What’s New in Tucson
April 2007
New ExpressJet Flights—ExpressJet Airlines has expanded its service at Tucson International Airport (TIA). On April 2, the airline began nonstop service to five new destinations: Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Kansas City, Mo; and Ontario and Sacramento, Calif. By June 4, the airline will be up to 10 nonstop flights a day to the five destinations, and will have one-stop direct flights to New Orleans and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Tickets are available through the airline’s website, www.xjet.com and www.AirTucson.com. Tucson International Airport is now served by 12 airlines and provides nonstop service to 24 destinations in the continental United States and Mexico. For Tucson air travel information, visit the website of Tucson International Airport, www.tucsonairport.org.
New American Cuisine in the Old Pueblo—Four award-winning chefs recently opened VINTabla, a kitschy restaurant with an on-site wine and gourmet food store in Tucson’s fashionable Catalina Foothills shopping, dining and gallery district. Located in Plaza Colonial, VINTabla’s smart combination of tapas-style cuisine, a unique wine list and an affordable retail market are an instant hit with locals and visitors alike. The “approachable and affordable New American small-plates and sharing restaurant” serves an eclectic menu reflecting the tastes of the four partner-chefs; including two James Beard award-winners, and one of only two female master sommeliers in the United States. Diners can watch the chefs at work from open kitchen tables or enjoy the indoor, patio or bar seating. For more information, call (520) 577-6210 or visit www.vintabla.com.
Sonoran Desert National Geographic MapGuide Published—National Geographic Society and Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) introduced the official National Geographic Arizona-Sonora Desert Region Geotourism MapGuide this month. The new MapGuide is the society’s first bi-national effort, featuring information that highlights the cuisine, people, attractions, events and customs that distinguish the Sonoran Desert region surrounding the US/Mexico border. Included are 150 geotourism locations, 84 of which are found in Southern Arizona. The MapGuide, as well as other Arizona geotourism locations, is available online at the AOT consumer website, www.ArizonaGuide.com, as part of the state’s new Arizona Origins campaign. Limited amounts of the MapGuide are available at visitor centers throughout Southern Arizona, and at www.ArizonaGuide.com.
Twice as Many Summer Movies—Movie fans in Tucson can select from two film series this summer. The Cinema La Placita Outdoor Film series will screen classic movies under the stars every Thursday, beginning at sundown, May through October, at Church Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. The season begins Thursday, May 4, with The Wild One starring Marlon Brando. Admission is free, but a $3 donation at the popcorn table keeps the films rolling. For recorded information, call (520) 326-5282, or email outdoormovies@hotmail.com. Just in time for long summer days, the historic Fox Tucson Theatre will return with its Summer Classic Movie Series. The recently renovated 1930s movie palace will showcase mostly family-friendly, classic films, June–August. The schedule will be posted on the theater’s website in mid-May. General admission tickets will be available at Ticketmaster and at the theater’s box office, 17 W. Congress St., for $8 per person, with discounts for students and seniors. For more information, see www.FoxTucsonTheatre.org.
Tour of Contemporary Galleries—Members of the Central Tucson Gallery Association (CTGA) kick off their summer shows at the Summer Art Cruise, Saturday, June 2. At this family-friendly event, nine galleries in Tucson’s Downtown, Warehouse and Fourth Avenue districts will be open for public viewing, beginning at 10 a.m., and for hosting artists’ receptions, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Original art will be presented in a variety of media including paintings, clay, glass or bronze sculptures, photography and more. Many of Tucson’s top contemporary artists will be present. Refreshments will be served at the evening receptions. Maps and schedules will be available two weeks prior to the event at participating galleries, and at the Tucson/Pima Arts Council office, 10 E. Broadway Blvd. A brochure listing the CTGA galleries is available at the Tucson Visitor Center at La Placita Village, 100 S. Church Ave. For more information, call Davis Dominguez Gallery, (520) 629-9759.
International Hispanic Games—Tucson hosts an Olympic-style sporting competition for amateur athletes from the United States and Mexico, June 14-17. The multi-sport Olympic festival is open to athletes of all ages and abilities and will occupy venues throughout metropolitan Tucson. There will be competitions for individuals and teams in 14 sports: baseball, basketball, BMX bike racing, boxing, cycling, dodgeball, flag football, golf, handball, youth and adult soccer, swimming, tennis and weight lifting. Registration is available online. The International Hispanic Games is organized by the Fulton Homes Grand Canyon State Games, in partnership with the Arizona-Mexico Commission. For more information, contact the organizers at (480) 517-9700, or www.gcsg.org.
Museum of Classic Cars—A small museum in north-central Tucson is a must-see for every American antique car buff. The main attraction is the Franklin, one of the most innovative, luxury automobiles of the classic era of the late-1920s and 1930s. The late Thomas H. Hubbard, of Tucson – a well-known auto restorer and car-history buff, and leading authority on the Franklin automobile – started the Franklin Museum. The museum has at least 18 models on display, all original or fully restored, built between 1910 and 1934. The museum, which is located in a residential neighborhood, is open mid-October through May. Actual hours vary due to scarcity of staff volunteers. No admission charge. Donations welcome. To schedule a visit, call (520) 326-8038, or e-mail FranklinMuseum@aol.com.
Hot Vacation Specials—Summer is coming to Southern Arizona, and with it discounts at hotels, resorts and ranches. At the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, golfers can play as much as they like with the Unlimited Golf package, which includes a deluxe room and access to the 27-hole Arnold Palmer signature golf course, for $199/single, $229/double, per room/per night. The historic Arizona Inn is offering a Vintage Summer Special, with a full breakfast and access to amenities like a poolside ice cream fountain, and the famed Audubon piano bar, for $169/per weekday night, $189/per weekend night. Just 45 miles south of Tucson, the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa is offering two specials, Sunday–Thursday: the Summer Friends and Family includes a casita with two queen beds and a Posada with two queen beds, for $199/per night; the Ultimate Summer Golf Getaway includes accommodations and unlimited golf for two players for $159/per night. For details, visit the hotels' websites or www.visitTucson.org.
Tucson Super Savers Returns—Value-conscious travelers can take advantage of off-peak season rates at many of the area’s most celebrated getaways by making reservations through www.TucsonSuperSavers.com. Look for details online, May 1; savings apply to rooms booked from May 15 through September 1, 2007. Everyone booking a room through the Super Savers program receives a complimentary Tucson Attractions Passport, the pocket guide to discounts at Tucson–area museums, parks, gardens, galleries, attractions and more. Details are at www.TucsonPassport.com.
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