Tucson

All Souls Procession

All Soul's Weekend

One of the largest festivals in Tucson and based on the Mexican holiday 'Día de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead), the highlight is a 3-mile parade beginning at dusk. Very colorful, with participants dressing in traditional or creative costumes. Takes place annually on the first Sunday in November.

November

Arizona History Museum

This museum is devoted to the history of Tucson and the surrounding area, with relevant displays.

Mon-Thu 9AM-4PM, Fri 9AM-8PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM·$8 (adults), $6 (seniors), $5 (students), $4 (children 7-17), free (children under 7)

Arizona Inn

Serving an American fare, this is a fine dining facility. Expect the average mains to cost in the range of $20 to $30. Architecturally, the restaurant is in an historic structure. The restaurant has a southwestern U.S. style decor. The interior is enhanced by prints and flowers at the tables, and the lighting is set quite dim. This is a white tablecloth restaurant, and the fireplace adds to the atmosphere and mood here. The establishment has several dining rooms. It has a romantic atmosphere.

Arizona Theatre Company

Temple of Music and Art

Also operating in Phoenix, the company performs six productions a year. Tickets can be purchased online.

Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM/curtain, Sat Sun noon-curtain

Arizona Wildcats

The city's highest-profile sports teams are those of the University of Arizona, members of the Big 12 Conference alongside 15 other schools located mostly in the middle and inland western states. While the school fields teams in 21 sports (nine men's and 12 women's), the biggest draws are (as at most major schools) football and men's basketball. The latter is a very tough ticket, considering the Wildcats' consistent regional and national success in that sport for the last 30 or so years.

Mon-Fri 9AM–5PM

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

More like Biosphere II than a walled institution, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is part zoo, part natural history museum and part botanical garden all in one Tucson attraction. From tarantulas to black bears, coyotes to scorpions, the museum-zoo is an entrancing and full-contact tribute to the Sonoran desert's wildlife (the wire fences are nearly invisible and the hummingbirds in the buzzing, walk-in aviary seem to think you are the attraction). Give yourself time to soak in the Southwest splendor and if time is all you have, the Museum is also on the fringes of Saguaro National Park, home to the world's largest forests of Saguaro cacti.

Oct-Feb 8:30AM-5PM, Mar-Sep 7:30AM-5PM·$14.50/adult, $5/child (Sep-May); $12/adult, $4/child Jun-Aug

BK Tacos

BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs

Very popular, specializes in Sonoran hot dogs, tacos, and other classic Mexican dishes.

Sun-Thu 9AM-midnight, Fri Sat 9AM-2:30AM

Barrio Brewing Company

Popular microbrewery near the train tracks that meander through downtown Tucson. Built into a former industrial warehouse, the interior features high ceilings and concrete floors while the long patio outside faces the train tracks and provides a view of the Downtown skyline. $3 pints during happy hour and a good happy hour food menu.

Mon-Wed 11AM-10PM, Thu-Sat 11AM-midnight, Sun 11AM-9PM

Beyond Bread Central

Amazing sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, made from ingredients that are as fresh as possible. (In addition to baking bread daily, the restaurant also roasts its turkey and beef on site.) They also have an espresso bar and pastries. A nice place for lunch, but watch out – it's very popular, and you may have to wait in line. Alternately, you can pre-order your meal for pickup online. Average sandwich (hot & cold) costs around $6-6.50, chips included.

Mon-Fri 6:30AM-8PM, Sat 7AM-8PM, Sun 7AM-6PM

Birrieria Guadalajara

A hole-in-the-wall Mexican diner frequented by the Hispanic workers and Gringos in the know. All the standard Mexican fare, but an unusual emphasis on caldos or soup. Birria is shredded beef in its own broth – this place makes the best!

Daily 7AM-8PM

Bison Witches

Features tons of different sammies that are huge and will fill you up. Bread bowl soups are another popular choice at this deli/bar and is a college student's dream of a chill place to hang out and get in on some great drink specials. Thursdays is a great night for hanging out here.

Daily 11AM-midnight·Sandwiches $8-12

Bison Witches

At the heart of Tucson's 4th Avenue historic district, Bison Witches is a funky little bar and restaurant that serves amazing sandwiches, has a large selection of beer and has great margaritas. Bison Witches is always full but the wait for a table is never more than 15 minutes. At night, it can get crowded now that the back patio has been remodeled into an outdoor bar.

Kitchen: daily 11AM-midnight; bar: daily 11AM-2AM

Bookmans Entertainment Exchange East

Practically a Tucson institution, the original branch opened on Speedway over 30 years ago. Besides used books, they also have used CDs, DVDs, video games, etc. All branches have free Wi-Fi and electric vehicle charging stations, and permit pets in the store.

Daily 9AM-10PM

Cadillac Chaparral Restaurant

The Cadillac Grill

Bar and restaurant on Hwy, very very casual, can hold a crowd. Can be a bit slow, if busy. Known for its inexpensive steaks and burgers.

