Weekend Travel Guide to Tucson, Arizona
If a picturesque desert brimming with saguaro cacti, culture, and amazing Mexican cuisine is your idea of a great weekend getaway, then you’re going to love Tucson, Arizona! With so much to do and see, this weekend guide will help make sure you experience the best of this city in the short time you’re here. In Tucson, you won’t have to decide between the perks of city life and getting off the grid. Nestled in the Rincon Mountains, Arizona’s second-largest city is also home to Saguaro National Park, which makes it the perfect destination to get in touch with nature while also eating amazing food (aka alllll the tacos) and having a comfy place to sleep.
Get ready for an iconic American Southwest adventure with this weekend travel guide to Tucson, Arizona.
Getting to Tucson, Arizona
Tucson has its own international airport (TUC). It’s also a quick and easy 90-minute drive from Phoenix, which makes a visit to Tucson even more accessible. We found flying into Phoenix and renting a car for the short road trip to be the most cost-effective way to travel here. Depending on where you’re traveling from, flying to Phoenix and then making the drive may be the quickest way to get to Tucson as well.
You will absolutely want a car for your weekend trip to Tucson.
Tucson is a sprawling desert city, and getting from one side to another can take up to 30 minutes. You definitely don’t want to be relying on Uber to get you around, or you’re going to end up paying a pretty penny. Additionally, if you plan to visit the National Park, you’ll need your own car to do so.
The Perfect Tunes for Your Trip: The Ultimate Desert Southwest Playlist
Best Time to Visit Tucson
Like all desert cities, Tucson has warm days and chilly nights. The summer heat in Tucson can be intense and dangerous. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you’re well acclimated to the scorching desert heat. Summer is also monsoon season. Arizona has some of the most pleasant winter weather in the country, so this is a good time to visit weather-wise, but it does also mean visitors flock to the area. November through February is the peak tourist season in Tucson. Visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall will offer you comfortable temps and fewer crowds. Bonus: if you visit in the spring, you’ll catch the cacti in bloom!
The best times to visit are March through early May and mid-September through October.
Where to Stay in Tucson
AirBnB
AirBnB is generally my go-to source for accommodation, and there are lots of great options in Tucson. We stayed in this cute little guesthouse, and it had the comfiest bed. There are tons of beautifully designed homes to choose from at varying price points, so I would definitely recommend AirBnB over a hotel for your stay.
Things to Do on a Weekend Trip to Tucson
See some of the world’s tallest cacti at Saguaro National Park
No trip to Tucson would be complete without a visit to its national park. The saguaro cactus is the universal icon of the Southwest, and this park has a lot of them. Growing up to around 60 feet in height, saguaros are the tallest cacti on the planet. Numerous trails in Saguaro National Park will give you the chance to get up close to these gigantic cacti.
Saguaro National Park is split into two regions with the city of Tucson being sandwiched right between the two. The western Tucson Mountain District and the eastern Rincon Mountain District with the city of Tucson. It’s about a 30-minute drive to each district from the heart of Tucson, so be sure to keep that in mind when you’re planning out your day.
If you find yourself pressed for time, the Tucson Mountain District on the west side is generally the favorite of visitors. It has a denser population of saguaros which gives it more of a “wow” factor than the eastern district. With a full weekend, you won’t have any trouble exploring both sections of the park, however. Enjoy the scenic drive in each district, hike a few trails, discover petroglyphs, and maybe catch some wildlife while you admire the incredible desert flora in this park.
Read More: Weekend Guide to Saguaro National Park
Eat your weight in Sonoran-style cuisine
The food scene in Tucson is no joke. In 2015, Tucson became the first American city to be designated as a “City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO. This means that a large portion of the restaurants here use traditional culinary practices and local ingredients native to the Sonoran region. The Sonoran heritage that shaped Tucson is prevalent throughout the city, and the food is no exception. In short, you’ll want to bring pants with a stretchy waistband.
There are so many amazing places to eat in Tucson that you’d be hard-pressed to have a poor dining experience. These are the places I’ve personally tried and can vouch for along with some others that have been repeatedly recommended to me.
Local Cuisine: One of the best ways to experience a new place is through the local flavors. Be sure to try some Mexican cuisine, the Sonoran-style hot dog, or anything with nopales (prickly pear) while you’re in town.
