, and distinctive events. Must-see stops are the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum; the Copper Queen Hotel; and if there’s a game scheduled, the nearby Warren Ballpark, said to be the oldest continuously operating baseball diamond in the U.S. Among the many annual events that draw packs of visitors is the coaster race through Tombstone Canyon, which takes place every July 4, and adults are invited to attend and cheer the kids on! Other highlights include the Copper City Classic Vintage Baseball Tournament (held in the spring); and Bisbee 1000 The Great Stair Climb (occurring in October). When you get hungry, checkout famed Café Roka, where casual fine dining with locally sourced ingredients is on the menu, great a slice of “za” at Screaming Banshee Pizza, just down the hill from the beautiful St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, or head to Patisserie Jacqui on Main Street for a delectable pastry … or two.
Bisbee photo by Steven Meckler
Tombstone
Tombstone Courthouse State Park, Tombstone photo by Pete Gregoire
Don’t let the name fool you — Tombstone is a lively place to visit throughout the year. Whether you’re a movie or a history buff, you may know the town best as the scene of a notorious gun battle that is still controversial more than 140 years later. Earps or Clantons … who started it all? And why? Allen Street, which is a major artery through the town, still resembles its frontier-day self, and it comes alive for re-enactments. Vigilante Sundays occur every two weeks, with festivities that include a period-correct fashion show, as well as skits that reflect the wild and woolly history of the area. Major annual celebrations of the town’s rough-and-tumble past are Wyatt Earp Days in May, and Helldorado Days in October. Big draws for aficionados of the Old West include the OK Corral & Historama; the Bird Cage Theatre; Boothill Graveyard; and the Tombstone Courthouse State Park. You can easily tour these destinations yourself, but if you wish, there are multiple tours, including one that takes you around in a stagecoach. Dining options in “The Town Too Tough to Die” include American pub food offered at the Crystal Palace Saloon & Restaurant (whose lineage highlight is housing the office of U.S. Marshal Virgil Earp), and a wide variety of Mexican food, burgers and more at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, once a grand hotel, with an actual tunnel leading to a silver mine shaft.
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Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Sierra Vista photo by Adrienne McLeod
Sierra Vista
If you head down State Route 90 you’ll wind your way to one of the premier spots in the state for bird watching. Even in the summer, you can observe many species in Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Ash Canyon and Miller Canyon, to name just a few locales. Guided nature walks take place in Ramsey Canyon Preserve on a regular basis. Additionally, there are hummingbird banding sessions (where staff and volunteers from the Southern Arizona Bird Observatory catch, measure, weigh and band hummingbirds) on at San Pedro House. The public is invited to observe. Guided bird walks also are held at Environmental Operations Park, and at San Pedro House. Lastly, the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival, with everything from hands-on activities to lectures to field trips, is held each summer at Cochise College.
GUIDED NATURE WALKS TAKE PLACE IN RAMSEY CANYON PRESERVE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
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Tubac and Tumacácori
Located about an hour’s drive south from Tucson off I-19 is the quaint village of Tubac, located in Santa Cruz County. Indigenous peoples have lived in the area for thousands of years, but in 1752 it became a Spanish presidio along the Camino Real that stretched from Mexico into California. Visitors can observe the ruins of the fort at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, which includes a visitors center located in an historic 1885 schoolhouse; the Griffin Museum where you can see exhibitions related to the history of Southern Arizona, including the printing press that put out Arizona’s first newspaper; as well as historic properties Otero Hall (circa 1914) and Rojas House (from the 1880s). Re-enactments of the presidio era happen during events such as Anza Days (in October), which commemorates Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1775 expedition from the presidio northwest to what eventually became San Francisco. The town also is home to many visual artists, and each February you can see their studios and purchase their work during the Tubac Festival of the Arts. Equally popular is Tubac Golf Resort, where you can enjoy a meal, play some rounds on one of the courses used in the classic golf movie Tin Cup, or just relax and watch the cattle that frequently show up on the edges of the fairways. Adjacent to Tubac is Tumacácori National Historical Park,
a terrific place to learn about the cultures of the area as you tour the ruins of the church, the mission grounds, the orchard, and stop by the museum to read about how the original buildings were constructed — and why they were abandoned.
