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 visitor from Europe, my preference is always to explore cities by public transport – a goal that is rarely possible in US cities. But Tucson surprised me. The Sun Link Streetcar, which runs a super-convenient 3.9-mile loop from Mercado San Agustín to the University of Arizona, is not only frequent and reliable, but – unlike 99% of public transport anywhere in the world - it’s free. Completely. No coins, no apps, no faffing about. Just hop on and vamos!

Over a long weekend, I rode the streetcar across the city, discovering the heart of a place I came to quickly love: the street art, independent stores and sensational food and breweries that made Tucson such a delight. It’s the rare American city where you can see a ton without needing a car and is all the better for it.

Starting at the Western end of the route, here’s a quick guide to make the most of your time in Tucson without ever needing to reach for the car keys.

Stop One: Lunch at Seis and a Stroll Around Mercado San Agustín

If you’ve ever wondered if ‘love at first sight’ can apply to food, Seis Kitchen (130 South Avenida de Convento, Monday to Sunday 08.00-19.00) will give you a definitive YES for an answer. Housed in the elegant Mercado San Agustin, Seis serves regional Mexican cuisine that’s somehow both refined and incredibly moorish. The Tacos al Pastor put a song in your heart and a smile on your lips (once you’ve finished them!) If you’re an early riser, there’s also an absurdly good Chile Verde Burrito that might make you forever reconsider your breakfast standards. Wash it down with a glass of sweet hibiscus-flavored Jamaica while mariachi covers of Taylor Swift float through the air.

The surrounding boutiques sell a mix of casual fashion and intriguing homeware and are easy to wander through, which is exactly what your lunch-lulled legs will appreciate.

This stop is perfect for easing into the city, with sun on your back, lunch in your belly and a fundamentally great first impression of Tucson. The streetcar stop is directly outside the Mercado and, as the end of the line, is only going one way.

Stop Two: Tucson Arena for a Roadrunners Game

You’ll need to time this right but I can’t think of a better way to spend a Tucson evening (weekdays) or afternoon (weekends) than watching minor league hockey with cactus-edge charm. The Tucson Roadrunners (home games at the Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue) have both the coolest mascot – shout out to Dusty! - I’ve seen in any US sport and the hockey is skilful yet chaotic. The game I attended saw a shoot-out win after a 5-5 draw, which, coming from a soccer culture of 1-0 wins, was superb value for money.

The arena itself is easily navigable and you’ll be delighted by not needing to spend time in a soul-draining parking garage looking for a spot. You hop off the streetcar, grab a locally brewed beer, and you’re in your seat before the Zamboni has finished its loop. If you're lucky, you'll catch a promotion night - think dollar hot dogs or St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts. Even if you’re not a sports person, there’s something universally thrilling about cold air, a fired-up crowd, and the very real possibility of a gloves-off brawl by the second period.

The season runs October to April – schedule here and pick up your tickets here.

Stop Three: The Presidio Area, History and Murals

One stop on from the Tucson Arena, Presidio District is where Tucson puts on its historical pants. This part of town blends the city’s Spanish colonial roots, territorial grit, and a distinctly modern fondness for street art.

Start with a wander through the reconstructed Presidio San Agustín del Tucson (196 N. Court Avenue, Tuesday to Sunday 10.00-16.00), which offers a compact but compelling look at the modern city’s 18th-century origins. There’s a cannon, adobe walls, and very knowledgeable volunteers who are full of stories and anecdotes about distant and recent history, with the air of a relative updating you on the family gossip.

Outside, street art bursts out of alleyways and building walls with a brash yet charming confidence. You could follow an informal guide or just wander – you literally cannot miss it. You’ll know the Desert Colossus mural (177 N. Church Avenue) when you see it: it’s over 11 stories tall (the tallest mural in Arizona) and looms over the barrio like a sentinel. The Running of the Piñatas mural (31 N. 6^th Avenue), my favourite, is candy-spilling chaos, a childhood fever dream rendered in latex paint.

It’s history, but with better colour grading.

Stop Four: Proper Shops on 3rd Avenue

My grandmother was always a fan of “proper shops” – independent stores where you were supporting local traders and had a decent chance of picking up a one-of-a-kind item. She would definitely have approved of this collective local of artisans on 5^th Avenue - galleries, ceramic stores and quirky eateries. Once again, the streetcar drops you almost directly in front of the location.

You’ll find vintage furniture that give you ideas far beyond your luggage capacity, ceramics made by someone who definitely owns more than one succulent and even a delightful cocktail bar within the Tucson Gallery (300 E Congress Street, Weds and Thurs 11.00-18.00, Fri and Sat 11.00-22.00, Sun 11.00-17.00). The spiked Pink Lemonade is a delight on a warm afternoon. This is the place for the discerning rummager—the person who enjoys the thrill of finding a handmade leather wallet or an obscure book on desert flora, with friendly and knowledgeable staff on hand to support wherever needed.

It's all delightfully unpretentious and unhurried and for a visitor looking for an authentically Tucsonian souvenir, you can’t do better.

Stop Five: The Heart of 4^th Avenue

Another short hop (literally one stop) on the streetcar takes you to 4^th Avenue. This is where Tucson lets its hair down (which is probably dyed teal and full of glitter). The vibe here is part bohemian, part student shenanigans and a ‘greatest hits’ of what you’ve seen so far, with street art, independent stores, craft bars and coffee shops jostling for prime position.

As a self-confessed bookworm, I can’t speak highly enough of Antigone Books (411 N. 4^th Avenue, Tues-Sat 11.00-19.00, Sun 11.00-17.00) an indie institution that’s feminist, fiercely local, and entirely solar-powered since before it was cool. It’s the kind of place where you can pick up a novel, a graphic tote bag, and a tea towel covered in literary quotes, all while eavesdropping on two Masters’ students debating the ethics of time travel. The thrift stores a few doors down are equally enticing – the full costume sections are jaw-dropping for anyone in need of a last-minute party outfit (Renaissance? Western? Royalty? They’ve got you covered).

Stop Six: University of Arizona Museums

Your final stop is where Tucson quietly shows off its brain. The University of Arizona is home to a beautiful campus with several genuinely impressive museums, all within easy walking distance of the streetcar stop.

Start with the Center for Creative Photography (1030 N. Olive Road, Weds-Sat 10.00-16.30), which houses work by icons like David Hume Kennerley. It’s free, thought-provoking (and air-conditioned) and hosts both permanent and visiting displays. Kennerley’s candid albums of the US Presidency over five decades alone are worth the visit.

Currently closed for refurbishment but scheduled to reopen in 2026, the Arizona State Museum (1013 E. University Boulevard) is also worth a visit for an unparalleled look at the Indigenous cultures of the Southwest. Their collection of pottery alone is vast, beautiful, and humbling and tells a 4,000-year-old story of the original inhabitants of this corner of the world.

The remainder of the campus is lovely for a stroll, full of citrus trees and students hurrying to and from class (or pretending to). Shaded benches make this an ideal point to take a seat and reflect on a superb day exploring the heart of downtown Tucson without paying a cent for parking or searching in vain for spaces. The innovative, rapid and reliable streetcar sets Tucson apart and is the ideal way to unlock the history, culture and cuisine of this fantastic city.