Shelly’s guidebook
Nearby gems
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a 98-acre (40 ha) zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, publisher, and art gallery founded in 1952. Located just west of Tucson, Arizona, it features two miles (3.2 km) of walking paths traversing 21 acres (8.5 ha) of desert landscape. It is one of the most visited attractions in Southern Arizona.
This nonprofit organization focuses on the interpretation of the natural history, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. The museum is home to more than 230 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants. It is open every day through the year, and hosts nearly 400,000 visitors annually, including visitors from abroad.
670 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo del Desierto de Arizona-Sonora
2021 N Kinney RdThe Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a 98-acre (40 ha) zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, publisher, and art gallery founded in 1952. Located just west of Tucson, Arizona, it features two miles (3.2 km) of walking paths traversing 21 acres (8.5 ha) of desert landscape. It is one of the most visited attractions in Southern Arizona.
This nonprofit organization focuses on the interpretation of the natural history, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. The museum is home to more than 230 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants. It is open every day through the year, and hosts nearly 400,000 visitors annually, including visitors from abroad.
Saguaro National Park
Mira Vista Resort
7501 N Wade RdShelby and her mother pour their heart and soul into saving and caring for abandoned animals. Call for a private tour and you may even come away with some fresh eggs!
1 (520) 661-2495
Ask for Shelby!
HoofsnHorns Farm Sanctuary
9740 West Lariat DriveShelby and her mother pour their heart and soul into saving and caring for abandoned animals. Call for a private tour and you may even come away with some fresh eggs!
1 (520) 661-2495
Ask for Shelby!
15 minutes up the road, this place is super cool and has a diner that serves a great breakfast while you watch the planes take off and land :)
Marana Regional Airport
11700 W Avra Valley Rd15 minutes up the road, this place is super cool and has a diner that serves a great breakfast while you watch the planes take off and land :)
One of my favorite funky cool spots downtown. Many eateries surrounded by local artesian shops. Live music in the evenings!
101 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
LaCo Tucson | Outdoor Downtown Tucson Restaurant
76 N Court AveOne of my favorite funky cool spots downtown. Many eateries surrounded by local artesian shops. Live music in the evenings!
Get your drink on
Whiskey Del Bac
2106 Forbes BlvdGreat distillery tour near downtown!
Best porter I’ve ever had! Cool atmosphere, brewery tours!
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dragoon Brewing Company
1859 W Grant RdBest porter I’ve ever had! Cool atmosphere, brewery tours!
Hotel Congress always has something going on... From late night DJs to mellow musicians, food, coffee, yoga on the rooftop... and don’t miss the Harry Potter shots!! (Don’t ask why, just order and see!)
232 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StHotel Congress always has something going on... From late night DJs to mellow musicians, food, coffee, yoga on the rooftop... and don’t miss the Harry Potter shots!! (Don’t ask why, just order and see!)
It’s an old Motel converted to a restaurant/bar/music venue. A local fav for sure :)
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monterey Court
505 W Miracle MileIt’s an old Motel converted to a restaurant/bar/music venue. A local fav for sure :)
Food scene
Best Tacos in town!! Loved by locals and visitors alike :)
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
BOCA Tacos Y Tequila
533 N 4th AveBest Tacos in town!! Loved by locals and visitors alike :)
Watch the trains go past as you drink and dine. The food here is amazing and they have great happy hours and wine tastings. Maynard’s is a local fav!
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Maynards Market & Kitchen
400 N Toole AveWatch the trains go past as you drink and dine. The food here is amazing and they have great happy hours and wine tastings. Maynard’s is a local fav!
Best bread on Earth!!! The owner is there always and he’s so genuine and lovely. Take a loaf and then grab a coffee next door. Don’t miss this place it’s awesome!!!
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barrio Bread
18 S Eastbourne AveBest bread on Earth!!! The owner is there always and he’s so genuine and lovely. Take a loaf and then grab a coffee next door. Don’t miss this place it’s awesome!!!
