Travel Tips for Tucson, Arizona, United States

Cost: € (affordable)

Safety: 4/5 for solo female travellers

I visited Tucson in 2017, and I must say it is the perfect blend of metropolitan and desert. Not only is it full of natural beauty with breathtaking mountainscapes and views of the Sonoran Desert, but it also has great restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Despite it being the second-largest city in Arizona, Tucson does not feel as big as it is.

The city, sometimes referred to as The Old Pueblo, is home to the nation’s largest cacti – the giant saguaro – which is the universal symbol of the American west. 

I would recommend visiting for 2-3 days. I travelled alone for some of my trip and felt safe, however I wouldn’t advise staying out late at night and be sure to keep your wits about you at all times.

How to get there

As I was in New York City, I flew via American Airlines from LaGuardia Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International and then on to Tucson International. The journey was about 6 hours, but of course it will depend on how long the stop-over is for.

It is possible to fly from Ireland (Dublin and Shannon) to Tucson via a number of airlines including American Airlines and British Airways, but there will be stop-overs. The flight length will vary because of this.

Language, Currency & Weather

English is the most commonly spoken language in Tucson, and the currency is the US Dollar.

In my opinion, the best time to visit Tucson is spring (March or April) as the weather is tolerable (temperatures are around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius).

Summers in Tucson are incredibly hot and humid, with temperatures as high as 38 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it’s almost impossible to explore the city during the day (most activities need to be done early in the morning). As well as this, monsoon season starts in early July.

Even in winter, the weather is dry and warm. Temperatures remain at about 20 degrees Celsius, and you’ll see lots of cacti draped in lights.

Public Transport

In most parts of Tucson, it is easy to walk to your destination. However, if you need to take public transport, the system is provided by Sun Tran which operates more than 40 routes throughout the city and its outskirts. You can pay for these services using a SunGO card.

To get between the city and the airport, you have the option of two routes of Sun Tran; route 11 and route 25.

Where To Stay

While I ended up staying with a friend, there were a few places I had researched before I travelled. I did find it difficult to find something in the city centre, but there are some options that are only a few minutes from the university and the main restaurants and bars.

I would recommend Hotel McCoy on West Silverlake Road, or Best Western Royal Sun Inn & Suites on North Stone Avenue.

La Quinta by Wyndham Tucson on North Alvernon Way is another good option, as well as Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.

If you’re on a budget you have the option of Econo Lodge University on North Stone Avenue, but I feel this may only be passable.

Where To Go & What To Do

From its desert landscapes to its unique flora and fauna, Tucson has a lot to offer!

I would recommend a visit to the 98-acre Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a tour of San Xavier del Bac and the Spanish Presidio, as well as a visit to Arizona State Museum and the Botanical Gardens.

If you are into horse riding, I would advise you to book a trip to the Rancho de Los Cerros homestead, where you will explore the Coronado National Forest and view the Santa Catalina Mountains.

You can also book a 5 line zipline course or hot air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert, or a H1 Hummer tour of the Tonto National Forest in Scottsdale.

A walking tour of downtown Tucson is an excellent shout, as you will discover famous places and hear all about the people that turned a fort into a town.

What & Where To Eat

In my opinion, Tucson is a paradise for food lovers, with the perfect mix of cultures and tastes.

While I was in the city, I visited a number of amazing spots including Agustin Kitchen for some French inspired American food, Alejandro for their delicious tacos, Anello for authentic Italian pizza and Barista Del Barrio for more amazing Mexican food and delicious coffee.

I also stopped by Barrio Brewing Co. to try their food and craft beer, and Cafe a la Cart for lunch.

Overall, there are SO MANY great spots for food, so I would highly recommend booking a food tour around downtown Tucson so you can try some signature dishes in the local restaurants.

Enjoy Tucson!