Location: El Presidio
Top Things to do in El Presidio
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The 10 Best Things to do in El Presidio, Arizona (AZ)
Although Tucson's fantastic weather, national parks and forests and desert provide the perfect environment for tons of outdoor recreational activities, this city of half a million people also has its share of history and culture. With a history that goes back much further than many of its southwestern neighbors, Tucson boasts turn-of-the-century architecture, historic neighborhoods, museums and the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a still-functioning 18th-century mission considered one of the most beautiful in the U.S. Mexican and Native American influences are pervasive, and the city has a distinctly Western flavor. There's also a college-town atmosphere, thanks to the University of Arizona, which has its own share of museums and a science center. Whether golfing at a world-class golf resort, horseback riding, hiking in the wilderness, discovering desert flora and fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or exploring pre-Columbian and other art at the Tucson Art Museum, you'll have a mind-boggling array of things to do.
Restaurants in Tucson
1. J. Knox Corbett House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
2. The Dusty Monk Pub
3. Xerocraft Makerspace
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Xerocraft is Tucson's Hackerspace. We're an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit tool library coop. We provide tools for people to build just about anything along with classes to use the tools safely. We offer everything from traditional tools like tables saws and welders to cutting edge technology like 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC routers.
4. La Casa Cordova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
5. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
The Tucson Museum of Art was founded 1924. It is Southern Arizona's premier presenter of fine art and art education programs. The Museum features permanent and traveling exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary, Native American, American West, Latin American, and Asian art. The main Museum, a contemporary architectural gem, has nearly 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Museum's Historic Block of 19th and 20th C. adobe and Mission Revival-style buildings, encompassing an entire four-acre city block, includes the John K. Goodman Pavilion of Western Art, displaying the Museum's notable art of the American West collection, the national award-winning Museum restaurant Café a la C'Art, and additional exhibition spaces.
Reviewed By seb36 - Tucson, United States
We just visited the art museum after it re-opened following Covi19 closure. It was in the afternoon and there we only 2 other couples there and 2 singles. We never even got close to anyone! Of course masks and social distancing are required. We went to visit the opening of the new Kasser Latin American wing and the exhibits were really wonderful, as were the brief descriptions next to each display . Lot of ancient Peruvian art which was a treat for us. The new Southwest Art exhibit was incredibly interesting and fun. Very, very colorful and it is cultural as well as artistic. Again, the descriptions were terrific. Both of these 2 nre exhibits were on the entry level, along with a charming and varied gift shop full of unique items. There is a slowly declining ramp that goes down about two floors that is full of wonderful paintings, sculptures from the permanent collection.-- with lots of rooms at each level full of treasures. Since the space is huge, the objects are not crowded and the effect is impressive. Items are grouped by culture or style or artist so it all makes sense. We are members so we go fairly often, especially for new exhibits. It is always a treat and makes you think of new areas of exploration and thoghts. There is a link to the floor plan for your smartphone so you will know where you are during your tour.
6. Steinfeld Mansion
7. Presidio San Agustin del Tucson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
The Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum is a re-creation of the Tucson Presidio built in 1775. Visitors travel back in time to learn about life as early Tucsonans would have lived it. Docent tours discuss life in the Santa Cruz Valley for early Native Americans, Presidio residents and Territorial Period settlers. See the archaeological remains of a pit house, walk along the original Presidio wall and experience a 150 year old classic Sonoran Row house. $5 adults, $1 children 6-14 and Free for children 5 and under and Presidio Museum members
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
My wife and I enjoyed this museum about the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson 1775-1856. The Mexicans were here. For 80 years the adobe walls of Tucson Presidio. It shows here how they lived. The patio could make it longer. Mexican soldiers lived here. In this museum, they had paintings at the time of the Presidio. People cooked outside and sometimes inside, where the beds were there. They made their bread. They had a Presidio Chapel. The guide was truly nice and new the times when the Presidio was here.
8. Old Town Artisans
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 145 reviews
A one-block restored adobe shopping site with arts and crafts.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Everywhere you look in Tucson, Arizona, so it seems, there are shopping and dining venues. One of the most interesting and most popular is Old Town Artisans. Located at 201 North Court Avenue, on the site of El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, the fort built by the Spanish in 1775 to stake claim to the northern part of New Spain, it is a 19th century adobe building that offers a courtyard and shops and art galleries stocked with local crafts. Stroll through the shops and see original ceilings made of saguaro cactus ribs, packing crates and whiskey barrel staves and remnants of imported wallpaper and gold-leaf moldings. Open from 10 to 5 daily, the shops, galleries, restaurants and bars include Gypsy Emporium, Church Inn Tattoo Parlor, Barrio Bella, Ceres, Art House Centro, La Zia Native Arts, Old Paint Record Shop, Old Towne Beer & Wine, The Dusty Monk Pub and La Cocina Restaurant & Cantina. My wife and I took a break from browsing and stopped at La Cocina for lunch. It's a festive indoor/outdoor cafe with a global cuisine and live music. My wife had a pulled pork sandwich with beer braised and smoked pork with house BBQ sauce, cole slaw and gouda cheese on a ciabetta roll. I was delighted with the Presidio Reuben sandwich, a heaping pile of corned beef with grilled sauerkraut, green chiles, provolone cheese, 1,000 Island dressing and spicy mustard on rye bread. It was a great way to keep our minds off the 87-degree heat.
9. Tucson Ghost Company
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 72 reviews
Tucson Ghost Company, LLC offers many tours, Tucson Ghost Tour is the tour that started the company. This walking tour takes you to about a dozen locations downtown and tells you a bit of history and the ghostly tales of the buildings. This tour will last 90 mins from 7-830 on selective days of the week, we do have a break in the middle to allow restroom breaks and to grab a drink. Be prepared for all types of weather, tour goes rain or shine. Wear comfortable walking shoes & please note a lot of buildings are off limits. This tour is for entertainment purposes only as noted on our website. The walking tour is only $18 per person We also have Tucson ghost experience which is a ghost hunt on selective Monday nights for $30 per person from 7-9pm. We also do special events with different companies. The company is for entertainment purposes. The company also umbrellas a paranormal team that is more scientific & we do all our investigations for free. Never pay for a paranormal concern.
10. The Mormon Battalion
