Tucson, Arizona
Set amidst stunning desert landscapes, Tucson offers an intriguing historical blend of Spanish, Mexican, and American cultures. The city has great opportunities for scenic hikes, as well as some fantastic museums and historical sites for a day visitor to explore.
Our Tucson Tips For A Day Stay
- Restaurants – The city’s American and Mexican cultural mix is reflected in its food. New American comfort food is cooked up at 47 Scott and Scott & Co, whilst the family-run El Charro Café is a great place to enjoy Mexican cuisine, (and is located in a century-old home). More exotic fare is available from Senae Thai Bistro, and Italian cuisine can be had at Caffé Milano, with plenty of other options to try.
- Magnificent Museums – Aviation and space exploration enthusiasts should pay Pima Air & Space Museum a visit. With literally hundreds of air- and spacecraft exhibited and live performances, this child-friendly museum is a wonderful place for people who love aircraft to spend many an hour. Meanwhile, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a natural history museum that hosts live animal exhibits and demonstrations, and features botanical gardens, a zoo, and an aquarium.
- Hiking Heaven – The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is a vast desert and forest expanse, ideal for hiking through picture-perfect desert canyons, taking in spectacular views, and sampling cactus jelly from the gift shop. If that weren’t enough, Saguaro National Park offers yet more opportunities for hiking, picnics, and panoramic views.
Five Interesting Tucson Facts
- It’s uncertain how long mankind has been in the area, but the first arrival is thought to have occurred over 10,000 years ago. The Spanish were the first Europeans to visit, in the 17th century.
- Tucson was founded as a Spanish fortress and was acquired by the USA, from Mexico, in the Gadsden Purchase of 1854.
- Tucson’s name means “at the base of the black hill” (from the Oʼodham language).
- The city was the first in the USA to be named as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.
- In the late 19th century, the famous deputy Wyatt Earp and his associates shot Frank Stilwell dead at Tucson station.