Nogales
Drive I-19 south for about an hour and 15 minutes and you’ll wind up in Nogales, Arizona, a city on the border with Mexico that is bustling with commerce, culture and life. Founded as a ranching community, named for the Spanish word for walnut, the trees of which once spanned the border on both sides, and often referred to by locals as “Nogi,” Nogales has a lot to offer history buffs. It’s along the de Anza Trail, and in 1914 controversial Mexican Revolution commander Pancho Villa briefly occupied the town. There are a number of historic buildings to see, including the neo-classic 1904 Courthouse, 1914 Old City Hall (currently the home of the Pimeria Alta Historical Society), and the U.S. Customs House, built in 1935 in the Spanish Eclectic style. Many outdoor enthusiasts visit the area for the fishing and boating opportunities at Pena Blanca Lake or Patagonia Lake State Park. The latter offers many birding opportunities, places to park RVs, and campsites available as well as cabins for rent.
Tumacácori photo by Ray Cleveland
MANY OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS VISIT THE AREA FOR THE FISHING AND BOATING OPPORTUNITIES AT PENA BLANCA LAKE OR PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK. Crossing over into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, is an easy trip that many visitors to Southern Arizona make. You can walk across (there are a number of lots to park in on the Arizona side) or drive, but be aware that American auto insurance is not recognized in Mexico and if you plan to drive down there, you should purchase some Mexican insurance first to avoid any hassles. Many — but not all — rental car companies restrict renters from taking their vehicles into Mexico so confirm those details before your proceed to the border. Also, for reentry, you’ll need a passport, border crossing card or government-issued photo ID. Fans of art of all types should head to the Nogales Museum of Art, located just a couple of blocks from the border in a mid-century modern building and displaying works by Mexican artists, including paintings, photography and sculptures. Another popular spot for tourists, the picturesque Parroquia De La Purísima Concepción church, is just across the street. But shopping and dining are probably the two biggest things that tourists do in Nogales, Sonora, and the choices are too numerous to mention. Haggling over the price of goods (while being respectful) is more or less expected, and there are many great deals to be made if you do some comparison shopping and turn on the charm. As for restaurants, border cuisine doesn’t get more authentic, and some of the well-established places such as La Roca are legendary for ambience and food quality.
Pena Blanca Lake, Nogales photo by Ray Cleveland
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Discover Salt River Discover the ultimate destination for entertainment and adventure in the Talking Stick Entertainment District. With over 300 sunny days a year, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has everything under the sun. Scan the QR code and discover more.
discoversaltriver.com
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Scottsdale, AZ | 480.362.2700
Hello. I’m Yuma. I’m Boundless. I’m Untamed. I’m Larger Than Life. visityuma.com
TROGIR, TROGIR, CROATIA CROATIA
BISBEE, ARIZONA
Contempory Fine Art & High Craft Yun Gee Park Gallery is a gallery/gardens destination featuring contemporary fine arts, art jewelry, and high craft. The complex is a Tucson “hidden gem” noted for its collection of internationally established and upcoming artists exploring unconventional materials and forms. The property features a main gallery, experimental gallery, an outdoor sculpture garden, and four distinct gardens combining Sonoran and Korean aesthetics. Just 15 minutes from downtown.
(520) 901-0013 | yungeepark.com | Currently open by appointment only.
Countywide
Adventures Whether you are a history buff, airplane aficionado, or you have the need for speed, there’s an attraction, museum or experience with your name on it.