Thu Fri 4-8PM, Sat Sun noon-8PM

Carnival of Illusion

The Carnival of Illusion Parlour Show presents national quality magic in an intimate setting at the Historic Scottish Rite in downtown Tucson, and is limited to 125 guests. The hosts are the National Recipients for Excellence in Magic and have performed as house entertainers at the world's top resorts, for Fortune 100 CEOs, to the 200 Most Powerful Women in America.

Catalina State Park

On the northwestern edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this park covers 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares) and has eight multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, of varying difficulty. Other popular activities include picnicking, wildlife viewing and birdwatching, with over 170 avian species identified in the park. A small shop at the visitor center carries such items as snack, water, sunscreen, maps, and books.

Daily 8AM-5PM (visitor center)·$7 (vehicle w/1-4 adults), $3 (individual/bicycle)

Centennial Hall

A venue for classical music, dance, jazz, and musicals. Tickets can be purchased online.

Ticket office: Sep-Apr: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat noon-5PM; May-Aug: hours vary; open 2 hr before performance

Center for Creative Photography

The center was founded by Ansel Adams, and routinely features works of famous (and not-so-famous) photographers. When they have their Ansel Adams collection up it is a must see.

Tue-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat 1PM-4PM·Free, donations accepted

Char's Thai Restaurant

It's not always easy to find good Asian restaurants in the desert, but this hole in the wall has to be near the top of anyone's list of favorites. Owned and operated by former residents of Bangkok, the restaurant has a huge selection of tasty curries and noodle dishes. The lunch specials are a great value; takeout available.

Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM, 5-9PM; Sat Sun 5-9PM

Club Congress

If you feel like dancing, this is the place to go. It's in the historic Congress Hotel, where you'll find three bars and one dance floor, featuring techno dance beats and live bands. Call ahead to see who's playing.

Cover charge

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

A "dry" cave with 3½ miles of mapped passageways. The cave was used by pre-Columbian Native Americans, and rediscovered in 1879. Also on park grounds are a cowboy ranch museum, a butterfly garden, horseback trails, and picnic and camping facilities.

Daily 8AM-5PM, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tours hourly, last tour at 4PM·Park: $5 (auto), $1 (bicycle); cave: $16 (adults), $9 (children 5-12)

Coronet Restaurant

New American dinner restaurant with cocktails and wine in a hip building. Features various takes on classic dishes such as Belgian waffles and chowder.

W-Sa 5-9PM

Cup Cafe

Unusual, eclectic mix of Indian, Thai, Japanese, American and Mediterranean food, easily the most interesting restaurant in Tucson. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and some vegan options. On a nice day you can sit outside.

Daily 7AM-10PM

De Grazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District

A collection of buildings on a 10-acre site, designed and built by well-known Arizona painter Ettore 'Ted' DeGrazia (1909-1982); the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A gallery showcases the artist's work in six permanent collections as well as special rotating exhibits, and a gift shop onsite sells good quality reproductions of some of his work. In early December the grounds also host the annual Fiesta de Guadalupe. The chapel is closed due to fire damage.

Daily 10AM-4PM; closed 1 Jan, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas·$8 (adults), $5 (children 12-18), free (children under 12)

DesertView Performing Arts Center

State of the Performing Art Theater located in the heart of SaddleBrooke live performances from Rock and Roll to Musicals and Symphonies.

Ticket office: Mon-Fri, but online at https://dvpac.net/·varies

Eegee's

A Tucson chain of sub shops, you shouldn't leave Tucson without trying this place. Popular for their frozen slushie-snowcone combo (locally referred to simply as Eegees), they have piña colada, strawberry and lemonade flavors year-round and a unique flavor of the month. Eegee's are also known for their fries, which you can order with ranch dressing (ranch fries), marinara sauce (pizza fries) and fries with chili (chili cheese fries). They also offer pretzels, cookies, chips and sub sandwiches. There are a total of 26 branches in the Tucson area.

Daily 9:30AM-10PM, drive-thru closes at 11PM

El Charro Café

Opened in 1922, El Charro is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned Mexican restaurant in the United States. The food is classic Southwestern, with more Sonoran influences than many Tucson restaurants.

Daily 10AM-9PM

El Güero Canelo

One of Tucson's most famous restaurants, primarily known for their Sonoran hot dogs. Offers a large selection of Mexican dishes. They have some of the best carne asada in the Southwest! Takeout available at all locations.

Sun 8:30AM-10PM, Mon 10AM-10PM, Tue-Thu 10AM-11PM, Fri 8:30AM-midnight, Sat 8AM-midnight

El Minuto Cafe

Authentic Sonoran cuisine in an adobe house in the barrio, open since 1936. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but do order the mole if they have it on the day you are there. The carne seca is superb and the chiles rellenos are magnificent. Make sure to sample the fresh, made-on-the-premises tortillas. Combine this with a visit to El Tiradito, which is nearby.

Sun-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM

El Molinito

A local favorite with great Mexican food, has been in Tucson for at least 20 years and has great service. Known for their frozen margaritas. Try their beans and carne asada tacos on a soft flour tortilla. Three other branches are on Ina Road, Pantano Road, and Oracle Road.

Sun 9AM-9PM, Mon-Thu 10AM-9PM, Fri Sat 10AM-10PM