Tucson Is a City That Encourages You to Explore

Don't forget the world class, group charity ride, El Tour de Tucson, held every November for past 30 years. Probably the best large cycling event in the U.S., it traverses the 100 mile perimeter of the urban area, attracting almost 10,000 riders from all the states and many foreign countries. It has a wonderful, ride -with-purpose community vibe for such a huge event.

Just saw this great article on Tucson ! I've lived in New England, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West and Southern Cal. One thing you might be asked here in Tucson, is "Do you miss the 4 seasons ?". My answer I think is pretty cool: We have 4 seasons EVERY day - and I refer to Michelango's Medici tombs: Every day, we have a lovely Dawn, special Dusks, Sunny Days, and Starry Nights. I see 60 miles and more from my front porch. Have Giant Saguaro's and Great Owls in my yard. And it is said, I can attest, the most bio-diverse region in the US. More types of reptiles, birds than anywhere !

I love living in Tucson. At night, you can hear the coyotes sing.

Be aware you will need a car for Tucson, and not just to get to the natural attractions (which also require good personal mobility). Neighborhoods are widely spread out, so there is no real continuous town; we had to jump on and off freeways and use a lot of four-lane highways clogged with traffic and construction activities just to get to a recommended restaurant. Malls do feature widely. BUT all the attractions mentioned are truly unique and well worth visiting. Don't overlook the eerie airplane graveyard at Davis Monthan AFB, the shopping village of nearby Tubac filled with Southwestern and Mexican art and kitsch. And best of all, open carry! Yee-haw!

Thank you for this nice feature, Lucas. The variety of attractions you mention should cause most everyone to put Tucson on their list. Once people do experience the magic there and consider it as a new home, know that Tucson is also home to Arizona’s strongest cohousing movement. Our community, called Milagro (www.milagrocohousing.org), was recently featured in Time Magazine. While having good food and interesting attractions are a huge perk to any city, having a tightly knit community of neighbors who care for each other and share common values is increasingly important as well.

Born and raised in San Francisco, lived in NYC for several years, tried LA for 6 months (the worst) then came to Tucson. I LOVE it here! I'm a big city girl who loves this southwestern gem. I've seen my share of sunsets living in coastal cities but the sunsets here are so breathtakingly beautiful that I've pulled over a few times to just take it in or take photos. The Catalina mountains are so beautiful and uniquely Tucson. It feels so peaceful here and the people are lovely! Its such a friendly place with a lot of history and gorgeous natural scenery. Also, if you love hiking, there are so many trails here (still need to go to Mt. Lemmon). There's no mention of Anita Street Market (my personal fav) but they have the absolute best tortillas! I am vegan and Tucson is certainly no SF, LA or NYC but there are plenty of options for us plant-based folks. There is a large elderly population and a lot of college students but I'm 31 and I think this city is great! Thanks, Lucas!

The heat is hellish except in January. Gentrification has driven a lot of artists and arts non-profits out. But there are lots of malls.

I lived in Tucson for a short stint several years ago and felt I could never tire of the place. It's a city big enough for great cuisine and cultural events, and a city small enough to easily get out and explore desert and mountain-island ecosystems.

Visited Tucson from Austin a few years ago. The city has a ton of great things going for it. College town that is not-too-big, not-too-small. The Sonora Desert Museum is world class. Personally, I like the appearance of all the mothballed aircraft in the "Air Force Graveyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB. One negative in spring might be all of the snowbirds. We went out to breakfast on a weekday morning, and we were easily the youngest people in the restaurant by 30 years. Maybe 40. The temporary nature of the partial residents doesn't lend itself to a lot of investment in the community. Great town with none of the sprawling hideousness of Phoenix. No really, Phoenix is the worst. It's Houston without all of the water.

Come back soon as Tucson offers a heck of a lot more than Mexican restaurants and rodeo - a brutal experience for the animals. They would not say, "lucky to be in town for the rodeo."

Tuscon, 20 years ago, impressed me. Similar memorable experiences.

How could you miss the Pima Air and Space Museum and the boneyard tour. A striking and thought provoking site to see all the relics of the cold war sitting idle in the desert. Bombers with their wings cut off to show that we are in compliance with Arms Treaty.

The desert museum is a national treasure. I thought you would mention the artsy town of Tubec.

Tucson also has a mini-chain of some of the best used bookstores around: Bookman’s! And the bread at Time Market and Barrio Bread! And great places to drink beer: Tap & Bottle, The Hop Shop, 1702! Eat outside at The Cup Cafe in the historic Hotel Congress! All easily bikeable with bike paths and bike boulevards. And The Loop, a dedicated path for bikers and walkers, now circles the city, along the banks of the Rillito and Santa Cruz Rivers.

