Embracing Tucson: The Ultimate 3-Day Experience in the Southwest

Tucson is the second largest city in the state of Arizona. It is located just 60 miles from the border with Mexico. The city was founded as a military post by the Spanish in 1775. The United States acquired it along with the rest of Arizona as part of the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. Today, Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona.

The beaty of the Sonoran Desert makes Tucson a great place to visit and a desirable one for retirement and second home ownership.

You can reach Tucson by flying directly into it or by driving for about two hours from Phoenix. We chose to drive and enjoyed the beautiful desert landscapes.

Where to stay in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson offers both hotels and airbnbs; where you stay depends on your preference and budget. Here are some of our favorites:

• Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Resort – the location of this hotel alone is a good enough reason to stay here, but there is so much more we love about the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. The accommodations, food, service, and experiences are of the highest quality! And you can choose to relax and stay on premises and have a full vacation, including excellent hiking just off the hotel grounds. For more details, see our in-depth review of the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Resort.
• Miraval Arizona – for an ultimate and a very luxurious stay, Miraval should definitely be on your list. This was the original Miraval resort, and since its success the company has expanded in other states. A stay at Miraval Arizona is focused on creating a life of balance through mindfulness. The price per night is pretty steep, but it includes your stay, food and a long list of wellness experiences. The resort consistently receives high reviews and is viewed as a dream destination.
  *Of note is that staying at Miraval Arizona means staying in a device-free environment, a total unplug from electronics and focus on rejuvenation.
• Canyon Ranch Tucson Arizona – another all-inclusive wellness resort with a focus on your wellbeing and rejuvenation. You can expect top notch accommodations, fitness classes, hiking right off the premises of the resort, exceptional spa services and much more.
• Tanque Verde Ranch – for something unique and different, try this all-inclusive family resort. Nestled in the Richon Mountains, the resort provides comfortable accommodations, a spa, and a variety of activities including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and more. If you are looking for an active family vacation in the desert, this place might be a great match.

Day 1 in Tucson, Arizona

Hike the Sonoran Desert

Undoubtedly one of the main reasons to visit Tucson is the opportunity to hike the Sonoran Desert. There are so many trails to choose from at every experience level that you will not struggle to find trails for you.

One of our discoveries on this trip was that you can hike to different desert waterfalls and enjoy both the exercise and sweat as well as the cooldown at the end, or in some cases a dip in the water along the way.

One of our favorite hikes was the Seven Falls hike. In spite of being one of the more popular hikes in Tucson, we didn’t feel that it was crowded at any point. The desert landscape views are just spectacular, and the hike is long but moderate in difficulty.

A few things of note:

• Hike distance – 8.2 miles
• Elevation – 912 feet
• Average time to hike the trail – 3 1/2 to 4 hours
• Start at the Sabino Canyon Visitors Center
• Take the shuttle from Visitor Center to an area near the start of the trailhead if you want to shorten the distance by about a mile
• No drinking water along the trail so bring plenty of water for desert hiking!!! (Last refill available at trailhead)
• Bring a bathing suit and a towel and be sure to dip in the mountain falls; so refreshing at the mid-point of a long hike
• Apply plenty of sunscreen and wear a good hat
• Bring plenty of food and snacks as it is a long hike
• $5 fee to park at the Visitor Center
• No pets allowed

We absolutely loved this hike and highly recommend it. 🌵❤️

Enjoy pool time and relaxation

After a long hike, take some time to rest by a desert pool, if you have that option. It feels so good for both your muscles and soul.

Day 2 in Tucson, Arizona

Hike Tanque Verde Falls

Now that you have some desert hiking experience, we recommend going on one of this second group of our favorite hikes, or doing all three if you feel like it.

Of note:

• Hiking in the Tanque Verde Falls area is free. We felt that the trails were a little less marked than usual but still relatively easy to find and follow.
• The trails are considered moderately difficult, but they are a bit shorter and steeper than the hike to Seven Falls.
• Enter Tangue Verde Falls in your GPS; drive east towards the Redington Pass; once the road turns into a dirt road watch for the trailhead parking lot on the left.
• Bring plenty of water as there are no refill stations available.
• Apply plenty of sunscreen and wear a good hat.
• Bring a bathing suit and a towel if you intend to dip in the water.