BOCA Tacos Y Tequila
We ended up here kind of by accident, and we’re SO glad we did! The gourmet tacos here are made by Tucson-born Maria Mazon who’s been featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel (amongst many other features) and is a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist. The inventive salsas are made with ingredients grown in the on-site garden and are constantly rotating depending on what’s in season (if you love yourself, order the salsa flight to try them all). There’s a good selection of both meat and veggie options, and tacos can be served on either flour or corn tortillas (both homemade) or even cabbage.
Tumerico
Latin-inspired vegan and vegetarian fare. Because everything is scratch-made using fresh, organic, local and pure ingredients the menu here changes daily.
Seis Kitchen
Locally sourced, “green“, elevated Mexican street food. The menu here focuses on six culinary regions of Mexico. If you can’t decide which mouthwatering thing to order, our favorite here was definitely the adobo steak taco! All tacos are served on homemade corn tortillas, and there are several veggie options as well.
Mi Nidito Restaurant
If you’re looking for a classic Mexican restaurant (but with Tucson-level deliciousness), then Mi Niditio might be just the place. They serve all the favorites – enchiladas, burritos, tamales, and, of course, that delicious bowl of salsa with a basket of chips.
Taquería Juanitos
This is your no-frills, counter-service stop for delicious Mexican street food. Tacos for under $2 each? Yes, please!
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs is one of the two Sonoran dog legends in Tucson. If you’re not up for a dog, you can also find plenty of Mexican favorites here as well (with the special being, you guessed it, carne asada). This spot features a mesquite grill and a salsa bar (I love me a salsa bar).
El Guero Canelo Restaurant
The other top contender for the best Sonoran-style hot dogs. El Guero Canelo is a James Beard Foundation “American Classics” award winner, so it’s well worth a stop. With the owner hailing from the Sonora region of Mexico, you’ll also find a selection of Mexican street food favorites on the menu as well.
Go mural hunting
Tucson is full of impeccable and culturally significant street art. Created by local, national, and even international artists, and you’ll find most of the artwork in the Greater Downtown area of Tucson. The “Greetings From Tucson” postcard mural is located on the corner of E 7th and N Arizona near Exo Coffee. Spend some time wandering the streets to find your favorite!
Partake in the local libations
The perfect way to finish up a day of hiking or stuffing your face with tacos is by sampling a few local beers. Tucson has a handful of awesome breweries to choose from. If you’re looking to add a little pep to your step instead, Tucson has several excellent coffee shops as well.
BREWERIES
Dragoon Brewing Company
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.
Borderlands Brewing Company
MotoSonora Brewing Company
Catalina Brewing Company
COFFEE
Cartel Coffee Lab
Exo Coffee
Presta Coffee Roasters
PRO TIP: Many of Tucson’s breweries are closed Sunday-Wednesday. If you’ll be visiting at the beginning of the week, be sure to check ahead to see what’s open.
Admire the colorful adobe homes in Barrio Viejo
Tucson is made up of various neighborhoods, or barrios, and one of the most fun to explore is Barrio Viejo. The “old neighborhood” is known for its colorful homes and cantinas that honor Tucson’s Mexican roots. Formerly a city in the Sonoran region of Mexico, Tucson was purchased by the U.S. in 1854. Tucson’s Mexican heritage is still prevalent in the city today, presenting itself through its cuisine, community, and architecture. Walking the streets of Barrio Viejo is a lovely way to experience Tucson and a great way to work off all those tacos (just to make room for more though, am I right?).
Hit up the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
This isn’t your average museum. It’s home to an aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, art gallery, two miles of walking paths, and a 98-acre zoo – all aimed at fostering an understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert. You’ll want to give yourself about 2-3 hours to fully explore everything this museum has to offer. Grab your tickets and reservations here.
Pro Tip: The vast majority of the museum is outdoors and is a walking experience. Be sure to bring water, wear comfy shoes, and dress for the weather.
Visit San Xavier Del Bac Mission
This National Historic Landmark is located on the Tohono O’odham reservation about 10 miles south of Tucson and is a stunning piece of architecture! The Spanish Catholic Mission was built in 1797 and is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. You won’t need a ton of time to explore the grounds here, so this is a great stop to add to your weekend getaway to Tucson.
Whether you want to explore a national park or relax in the sun with a few tacos, a weekend escape to Tucson will not disappoint. Do you have any questions before your trip that I didn’t cover here? Let me know in the comments below!
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