I grew up in Tucson and there is nothing like those mountains, esp. the Catalinas in the north. I have never been able to figure out north anywhere else! I was fortunate enough to take my kids to the desert a few summers ago (I can take my work with me, plus rent is cheaper in the summer). Do not be afraid of the heat in the summer -- we took water, sunscreen and hats with us everywhere :) My kids even remarked that even though the temp was over 100 degrees, it still felt cooler than the South in the summer due to the dry heat. There is nothing like a hot, dry desert wind to lift your spirits. I cried when I took the first bite of my tortilla at breakfast -- you have to taste a real tortilla to know why. Plus, frijoles and green corn tamales. Our list included: Desert Museum (caught there during a monsoon!), UofA Mirror Lab & Tree Ring Lab, Arizona State Museum, Children’s Museum, Ben's Bells, Ski Lift/pie on Mt. Lemmon, Sabino Canyon full moon tram ride, bat bridge, Flandrau Planetarium, Tohono Chul Park (my kids loved the Prickly Pear lemonade as a refreshment), Tucson Botanical Gardens, Loft Cinema, DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Mini Time Machine Museum, 4th Avenue, Tucson Pops in the Park, 2nd Saturdays downtown, San Xavier Mission & eegee's anytime. We joined the Y for a month for their amazing pool too. We also took a trip to Tombstone and Bisbee, two of the quirkiest towns you'll ever meet. All three places hold a special place in my heart!

I've traveled a lot (to parts of 40+ countries). Tucson is one of my top favorites. I'm so happy to have lived here (when I was here, that is :) for almost 20 years. If you're only here for winter weather, come between October and April. If you're here for dramatic, stunning changes in climate, stay here all year. (Air conditioning is everywhere. There are other more-natural ways to stay cool in the summer: On a bicycle? Wear light clothing and douse yourself in water.) If you're here for multi-cultural life, food, and scenes, come anytime. The desert floor is great for hiking in the winter, but head for the surrounding mountains in the summer. One writer asked about quintessential Tucson food. I'd suggest abandoning your special food preferences for a moment and chowing down on one (or three! :) of the amazing Sonoran Hot Dogs sold at food trucks along main streets -- especially south of I-10. When they ask what toppings you want on it, say "everything" or "como se prefiere" (as you'd like it). Don't just wander the main streets. Take some side streets (the city is laid out on a grid -- though with some frustrating interruptions). You'll feel the laid-back style that makes this town so special. Drive almost any street at night -- especially on summer nights, with your windows rolled down to catch the delicious air -- and remember what it's like to see the sky without streetlights (Tucson is a Dark Skies city, thanks partly to the observatories nearby.) Ven, ven! (Come!)

What a fittingly beautiful tribute to a wonderful and gorgeous city. I spent some very happy years there while a graduate student at the one and only University of Arizona. This article highlights many of the things that make Tucson such an amazing place, but there are so many other awesome things about it! As many others have mentioned, the author did not really do justice to the culinary scene. He also did not discuss how diverse and friendly Tucsonans are-- you have everyone from hippie hikers to cowboys, from farmers to professors, from college students to wealthy retirees, and there is a "live and let live" ethos/vibe in the city that is very refreshing.

Don’t miss the Tucson Festival of Books. It’s held every year on the campus of the University of Arizona during spring break. It’s an absolutely wonderful way to spend the weekend with top authors in all fields. There’s a food court, activities for kids, science exhibits, etc. We’ve gone 9 out of the past 10 years and are always so impressed by how well everything is organized. Admission and parking are free. The weather is usually beautiful as the heat starts arriving in May. The festival is paid for by sponsors and individual contributors.

What. No mention of javelinas; or tequila and mezcal?

Thanks for this recommendation. Sounds amazing. What is the best time of year to visit Tucson?

