Vacations Blog

This “local expert” post on Tucson is written by Kay Wehunt. Kay and her husband, Bill, lived in Tucson from 1999-2005 and according to her, would still be there if they hadn’t gotten homesick for Texas. I loved reading her wonderful recommendations that capture Tucson’s “old-world charm” and my mouth is now watering for fry-bread tacos and delicious Sonoran food. Kay and her husband are also avid world travelers and you can see photos of many of their adventures at this website. Enjoy!

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of the Tucson metro area and its residents?

Historic, Hispanic-influenced, artistic, casual, fitness-conscious

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Tucson?

The foothills area just below the Santa Catalina mountains is home to some of the city’s wealthiest citizens. The homes are architectural jewels and the views are magnificent. Any part of the northeast section of the city north of River Road. Some prefer the older homes just west of the downtown area near the University. Most of the old barrio was mostly torn down in an urban renewal project.

3. Which cuisine do you think Tucson does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant(s))

Tucson is Sonoran Mexican-food heaven. From the original El Charro on Court St. on the north side of the downtown area (be sure to see the carne seca beef drying in strips in cages on the roof) to elegant four-star dining at the Loew’s Ventana Canyon hotel’s premier restaurant, you can’t find a bad meal if you try. My favorite casual restaurant is Guillermo’s Double L at 1830 South 4th St. A Tucson institution. And be sure to ask for a fried egg on top of your meal–then they’ll know you are serious about your food.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

Just 26 miles north and 45 minutes away is Mount Lemmon. At over 9,000 feet above the desert plain, it provides a cool contrast to the Tucson landscape. If you are a little more pressed for time, visit Sabino Canyon. There is a museum and there are short hiking trails with gorgeous views and unusual topography. For $4 one can ride the tram up and down the entire canyon.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

Whatever you like, you can find it in Tucson. From concerts and Broadway plays at the University of Arizona, to casinos and pop concerts, to rodeos, to local theater, to marvelous galleries of Southwestern art known world-wide–there is no shortage of entertainment and lots of diversity for all tastes.

6. List the best family friendly activity.

The Arizona Desert Museum on the west side of town is fascinating for all ages. See desert animals in environmentally correct enclosures. All displays are kid-friendly while being informative and interesting to adults, too.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

No question that Hacienda del Sol would be the perfect small hotel for a quiet, romantic getaway. Lots of Southwest flavor in the 1930’s buildings with modern amenities. The restaurant is outstanding.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about– In three sentences or less.

Start off with an early morning visit to Saguaro National Park to see the distinctive giant cactus only found in Arizona. Have a late breakfast at the Arizona Inn founded in the 1930’s. Great food and service with loads of charm. Head for the Desert Museum to see anything you missed in your long visit. Go south of Tucson to San Xavier del Bac, the oldest mission in the United States. Nicknamed the White Dove of the Desert, it sits in regal splendor on the Tohono O’otham Indian reservation just off the southwest side of town. A lunch of Indian fry-bread tacos and a coke at the mission (remember that big breakfast?) and head for the Tucson Zoo, small enough to be a pleasant walk but large enough to have really great animals. Finish the day at Guillermo’s Double L for a casual day or at any of the more elegant restaurants whose chefs are revered like rock stars in this cuisine-savvy city. Finish the day at Gates Pass, watching some of the best sunsets to be seen anywhere.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

On the Saturday before Easter at the church on the Pascua Yaqui reservation, the tribe performs religious dances celebrating the resurrection of Christ. No cameras, recorders, or sketchbooks allowed. Bring your own chairs and stay for the hours of ritual or as much as you can absorb. It is a unique, artistic, compelling spectacle.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

“When is the best time to visit Tucson?”

Most tourists like Tucson best in March and April. Moderate temperatures are appealing. Also, three major-league baseball teams do their spring training in Tucson at that time.
For less expensive accomodations and smaller crowds, brave the heat and visit in August. The monsoon rains cool off the temperatures and provide spectacular lightning shows.

Whenever you visit, the old-world charm of Tucson will be waiting to greet you.

Do you have a town that you would like to write about? E-mail us or comment on this post and you could be our next “local expert”!

Thanks to Eflon for the wonderful Saguaro cactus picture!

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