One of the first stops many visitors to the Old Pueblo make is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM). From humble beginnings in 1952, ASDM has grown to include 242 animal species and more than 56,000 specimens of plants. Dedicated to native species of the Sonoran Desert, the museum offers a chance to view mammals such as the Mexican gray wolf, javelina, mountain lion and prairie dogs in naturalistic settings. Catch the Raptor Free Flight presentation or wander into the Hummingbird Aviary where these avian daredevils will dart among the plants and maybe even fly right up to you (hint: wear bright floral colors!) There are activities for kids, too, all around the 98-acre museum, as well as a gift shop, art gallery and places for a quick snack or a full meal. Just a few minutes away is Old Tucson, originally built for the 1940 film Arizona with William Holden. Through the years it’s served as a location for numerous movies and TV shows. You can relive some of that movie magic today by watching the elaborate theatrical presentations, both on the streets of this re-created Western town, and on the stage in the saloon. There are kid-friendly activities, guided tours, and Old Tucson also hosts live concerts and produces the Halloween show “Nightfall,” as well as a “Yuletide” experience to celebrate the Christmas holiday. The historic steam locomotive known as “Reno,” used in films such as Joe Kidd, is one of the features of Old Tucson, but if planes are more your thing than trains, head over to the Pima Air and Space Museum. Some 400 aircraft are housed here, on the grounds and in hangars, ranging from a tiny, single-seat Evans VP-1 Volksplane; to a Bell AH-1S Cobra; to a Boeing EC-135J that was modified and equipped to be used as a command post by the President in the event of a nuclear war. The 390th Memorial Museum also is on the grounds, dedicated to one of the crews of the B-17 Flying Fortress during WWII. As the “Space Museum” name implies, there also are exhibits dedicated to the exploration of our galaxy, including an Apollo 13 capsule that was used in the making of Ron Howard’s 1995 film. The Cold War plays a role in some of the museum’s exhibits, but that era looms even larger at the Titan Missile Museum, located near Green Valley. At one time an active missile site, this preserved piece of the nuclear triad (missiles, bombers and submarines) is 35 feet underground and a big step back in time to the early 1960s. A 45-minute tour takes you into the command area for a simulated launch, and you also get a view of the missile itself — sans warhead and fuel. Note: if you’re an amateur 62 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
Photo by Dean Knuth
radio operator, you can actually broadcast on the museum’s antenna. The visitors center has all the details on that. That’s not the only underground attraction in these parts. On the far eastside in Vail sits Colossal Cave Mountain Park, a place where you can ride horses, or go on a bat watch to see members of the dozen species that inhabit the area. And, of course, you can explore the cave itself, taking the basic half-mile guided tour, or if you’re more adventurous, sign up for the ladder tour, which allows you to enter areas that require you to squeeze through small spaces. Hard hats and lights are provided and gloves are
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Above: Colossal Cave Mountain Park ladder tour
Photo by Andres Lobato
Opposite left: Titan Missile Museum Top right: Pima Air and Space Museum Bottom right: Raptor Free Flight at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
strongly suggested (available for purchase if you didn’t bring some). Either way, you’ll learn about the history of this natural attraction, the human side of which dates back at least to 900 AD and the Indigenous peoples who lived here. If racing is your thing, there are numerous options to watch pros and amateurs alike in action. Tucson Speedway, located not far from Colossal Cave Mountain Park, was built in the late 1960s as an oval dirt track. It’s paved these days and features various NASCAR events. Maybe you’re more of a quarter-mile drag racing fan. The Tucson Dragway, about five minutes away from Tucson Speedway, is the spot for NHRA action, with drivers running everything from exotic hand-built cars to regular street vehicles. In the same area you’ll find Musselman Honda Circuit, a track complex for just about everything: motorcycles, sports cars, drift cars, karts and blokarts (basically windsailing). And if you don’t want to be just a spectator, you can even rent a vehicle and take it on a course yourself.
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Pima County Fair aPril 18-28, 2024
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An
iconic legacy
RETOLD. Bold colors and the warm hues of the Arizona desert inspired the multi-million dollar transformation of Omni National Resort & Spa. Newly re-designed spaces that include the lobby, lounge and dining venues, spa, fitness center, casitas, and haciendas, offer a relaxing and inviting backdrop for leisure, wellness, corporate, or group stays.
OMNIHOTELS.COM/TUCSONNATIONAL
Sewailo Golf Club
In the SWING OF THINGS A long history of golf … in the Sonoran Desert?
