3 Days in Tucson, Arizona
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Tucson aka as “The Old Pueblo” is a mesmerizing Southwestern vacation destination. It’s one of my favorite places I’ve ever lived. For anyone who appreciates the rare beauty of the desert, this region is one of the few places in the world where you can awe at the stately Saguaro cactus.
Hiking amongst these enchanting plants just never got old for me. You will find no shortage of cacti no matter where you go. Everywhere you drive, hike, dine, and shop, you are surrounded by this iconic symbol of the Southwest. I feel like this region is a bit more natural, rugged, and scenic with the desert beauty more intact. I would pick Phoenix if you are seeking great shopping, concerts, and entertainment, while Tucson wins in the hiking, natural scenery, and biking departments.
You can take your pick amongst endless hiking trails, most easy to moderate in intensity. The entire state of Arizona is a hiker’s oasis with Sedona, Flagstaff, and Tucson being equally fascinating places to explore. In my opinion, Tucson is a much more laid-back vacation destination in comparison to nearby Phoenix, and thus, my recommended choice if you are willing to sacrifice some entertainment, in exchange for top notch mountain scenery and tranquility. Four gorgeous mountain ranges surround the city, so the background is stunning on any hike you choose.
There’s much more to do outside of seeing natural wonders. For one, the local foodie scene continues to expand, although the city is still most well known for being home to the 23 best miles of Mexican food. Shopping for handcrafted Southwestern specialities is also a must while in town (I’ve found so many gorgeous pottery pieces). The art scene continues to thrive with the classic Fox theater downtown, several interesting museums, and ongoing art related events throughout the year.
Below is my sample weekend itinerary for exploring this desert oasis. There is so much to do and see in “The Old Pueblo” that it would be near impossible to focus on everything. Therefore, my guide will focus on what I believe are the best attractions, restaurants, and hikes to focus on in a limited time frame.
Day 1 in The Old Pueblo
3:00pm – Check into the JW Marriott Starr Pass resort. There are beautiful resorts basically everywhere you turn in this city especially in suburban Oro Valley and the Foothills. This resort, although quite secluded, stands out for its’ breathtaking scenery, lush landscaping, top notch resort pool with lazy river, fabulous spa, and spectacular on-site hiking trail (one of my favorites in the metro). If you are looking for serenity and extraordinary desert scenery, this resort will not disappoint.
4:00pm – Enjoy some of the resort’s fantastic amenities. There is a Starbucks on-site with nice views if you need a caffeine boost. Other convenient amenities include several restaurants, bars, and an award-winning golf course. At Signature Grill, you can enjoy creative Native American and Mexican dishes.
6:00pm – Because you are in such close proximity to downtown, you will want to check out some attractions and restaurants in the vicinity. If you are not eating at the resort, my recommended dining picks in this region include: Caruso’s Italian, Cup Cafe, Maynard’s, and 47 Scott.
Pictured here is an excellent lasagna dish from Caruso’s, the best mac and cheese in town at 47 Scott, delicious wood-fired pizza at Reilly’s, and a savory Baked Eggs dish at Maynard’s.
There are a number of attractions to explore downtown including a wonderful historic theater and a small but fantastic art museum. Two of my favorite coffeeshops have locations here (Exo Roast and Cartel). From the left – old-fashioned pinball games at D&D, the gorgeous Fox Theater, The Tucson Museum of Art, and a mocha at Exo Roast (best coffee in town). Update: D and D unfortunately closed. Today, you can enjoy a combined bar/arcade experience at Cobra, located at 63 E. Congress St.
*If you arrive back before dusk, I would attempt to squeeze in an evening hike along the Bowen Hidden Canyon trail. This is easily the trail I came back to the most. It’s stunning and relatively easy compared to others. And hidden it is, as I have yet to see more than a few hikers on the trail at a time. Bobcats, on the other hand, I have seen on 2 separate occasions which was pretty scary and exciting at the same time.
At just under 2 miles for the loop, it’s one of the few which is tolerable during the summer season. Hiking at night will mean cooler temps, less crowds, and more wildlife sightings! Plus, if you time your hike just right you may be able to take in a gorgeous desert sunset.
8:00pm – Relax at the resort for a bit. There are a number of bars and the pool stays open reasonably late. Stargazing is also a popular pastime, as the dark clear skies most of the year provide excellent conditions. Take advantage of the mild desert night temps! Whether stargazing, enjoying a drink poolside, or simply relaxing in the pool, there is much to do on-site.
