Pack Your Flip-Flops: A Weekend in Tucson, Arizona

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Look beyond saguaros and Spring Training, the rodeo and the rocks, and come discover the non-tourist side of Tucson.

Besides the annual snowbirds, people flock to Tucson for baseball games and tours of cacti, but Arizona’s second-largest city has more to offer than the typical tourist traps. And though these traps can be fun, take my advice on some lesser known Tucson hotspots that have taken me three years to find.

As my time as a Wildcat comes to a close and the upcoming weeks will be my last, I’ve finally figured out my favorite places to shop, be entertained, or eat in Tucson. With graduation on the horizon, families will be rocking the Old Pueblo, so here’s a suggested itinerary to entertain the folks for a weekend:

Friday, 11:00 a.m.

When you first arrive in Tucson, dive right in. Once you’re settled at your respective hotel or dormroom floor, head out to the University of Arizona. Even for those who don’t have any connections to the UA, it’s a great walk as campus is beautiful any time of year (I might be bias, but whatever). The red brick buildings with towering palm trees set against a stark blue sky makes for perfect scenery. While on campus, check out the bookstore for some UA memorabilia or to catch up on some reading. In the student union, head into the U-Mart and get an Eegees. Every Tucsonan knows about this fruity ice treat with a flavor that never seems to end. Whether it’s in the dead of winter or in the sweltering summer, you’ll need a cool beverage and you can get this one for under two bucks. Once you make your way around campus, check out University Boulevard.

Friday, 1:00 p.m.

University Boulevard has all kinds of choices for those seeking to subside hunger and quench a sun-induced thirst. Grab a pint at Gentle Ben’s Brewery and split up some appetizers or head over to Pei Wei for some Asian food with plenty of flair. Feeling like Greek? The Fat Greek on the corner has outdoor and indoor seating, along with misters in the summer. Pizza abounds on the boulevard, but we’ll save that for Sunday.

Friday, 4:00 p.m.

While you’re roaming around University Boulevard, take note of the Old Pueblo Trolley. It runs up and down University and Fourth Avenue all weekend (25 cents on Sundays, $1 on Fridays, Saturdays). Pay the dollar toll and take a ride on the historic streetcar down to Fourth Ave., the hippy-bohemian must-see street. You can get lost in the great thrift-stores, Antigone Books, the Co-Op, and my ultimate favorite, the Hippie Gipsy…you can’t miss the latter, it’s the building with the amazing mural incorporating all the rock n’ roll legends.

Friday, 6:00 p.m.

While you’re on Fourth, stick around and grab an early cocktail at one of the soon-to-be bustling bars before the college crowd takes over. There are plenty to choose from, so pick the one that best jives with your crowd.

Friday, 7:00 p.m.

Check out what’s playing at the funky Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., a local favorite that offers wine and beer with your flick. It usually has some pretty unique feature films playing.

Friday, 10:00 p.m.

End your night with a caffeinated night cap at one of the many Starbucks or if you’re looking for a local alternative, there are several locations of Ike’s and The Coffee Exchange, or find The Epic Café back on Fourth Avenue.

Saturday, 8:00 a.m.

Kick up your hiking shoes and head up to Sabino Canyon for a morning hike (if you’re visiting Tucson in the middle of the summer, you might want to change that to an early morning hike to avoid the very real possibility of heat stroke). Sabino offers the hiker spectacular views and lots of wildlife.

Saturday, 12:00 p.m.

You’ve got a lot of options for lunch in Tucson, but the top favorites include the following. Oregano’s, 4900 E Speedway Blvd., gives you nice outdoor dining and huge helpings of whatever you so choose. The baked sandwiches are perfection and the salads are mountainous, but expect at least a 30 minute wait no matter what time of day you go. Beyond Bread, at several locations across Tucson, is a local goodie with a huge list of unique sandwiches and is good for a quick feast. Saturdays are great Indian buffet days, usually between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Shere Punjab, 853 E Grant Road, could be better; India Oven, 2727 N Campbell Ave., is great; and Cuisine of India, 6751 E Broadway Blvd., will keep you stuffed for hours.

Saturday, 2:00 p.m.

Depending on your preference, I would suggest taking Saturday afternoon to hit a few balls or to hit a few stores. When my brother Mark and his girlfriend Amanda come to town I usually allot the rest of the day to either golf or shopping; I don’t enjoy either, but for some reason, I give into their requests. Randolph Golf Complex, 600 S. Flowers for Alvernon Way, even tempts me to take a few swings on the range and they even offer two different courses if you’d like to take in a round. While the men golf, the women can check out the Park Place Mall just up the road. There’s also a Cost-Plus World Market across the street from the mall, so check in there to find a worldly treasure.

Saturday, 6:00 p.m.

Sick of golf and shopping yet, or is it just me? Ok…check out the Old Pueblo Grille, within a mile of the golf course. It is voted the best outdoor dining in Tucson and you’ll see why. Take in a drink at the lounge or outside and may I suggest the mango margarita, it’s blended to perfection. Stick around for a dinner with a Southwest kick. The Mexican food isn’t out of this world, but it’s such a nice spot for a dinner out, try it anyway.