The total time of all three hikes depends on how fit you are and how much time you decide to spend in each area. It took us about four hours to do all three hikes and not rush any part.

Hike 1 – Tanque Verde Falls Beach hike

The start of the Tanque Verde Falls Beach trailhead is about a 1/2 mile up the road from the parking area on your right side. Usually, there are cars parked near the start of the trail and that will be your biggest marker when looking for the trailhead. One other thing to note before you choose this trail is that the beach is one of Arizona’s nude beaches and it is likely that you will encounter nude hikers along the way; we did, but just one group. 😊 Let this not deter you; this is a beautiful and somewhat easy hike, and we definitely recommend it.

Hike 2 – Upper Tanque Verde Falls hike

The start of the Upper Tanque Verde Falls hike is to the right of the Tanque Verde Falls Beach hike. It is a moderately steep hike with views that are simply stunning, and the exercise is great (it is pretty steep on the way back). At the bottom of the hill, you can choose to go down the canyon over boulders. You will find plenty of mountain water pools to dip yourself in and refresh. We really enjoyed this hike.

Hike 3 – Lower Tanque Verde Falls hike

The start of the Lower Tanque Verde hike is right across from the parking lot on the right side of the road. We felt this was the most difficult of the three hikes, as once you are at the bottom of the hill you will have to traverse boulders of various sizes and hike up the riverbed. When we were there (early May), there was not much water in the river, which made hiking this part easier and not slippery. However, it was still a challenging hike and a great workout.

We saw plenty of fish in the water and it was really refreshing to dip our toes after a good sweat.

Be sure to pay close attention to the place that you exit the hill side of the trail and are standing in the river canyon because you will need to know where to re-enter the trail on the way back. We felt that the trail was not well marked at this point.

A great hike overall and one we highly recommend.

Venture into Tucson

Tucson is a charming city with its own personality. It felt quirky and artistic, and it had great food just about everywhere we tried it (see the Where to eat in Tucson section).

Here are a few things to choose from while in Tucson:

• Visit downtown Tucson and marvel at great street art
• Stop by the Mercado San Augustin – sample excellent food and visit local artisanal shops
• Take yourself on a self-guided tour of downtown Tucson

• Visit the Tucson Museum of Art and/or the Children’s Museum Tucson
• Stop by the Sonoran Desert Museum

Day 3 in Tucson, Arizona

Do a shorter morning hike

One thing is for sure: wherever you are staying in Tucson, chances are there are plenty of hikes around you. So, take the morning and enjoy the sunrise, fresh desert air, and magnificent views one last time for this trip.

Enjoy a day at the spa

After days of hiking, a well-deserved day at the spa is in order. There are plenty of great options, but our favorite remains the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. If you are staying at the hotel, be sure to book a treatment that will give you all day access to the spa. If you are not staying at the resort, you can still make an appointment and enjoy a day of relaxation and rejuvenation. You can read our Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain spa review here.

Where to eat in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. This distinction is given to places which honor history through food. Tucson prides itself on telling a story combining Mexican and Native American food traditions. I have to say that we absolutely loved the foods we tried while visiting the city.

Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Tucson:

Favorite Mexican food restaurants

• La Indita Mexican restaurant – a small establishment that specializes in Mexican and Native American fare. Very unpretentious and so, so good. If you eat meat, be sure to try the Carne Seca lunch or dinner – a very special preparation is used in this dish and the staff is eager to tell you about how they make it. You can also try it in a taco or an omelet. The menu is full of specialty items that you can only try at La Indita. Additionally, try their house margaritas – wow! We highly recommend this restaurant. 😋
• Rollies Mexican Patio – we stumbled upon Rollies while trying to pick a place on the very special 23 Miles of Tacos in Tucson. It is an area in town peppered with small restaurants that are often very funky. The locals will tell you that this is the best Mexican food area north of the border. And what we tried certainly lived up to the bill. Try any of their famous rollies, birria ramen, and as many street-style tacos as you can handle. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from the staff. 😋
• Seis Kitchen Mercado San Augustin – a family-owned restaurant that has expanded to three locations in town. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner and enjoy cuisine inspired by six regions of Mexico. We liked the Mercado San Augustine location. 😋

