Adeena’s guidebook
Food scene
Locally sourced, excellent food, good coffee, great pastries. They host a farmers market on Sundays.
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Five Points Market & Restaurant
756 S Stone AveLocally sourced, excellent food, good coffee, great pastries. They host a farmers market on Sundays.
Housed in a territorial landmark in historic and iconic Barrio Viejo, Coronet offfers terrific fine dining--wonderful quiet bar. Live music ( I used to play there, and may again sometime.) Just over a mile from my place.
78 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Coronet
198 W Cushing StHoused in a territorial landmark in historic and iconic Barrio Viejo, Coronet offfers terrific fine dining--wonderful quiet bar. Live music ( I used to play there, and may again sometime.) Just over a mile from my place.
Such good Mexican food by a local family who has been in the business for decades. Great beer selection. Hidden gem. Just a couple blocks from my place.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Torero Restaurant
231 E 26th StSuch good Mexican food by a local family who has been in the business for decades. Great beer selection. Hidden gem. Just a couple blocks from my place.
Cafe Desta
758 S Stone AveGood Ethiopian food, just over a mile from my place.
Monsoon makes fancy chocolates, and also serves food. I think they have homemade savory marshmallows...
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Monsoon Chocolate
234 E 22nd StMonsoon makes fancy chocolates, and also serves food. I think they have homemade savory marshmallows...
Nothing fancy, authentic taqueria has been in the neighborhood for decades. BEST FISH TACOS.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taqueria Pico De Gallo
2618 S 6th AveNothing fancy, authentic taqueria has been in the neighborhood for decades. BEST FISH TACOS.
The real deal. Cheap and high in fat. So good. Apson stands for Agua Prieta, Sonora, where the owners hail from.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Los Tacos Apson
3501 S 12th AveThe real deal. Cheap and high in fat. So good. Apson stands for Agua Prieta, Sonora, where the owners hail from.
Just off 4th Avenue shopping district--hands down my favorite coffee. Watch out, it's a lighter roast than you may be used to.
104 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Exo Roast Co
403 N 6th AveJust off 4th Avenue shopping district--hands down my favorite coffee. Watch out, it's a lighter roast than you may be used to.
Now called El Crisol, if you're into agave spirits, this place is pretty special.
104 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Exo Roast Co
403 N 6th AveNow called El Crisol, if you're into agave spirits, this place is pretty special.
Classy little bar between my place and downtown. Dimly lit, with a nice sitting room.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Owls Club
236 S Scott AveClassy little bar between my place and downtown. Dimly lit, with a nice sitting room.
Just your basic bar, literally right down the street ( a few blocks.)
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Saint Charles Tavern
1632 S 4th AveJust your basic bar, literally right down the street ( a few blocks.)
Food Conspiracy Co-op
412 N 4th AveIt's the coop.
Surrounded by local shops. Historic neighborhood.
101 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
LaCo Tucson | Outdoor Downtown Tucson Restaurant
76 N Court AveSurrounded by local shops. Historic neighborhood.
Sightseeing
Located on the Tohoho O'Odham Nation, this adobe church was established by Father Kino. People still go to church there. You may be able to buy frybread outside, cooked on mesquite fires, under mesquite shade structures.
329 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier RdLocated on the Tohoho O'Odham Nation, this adobe church was established by Father Kino. People still go to church there. You may be able to buy frybread outside, cooked on mesquite fires, under mesquite shade structures.
The high point of Tucson Mountain park. Easy to drive to. Just northwest of here, Tucson Mountain park is the closest place to see the Sonoran Desert: saguaro cacti, creosote bush, jojoba, ironwood trees, and ocatillo. In the summer you may see tarantulas, maybe a desert tortoise, and lots of rattle snakes.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gates Pass Scenic Lookout
7799 W Gates Pass RdThe high point of Tucson Mountain park. Easy to drive to. Just northwest of here, Tucson Mountain park is the closest place to see the Sonoran Desert: saguaro cacti, creosote bush, jojoba, ironwood trees, and ocatillo. In the summer you may see tarantulas, maybe a desert tortoise, and lots of rattle snakes.
I've been running this trail for over a decade. It never gets old.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
David Yetman West Trailhead
6475 W Gates Pass RdI've been running this trail for over a decade. It never gets old.
I have never actually been here, but I hear it's spectacular.
96 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-DeGrazia Gallery kwi-Sun Museum
6300 N Swan RdI have never actually been here, but I hear it's spectacular.
Antigone Books
411 N 4th AveFeminist bookstore.
Tucson Thrift Shop
319 N 4th AveOne of my favorite herb shops in the country. Smells so good.
Neighborhoods
Though it's less than two miles from my place, I haven't listed anything downtown, because it's its own scene. Once you get there, you can just walk around, though there is a trolley system just for that small area, linked also to the University area. If you go downtown, I recommend Historic Hotel Congress (good food and drink), Elvira's (fine Mexican), Cafe Poca Cosa (fine Mexican), and Empire Pizza (cheap). All the recommendations I've provided are quieter, locally owned and more out of the way--either closer to my place than downtown, or just west or north of it.
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Downtown
Though it's less than two miles from my place, I haven't listed anything downtown, because it's its own scene. Once you get there, you can just walk around, though there is a trolley system just for that small area, linked also to the University area. If you go downtown, I recommend Historic Hotel Congress (good food and drink), Elvira's (fine Mexican), Cafe Poca Cosa (fine Mexican), and Empire Pizza (cheap). All the recommendations I've provided are quieter, locally owned and more out of the way--either closer to my place than downtown, or just west or north of it.
Head shops, clothes boutiques, lots of cafes, pizza, burgers, ice cream, independent bookstores, etc. It's the shopping district, and the co-op is here.
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Historic Fourth Avenue
Head shops, clothes boutiques, lots of cafes, pizza, burgers, ice cream, independent bookstores, etc. It's the shopping district, and the co-op is here.
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ungaphoswa
Tucson Mountain Park.
Just northwest of here, Tucson Mountain park is the closest place to see the Sonoran Desert: saguaro cacti, creosote bush, jojoba, ironwood trees, and ocatillo. In the summer you may see tarantulas, maybe a desert tortoise, and lots of rattle snakes. javelina, coyotes, deer, and quail are around all year. Drive up to Gates Pass, or go for a trail run or hike on Yetman Trail. Wear a hat and bring water.
Ukuhamba-hamba
The buses here suck. But we have some good bike paths.
Try renting a bike from the yellow bike share, or from BICAS. Ciclie Noe is just a few blocks from me, and can explain the yellow bikes to you.