Thanks Mr. Peterson for the Tucson appreciation. I do love this town. I just wanted to mention that there is a free phone app called the "Mt. Lemmon Science Tour" for the drive up the Catalina Mountains that you mention. The Tour provides an audio guide narrative that connects the amazing natural science of this region to what you see on the dramatic drive up the mountain. The Tour was produced by the University of Arizona, and much of the science comes from UA researchers. Thanks! Shipherd Reed

Tucson is absolutely beautiful and a terrific place to experience the Sonoran desert. For those unfamiliar with the desert, in the wise words of a balloon tour guide, "Wherever you're all from, it ain't from here." The author mentioned Sabino Canyon, but didn't mention snakes. Depending on the time of year and time of day, you are likely to encounter snakes of various forms. That doesn't mean don't go - but don't go without reading up on the local fauna. Remember to dress for sun and bring water. Arizona is dry and you may not feel sweaty, but that's only because it evaporates. I've often been left with a layer of salt on my shirt. Drink, cover your skin, and watch for sharp things (flora and fauna). On my last visit to the Desert Museum, I saw a rattlesnake right on the path. Staff came and gently picked him/her up. They said she'd get a nap, a mouse, and a free ride outside the park.

There is fantastic food besides Mexican. The downtown has a lively variety of new restaurants and bars, and a shiny new hotel. There’s a trolley that runs from downtown to the University. Tucson enjoys a thriving cultural scene with several great museums, symphony, opera, dance of all kinds, and multiple theater companies. And don’t forget Tohono Chul, a botanical garden, art gallery, restaurant, and bird sanctuary all in one place.

Like many American cities, Tucson has its share of surburban sprawl. But Tucson has the good fortune of having imposing mountain ranges on nearly every side of the city. Instead of being circled by other suburban municipalities, Tucson is partially surrounded by a national park, a national forest, and the San Xavier Indian community. It is definately a place that encourages exploration.

This is a lovely description of a gorgeous city, which I somehow did not visit during a south-to-north drive of Arizona in 2009. But the whole tone of this story glosses over the fact that even if Tucson strives to be conservation-minded and eschews grass lawns, any city is consuming far more water than this desert climate ever intended. And it is an unsustainable demand.

North, South,East and West, Tucson is an amazing city. Urban Planners had the foresight to build bus and bicycle lanes on every new development as far back as the early 80s. Just an unbelievable cycling town. Multi-Generational owned and new diverse restaurant dining scene, even cheap eats; I'd love an egee right now! The desert in spring is a spectacular experience. Wildlife, sunsets, THE LOCALS, just an awesome location. EVERYONE should visit at least once, resorts, horses, quail, coyote, bobcat, rattled, cacti, golf galore! The night sky!!! Old Pueblo I miss you!

Great article! I’d recommend a visit to the Tucson Tamale company. Amazing tamales. They ship them too!

I loved the three months I spent in Tucson, even though they ended in July and by then the heat was a force to be reckoned with. But even then there were things to do, although some of them were best put off until the evening due to the heat. I second another comment's mention of the Titan missile museum, and I'd add their air and space museum (they have the B52 that dropped Neil Armstrong's X-15).

I am a couple hours away in a suburb of Phoenix. There is a lot to see in this state in all directions. Great pictures. I need to make the drive down there and explore it before the heat hits.

As a southeast/rainforest Alaskan, Tucson is a special place, warm and dry. Along with the excellent food, I especially enjoy the birding in the spring in the immediate Tucson area and at the relatively close Chiricahua National Monument to the south and east. Check with the local Audubon. Fantastic hiking and an amazing variety of habitats and animals. Coatimundi and javelinas for Pete’s sake!

One more thing about Mt. Lemmon and Tucson. The city sits in a basin ringed by mountains. The Santa Catalina range is the highest. It has an elevation of over 9,000 feet and hosts the southernmost ski area in the continental U.S.

How about recommending Tohono Chul Park? Lovely for the cacti, owls and birdlife, beautiful grounds and wonderful outdoor/indoor cafe.

I loved the piece, but you missed two very important elements. First is the foundation cultures of the Tohono O'odham and Yaqui tribes, to name just two. They have a huge impact on the essence of Tucson. When you talk of the food, you need to give its origins some credit. The Native American and Hispanic (and later Anglo) cultures are what make Tucson Tucson! We refer to Phoenix as L.A. East. Also one of the biggest attractions at the Desert Museum is the raptor flight program, which you may have missed out on. Poor you!! The audience gets to see a variety of desert raptors (Great Horned Owls, Harris Hawks, Peregrine Falcons to name a few) work just inches over their collective heads. The Desert Museum is an amazing experience in an of itself, but add in the raptor flight program, the experience advances into unforgettable.

You nailed it. I live part of the time in the desert just outside Tucson and part of the time in Bisbee. The best part of either place is how quickly you can be in protected wilderness areas. Tucdon is also a good 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix in the summer. People who say they miss the seadons aren’t paying attention. We have five because of Dry Summer and Wet Summer. Majestic monsoons come almost daily with spectacular lightening, rainbows and pungent scents. And the food!! Casa Vincente for tapas and Flamenco. Cafe Poca Cosa for exquisite Mexican food—so many good places for that. A thriving, fun downrown area and a funky arts district. And we get good theatre, opera and dance. Don’t get me started on Bisbee.

