Welcome to our blog dedicated to Tucson, Arizona. This city may be considered the "second city" of Arizona. With a smaller population than the capital city of Phoenix. But it has a rich history dating back over 100 years. The city's name "Tucson" is derived from the Tohono O’odham Nation. The Indigenous people who initially occupied the area. It means “at the base of the black mountain.” The city is situated approximately 60 miles north of the US-Mexico border. Within the Sonoran Desert the most complex subtropical desert in North America.
Tucson is a culturally rich destination that offers visitors a chance to explore the rugged landscape. You will enjoy the internationally acclaimed culinary scene. And immerse yourself in the arts.
The 4,000-year history of Tucson has been crucial in determining how the city has developed.
Explore Tucson's history by taking a stroll through downtown Tucson's El Presidio district. Where the Spanish military fort was established in 1775. The neighborhood features original adobe block structures and Sonoran row houses. They were designed to keep cool during summer. The Tucson Origins Tour by Borderlandia offers a more in-depth look at the city's history. Some of the history you will find:
-Native American
-Spanish colonial
-Mexican
-American territorial eras, as well as its architecture and local plant life.
The Barrio Viejo district
Located just south of El Presidio. Is a must-visit for those interested in 19th-century architecture. The neighborhood has been nominated as a National Historic Landmark. Due to its high concentration of adobe architecture. Making it the largest collection of 19th-century adobe buildings in the US. The district has been revitalized with many of the structures serving as office spaces, art studios, and restaurants. All while preserving the district's heritage.
Food lovers will find a lot to explore in Tucson, designated a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2015. Tucson has the longest agricultural history of any city in the US. And features a variety of ingredients and cooking methods. resulting in unique flavors that emerge from the Sonoran Desert. Many local chefs and restaurateurs feature heritage ingredients on their menus. Dishes would include squash, beans, corn, chiltepins, and prickly pear cactus.
El Charro Café.
Open since 1922 and the nation's oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. Is a must-visit for Mexican cuisine lovers. BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs serves the quintessentially Tucson Sonoran hot dog. Wrapped in bacon and topped with pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, and jalapeño sauce.
The Saguaro cactus is a universal symbol of the American Southwest. Saguaro National Park located just 12 miles outside Tucson. Is a must-visit destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the desert. The park houses almost 2 million of these prickly plants that reach upward of 40 feet tall, along with 24 other species of cacti.
Adjacent to the park is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Which shows off the region's flora and fauna it has managed to adapt to the heat, aridity, and intense summer monsoons.
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Tucson's cultural diversity, history, and culinary scene make it a place worth considering when planning a trip.
