For those of you who know little to nothing about Tucson, let me start by stating that it is Phoenix’s slightly cooler, more liberal cousin - and by cooler I mean two degrees cooler than Phoenix (almost) year round. As a Tucson native, I have lived through 120 degree weather, waited for my favorite flavor of the month, and taken many a blow from the depictions of Tucson in Family Guy and American Dad. I absolutely love my hometown, but when I tell people in other states where I’m from, their response shows just how underrated it is. Maybe, just maybe, if I present a list of some things that make Tucson awesome, my hometown will get the love it deserves.
1. The Sonoran Hot Dog
This dish fuses a large variety of flavors into one culinary masterpiece. The Sonoran Dog was first introduced by the owner of the restaurant El Guero Canelo, but there is no lack of food trucks and street vendors that advertise this popular dish. To provide some detail, visualize a hot dog fried in butter, wrapped in bacon, tucked in a bun and garnished with pinto beans, grilled onions, green chilies, fresh tomato and onions, mayonnaise, and mustard. This may not seem appetizing now, but wait until it’s in your mouth. Seriously.
2. Downtown Tucson
This is my favorite destination in the entire world. I have spent countless hours ogling at the graffiti on Hippie Gypsie’s walls, shopping at Antigone Books, eating ice cream at The Hub, and playing on vintage pinball machines at D&D Pinball. In general, downtown Tucson has a hippie-ish ambience where you will encounter individuals from all walks of life. In particular, 4th Avenue is a local favorite. There, you can find fun within any price range. Did I mention that this is my favorite area, like ever?
3. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM)
Speaking of my favorite places, ASDM is a close second. No matter how many times I’ve been there I still manage to get lost, and this is probably the best place to get lost in. The museum is chock full of animals and plants unique to the Sonora Desert. There’s a walk-in aviary with dozens of colorful bird species, and an exhibit for cave-dwelling animals that is actually a cave with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. During the summer, the museum stays open a little later for visitors to stargaze and learn about the desert’s nocturnal creatures.
4. Eegee’s
This franchise solely exists in Tucson. They serve delicious sandwiches and addictive ranch fries with bacon bits sprinkled on top.
I think I’m forgetting something… Oh wait, they also serve a creation worthy of God’s lips. To call this cup of pure joy a slushy would be an insult to Tucson natives. This frozen mixture includes fruit, lots of sugar, and a hint of magic. Each month, Eegee’s sells a specialty flavor alongside the typical flavors. During the month of July people flock to the nearest establishment to pick up watermelon eegees. However, I wait until May so I can get my hands on some orange dream eegees. Some have asked whether this heavenly concoction is a drink or food: I think it depends on whether you’re a straw or spoon kind of person.
5. The All Soul’s Procession
At the beginning of November each year, thousands of people celebrate Dia de Los Muertos by marching through the streets downtown. You will see hundreds of unrecognizable faces painted to represent calacas, or skulls. Some will march with signs of their loved ones who have passed, some will be dancing, some will be playing mariachi music, and some will be embracing the local tradition surrounding Dia de Los Muertos. The parade ends with a ceremony and booming music cuing dancers on a huge stage. Before the celebration reaches its conclusion, a massive paper sphere (shown below) containing letters to the dead is raised by a crane and set ablaze.
Photo by Kathleen Dreier
6. Mount Lemmon
If you get tired of frying eggs on the sidewalk in scorching weather, Mount Lemmon is the best alternative. As opposed to cacti and Palo Verde trees in the valley, Mount Lemmon is filled with lush greenery. Pack a picnic lunch and head up to cooler weather. If you feel like fishing in the shade of some towering pines, there’s a lake stocked for your enjoyment. During the winter, the mountains are capped in white and Ski Valley is open for some fun.
7. A-Mountain
Those who visit the areas surrounding the city have passed the mountain adorned with a massive “A.” What a majority of them don’t know is that this 160 foot letter was painted on the peak in the 1910s. Consequently, that massive letter may be as old as the state of Arizona itself. There are plenty of hiking opportunities in the area surrounding the “A” and during the 4th of July spectators gather around the mountain to watch a fireworks show.
Photo by Joshua Trujillo
8. Hiking
Last but not least, if you don't feel like escaping your house but not spending money, the entire desert is your playground. There are trails within a ten minute drive from anywhere in the city. Gaze up at the massive Saguaro Cacti, encounter a lot of lizards, listen to the coos of quail, and avoid Cholla cacti. No matter how many times you wander through the desert, there's always something new to catch your attention.
There you have it: Tucson condensed into a list of 8 unique experiences and places. In reality, the amazingness of Tucson transcends this list, and natives don’t realize how blessed they are to sit on their porches and watch an Arizona Sunset. Not to mention, not everyone has the opportunity to feel complete elation when dark, towering monsoon clouds appear and the smell of wet earth and creosote tickles their nostrils. Tucson is an experience to be had, no doubt about it.
