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Daytime

Railroad History and Riverside Lunch

Start your morning at the historic depot, then walk to the river for a classic Tucson lunch and a stroll through the park.

Best time: noneAbout 160 min

Timeline

  1. 10:30

    Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

    Tour the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum. The depot is open and quiet early in the day. If it is a Saturday, try to catch a docent to explain the Southern Pacific Railroad 1673 steam locomotive. For other days, you can arrange a tour upon request.

  2. 11:15

    Bison Witches

    Walk five minutes to Bison Witches for a substantial lunch. This deli is known for huge sandwiches and bread bowl soups. It is a popular spot for locals, so expect a chill atmosphere with plenty of seating.

  3. 12:00

    Santa Rita Park

    Head south to Santa Rita Park, a 29-minute walk from the museum area. This is a quiet urban park along the river. It is a good place to sit, reflect on the morning, and enjoy the green space away from the main streets.

Local tip

The museum is small and can be fully explored in an hour. Bison Witches is open daily from 11:00, so arriving at 10:30 allows you to finish the museum and walk there just as they open for lunch service. Santa Rita Park is open all day.

Check before you go

  • The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is open Thursday 11AM-3PM, Friday and Saturday 10AM-4PM, and Sunday 11AM-3PM. Check the route if you are visiting on a Friday or Saturday morning to catch a docent.
  • Bison Witches opens its kitchen at 11:00 daily.
  • Santa Rita Park is an outdoor public space with no specific closing hours listed.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Tucson (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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