Tucson
Visit Tucson
The City of Tucson is building its first electric railway streetcar. When completed in late 2013, the Sun Link Tucson Modern Streetcar will connect major activity centers in central Tucson — the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue, Main Gate Square, Downtown Tucson, and Mercado District — along a 3.9-mile route featuring 18 stops adorned with public art and LED poetry panels. During construction, the attractions, restaurants, and shops along the route will remain open.
Downtown Tucson
Downtown Tucson boasts historical landmarks, unique shopping, original restaurants, vintage theaters, bed-and-breakfasts, exciting nightlife, and eclectic architecture. downtowntucson.org
Congress Street Entertainment Corridor
Three landmarks anchor the Congress Street corridor. The refurbished Fox Tucson Theatre, built in 1930 as a vaudeville and silent-movie house, hosts concerts, film series, theater performances, and classic movies. The Rialto Theatre had the largest stage west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1919; today is has been ranked among the “50 top worldwide concert venues.” Across the street, the equally historic and hip Club Congress inside Hotel Congress is rated “one of the ten best rock clubs in the United States.” rialtotheatre.com, hotelcongress.com
Downtown Museums and More
The Tucson Museum of Art presents original and traveling exhibitions with a focus on Art of the American West, Latin American Art, and modern and contemporary art. The adjacent Historic Block features five distinctive properties that provide a unique look into Tucson’s past. Next door, Old Town Artisans is an historic 1860s adobe complex that houses shops and restaurants. The Arizona History Museum, Downtown Tucson exhibits depict early Tucson businesses and homes. The Children’s Museum Tucson offers hands-on educational exhibits, including the new health-and-wellness exhibit Bodyology complete with farmer’s market, garden, orchard, and oversized body parts. visittucson.org/visit/attractions/arts/museums/
Fourth Avenue District
The Fourth Avenue Shopping District features tree-lined sidewalks with over 100 funky shops, restaurants, pubs, eclectic boutiques, and galleries. Twice a year, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, two stages, street musicians, jugglers, carnival food, a kids’ art area, face painting, balloons, and more. fourthavenue.org
Main Gate Square
Main Gate Square is a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining destination featuring over 20 specialty retailers and 30 mostly unique restaurants, many with patio dining, and a hotel near the University of Arizona. Enjoy live music, Friday Night Live! Jazz Concert Series, food truck events, wine tastings, and special events. maingatesquare.com
Mercado San Agustín
Located just west of Downtown Tucson, the Mercado San Agustín is a new public market located in a 15,000-square-foot green building that features casual and fine dining, shops, and special events. With farmers’ markets and open-air vendors as well as shops, this marketplace focuses on promoting local small businesses, and includes 100 percent solar-powered exterior lighting. mercadosanagustin.com
The City of Tucson is building its first electric railway streetcar. When completed in late 2013, the Sun Link Tucson Modern Streetcar will connect major activity centers in central Tucson — the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue, Main Gate Square, Downtown Tucson, and Mercado District — along a 3.9-mile route featuring 18 stops adorned with public art and LED poetry panels. During construction, the attractions, restaurants, and shops along the route will remain open.
Downtown Tucson
Downtown Tucson boasts historical landmarks, unique shopping, original restaurants, vintage theaters, bed-and-breakfasts, exciting nightlife, and eclectic architecture. downtowntucson.org
Congress Street Entertainment Corridor
Three landmarks anchor the Congress Street corridor. The refurbished Fox Tucson Theatre, built in 1930 as a vaudeville and silent-movie house, hosts concerts, film series, theater performances, and classic movies. The Rialto Theatre had the largest stage west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1919; today is has been ranked among the “50 top worldwide concert venues.” Across the street, the equally historic and hip Club Congress inside Hotel Congress is rated “one of the ten best rock clubs in the United States.” rialtotheatre.com, hotelcongress.com
Downtown Museums and More
The Tucson Museum of Art presents original and traveling exhibitions with a focus on Art of the American West, Latin American Art, and modern and contemporary art. The adjacent Historic Block features five distinctive properties that provide a unique look into Tucson’s past. Next door, Old Town Artisans is an historic 1860s adobe complex that houses shops and restaurants. The Arizona History Museum, Downtown Tucson exhibits depict early Tucson businesses and homes. The Children’s Museum Tucson offers hands-on educational exhibits, including the new health-and-wellness exhibit Bodyology complete with farmer’s market, garden, orchard, and oversized body parts. visittucson.org/visit/attractions/arts/museums/
Fourth Avenue District
The Fourth Avenue Shopping District features tree-lined sidewalks with over 100 funky shops, restaurants, pubs, eclectic boutiques, and galleries. Twice a year, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, two stages, street musicians, jugglers, carnival food, a kids’ art area, face painting, balloons, and more. fourthavenue.org
Main Gate Square
Main Gate Square is a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining destination featuring over 20 specialty retailers and 30 mostly unique restaurants, many with patio dining, and a hotel near the University of Arizona. Enjoy live music, Friday Night Live! Jazz Concert Series, food truck events, wine tastings, and special events. maingatesquare.com
Mercado San Agustín
Located just west of Downtown Tucson, the Mercado San Agustín is a new public market located in a 15,000-square-foot green building that features casual and fine dining, shops, and special events. With farmers’ markets and open-air vendors as well as shops, this marketplace focuses on promoting local small businesses, and includes 100 percent solar-powered exterior lighting. mercadosanagustin.com