Tucson: Beyond the Cacti

Snow falling on saguaros, a Tucson winter spectacle

If, like most visitors, you head for Tucson between Thanksgiving and Easter, you're probably seeking sun and warmth while the rest of the country deals with the winter blahs...
...and you'll most likely find what you're looking for--there's a...

Up close at the Raptor-Free-Flight

Untethered and in the open, soaring and diving in their natural environment--once in the morning and once in the afternoon, from mid-October through mid-April, you can get up close to desert birds of prey at the Raptor-Free-flight. The...

an artist's vision at the foot of the mountains

At the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains is the ten-acre complex, the "DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun." A national historic district, the grounds are a blend of natural desert garden, adobe-architecture and museum--all the vision of one man....

From the Sahel and the Sahara to the Sonoran...

For about two decades now, this city in the Sonoran Desert has become a February gathering place for artists and vendors from all over Africa: for a couple of weeks, a tent city pops up and about a hundred vendors set up shop. Associated with the...

Tortas, "Tater Todd's," and Sushi-burritos...

Call it what you will--KoMex, Mexicorean, Korexican, Asian Fusion--it's gaining a foothold in the Desert Southwest. In addition to the Tucson food-truck scene, you can now get sit-down fare at Umi Star, just five minutes north of the University of...

City, mountains, desert: the view from the top

Few cities in the U.S. can claim to be 'sandwiched' by a National Park; Tucson might well be the only one. Saguaro National Park is divided into Eastern and Western divisions that flank the city--plenty of wilderness hiking within a half-an-hour's...

Where "ranch" = "elegance"

Built in the 1920's, Hacienda del Sol began as an exclusive private girls' school in the still-wilderness foothills above Tucson. In the 1940's, the 34-acre estate became a guest ranch popular with the Hollywood stars of the time--Spencer Tracy,...

Cactus and canyon on the edge of town

One of the best things about Tucson is what's all around it: desert and mountains. It's anything but barren, if you know where to go.

All along the northern edge of the city are the Santa Catalina Mountains, rising to over 9100ft/2770m. Hikers,...

For "chili and spice and everything nice"...

Want hot chiles? mild peppers? powder? paste? Across from the old Spanish mission in Tumacácori, you'll find it. For decades, family-owned and family-run Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Co. has been providing flavors in Southern Arizona. There's even...

Worth the drive to Tubac: a meal at Elvira's

Tucson is predictably well-endowed with Mexican restaurants...But it's still worth driving about an hour south to the little town of Tubac for a meal at Elvira's.

Upon entering the cool space, you won't be surprised to learn that the chef/owner...

Mucho Gusto at "Poca Cosa"

No--you don't have the wrong address--this is indeed a downtown office building/parking garage. But don't be alarmed. Enter the doors, and Café Poca Cosa's stylish interior tells you immediately: this is no boring strip-mall-Tex-Mex joint....

Izakaya...in the desert! Sashimi and flan unite...

A mile-and-a-half from where the deer roam in the saguaro-studded foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, sit down for some izakaya-style dining. Japanese "tapas" might not be a completely accurate description for this genre of shareable...

Late summer in the desert: rains and blooms

Summer: 'avoid the desert,' think most...
But if you're willing to bear late summer's heat and higher humidity (yes, even the desert can be humid at times), you'll be treated to spectacles grand and small. Thunderstorms rolling across mountain...

Cactus buds...for your salad? Yep--add some calcium...

Cholla cactus are common in the American Southwest, but not many outside of the region know that you can eat the flower buds. They're high in calcium and even help balance blood sugar. Many Tucson residents have never tried them, even though...

face-to-face, but safe...

Mountain Lion. Cougar. Puma. Panther. Majestic but fear-inspiring...

At the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, on the western edge of Tucson, you can get face-to-face with one of these massive felines; their well-designed habitat includes a high den...