A true local gem. Totally local and unique, cheap, delicious, authentic, and did I say cheap & delicious?? Eat in or outside. Only thing is they don’t have chicken for some reason- just beef, pork and one fish option.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Los Tacos Apson
3501 S 12th AveA true local gem. Totally local and unique, cheap, delicious, authentic, and did I say cheap & delicious?? Eat in or outside. Only thing is they don’t have chicken for some reason- just beef, pork and one fish option.
Outstanding food and drink menu. Really, stellar!! You’ll probably be on River Rd at some point, so might as well stop in here and enjoy! In and outdoor dining.
140 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Seis Kitchen
1765 E River RdOutstanding food and drink menu. Really, stellar!! You’ll probably be on River Rd at some point, so might as well stop in here and enjoy! In and outdoor dining.
Local fav right near downtown. Cute little back patio and small indoor area. Great food, lunch & drink specials. Nearby many great little shops and artist nooks!
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Café à La C'Art
150 N Main AveLocal fav right near downtown. Cute little back patio and small indoor area. Great food, lunch & drink specials. Nearby many great little shops and artist nooks!
Sightseeing
Aviation buffs watch out! 😍
258 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo del Aire y del Espacio de Pima
6000 E Valencia RdAviation buffs watch out! 😍
This is where Three Amigos was filmed! ‘Nuf said!!!
200 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Tucson
This is where Three Amigos was filmed! ‘Nuf said!!!
Biosfera 2
32540 S Biosphere RdYou’re here, you gotta go!
Tohono Chul
7366 N Paseo Del NorteBeautiful gardens in the heart of the city!
Hiking gems
Places I love to hike and explore outdoors!
About a 2 hour hike to the top with stellar views and gorgeous wildflowers in spring! Hear owls and local birds and maybe catch some tarantula sightings!
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wasson Peak
About a 2 hour hike to the top with stellar views and gorgeous wildflowers in spring! Hear owls and local birds and maybe catch some tarantula sightings!
This hike is a grueling workout but worth the views along the way! Near downtown and a quick one to burn some calories!
135 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Sentinel Peak (Montaña "A")
1001 Sentinel Peak Rd SThis hike is a grueling workout but worth the views along the way! Near downtown and a quick one to burn some calories!
Lose yourself amongst the saguaros in this gorgeous park on the east side of Tucson. $5 entry fee per car. Best $5 you’ll spend all day. They have guided walks, and typically host nature talks of some sort in the evenings. Try 7-falls in the spring... you won’t regret it!
457 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Área recreativa del Cañón Sabino
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadLose yourself amongst the saguaros in this gorgeous park on the east side of Tucson. $5 entry fee per car. Best $5 you’ll spend all day. They have guided walks, and typically host nature talks of some sort in the evenings. Try 7-falls in the spring... you won’t regret it!
This is my secret hiking spot. Only locals know it here, so you will not be overcrowded. It’s a mix mountain bikers and hikers who blend seamlessly as they meander through the saguaros and ocotillos! Dogs welcome. All trails connect so you can make your hike/bike as short or long as you wish. LOVE this place!
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sweetwater Trailhead
4001 N Tortolita RdThis is my secret hiking spot. Only locals know it here, so you will not be overcrowded. It’s a mix mountain bikers and hikers who blend seamlessly as they meander through the saguaros and ocotillos! Dogs welcome. All trails connect so you can make your hike/bike as short or long as you wish. LOVE this place!
I love this trail! It has sweeping views of the city and winds back into deep canyons. If you’re lucky with the rains, you’ll get to cross streams of water several times along the path! I did this one New Year’s Day & it remains one of my top hikes in the area!
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pima Canyon Trailhead
1610 E Magee RdI love this trail! It has sweeping views of the city and winds back into deep canyons. If you’re lucky with the rains, you’ll get to cross streams of water several times along the path! I did this one New Year’s Day & it remains one of my top hikes in the area!
Neighborhoods
Quaint hood near the University with gorgeous adobe houses and unique spaces.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sam Hughes
Quaint hood near the University with gorgeous adobe houses and unique spaces.