You'll need about a week to fully expLore Arizona's second-largest city. The Old Pueblo is surrounded by gigantic saguaro forests and sweeping grasslands and offers plenty of breathtaking desert sunsets.

There are plenty of fantastic outdoor experiences to be had in the surrounding state parks and The Saguaro National Park. Whether you prefer to explore these desert wonderlands by foot, bike, or car, there is definitely something for everyone. Downtown Tucson is very walkable and filled with historic sites, museums, shops, breweries and, of course, plenty of restaurants.

WHERE TO STAY

To get the full experience of camping in the desert, we highly recommend finding a campsite outside of the city and downtown area. The Gilbert Ray Campground is a first-come-first-serve state park just 13 miles from downtown and has 130 sites, potable water, 30 amp hookups and two convenient dump stations. Gilbert Ray is only minutes from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum & The Saguaro National Park.

If you're looking for a more remote spot within a short drive of downtown, then boondocking at Pump Station Road Dispersed Camping is one of the best options. Located 20 minutes north of downtown, this location is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is a great spot to spread out and immerse yourself in the desert experience and enjoy those aforementioned sunsets.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Tucson offers culinary delights from around the globe; however, it's Mexican cuisine that reigns supreme. So, between all the hiking and exploring, you'll want to head into Old Pueblo to find some of the area's tastiest tacos and tantalizing treats.

BLANCO COCINA & CANTINA

Located in the Catalina Foothills, Blanco Cocina & Cantina offers a more modern approach to Mexican cuisine. This tequila bar and restaurant is filled with vibrant colors, fun playlists and great service. Their large menu is sure to please, with fajitas, burritos, salads, chimichangas and, of course, tacos. Wash it all down with a tequila flight, Mexican cerveza or one of their bright and refreshing margaritas.

TAQUERIA EL CHEKE

Tucson is filled with taco trucks, and to be honest, you really can't go wrong with any of them. However, if you can only pick one, stop by Taqueria El Cheke, a taco truck with open air patio seating. El Cheke' offers authentic flavors and traditional- style street tacos. Enjoy carne asada and adobado (steak/pork) taco options, as well as cabeza and tripa (head/tripe) for the more adventurous eaters. Another star of the menu is the Mexican version of a loaded baked potato. The Papancha is a baked potato topped with steak, crispy bacon, mushrooms and melted cheese.

BOCA BY CHEF MARIA MAZON

Nestled on historic Fourth Avenue, BOCA offers gourmet tacos, fresh salsas and local brews. James Beard finalist chef Maria Mazon's flagship restaurant offers food made to order and prepared using ingredients grown right behind the restaurant. The cocktail list is one of the best we found in Tucson and we could have easily spent all day hanging out on the dog-friendly patio enjoying the atmosphere and people-watching.

TURMERICO

For a more vegetable-centric take on Mexican food, head to Turmerico, a Latin-inspired cafe specializing in vegan & vegetarian food. The menu changes daily at this community-focused outdoor restaurant that sources ingredients from local farmers. You will always find seasonal plant-based takes on tacos, tamales and burritos alongside a variety of cafe drinks like horchata, mole, saffron and cardamom lattes.

“THE MENU CHANGES DAILY AT THIS COMMUNITY-FOCUSED OUTDOOR RESTAURANT THAT SOURCES INGREDIENTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS.”

MSA ANNEX

Our favorite co-op space in Tucson is the MSA Annex. This open-air mercado hosts numerous small businesses housed in modified shipping containers. Here you will find a coffee shop, home goods store, local art shops, vegan burgers, a tap house and a Japanese restaurant. Do a little shopping and then grab some beers, a couple of nori-wrapped Onigiri rice balls and then relax in the gorgeously landscaped outdoor area.

SONORAN HOT DOG

No visit to the desert southwest is complete without a Sonoran hot dog. This unique Mexican inspired hot dog experience is like nothing you've had before and you will be left dreaming about it months after leaving Tucson. The bolillo-style bun is split down the middle and toasted, stuffed with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, avocado, jalapeño, cilantro-lime crema and a decadent bacon-wrapped hotdog. Throughout the city, you'll find these at numerous street carts called "dogueros", but our favorite was El Perro Loco Hot Dogs.

ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM

Drive west out of the city, past the Tucson Mountain Park, through tall saguaros, ocotillos, prickly pears, and fuzzy cholla cacti, and you will find the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. A great learning experience for adults and children alike, this desert museum is home to various native mammals, reptiles and birds.

This is the best place to learn about the vast Sonoran desert, with trails snaking through the preserve leading you to see a variety of desert life such as javelinas, bobcats, prairie dogs and stingrays. Yes, stingrays! This impressive institution has a hummingbird aviary, a restaurant and gift shop, and several beautiful gardens to explore, making it one of Tucson's most famous attractions.