Yes, indeed! Dating all the way back to 1915, the Old Pueblo had an actual golf course … albeit a dirt one that was oiled (known as a “skin” course) at the location of the Tucson Country Club. By the early 1920s, there was a similar one where the north course is now at Randolph Golf Course, and then the El Rio Country Club opened on West Speedway with actual grass. Fast forward past the Great Depression and the war years and courses — public and private — began popping up around town. Today, there are more than 40, some of them par-3 or 4 executive courses (including Dorado Golf Course and Rolling Hills Golf Club), and many challenging enough for the pros. In fact, Omni Tucson National Resort, Randolph North Golf Course, Forty Niner Country Club, The Gallery Golf Club, El Rio Golf Course, and Starr Pass Golf Club have all hosted Westin La Paloma Country Club 66 EIG | Tucson Official Travel Guide
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some version of the Tucson Open or other PGAsponsored event. With courses located all over town, small wonder that the two major types of courses are represented: parkland and desert. Many of the city courses — including Randolph North, Dell Urich, El Rio, and Silverbell Golf Course — are parkland style. Desert courses include Arizona National Golf Club, Starr Pass Golf Club, and Sewailo Golf Club. Many courses blend the best of both worlds and are surrounded by stunning mountain views. The opportunity to design courses in the gorgeous environs of the Sonoran Desert has brought many famous names to town. Jack Nicklaus, who had played in PGA tournaments in Tucson, designed La Paloma Country Club’s course. Arnold Palmer — who had also played here — used his design talents at Starr Pass Golf Club. Prestigious golf course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. was responsible for Arizona National Golf Course, and pro golfers John Fought and Tom Lehman teamed up to design The Gallery Golf Club. The pros still come here, too, each March for the Cologuard Classic, hosted by the Tucson Conquistadores to benefit kids sports in Southern Arizona. For 2024, the tournament, which features some of the best senior pros in the game, will be held at La Paloma Country Club. El Conquistador Golf & Tennis
Starr Pass Golf Club VisitTucson.org | 67
CULTURE
Goddess of Agave mural by Rock Martinez. Photo by Ray Cleveland
DISCOVER CULTURE AROUND EVERY CORNER
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CULTURE & COMMUNITY: TUCSON’S THRIVING ART SCENE
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WE’RE READY FOR OUR CLOSEUP!
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A THRIVING VISUAL & PERFORMING
ART SCENE Broadway in Tucson
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, fun and funky Tucson plays host to a diverse mix of visual and performing arts that captivates locals and visitors alike. BY KATHY MCMAHON
W
MOCA: Museum of Contemporary Art
Philabaum Glass Gallery, the only all-glass gallery in Arizona
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Photo by Steven Meckler
ith its distinctive creative expressions and breadth of offerings, Tucson’s art scene melds tradition and innovation in a rich tapestry woven from historical cultural influences alongside more modern approaches. Tucson welcomes diversity with community groups that bring us together while celebrating what makes us special. Our community culture is unique — and welcoming. So, whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just looking to encounter something new and inspiring, Tucson’s got you covered.
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The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall Photo by Gerardine Vargas
Performing Arts
There’s something magical about a live performance that kindles an excitement unmatched by other art forms. Whether it’s the energy of the audience, the skill of the performers, or the fluidity of things happening in real time, there’s no denying that live shows impart a flavor all their own. In addition to the performance, the venue creates its own special atmosphere. From an historic Art Deco gem gracing downtown’s bustling Congress Street to a Southwest-style charmer on a cobblestoned avenue, contemporary spaces and historic venues with eye-catching architecture provide a stunning backdrop to art, music, live theater, and more. For music lovers, no visit to Tucson is complete without seeing downtown’s Club Congress (and its sister jazz-focused venue, the Century Room) both housed in the stunning Pueblo Deco-style Hotel Congress. Just across Congress Street you’ll find the 1920s Rialto Theatre, another music magnet. Head west a few blocks and you’ll encounter the Fox Tucson Theatre, a restored venue from 1930 that offers a variety of performances from music, movies, ballet, and more. Theater-goers flock to downtown’s venerable Temple of Music and Art, home to the Arizona Theatre Company and its full roster of live theater offerings. Arizona Opera and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra both perform at The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, in the heart of downtown at the Tucson Convention Center. On the University of Arizona campus, you’ll find Centennial Hall, which hosts a wide array of artists, along with dance, music, and plays,
in addition to “Broadway in Tucson.” And don’t overlook smaller, offbeat favorites such as Gaslight Theatre, Invisible Theatre, Rogue Theatre, and Borderlands Theater, which focus on telling the stories of peoples rooted across the Sonoran Desert.