Tucson is a city rich with climate, culture, cuisine and cactus. It is surrounded with mountains and desert. Stunning sunsets and star filled nights this is a great place.

Tucson is surrounded by mountains. And all the top hiking in the area is in the mountains. Urban hiking is not much of an attraction. Unfortunately, the mountains are something of a drive and so getting to the best trails takes effort. Phoenix has preserved extensive urban desert areas and hikers take to the close-by trails often. Phoenix's trails are frequented by minorities, those not in shape, and those who have just a couple of hours to spare. Tucson hiking attracts a lot fewer people and a lot fewer casual hikers. Phoenix has less spectacular hiking, but it is accessible to everyone. There is something to be said for the hiking in both cities. But the message here, that Tucson hiking is better, is simply not true. It's different.

It is a cliche to me that residents of Tucson love to claim how their city is superior to Phoenix, and I see this article does not disappoint in this regard. But to me, the two major problems with Phoenix also apply to Tucson: 1. The weather is uncomfortably hot for most of the year. 2. Most of the city is bland suburban sprawl. Also, there is a quote complaining about Phoenix homes having grass, which I agree is completely inappropriate for a desert environment. But it is my understanding that Tucson is actually far behind the Phoenix area in water conservation.

El Nene is great, but how on Earth can you talk about food in Tucson and not mention Poca Cosa? IMHO, it serves the best Mexican food in this country. It is so consistently good that I order the Plato every time I go. The Plato is whatever the chef feels like giving you. It's ALWAYS good. I can't say that about any other restaurant I have ever been to.

I enjoyed the writing about the destinations. But for an article leading with, "The food id delicious." I'd have appreciated more detail about it. What are the typical dishes for which Tucson's famous? What are the elements of Sonoran food and how is home style Sonoran food different? Was the birria spiced with a particular kind of chile? What else is in it? What was flavorful about the green tamales? What kind of masa? White or yellow? Was there anything in them besides corn? What kinds of salsas are the tableside salsa options? A word about the flour tortilla not really being a creature of Mexico would've been appropriate.

I would highly recommend a trip south to the Titan Missile Museum. The only remaining intact original titan missile silo, complete with all the instrumentation and associated support structures and equipment. Open to the public.

And not a word about the need to import water from the Great Lakes.

Fun city, lots to do, love the desert museum! And the food!

Tucson is my favorite town. If you can slow your life down and take the time to explore, your life will be enriched with amazing plant life and critters. It’s like being thrown back in time. The desert awaits you.

Just got back from Tucson myself, again confirming that we Canadian snowbirds have chosen exactly the right place to spend the winters of our retirement years. Oh, Phoenix is OK for Cactus League ballgames, etc., but Tucson can't be beat.

Tucson should have been set as an example for Phoenix...but it has been too late for long now. The Santa Cruz River has never been of great use...which paradoxically contributed to make the city what it is: a narrow alluvial plain surrounded by those harsh but magnificent desert islands. Tucson just could not sprawl. To the south and southeast towards New Mexico, you 're still in Chiricahua country. Phoenix was doomed from the start: the illusion of the Gila River, the illusion of the Colorado River...and it keeps sprawling, thrashing what 's still left of the Gila Desert.

Great article with good recs for restos--bonus for providing info on restos all over the city. The author omitted Tohono Chul botanical garden https://tohonochulpark.org <3 The Old Pueblo

I’ve passed thru, slept on couches, bought lumber, loved exquisite women, fought the Supervisors, built down in the Armory: July - 108°, stood on Gate’s pass gazing west toward the far peaks and sundown, but have never lived there. I live west across the Nation at the farthest edge of Pima County. This is a collection of neighborhoods from the hard scrabble trailers of Vail to the vistas of the rich on the Catalina, to miles of wonderful 50s and 60s era homes, to Randolph Park, to sparkling new house spreading south and east. There is food and football, wine and women, opera and outlooks, gardens and garbage. There are too many “Snowbunnies” in winter, but you understand. Why wouldn’t one want to see, eat, laugh, drink, wonder, wander? If you’re bored in Tucson you are either defective or perhaps you dream of sea. This piece is a faint whiff of the enticement of “The Queen City of the Sonora.”

Next time you visit Arizona, head beyond the cliche that is Tombstone and visit Bisbee. I was expecting your article to lead me there.