Sofia Krusmark | Arizona Republic
Tucson is an easy 115-mile drive from Phoenix but don’t assume the Old Pueblo is just a smaller sibling to the bigger state capital. Tucson is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Southwest and it wears its heritage proudly.
Whether you go for a day, a weekend or longer, you can drive through dense stands of saguaro cactus, drive to the top of 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon, explore historic neighborhoods and eat Sonoran-style Mexican food at local-favorite restaurants.
Go see for yourself. Here’s a roundup of the top things to do in Tucson.
Tucson road trip: Best things to do in the city and Saguaro National Park
Hungry? Here’s where to find Tucson’s best Mexican food
Tucson is home to some of the best Sonoran-style Mexican food in the country. And it’s not hard to find these local-favorite restaurants. Many are situated close together — head south of Fourth, Sixth and 12th avenues to find clusters of top-notch choices. Here are eight favorites to check out for everything from the beloved Sonoran Dog to succulent birria to fresh seafood creations.
Explore Saguaro National Park with Ranger Freddy
Freddy Fernandez-Ramirez — Ranger Freddy to the tens of thousands of fans who watch the Instagram videos he stars in every Friday — loves to share why he’s passionate about Saguaro National Park.
Walk through Tucson’s historic neighborhoods
Tucson, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the Southwest, is home to more than 25 historic neighborhoods. And as history evolved, so did Tucson’s communities. From neighborhoods dating back 4,000 years when the Tohono O’odham people established themselves at the base of Sentinel Peak to the neighborhood that housed workers while they built Tucson’s railroad — the city is full of enclaves with distinct personalities. Theere are several to explore.
So many cool things to do on Mount Lemmon
Luscious pine trees, boulders and pure sunshine greet visitors as they head up Catalina Highway toward the 9,157-foot peak of Mount Lemmon, the highest spot in the Santa Catalina Mountains that cradle Tucson. Along the way are numerous opportunities to camp, hike and even ski. Here’s a guide to all the things do to on Mount Lemmon.
‘White Dove of the Desert’ rethinks tourism
San Xavier del Bac Mission is a Catholic church on the San Xavier Indian Reservation a few miles from downtown Tucson. It has been a place of community and worship for the Tohono O’odham people for centuries. More recently, the church has become a magnet for tourists. As the parish emerges from its pandemic shutdown, its priest is ready to welcome worshipers but discourage those simply seeking photo ops.
She loves where she lives
Kristin Tovar, an Arizona native, dreamed of living in a big city. She even tried one out for a while. But when it became clear her roots were in Tucson, she leaned in. She started the Why I Love Where I Live Instagram (nearly 21,000 followers!) and she and her husband Alex own a downtown shop that sells local goods and invites community members into a movement that asks one simple question: Why do you love where you live?
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