What to Do in Tucson, Arizona

It was my sixth cross country road trip/move and I decided it was time to take a new route. Normally, during my U.S. road trips from California to D.C. and back, I take I-40 which crosses through cities such as Albuquerque, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, and Little Rock. However, this time, I-10 was the route of choice and Tucson, Arizona was the first stop!

Now, keep in mind that we were in Tucson for just under 24 hours. Because Tucson is not massive and easy to get around, we were able to do so much in a short amount of time. And if you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve seen many posts of mine such as How to Spend 24 Hours in Vienna, Austria or 48 Hours in Palm Springs to know that I have a knack for curating conscious short day trips without feeling rushed.

We left San Diego on a Thursday around noon and arrived in Tucson just before sunset, which was an incredible time to drive into this desert city. Saguaro cacti are sprinkled (quite densely in parts) in the land surrounding the city which made for a beautiful welcome as the tall silhouettes could be seen cast upon the pink backdrop of the sky.

After checking into the hotel, we ventured to downtown Tucson where parking was easy. The sun had gone down, leaving us a warm evening to enjoy. There is a hip, fresh energy in the air, with many locally-owned businesses and restaurants lining the streets. This part of town felt vibrant and I loved seeing the neon signs lit up along the storefronts and patrons enjoying their meals on the patios along Congress Street.

We opted for Cafe Poca Cosa, an upscale Mexican restaurant, which had come highly recommended to me. Their menu changes twice a day and is printed in Spanish on a small chalkboard which your server will bring over to display to you at your table. Because of this, I will note that the menu is quite selective.

After that, we lingered downtown a bit longer where we spotted some funky wall murals and made a mental note of the places we wanted to visit the following day.

Recommended Reading: U.S. Road Trip: The Pros and Cons

Mission San Xavier del Bac

Just 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, this historic Catholic Mission will take your breath away. Built in 1797, when Southern Arizona was part of New Spain, it’s said to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States. So, if you’re an architecture lover like myself, you won’t want to miss this beautiful Mission in the desert.

The Mission Church is open from 7am-5pm daily and I can certainly recommend getting there early before the Tucson heat really kicks into gear. Even at 9am in April, it was hot and the sun unforgiving. It is the desert after all, so keep this in mind when planning your visit. Free tours are also offered Monday-Saturday mornings when the church is not in use. This is a great way to learn about the history of the Mission, the construction, and the restoration.

I found this to be such a peaceful way to take in the culture of the Tucson region, especially due to the incredible views during the short drive out to the Mission. While I was here, I was pleasantly surprised when two roadrunners ran out before me as I was standing there, taking it all in. It had been a bucket list item of mine throughout my several years of driving cross country so it was incredibly special for it to happen here with such beautiful surroundings. Be sure to explore the grounds around the church, find a bench, and relax for a few. It’s truly a special, sacred, and stunning place to visit while you’re in Tucson.

The Lisa Frank (Abandoned) Factory

Address: 6760 S Lisa Frank Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85756

Yep, Lisa Frank. If you’re a child of the ’80s and/or ’90s, then chances are you had notebooks, folders, pencils, and binders covered in rainbows, unicorns, music notes, pandas, cheetahs, and stars. Just about everyone knew and loved Lisa Frank back then so it was a real treat for me to combine two of my favorite passions – abandoned buildings and the 1990s – when I visited this now-vacant factory of all things Lisa Frank.

Since visiting, I’ve read multiple articles all about the rise and fall of Lisa Frank Inc. and had no idea about the dark side of a company that brought so much happiness and joy to our childhood. A quick Google search will get you caught up on what exactly happened to lead this building, which sits on 18.5 acres of land and is currently for sale, to its demise.

It’s quite sad to drive past this massive building and see all the rainbow hearts and shapes painted on the walls now faded, weeds filling up the spots where employees once parked. If you look closely enough through the iridescent pink front doors (swoon!), you can even see a larger-than-life panda statue still standing tall to greet former visitors and guests at the Lisa Frank Headquarters.

Mercado San Agustin

Another highly recommended Tucson hangout was the Mercado San Agustin, Tucson’s only public marketplace. Local bakeries, shops, restaurants, and cafes surround the cutest courtyard where you can grab a spot (try to find one in the shade) to enjoy your treats. This space also seems to be a favorite amongst pet owners!

First, I picked up a nitro cold brew from Presta Coffee Roasters and then headed outside to find a seat. I love the way the marketplace is set up, bringing the outside in, and making it very easy to wander from place to place.

Next door to Presta, I took a peek inside La Estrella Bakery, a Mexican bakery featuring some incredible donuts and other pastries. I can happily tell you that their chocolate glazed donut hit the spot and did not disappoint. It was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit on that morning in April so this two treats paired perfectly for a little people-watching!

Downtown

I briefly mentioned downtown earlier. There are quite a few different streets, such as Congress Street and 4th Avenue, that will give you a taste of the community’s flavor through a variety of restaurants, shops, and more. Go for a stroll during the daytime to take in the creative wall art, murals, and historic buildings.

The temperature was climbing into the 90s so we popped into Hub Ice Creamery (there’s both a restaurant and an ice creamery) where we were greeted with some very creative ice cream flavors. After sampling a few, I went with the Queen Bee, a Hub favorite, which is vanilla, honeycomb toffee, and dark chocolate. It was delicious and hit the spot! I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for somewhere to duck out of the sun for a bit.

Whether you stay at the historic Hotel Congress or not, be sure to stop by for a visit. Built in 1918, you’ll immediately feel as though you’re stepping back into time as soon as you enter the lobby. Vintage vibes abound in this Southwest Art Deco hotel. Though we didn’t go to any of the restaurant’s bars of eateries, I’ve heard many wonderful things about Cup Cafe!

Barrio Viejo

I think I will let the photos of Barrio Viejo below speak for themselves. In Barrio Viejo, the old neighborhood, you’ll find beautiful, colorful, and historic adobe homes from the 19th century! Once a large community of culturally-diverse working class people, sadly, many of the homes were bulldozed in the 1970’s and ’80s for urban development, including the construction of the massive Tucson Convention Center. Barrio Viejo is located just south of the Convention Center.

As you wander these historic streets and marvel at the heritage and architectural styles of the buildings, may you take a moment to reflect on the importance of historical preservation. Respect the land, the structures, and the people that came before us.

Greetings from Tucson Wall Mural

Our last stop before heading out of town was the Greetings from Tucson Wall Mural. This wall mural is actually part of a nationwide mural project by artist Victor Ving and photographer Lisa Beggs. Their postcard style wall murals can be found in many different cities and neighborhoods and, as you can see in this photo, they feature the sights and characteristics that each place is known for.