Fox Tucson Theatre
Visual Arts
Tucson enjoys a reputation as an artsy town, and our gallery scene is a testament to that collective creative spirit. If your idea of travel includes museum and gallery hopping to take in local, national, and international art, you’re in luck! Here you’ll find a plethora of galleries to suit a variety of aesthetic tastes. In the larger downtown area, you’ll discover established venues such as Etherton Gallery, known for museum-quality photography exhibits, in addition to newcomer Blue Lotus Artists’ Collective, a non-profit gallery space dedicated to showcasing the work of Black
Rialto Theatre
Tucson Museum of Art VisitTucson.org | 71
Blue Lotus Artists’ Collective
Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Photo by Ray Cleveland
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artists. Downtown also hosts the esteemed Tucson Museum of Art, with its significant collection of Latin American art in addition to diverse exhibits, and MOCA: Museum of Contemporary Art, our cutting-edge contemporary art museum located in a converted firehouse. The gallery features both local and internationally known artists, such as Pulitzer Prize-winning composer/artist/performer Raven Chacon. Glass art aficionados will want to head to Philabaum Glass Gallery — the only all-glass gallery in Arizona — in the up-and-coming 5 Points Area. On campus, the University of Arizona plays hosts to several galleries including the University of Arizona Museum of Art, the world-renowned Center for Creative Photography, and Arizona State Museum, whose exhibits and collection focus primarily on the Indigenous cultures of the region. In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, lies the 10-acre Tucson landmark that is the one-of-a-kind DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, complete with a striking adobe gallery and “Mission in the Sun.” The property was the former studio of famed artist Ted DeGrazia. Other places to see regional art include Desert Artisans, a juried artists’ cooperative that specializes in Southwestern artwork, jewelry, batik, glass, wood, photography, and pottery. Madaras Gallery features the colorful Southwestern-themed artworks and paintings of animals by popular Tucson artist Diana Madaras and others. You may even have caught her work on display at the Tucson International Airport if you arrived by plane. At Campbell Avenue and Skyline Road, longtime favorites Wilde Meyer Gallery and Jane Hamilton Fine Art present original contemporary fine art in a variety of mediums. And don’t overlook the number of first-rate art galleries on the grounds of some of our most popular and beloved attractions, namely the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Tohono Chul. (Local tip: You also can pick up out-of-the-ordinary souvenirs while you are there.) You’ll find numerous smaller gems, such as The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Ignite Sign Art Museum, the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, and many more.
Photo by Martha Lochert Photography
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Tucson Meet Yourself Tucson Pride Festival
Tucson International Mariachi Conference & Festival Photo by Kevin Van Rensselaer
Tucson Jazz Festival
AN EVENTFUL CITY
Photo by Picasa
The Old Pueblo — as it is sometimes called — offers a robust annual calendar of multicultural events, displays of public art, and friendly joie de vivre. Visitors and locals alike can look forward to the annual fall spectacle of all that is great about our city at Tucson Meet Yourself, where food, cultural performances, and live music reflect the diversity of our town and showcase its numerous flavors. Other events, such as Cyclovia, also bring community together — on bikes — to raise awareness of the importance of safe streets. There’s the All Souls Procession in November, which began as a personal grief project in 1990 and has swelled to an annual procession of more than 200,000 people who walk to remember loved ones who have passed. As our reputation as a food city continues to grow — with recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy — we celebrate this special status with events such as the annual Agave Heritage Festival, Pueblos del Maíz, SAVOR Food & Wine Festival, and more. Twice a year, Tucson converges along bustling historic Fourth Avenue to shop, eat, and be entertained at the spring and winter Fourth Avenue
Street Fair. For music lovers there’s the annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference & Festival, DUSK Music Festival, Tucson Jazz Festival and Tucson Folk Festival. The Tucson Rodeo Parade honors local traditions each February. Other annual parades include the Downtown Parade of Lights in December and the always-entertaining St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Other cherished community events include the Tucson Festival of Books in March, where you’ll encounter Pulitzer-prize-winning authors alongside self-published writers, in addition to numerous readings, book signings, symposiums and hands-on activities. The festival has raised more than $1.5 million to date to support literacy in our region. Cyclists from around the world come to participate in El Tour de Tucson — a November Perimeter Cycling event that promotes community and health. Other celebrated local events include the Tucson Pride Festival, the nationally recognized Loft Film Festival and other cinematic events, and celebrations of Chinese, Native American, Jewish, Black, Hispanic heritage and other cultural celebrations. VisitTucson.org | 73
We’re Ready for Our Closeup! Both appearing as itself, and substituting for other locales, Tucson and the surrounding area have been seen on screen countless times since the earliest days of film. FROM THE EDITORS OF TUCSON LIFESTYLE
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Top: Lori Petty starred in 1995’s Tank Girl, filmed in part at a former mine near Green Valley. Above: One of the more contemporary movies to film here was the 2023 drama The Wall, about a U.S. Border Patrol agent who kills an innocent border crosser.
