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SWSBO & I did a quick few days in Tucson, thought I’d give y’all a short review of places to go or avoid as you see fit.
Casa Grande Ruins (Florence/Coolidge): A pass through, not a destination in & of itself. A prehistoric structure that nobody seems to know what its original purpose was, but worth a quick stop if you’re passing by. A free national monument, I always found the ramada it sits under the most impressive part.
Biosphere 2 (Oracle): A glorious failure of a scientific experiment, it’s quite worthwhile if you’ve never been. If you have (particularly when Columbia University managed it), don’t bother returning. U of Arizona now manages it, and while they’ve dumped a ton of money into it, it seems a bit too curated and corporatized for my tastes.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: A must-see. Go on cooler/cloudier days. It can be brutal during the summer months. I first went in 1965, and it hasn’t lost its allure.
Tohono Chul Botanical Garden: Punches way above its weight. Super pleasant way to spend a few hours. If you have an AHA membership, its free!
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures: OK, this was just the coolest little unknown secret we found. You may not care for each exhibit, but you’ll come away impressed nonetheless. Just go. You won’t regret it.
A couple dining recommendations: First, La Frida. Somewhere between traditional and modern upscale Mexican (Sonora/Baja), it’s worth every bite. Their birria is perfect.
And you can’t visit Tucson without a proper western steak dinner at Pinnacle Peak. Flame-grilled over mesquite, I’ve been getting my beef on there for over 50 years. If you’re a steak lover, it’s a must-visit. Loosen your belt partner, it’ll a hearty night. It’s a pretty fancy joint, though, so don’t show up without a tie.
Casa Grande Ruins (Florence/Coolidge): A pass through, not a destination in & of itself. A prehistoric structure that nobody seems to know what its original purpose was, but worth a quick stop if you’re passing by. A free national monument, I always found the ramada it sits under the most impressive part.
Biosphere 2 (Oracle): A glorious failure of a scientific experiment, it’s quite worthwhile if you’ve never been. If you have (particularly when Columbia University managed it), don’t bother returning. U of Arizona now manages it, and while they’ve dumped a ton of money into it, it seems a bit too curated and corporatized for my tastes.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: A must-see. Go on cooler/cloudier days. It can be brutal during the summer months. I first went in 1965, and it hasn’t lost its allure.
Tohono Chul Botanical Garden: Punches way above its weight. Super pleasant way to spend a few hours. If you have an AHA membership, its free!
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures: OK, this was just the coolest little unknown secret we found. You may not care for each exhibit, but you’ll come away impressed nonetheless. Just go. You won’t regret it.
A couple dining recommendations: First, La Frida. Somewhere between traditional and modern upscale Mexican (Sonora/Baja), it’s worth every bite. Their birria is perfect.
And you can’t visit Tucson without a proper western steak dinner at Pinnacle Peak. Flame-grilled over mesquite, I’ve been getting my beef on there for over 50 years. If you’re a steak lover, it’s a must-visit. Loosen your belt partner, it’ll a hearty night. It’s a pretty fancy joint, though, so don’t show up without a tie.
