After a long winter of Covid and the shutdowns that came with it, a weekend in Tucson, Arizona, was exactly what I needed. Three of us, (Dan, Mike, and myself) flew across the country under the pretense of helping move the remaining furniture out of Dan’s apartment. What we found instead was a vibrant, authentic city full of delicious food, tangible history, and lots of cacti.
Campus Crossing at University Heights
Dan’s son attends the University of Arizona and for his freshman year, lived in an off-campus apartment complex called Campus Crossing at University Heights. The main building in this complex is a former elementary school designed in the traditional southwestern style. The courtyard of the school is now the location of an inground swimming pool and hot tub. The apartment we stayed at was just off the courtyard, a perfect location for dipping in and out of the pool area.
University of Arizona
Arriving in late May, our timing coincided with a break from school. Between the spring and summer semesters, the number of students on campus was a fraction of the typical number. The campus itself was well manicured with fountains, native cacti, and a large center grass-covered quad. For a large school, it has a distinct campus.
Downtown Tucson
Taking the tram from the university area to downtown Tucson is free and easy. Hop on at University Avenue and take it down 4th Avenue or Congress Street to venture to downtown Tucson. The word I like to use for downtown Tucson is authentic. To me, it seems there are fewer chain stores and restaurants and instead hip cafes, breweries, and shops of all kinds. Peek into Hotel Congress, the hundred-year-old hotel with an elegant lobby and bars inside and out. This was the capture site of John Dillinger.
Raptor Canyon Cafe
Located just off the main drag on Pennington Street, the Raptor Canyon Cafe makes seriously scrumptious food. With an array of menu items to choose from, from breakfast to dinner, it was hard to pick. Being in the Southwest, I opted for tacos. Although the ocean is far, I went with the fish tacos. They were so tasty and fresh. Mike and Dan each enjoyed their meals too. We all left completely satisfied.
Gentle Ben’s Brewing
For dinner, at Gentle Ben’s Brewing, I once again ate tacos and washed it down with a flight of beer. Sitting outside eating and drinking on a beautiful May evening was just fine with me!
Pueblo Vida Brewery
Of all of my brewery visits in Arizona, this was my favorite. Its East Broadway Boulevard location is close to Congress Street’s main drag. Inside, the brewery is tastefully decorated with an industrial feel but at the same time, very comfortable. The beer stands out. With a fine selection, I opted for beers of the IPA and pale ale variety. They were juicy and well-crafted. After a couple, it was time to head back to the apartment for a late-night swim.
Time Market
This market, which opened in 1920, is housed in an old industrial building and was the perfect foodie paradise. With wine, beer, and gourmet food, it is hard to leave here unhappy. We ate breakfast here twice; once I had a breakfast sandwich and a pastry the other day. Both were delicious as we enjoyed breakfast under a canopy of leaves on the side porch.
In N Out Burger
The classic West Coast burger chain is head and shoulders above your typical fast-food burger. Whenever I’m out west I have to stop at In-N-Out at least once. Ordering it “Double Double Animal Style” on the recommendation of Dan is a must. Whatever they do to this burger it’s damn good. Part of me wouldn’t mind one closer to home, but the other part of me enjoys the specialness of it.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
The oldest building of European ancestry in the state, the Mission San Xavier del Bac’s architecture is breathtaking. Rising out of the dusty reservation land of the Tohono O’Odham Nation, the white towers seem like a mirage in the midst of the desert. It was completed in 1797 as a mission to convert the Indigenous people to Catholicism. It is still run by the Franciscan church. The chapel is darkly toned and is a beautiful spot for prayer and introspection. Pass through the grounds into another chapel on your way out. The mission is located south of Tucson.
Pima Air and Space Museum
Next to the Smithsonian, this is the most impressive air and space collection that I have witnessed. Also south of the city, we combined our trip here with the mission. Close to the airport, this museum has tons of land for its collection. We were literally walking between planes and other aircraft both inside and out. Some of the largest planes I have seen are on display here. The collection includes interesting ones such as the deformed-looking “Super Guppy,” the X-45 hypersonic test plane, and the separate 390th Memorial Museum which is also located on-site. For us, visitors with only a mild interest in aircraft and just a few hours to spend, the collection certainly wowed, but for those dedicated to the (air) craft, this could be an all-day affair.
Hacienda del Sol
Truly one of the highlights of our trip, Hacienda del Sol is a magical resort. This former girls’ riding school is located in the Catalina Foothills in the north of Tucson. Perusing my Tucson guidebook, this was emphasized as a “can’t miss.”
Arriving at the Hacienda del Sol is like stepping into a desert masterpiece. We arrived at the bar to grab a bite and a drink. We had no idea that the dining room was booked for the next month and a half for reservations! Somehow, we grabbed a bar seat and enjoyed a fantastic meal. Sharing calamari and a charcuterie board, all of us relished our meal. Mike and I opted for beer and wine for Dan.
After the meal, with a drink in hand, we were able to explore much of the resort. Sitting near the beautiful pool watching the sunset over the desert was extraordinary. We wandered through the estate inside and out. The beautifully manicured grounds, accented with native cacti and other plants, provide the backdrop.
The interior has tangible traces of its educational past. There were signs for the former nurse’s office and other such rooms, as well as libraries to relax in. There were also numerous hidden courtyards. So much to explore.
Bonus! By the Time I get to Phoenix
After leaving Tucson, we spent one night in Scottsdale. Enjoying a baseball game, catching up with old friends, and checking out a few breweries summed up our adventure there.
Chase Field
At Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, we watched the hapless Diamondbacks actually win a game versus the Saint Louis Cardinals. Sitting in the bleachers, this roomy, air-conditioned stadium was a respite from the Arizona heat. I spent a ton of money at the gift shop buying souvenirs for my sons and afterward we were ready to visit Scottsdale.
Fate Brewing
Hungry (and thirsty), our dinner destination was Fate Brewing in Scottsdale. At this open-air restaurant, I ordered a flight of beer and a quite fabulous ahi tuna salad. After all of the heavy imbibing on this journey, I was glad to eat a few lettuce leaves.
Goldwater Brewing Company
Dan and I met up with friends who live in the area. Our first stop was Goldwater Brewing Company in Old Town Scottsdale. Excited to see one another after many years, a fellowship reunion of sorts was in order. The IPA I ordered was quite good and the brewery was a fun stop all around.
Downtown Scottsdale
The rest of the evening we bar hopped from establishment to establishment enjoying each other’s company. From a bar covered with dollar bills, to a country western-themed one, to a pool hall, we covered the bases. Saying our goodbyes, the three of us headed back to the Courtyard by Marriott for our last night in Arizona.
Arizona beer
In addition to the microbreweries we visited, buying AZ beer in cans was a common occurrence (shout out to Circle K!) Two of our favorites in cans were the Huss Copper State IPA and the Tower Station IPA by Mother Road Brewing. The Copper State had more of a bite in a true IPA fashion where the Tower Station was on the juicier side. Both though, were perfect for sitting poolside or for a few hours stay in the hot tub.
A Weekend in Tucson Comes to an End
This weekend in Tucson (and a night in Scottsdale) was truly a “not in my backyard road trip.” It was a much-needed getaway after a winter of uncertainty. Tucson is a city I would certainly head back to. Since I love exploring unknown places, Tucson was that for me. It was truly an unforgettable adventure, investigating the ins and outs of Tucson, Arizona with the companionship of two close amigos. (see, I learned some Spanish while I was there)