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outhern Arizona has been a film location since the very early days of motion pictures. In fact, The Caballero’s Way, which launched the many screen adaptations of the Western hero “The Cisco Kid,” was filmed in downtown Tucson and surrounding areas in 1914. Most of the film studios at that time were still in Northern California — Hollywood was attracting talent and financing, but it had yet to take over as the major film hub. And nowhere in California, north or south, could they duplicate the stands of towering saguaros that could be found around the Old Pueblo. Although there were dozens of productions shot here after films became “talkies,” the one that started the stampede to use this region as a film location was the 1940 William Holden and Jean Arthur classic Arizona. To achieve an authentic look, the production company constructed sets in the desert west of the Tucson Mountains that looked like original structures from the 1860s. After filming wrapped, the sets were left intact, eventually forming the basis of Old Tucson Studios. The roll call of stars who walked the streets at Old Tucson is practically a Who’s Who of Western movies and popular culture and includes everyone from Clint Eastwood to John Wayne to Paul Newman. Even Elizabeth Taylor — for the 1987 TV movie Poker Alice — filmed at the landmark location. It also was the set for the 1967-71 Western series The High Chaparral, starring Leif Erickson, Cameron Mitchell, Henry Darrow and Linda Cristal.
[ CULTURE ]
Two years before the Oscar-winning Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Paul Newman played a Western anti-hero in Hombre, filmed at the Empire Ranch and other locations throughout Southern Arizona.
THE ROLL CALL OF STARS WHO WALKED THE STREETS AT OLD TUCSON IS PRACTICALLY A WHO’S WHO OF WESTERN MOVIES AND POPULAR CULTURE AND INCLUDES EVERYONE FROM CLINT EASTWOOD TO JOHN WAYNE TO PAUL NEWMAN. VisitTucson.org | 75
Behind-the-scenes photo from Arizona, featuring actors William Holden and Jean Arthur at Old Tucson Studios. Arizona State Historical Museum archives.
