5 Things to do in Tubac, Arizona: “Where Art and History Meet”
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Mike and I have been enjoying many unique daytrips since moving to Tucson. Not only is the city great (I love hiking with the cacti here!), but there are some awesome places easily accessible. Since we likely would not take any separate trips to any of these unusual destinations, we have been checking each out on various weekends. It’s a great way to see the Southwest rather cheaply. Recently, we planned a daytrip to Tubac, a tiny Southern Arizona community located just 25 miles north of the US-Mexican border.
This town was established in 1752, making it one of the state’s oldest communities. It is home to Arizona’s 1st state park (Tubac Presidio) and the oldest Spanish Colonial Presidio Site. The temps are about 10 degrees cooler, so believe it or not we enjoyed a mini break from the heat (note – it was still in the 90’s). This may not seem like much, however, every little bit helps when those desert temps start soaring into the 100’s!
A quick & interesting daytrip if you are into the arts
The small community of just over 1200 lies just 40 miles south of Tucson, making it a great place for weekend exploration. It’s most known for being an arts colony, with over 125 art galleries and various art festivals taking place throughout the year. Due to the many festivals and galleries, I would recommend checking it out if you are at all into art, especially southwestern style.
We found a number of unique pottery and glass blown art pieces here. All of the art is so eclectic and colorful: you can find some wonderful souvenirs here to commemorate your time in the Southwest. My family members are always impressed by our ever growing collection.
Although the town itself is a bit overrated (I wouldn’t recommend making a trip especially out here), it is an interesting enough roadtrip if you are looking for more to do during your vacation or as a quick stop on any roadtrip through the southern portion of the state. Those interested in art and boutique shopping are most likely to appreciate this town.
Here are a few interesting things to do in this tiny, but eclectic little town.
Shop for handmade pottery pieces
I have to admit that the shops in this town sell some of the most amazing handmade pottery pieces that I have ever come across. If you are looking to stock up on unique Southwestern style gifts, the local shops definitely will not disappoint! Compared to the boring solid color plant pots you find at most home and garden shops, these pottery pieces are so eclectic and colorful! I have bought several gifts for out-of-state Midwest family members and they were so impressed.
Pictured above is one of the more interesting pieces I picked up in one of the boutique shops. If you are looking for a unique cactus for your new pot, a stop at B&B Cactus Farm in Tucson is an absolute must! This local cactus nursery has every desert plant you could ever imagine – it’s one of the hidden gems in the city.
Update: I wrote this post many years ago and that beautiful pot pictured above is still holding strong. It’s been through many monsoons, blizzards, and thunderstorms and continues to sit happily on my deck (asides from when I bring it in for the winter season).
Browse the art galleries
Tubac has been drawing in art lovers since the first art school opened in 1948. As there are over 100 galleries in town, you should be able to keep yourself busy for quite a while. Even if it is hot outside, you can duck in and out of shops and galleries to cool down and escape the sun.
One of my favorites is the K Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden. The grounds are amazing to stroll around and the sculptures so unique and beautiful. Additionally, The Tubac Center of the Arts is worth a look. Plus, it’s free thanks to the generosity of local artists.
Be on the lookout for special art festivals throughout the year as well as the spring art walk which features special exhibits and entertainment. And keep your calendar marked for the Festival of the Arts featuring 70 visiting artists (held in February each year) and the Fall Arts and Crafts Festival featuring more than 100 art booths (held in November each year).
Dinner at Elvira’s
Elvira’s is an eclectic Mexican restaurant which originally opened in 1927 in Nogales, Sonora Mexico. According to their website, most of their business consisted of Americans, so the Sonora location eventually closed and new more convenient locations opened up in both here and in Tucson.
The highlight of visiting this restaurant (aside from the eclectic menu), is the beautiful interior design. The unique glass blown art design truly is enchanting, creating a setting like no other in the state. I really love glass blown art and I couldn’t stop staring at this ceiling.
The food here is authentic Mexican fare so you do not need to travel across the border. Although a bit overpriced, the unique selections and authenticity still warrant a visit. I loved the Quesadillas Poblanas (turnovers stuffed with prickly pear, jalapenos, poblano chiles, roasted corn, and chihuahua cheese, and smothered with green salsa)! I also loved this cactus appetizer pictured below. On a side note, I have been trying a lot of cacti flavored food and drink since moving to the state and have not been disappointed yet.
Hike the Anza Trail
If you are up for a workout, you can hike a portion of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a 1200 mile trail which runs from Nogales, Arizona to San Francisco. The Anza trail includes a 4.5 mile section which runs between Tumacácori National Historic Park to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.
If you are coming from Tucson, walking this trail should be a nice break from the heat as the path is shady and home to a diverse variety of tree. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend hiking it in the dead of summer. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to escape it all for a while. Birdwatching opportunities are excellent.
Shop for hand blown glass
Many of the galleries and boutiques around town feature beautiful hand blown glass art. The shops offer all sorts of unique knick knicks which make for perfect birthday and Christmas gifts. We picked up some cute holiday themed stirrers. They sell all sorts of trinkets – wine glasses, drinking glasses, ornaments, and much more. On a side note, the Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery features the best collection of art glass in the area.
Directions
Tubac is about 40 minutes south of Tucson off I-19. The address for the official visitors center is: 1 Burruel St. Be aware that there is a border patrol checkpoint just north of the city.
Tip: If you are interested in history & architecture, stop for a quick detour at the Mission San Xavier del Bac, conveniently located right along the route (1950 W San Xavier Rd.). This gorgeous Spanish Catholic Mission, built in 1692, is the oldest European structure in Arizona. It’s completely free to visit and will not take up much of your time.
