Unique Shopping Experiences in Tucson and Vicinity

Updated for 2023 – Ms. Karen has an aversion to malls and strip shopping centers. However, if she must shop, she prefers to shop locally and make it a leisurely experience. So here is her list of out-of-the-way spots offering unique gifts, shopping, and adventures along the way.

Tucson Tamale Company – Buy a dozen and freeze or send them as a gift. Tucson Tamale Company will ship.

The Museum Store at Tohono Chul – Unique gifts for your kitchen and more. Greenhouse at Tohono Chul – Open year-round the greenhouse at Tohono Chul has close to a hundred species for sale that are available nowhere else! And at reasonable prices! Especially if you are a member.

There are plenty of museum stores and galleries with that special gift; DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, Tucson Museum of Art downtown and Tucson Desert Art Museum on Tanque Verde at Sabino Canyon Road. All are worthwhile.

Native Seeds – If you are in the Tucson area, pay a visit to our one-of-a-kind retail store. Centrally located on Campbell Avenue just south of Ft. Lowell Road, besides Seeds, the NS/S shop offers a variety of Southwestern foods, including native chile powders, savory mole sauces, locally grown beans, and much more.

Old Town Artisans – Ok, most locals have heard of this place. Yet, it’s still one of our favorites. Have you been there lately? Particularly around the holidays when you can find unique gifts for anyone without the crowds and the usual boring mall stuff. Have lunch or a cocktail at La Cocina Cantina, now JoJo’s. It will take the stress out of holiday shopping.

The Lost Barrio – South of Broadway on Park. Imports from Mexico and other countries as well as wonderful unique furniture, tiles, cabinets, and hardware. Petroglyphs had a fire but is now located near the Mercado in the Mercier Building.  While you are in that area, try walking about the MSA Annex. There are a few worthwhile shops and grab a cup of coffee or a beer and enjoy the sun.

Casas Adobes has several specialty stores, a new Artist’s Guild with reasonable pricing.

North of Tucson in Oro Valley off Vistoso Village Dr. is the Western National Parks Association Store, which carries a large variety of American Indian arts and crafts as well as books, garden stuff, specialty foods and kitchen supplies. It helps the Parks, and it is TAX FREE!

Tucson also has several Farmers Markets that offer unique shopping experiences. How about the Desert Museum for books, jewelry, pottery? Go for the day, get some holiday shopping out of the way.

Santa Theresa Tile Works is a specialty shop where you can make your own trivet, street sign, mosaic or whatever out of unique tiles from this ceramic shop. Makes for a great Christmas present. Check it out. It is intriguing. All proceeds go to a private middle school, Imagio Dei,  for underfunded children.

South of Tucson

Take a day trip down the I-19 to the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company. Worth the drive just for the scents. Located just south of Mission Tumacacori. Stop in at Tumacacori National Historical Park. They have books and other interesting things and your purchases help support the preservation of these wonderful old ruins. Southern Arizona history & culture at their finest.

Tubac comes to mind. This quaint old village has about 100 shops, galleries and restaurants. Don’t miss the exhibits and gift store at Tubac Center of the Arts. Just north of Tubac proper is the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa that has two shops to please you. While there, enjoy a spa treatment & buy someone a gift certificate.

If you happen to pass through Arivaca 23 miles east of Tubac, stop into the Arts Guild for worthwhile textiles and tie-dye clothing. Take a walk through the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. Bring your spotting scope or camera with a long lens. If you are patient, you will see a lot of amazing birds and other native critters here.

Near Sierra Vista

Birders will find a wide assortment of books and bird paraphernalia at the San Pedro House just east of Sierra Vista.  Or visit Ramsey Canyon Preserve bookstore a little south of Sierra Vista. Take a hike up this beautiful canyon. Leave a donation.

Cochise County

The near-ghost town of Pearce on Ghost Town Trail has a unique shop.  Prickly Pear Emporium offers gifts, souvenirs, and collectibles. Patty’s Old Pearce Pottery Shop sells … well, unique pottery and other interesting items. There is another shop in Dragoon which you may find open on your way to Pearce. Typically, these little shops are open on weekends. Call ahead. Don’t miss the historic Pearce Cemetery. On the way from Tucson via I-10, you can also enjoy the Amerind Museum, Golden Rule Vineyards, and Triangle T Guest Ranch at scenic Texas Canyon. Triangle T’s saloon serves the public on Saturdays. The picnic area at the Amerind is on our list of the Best Picnic Areas in Southern Arizona.

We do not know if the Singing Winds Bookstore outside of Benson is still open but last we heard it was open by appointment only. Google indicates that is it Temporarily Closed. You may still be able to make an appointment. Call the shop 520-586-2425 and leave a message.

Tombstone has some really good buys despite its tourist trap reputation. Arlene’s and Shady Ladies Closet are particularly recommended. Go for the day.  Dine at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, the best Cowboy Bar in America.

And if you are WAY out east in Duncan, stop into the Visitors Center for a great buy on a variety of good-smelling soap and oils. And don’t miss Germaine’s at the east end of town. Marcia’s Garden in Safford features hand-made, natural goat milk soaps & lotions from her little herd of Nubian Dairy Goats. And yes, Marcia does the milking herself. As of 2023, we have been here for 20 years and found a lot of interesting places. However, we are sure many other, out-of-the-way places offer unique gifts. Let us know what you find of interest.

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Below are some articles about our discoveries many not found here. I recommend Santa Theresa Tile Works. -kr