Top Tucson Spots to Take Your Out-of-Town Guests

The holiday season means gathering and spending time with loved ones. If your relatives and friends are planning a visit to Southern Arizona, be sure to check out our list of favorite local places that they’re sure to enjoy while in the Old Pueblo. 

From architecture to food, Tucson’s rich and vibrant history tells the story of a diverse community with roots in the region of our southern neighbor, Mexico. 

Take a visit to San Xavier del Bac Mission and admire the historic Spanish Catholic mission established in 1692. The interior showcases carvings, frescoes, and statues with a mixture of New Spain and Native American artistic motifs.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is the perfect destination for all things flora and fauna. The 98-acre attraction provides a “fusion experience” offering visitors a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium. 

If someone in your group is familiar with the words, SR-71A Blackbird and A-10 Warthog then you might want to visit the Pima Air and Space Museum. This popular Tucson attraction is the world's largest non-government-funded aerospace museum and displays almost 300 aircraft. 

The desert landscape in Southern Arizona is like no other and if you just can’t get enough of its beauty, take a break from the holiday bustle and stop by the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Wander through a collection of sixteen urban gardens featuring cacti and arid plants native to the region. Checking PLUS members can save up to $4 off admission and get a 10% discount in the garden’s gift shop.

While you don’t have to travel far to see amazing sights in Tucson, it’s definitely worth a short drive to visit Mount Lemmon. About 45 miles northeast of downtown Tucson, the drive up to Mount Lemmon gives you an elevation gain of more than 6,000 feet while allowing you to observe eight different biomes. Go from the desert floor to a lush conifer forest all within a 27-mile drive!

Looking for the perfect view of the city? The Graduate Tucson boasts the city’s highest rooftop with 14 floors offering guests rooms with a view including a rooftop bar and restaurant and outdoor pool. The best part? Checking PLUS account holders can get 20% off guest room rates!

The desert sun can sometimes be a lot to handle, so when the sun goes down, the city comes out to play. If you’re looking for a night out on the town, be sure to visit Tucson’s charming downtown area. Take the streetcar and stop at The Hotel Congress for some live music and good eats. The downtown hotel is a cultural landmark and the site of the capture of gangster and bank robber John Dillinger in 1934.

Hop back on the street car and make your way to the lively Historic Fourth Avenue. This popular strip near downtown Tucson offers everything from restaurants and bars to shopping and shows. 

Recognized as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) City of Gastronomy for its multicultural food roots and innovative agricultural processes, Tucson is the perfect city to treat your taste buds. 

Visit El Guero Canelo or BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs and try a Tucson staple, the Sonoran Hot Dog. This delicious yet simple dish consisting of a bolillo bun, a bacon wrapped hot dog, beans, mayonnaise, onions, tomato, and jalapeno sauce won El Guero Canelo a James Beard Award in 2018. 

Keep the Mexican food tour going and stop by Rollies Mexican Patio for some of the best Mexican food in town, taking Tucson Weekly’s 2022 top spot for Best Birria. Take advantage of your Checking PLUS account and get a 15% discount on all food purchases both dine in & take out.

If there’s a foodie in the group, make sure you stop by Tito & Pep which was named one of The New York Times, “50 places in America were most excited about right now” list. The Southwestern-inspired restaurant creates new takes on more traditional fare and is located in a beautiful setting in midtown Tucson.

Located in the St. Phillip’s Plaza, Reforma Modern Mexican provides the perfect ambiance for a night out with family and friends. Enjoy a large selection of drinks and delight your senses with Mexican food that comes with a modern twist. Staying in? Checking PLUS account holders get 15% off online orders!

Did you know Checking PLUS gives you discounts at some of these amazing locations? Start saving more on everything from dining to travel and entertainment. Check out our entire directory to explore additional offers.