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Today, Old Tucson offers tours of this rich trove of movie and TV history, along with annual events such as “Nightfall” in October, and “Yuletide at Old Tucson” in December, as well as live concerts. Along with the main Old Tucson sets, there is an offshoot — the Mescal location — near Benson, Arizona. Originally constructed for the Lee Marvin movie Monty Walsh (1970), Mescal has been used for a variety of films, including the Sharon Stone/Leonardo DiCaprio/Russell Crowe/Gene Hackman epic Western The Quick and the Dead (1995). Two smaller re-created frontier towns — not affiliated with Old Tucson — Gammon’s Gulch and Cowtown Keeylocko have been used in film, TV and commercial production. At press time Gammon’s Gulch, located near Benson, was up for sale, and Cowtown Keeylocko, some 45 minutes west of Tucson in the Coyote Mountains, was still open, but anyone wishing to visit either property should call ahead before making the trek. Westerns haven’t been the only productions to be shot in and around the city. The TV series Petrocelli, about a modern-day attorney and starring Barry Newman, filmed here 1974-76, as did some seasons of Michael Landon’s Little House on the Prairie. Additionally, action movies and thrillers of all sorts were shot here, including Robert Wagner’s creepy 1956 story of romance and murder tale A Kiss Before Dying, Charlie Sheen’s 1986 story of a fast car and a phantom driver The Wraith, and the post-apocalyptic sci-fi flicks World Gone Wild (1987) and Tank Girl (1995). Comedies such as one of the top-grossing movies of 1981, Burt Reynolds’ The Cannonball Run, the Kirstie Alleyhelmed Madhouse (1990), as well as the cult favorites Revenge of the Nerds (1984) and Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) filmed here extensively, as did the heist/martial arts/comedy Fast Getaway (1991). Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) featured two of the hottest stars of the era — Don Johnson and Mickey Rourke — and numerous over-the-top stunts involving motorcycles, helicopters and barroom brawls. By the way, the bar they were trying to save in the film was The Bashful Bandit on Speedway, now a barbecue joint. More recently, the David Duchovny film Goats (2012) was filmed here, the adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Desperation (2006) used Tucson to substitute for locales that included Nevada and even Vietnam. During the filming of Desperation, part of the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) that was being used as a soundstage caught fire, resulting in crew injuries and a considerable amount of damage to the sets and the TCC. Nonetheless, the Mick Garris-directed film did ultimately have a red carpet premiere at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre on Congress. Within the last few years, Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans (2022) shot in Saguaro National Park, and Greg Sestero’s horror epic Miracle Valley (2021) utilized numerous locations in Tucson, Bisbee, and around the state. Additionally, episodes of TV series including Top Chef, Pati’s Mexican Table, Bar Rescue, Oprah’s Book Club and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives have all recently featured segments in and around Tucson.
Top: Two of the final four contestants, Buddha Lo (left) and Sarah Welch, presenting their dishes showcasing cactus and the other featuring chiltepin for the elimination challenge. Photo by David Moir/Bravo. Above: Charles Frank and James Garner are at the center of the action on the Old Tucson set of The New Maverick. Photo courtesy of Old Tucson.
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Open 7 days a week 11a.m. to 8p.m. Su-Th, 11a.m. to 9p.m. F-Sa 6502 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715 520-888-4242 ITALIAN SONOR AN CUISINE
ZIOPEPPEAZ.COM
PIZZA • PASTA • BEER • WINE • COCKTAILS • TUCSON • GASTRONOMY
Enrich your mind. Get inspired. Celebrate the Southwest. 12880 N Vistoso Village Dr Tucson, AZ 85755 520-622-6014 10 AM–5 PM Daily
Authentic handmade American Indian and Mexican crafts, plus books, food, apparel, and more.
Operated by Western National Parks Association, a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service since 1938. Your purchases support parks. wnpa.org
BISBEE BREAKFAST CLUB
CURALEAF
Indulge in more than just breakfast at Bisbee Breakfast Club! Savor our Copper Queen Skillet, Sonoran Shrimp Wrap or Miner Burger, complemented by locally roasted coffee or a BBC Bloody Mary. Top it off with our decadent house-made pie. Don’t worry, we’ll save you a seat! Bisbeebreakfastclub.com
Whether you’re new to cannabis or an OG with the 420, you can trust Curaleaf to help guide you! Everyone walks into a dispensary looking for something different, and we work with you to curate a one-of-a-kind cannabis experience that’s as unique as you are! curaleaf.com Devine Desert Healing 00000026ESRZ88769978
FLANDRAU SCIENCE CENTER & PLANETARIUM
HEIRLOOM FARMERS MARKETS
Enter stellar! Flandrau’s interactive science exhibits and immersive planetarium shows reveal the marvels of the universe. Explore the solar system, the secret lives of insects, and the colorful marine life that resides in the new Undersea Discovery exhibit. flandrau.org
