Exploring Tucson’s Indigenous Heritage and Communities

For over 4,000 years, the Sonoran Desert has been home to thriving Indigenous communities, from the ancient Hohokam to the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui peoples. Today, Tucson is still very much a living part of this heritage. This itinerary highlights Indigenous-led businesses and cultural sites…

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How to Experience the Tucson Gem Show Like a Local

The internationally renowned Tucson Gem Show is a world of discovery, whether you come for rare specimens, handcrafted jewelry or the energy of more than 50 shows spread across the city. The showcase has been held annually since 1955 and now draws over 113,000 visitors from around the globe. This…

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Where to Find the Best Tamales in Tucson

Tucson is widely recognized as a culinary capital of the Southwest. It’s home to the flavors, traditions and cultures that represent the best of the region. The humble tamale is a prime example. These golden pouches of masa and filling, perfectly steamed in corn husk wrappings, feature ingredients…

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Mexican Independence and Tucson – The Tucsonense Connection

By Mauro Trejo (Trejo's Tucson Walking Tours) El 16 de septiembre (September 16) marks the beginning of Mexico’s War of Independence in 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo’s call to arms ignited the movement that would eventually free Mexico from Spanish rule. Over time, it has also become a…

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Beyond the Walls: The Significance of Tucson’s Presidio at 250

By Mauro Trejo (Trejo's Tucson Walking Tours) As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Tucson Presidio and celebrate thousands of years of vibrant culture here, it is worth taking a look at what the Presidio was and why it is so important to our history. On August 20, 1775…

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Discover Tucson’s Legendary Night Skies with Bettymaya Foott

Article by DarkSky International (Website, Instagram, Facebook) Tucson has a well-earned reputation as one of the best places in the world to experience the night sky. Whether you’re an amateur stargazer, a professional astrophotographer, or someone who simply loves being outdoors after dark…

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Living History in Barrio Viejo

When you stroll through the sun-washed streets of Barrio Viejo in Tucson, Arizona, you’re traveling back in time. Barrio Viejo—Spanish for “Old Neighborhood”—is a living testament to Tucson’s multicultural heritage, vibrant community spirit, and unique architectural legacy. This historic…

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Jackie Daytona

Tucson, Arizonia’s Legendary Regular Human Bartender Tucson is no stranger to quirky art, but few murals have captured the city’s collective heart like the one of Jackie Daytona at 191 E. Toole Avenue. This Danny Martin original pays tribute to the life of Jackie Daytona, regular human bartender and…

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Bacanora-The Sonoran Desert Spirit

Sip Sonora’s once‑forbidden mezcal What Exactly Is Bacanora? Born in the rocky hills of neighboring Sonora, Mexico, Bacanora is an artisanal spirit distilled from the agave angustifolia plant, native to the rugged terrains of Sonora. Unlike tequila, which uses blue weber agave, bacanora is crafted…

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No Car, No Problem: Tucson by Streetcar

Article by Phil Thomas, Travel Blogger, Someone Else’s Country. (Website, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky) I arrived in Tucson for a conference knowing precisely three things: it’s in southern Arizona, it’s very sunny, and it has saguaros everywhere. Not exactly a deep cultural understanding. As a…

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