Other favorites

• La Estrella Mexican Bakery – also at Mercado San Augustine this is another family-owned business. Enjoy freshly made Mexican breads and rolls and a large variety of sweet pastries, including hebillas, elotes and so much more. Grab a coffee and sit on one of the many tables outside. Ask away, as the staff will gladly explain what you are about to taste. 😋
• Dove Mountain Brewing Company – if you are in the Dove Mountain area, we highly recommend a stop at this establishment. Enjoy a really long list of locally crafted beers or their full bar. Additionally, we found the food to be super tasty. The restaurant’s chef, Roberto Villarreal, has crafted a menu which emphasizes local ingredients and freshness. We absolutely loved their tacos, which you can order on flour or corn tortillas. 😋
• Ignite Lounge and Bar at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain – this was a favorite place to hang out after a long day of hiking. You can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains while sipping on signature cocktails. The food we tried was also fantastic. Some of our favorites included the Achiote Cauliflower, Corn Esquite and their Buffalo Tacos. Also, be sure to try their Prickly Pear Margarita – so good. 😋

If you have more time in Tucson, Arizona

There is a lot to do in the Tucson area and, if you have more time, consider adding some of the following activities to your list:

• Hike the Sentinel Peak of “A Mountain” for 360-degree views of the city
• Do some shopping – with so many artisans working in Tucson, you are sure to find many locally produced and unique treasures. Check out Mast – one of our favorite stores in the Mercado San Augustin
• If you are traveling with kids, visit the Tucson Children’s Museum and if you love art, visit the Tucson Museum of Art established in 1924
• Hike Mount Lemon – the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains with a summit of 9,159 feet
• Visit the Steward Observatory at the Mount Lemon SkyCenter – it houses two of the largest telescopes in the Southwest available to the public. Book a ticket to SkyNights and learn from real astronomers.
• Take a drive and visit southern Arizona wineries and sample some local wines. A visit to Wilcox, AZ will give you plenty of opportunities to explore some Arizona wines. 75% of the wines produced in the state come from this region located only 1 hour away from Tucson. We also like the Milics Vineyards located in Elgin, AZ for a truly unique experience in the area.

What we loved about Tucson, Arizona

• Beautiful nature everywhere you look 🌵❤️
• Excellent hiking with some surprising destination points – desert waterfalls ❤️
• The food – wow, it was so good everywhere we went 😋
• The laid back and artistic feeling of the city of Tucson – a very unique and special vibe
• Tucson didn’t feel very touristy and crowded at all
• Locals who are proud of their food and heritage and gladly share if you ask
• A place to relax and rejuvenate – desert vacation at its finest

What to bring

Tucson felt very casual and relaxed. You don’t need to bring high heels or fancy dresses, unless you are celebrating a special occasion. However, do bring:

• Layers of clothing as the weather changes a bit in the canyons
• Comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking
• Hiking boots if you plan to do some hiking
• A good hat of your choice
• A bathing suit or two, as you will most likely spend some time by a pool.
• Sunscreen and bug spray. For sunscreen we like this one, this one and this one and for a green bug spray we like this one and this one
• Sunglasses. Right now, we love this and this pair.
• A good water bottle as you need constant hydration in the desert.
• Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.

In closing, we loved our three-day visit to Tucson, Arizona. It felt like just about the right amount of time to spend in the area and enjoy the natural beauty, landscapes, and all that Tucson has to offer. We definitely plan to return and explore more of this beautiful part of the United States.

Additional resources and inspirations

Here are some links to additional resources you might find useful and inspirational for your trip to Tucson, Arizona:

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