The 4 Best Downtown Tucson Museums

Early 20th Century Tucson, AZ

In no particular order, here are our recommendations for The 4 Best Downtown Tucson Museums: (1) Jewish History Museum; (2) Tucson Museum of Art; (3) El Agustin de Tucson Presidio; and (4) Arizona Historical Society Downtown Tucson Museum.

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Tucson Tamale Company, Are Their Tamales The Best?

Tucson Tamale Company StoreFront

Last week (April 2012) I had a most pleasant business lunch. My dining companion was Paul Hopman, a local artist whose specialty is scratchboard. If you have not had the pleasure of seeing Paul’s work, go to his website. He suggested the Tucson Tamale Company on Broadway. That worked for me ‘cause (1) I had [...]

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What A Night! Caffe’ Milano, Fox Theater, & Aaron Neville!

Caffe Milano Downtown Tucson

Fair warning. This review has at least four moving parts. It may be too complicated for some. It involves an evening of (A) dinner and (B) a much-anticipated performance at (C) an historic theater with (D) downtown parking & bathroom issues. Viewer discretion advised. ******************************* On a beautiful Friday evening just before Christmas (2011), Ms. [...]

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Artisan Studios

First on my list of last minute Christmas shopping ideas is the Old Town Artisan Studios. Much overlooked, it is full of great little stocking stuffers as well as just the right Christmas gift, be it art, jewelry, or a one of a kind tooth brush holder. Hand Made in Arizona is their specialty.   Visit the website. -kr Disclaimer: This post was actually written by Ms. karen, the wife. -kr … Continue reading

Viente de Agosto Park – Downtown Tucson

Viente de Agosto Park is an acre of grass & trees in the heart of downtown Tucson at the point where Congress & Broadway split into one-way streets. “Viente de Agosto” is Spanish for 20th of August. In late 2011, the park became the tent camp of Occupy Tucson protesters. The Tucson Visitors & Convention Bureau website claims that Viente de Agosto Park celebrates the birth-date of Tucson, August 20, 1775. Wikipedia has a different take. “Viente de Agosto is the national holiday celebrating teachers and mentors across Mexico. Although the name would indicate the holiday is held on August 20, it is actually celebrated according to the lunar calendar. The first celebration of this glorious occasion fell on Friday, August 20, 1974. Every 6 years, when the holiday falls on a Friday again, leads to an even greater celebration than normal.” Viente de Agosto Park is also the site … Continue reading

Hub Restaurant & Creamery – Downtown Tucson

Hub Downtown

October, 2011 American comfort food pretty much sums it up. Hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, pot pies, fries, mac & cheese, ice cream. Sound like a diner to you? Hub was highly recommended to me by Regina, my dental hygienist. It’s a fairly new downtown restaurant located on Congress between 5th  and 6th Avenues. Parking is in the rear. I’m a big fan of the developing downtown area. I see real potential. I frequent Maynard’s at the train depot and Cup Café at Hotel Congress. Was Hub as good? No, not yet. … Continue reading

El Presidio Inn Bed & Breakfast – Tucson Historic Neighborhood

El Presidio B&B Courtyard

The Presidio Inn Bed & Breakfast IS authentic Tucson. A real 1886 Victorian adobe example of high-class 19th century Territorial architecture. I want you to experience this unique home for several reasons:
It is not a replica. This was the home of a wealthy family living in a dusty village on the outer edge of the American frontier more than 125 years ago. This at a time when most people here lived in shacks, tents, or dirty, dreary boarding houses.

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The Bisbee Massacre

On a cold December day in 1883, five men robbed the Goldwater & Casteneda Store on Main Street that substituted for Bisbee’s only bank.

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The J Knox Corbett House

J. Knox Corbett House - Tucson

A historical tour of the J. Knox Corbett House, a Tucson merchant’s home from the early 20th Century.
An elegant two-story, stucco-covered brick structure built in the mission revival style, was completed in 1907 and lived in by members of the Corbett family for fifty-six years. J. Knox Corbett and his wife Lizzie Hughes Corbett built the house on the northwest corner of the block next to the Stevens House and near the Tucson Museum of Art.

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AHS Tucson History Museum

AHS-Downtown

The Arizona Historical Society’s Tucson History Museum is about life in early Tucson. This is a small but very worthwhile museum if you want to understand the history and cultural heritage of Tucson.

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La Cocina Cantina, Tucson AZ

La Cocina Courtyard

You can dine indoors or in the Old Town Artisan’s courtyard, enjoy the creative cocktails or local beers at the bar, listen to live music under the stars, and dance until the wee hours. Great fun in a historic setting!

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Cafe a la C’Art

Cafe a la C'art Use

Cafe’ a la C’Art is a small, but fine country-style restaurant in the Art Museum’s courtyard. You can dine inside or be seated on the patio. Great sandwiches and salads, but of particular interest is their delectable baked goods.
Judy Michelet, her son Mark and his wife Shirley take pride in presenting artistically crafted menu items based on traditional Southwest cuisine flavors. You will enjoy!

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Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

Steam Engine

Located at the west end of the restored Train Depot is the Transportation Museum. I know. When I first heard about it I wasn’t in any hurry to go either. But there is no way to understand the history of Tucson until you witness the incredible impact the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad had on, what was then (1880), a tiny (mostly) Mexican village. This museum is small, free, and worthwhile. Another reason to visit the Transportation Museum is at the other end of the Depot: Maynard’s Market & Kitchen. Very good food; indoor or patio dining. For ambiance, you get the occasional deafening roar of a hundred-car freight train passing a few yard from your table. The ground shakes. The tables rock ‘n roll. Quite exciting! 14 N. Toole Ave, Tucson Visit the Website. … Continue reading

Hotel Congress – Downtown Tucson

Hotel Congress

Built in 1919, the same year my father was born in Tucson, the Hotel Congress served passengers arriving at the train depot across the street. Walking into the lobby, you will immediately have a sense of this hotel’s history. Yet, even though it’s old, all the modern comforts and conveniences are here. Today, it’s the hub of downtown night club activity. Club Congress is one of best dance clubs in Tucson with cutting-edge music in a historic setting. The Tap Room has been a favorite bar since Prohibition ended. And the Hotel’s Cup Cafe‘ is one of our dining favorites. The rooms are relatively small compared to more modern hotels. But they are decorated and furnished in period, so guest definitely get the feeling they have magically been transported to a bygone era. January 1934, a fire in the hotel resulted in the Tucson Police Department’s arrest of the entire … Continue reading