Travel article: Tucson Road Trip

Tucson tends to be an afterthought when it comes to road trips. From spending time there in college I now see what it has to offer! The vibrant desert and historic monuments complement the city which has a modern yet distinct feel. The uniqueness of the seemingly small town is captivating and it feels like an unturned stone when comapred to other road trips. Here are my picks from my latest trip down!

Mount Lemmon

Possibly my favorite part of the trip. It’s relatively close to the city and is a really pleasant drive. There are roads that curl up throughout the mountain as well as pit stops that double as great lookout points. I didn’t camp on this specific trip, but there are campgrounds that are great getaways. Occasionally, my friends and I would drive up the mountain and spend the night out in nature looking at the stars. It really doesn’t take that much effort. I could fit my friends, food, and camping supplies in my corolla just fine.

If you’re looking for something a little more scientific the Mount Lemmon Skycenter is a great experience. I came here for a class once and it exceeded my expectations. It has a military type feel to it like it’s something from a science fiction movie but the main get here is a series of telescopes that they let you look through. They’re heavy duty and are actually used for scientific research.

Biosphere 2

The idea of a gigantic greenhouse might not sound fascinating but Biosphere 2 is well worth the experience. I believe it started as some sort of science experiment but is now used for teaching mostly. The architecture is cool in itself but the different biomes on display are interesting as well. If you go on a tour they show you the “lungs” of the biosphere which dilate to accommodate the space of the expanding and shrinking air that keeps the entire thing a closed system.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

This dives a little deeper into the history of Tucson. There’s a church in the area that was constructed in the late 1600’s called San Xavier del Bac. It has an artistic and kind of gothic vibe to it but it’s worth going out of your way to see. Get down there  Both the outside of the church as well as the inside have a distinct ornate design that makes you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time.

University of Arizona Museums

There are plenty of museums in Tucson (mostly near the U of A campus) which vary in their exhibitions and genre. The Center for Creative Photography and the Arizona Museum of Art are probably my favorites. There are many to choose from and finding one that suits your interests isn’t difficult. Just googling “Tucson museums” should give you plenty of results to sort through.

Places to Eat

Local food in Tucson is expertly crafted and isn’t limited to Mexican food which tends to dominant the region. Robert’s restaurant is a go to for homestyle food with a little touch. Bobo’s is exclusively breakfast focused and is nearby Robert’s Restaurant. The wait can get a bit long so be sure to get there early to avoid the wait. I advise checking out Guadalajara Original Grill for if you’re looking for some authentic Mexican food. The salsa is hand made on a cart in front of your table and the freshness shows. If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Amy’s Donuts is a go to. It’s 24 hours and better yet they have a drive thru. They have creations that are more like cakes but fit within the tight form factor of a doughnut.

Those are my picks for a Tucson road trip. Feel free to mix and match to tailor to your own experience but I think this is a great starting point. It does get warm during the summer so don’t get caught without any water or sunscreen!