Saturday, 8:00 p.m.

Chances are there’s a great concert happening downtown at either Club Congress or the Rialto Theatre. Both are great venues and depending on the act, you’ll want to check them out. I’ve seen Keller Williams, OAR, and Gomez rock the historic Rialto and you won’t regret seeing a show there.

Saturday, 11:00 p.m.

While you’re downtown, walk through the Fourth Avenue underpass and hit the bars with the rest of the college crowd on Fourth Ave. The Shanty, Maloney’s, O’Malley’s, and Plush are the favorites...or so I'm told.

Sunday, 2:00 a.m.

Looking for some late night grub after last call? Call ahead and order some pizza and garlic knots from Brooklyn’s Pizza, by far the best pizza in town... take it from an original New Yorker, I know my pizza and knots. If they’re closed, get some Mexican “cuisine” at one of the 24-7 drive-thrus. Del Taco tops my list, but here are some others that Tucsonans swear by.

Sunday, 9:00 a.m.

If you aren’t feeling the aftermath of late night Mexican food, breakfast at Blue Willow, 2616 N Campbell Ave., is supreme. It’s a bit more for the ladies, but men can find some hearty breakfast items, along with the quiche, crepes, and fruit plates.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m.

If you’re craving more shopping, check out La Encantada in the Foothills. It’s a scenic drive to the corner of Skyline and Campbell, where you’ll notice a stark difference in your surroundings compared to central Tucson. Far more BMW’s, Mercedes, and other pretentious automobiles roam the area as the likes of Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and Muttropolis (a boutique simply marketed for your pets…because who doesn’t need a $200 sparkle collar for their pup?) abound. But it’s fun to walk around this open-air mall and the best part is AJ’s Fine Foods. You’ll want to buy absolutely everything you see, but try to resist as the prices are a bit more than the Albertson’s or Fry's you're used to. The wine section is impressive and their beers from around the world will get your tongue wagging. Check their schedule online to see if they have any classes or wine tastings while you’re there. On your way back from La Encantada, you can check out Trader Joe’s for some of the same type of food/drinks at more reasonable prices.

Sunday, 3:00 p.m.

Head back down to the University area for lunch and check out the Frog & Firkin, a Harben family favorite. The pizzas are gigantic, deep-dish style pies and for under $20 you can feed the family for the next few days. They have some great brews, including the Kiltlifter, which might not be that awesome, but the name certainly is.

Sunday, 5:00 p.m.

Before you hit the road (or the air, depending on how you got to T-Town), grab a grande coffee at the Starbucks up the street from the Frog & Firkin. The cute courtyard usually has a fair amount of students mixed with real Tucsonans and will give you that jolt of caffeine you need for the rest of the trip.

So, this itinerary didn’t involve any cacti or baseballs, but hopefully it will help you pick out some things to do in Tucson that you wouldn’t typically find. After three years in the Old Pueblo, I’ve learned a few things— including the term “Old Pueblo,” which is synonymous with Tucson, by the way. Also, I found out Arizona drivers are crazy, there’s a good restaurant around every corner, and the University makes this town tick. If you ever find yourself here, a place I’ve come to call my home away from home, do whatever it is you enjoy: go golfing, watch Spring Training, take a tour of a cacti museum, spend your money in La Encantada, or bum around the University. Just enjoy your fun in the sun, I know I have.

Where to Stay

You better reserve hotels now if you’re coming in for graduation, as most are already booked up for the May 10—May 13 weekend. But if you can snag a spot in any of the following hotels, go for it.

Hotel Congress
Notorious for its alleged haunted status, Hotel Congress is funky, fun, and freaky all in one. The Cup Café is a nice spot for lunch whether you are staying in the hotel or not and Club Congress boasts great performances most weekends. Very vintage with a Southwestern twist of charm, a room at Hotel Congress can run between $59 to $109. The price is reasonable, but only if you can handle the potential for an other worldly experience.

Arizona Inn
Whether you want a deluxe suite or a private residence house, the Arizona Inn is a historic treasure hidden away amidst a cute neighborhood near the University. Considered in the top 50 small US hotels by the Zagat Survey, the Arizona Inn looks to have gorgeous grounds with an impressive interior to match...I of course, cannot afford it, as prices range from $200 up, up, and way up to over $400 a night.

Best Western
An unexpected and crass choice, I know…but the Best Western Royal Sun Inn and Suites at 1015 North Stone Ave. is close to all the action and is surprisingly large at a very reasonable price. For about $100 a night, the BW is close enough to I-10 to be convenient, but far enough away to not be annoying.

Marriott
Forget about the new JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in the middle of no where that was recently built on the outskirts of town, instead book the Marriott University Park at 880 E 2nd St. It’s insanely close to the University—in fact, you’re practically on campus—and it is the perfect place to spend your Marriott points. The starting bid for a room is about $200 per night.