is a non-profit organization that connects, educates and empowers the community to create a vibrant food system in support of local food producers and small businesses. Heirloom Farmers Markets are open year round with winter and summer hours rotating throughout their five locations around Tucson, Rincon Valley, Oro Valley and Green Valley. heirloomfm.org
TUCSON DESERT ART MUSEUM
TUCSON ORIGINALS This coalition of 25 local restaurants orchestrates vibrant culinary events and offers versatile gift cards redeemable across its diverse members. Supporting these establishments is pivotal, sustaining the local flavor, fostering community connections, and preserving the essence of Tucson’s unique culinary scene. Tucsonorginals.com
The Museum features a leading collection of pre-1940s Navajo and Hopi textiles, historical artifacts, and Southwestern classic and contemporary art by Maynard Dixon, Thomas Moran, and others. Special highlights include exhibits on Navajo sand painting, early armaments of the Southwest, and annually changing special exhibits. tucsondart.org
VENTANA CANYON TRADING COMPANY Elevate your style in Ventana Plaza! Nestled between Ginza and Piazza Gavi restaurants, our boutique offers a curated collection of resort apparel, handbags, fashion jewelry, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, cosmetics, Western bags and belts, candles, dreamcatchers, accessories, and more. Come, explore, and embrace the Southwest. ventana canyontradingcompany.square.site/
ZONA 78 Zona 78 is known for its fresh, authentic Italian-American menu including artisanal pizza, charcuterie, fresh pasta, salads and a NEW Mozzarella Bar featuring creative bruschetta boards and salumi platters. Zona 78 also is known for its spacious dining room and friendly, well-trained service staff. Full bar, wine list, local beers. zona78.com
PLAY LEARN
The recently renovated Armory Park Inn, a historic boutique property built in 1875, offers upscale accommodations and modern amenities just minutes from downtown Tucson.
Our Amenties
DISCOVER 200 S. 6th Ave. in Downtown Tucson
Daily Breakfast Hosted Happy Hour Well-Equipped Gym City Bike Cruisers High Speed WiFi
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520-838-0535
armoryparkinn.com
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For further information & reservation, contact us at:
BLUES, BREWS & BBQ
Join us every Sunday for Blues, Brews & BBQ Brunch
Welcome to a Garden Oasis in the Heart of Tucson
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable Sunday tradition at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Savor the soul of the Southwest with live music, mouthwatering BBQ, local brews and tableside mimosas against the backdrop of the beautiful Catalina Mountains. Sundays | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Canyon Club at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Reserve your table on Resy Visit loewshotels.com/ventana-canyon or follow us on social media @LoewsVentana for more information and special offers.
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SAGUAROS AND SOLITUDE Discover the wonders of the Sonoran Desert in Marana, Arizona
BY STEFANIE BOE DiscoverMarana.org Marana Visitor Information Center 13251 N. Lon Adams Road Marana, AZ 85653 (520) 639-8040 maranainfo@maranaaz.gov
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Add Ironwood Forest National Monument to your Southern Arizona bucket list. This hidden gem near Marana is home to 129,000 acres of Sonoran Desert with a significant stand of ironwood trees, wildlife, and iconic saguaros. With this much land, you’re sure to find the desert solitude you’ve been looking for! Taking its name from one of the longest-living trees in the Arizona desert, Ironwood Forest National Monument is a true undeveloped Sonoran Desert showcase. Keeping company with the ironwood trees are mesquite, palo verde, creosote, and of course, thousands of saguaro cacti. The Monument is also home to a spectacular 80-armed saguaro which towers over visitors. It's one photo op you won't want to miss, but keep in mind if you want to see more than this stunning saguaro, you’ll need at least a half day and a high-clearance vehicle for this trip. If you’re looking for the Sonoran Desert experience with more creature comforts, Saguaro National Park West is a great day-trip with easy access from Marana. The Red Hills
FUN FACT
Did you know nearly 250 bird species have been spotted at El Rio Preserve in Marana?
Visitor Center is a great place to start and it has daily programs to learn more about the park and its history. You can drive, hike, picnic, and take pictures of the stunning vistas! If you have just a few hours to get your desert fix, Sanctuary Cove is located in Southern Marana and very close to Interstate 10. It’s another hidden gem with a meditation chapel, a labyrinth, and even a guest cottage, plus some easy and relaxing walking trails! Marana is close to everything, but far from ordinary. Plan your trip at DiscoverMarana.org!
1 South Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701 tel: 1.520.549.5330