If you’re adventurous, outdoorsy, and only have 24 hours to experience Tucson, this guide is for you.
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Stop by the Downtown Clifton Hotel to check in or leave your luggage at the front desk.
Before you venture out into the (semi-)wilderness of the Tucson Mountains, I’m going to send you to 5 Points Market & Restaurant for sustenance. The brunch menu (available until 2 p.m.) gives you a wide variety of delicious options. There is lighter fare, including their “sides and such,” in case you don’t want to be weighed down. Or choose one of their hearty breakfasts, if you prefer to really fuel up before you head out.
You can park at the Gates Pass Trailhead and go mountain biking, hiking, or trail running from there. There are bouldering spots nearby, as well. Gates Pass is known to many as the best place in Tucson to watch the sunset, so make sure you’re back at the trailhead in time for Golden Hour!
After sundown, enjoy a relaxed dinner at Flora’s Market Run. The market part of the name points to the locally-focused gourmet grocery shop that occupies half of the space. Alongside that is a restaurant featuring pizza, pasta dishes, salads, and entrees as varied as seared salmon, grilled cheese, yuzu shrimp curry, and their own, elevated take on an “animal style” burger.
Once you’re back at The Downtown Clifton, you can order a drink from their bar, The Red Light Lounge, and enjoy it on the patio before you head up to your room for the night.
Stop for a quick bite at Hello Bicycle & Cafe, where you can get both a bike repair and a caffeine fix!
Take a hike in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, another of Tucson’s most iconic outdoor places. There are over 30 miles of trails to choose from! A popular pick is the 8.4-mile (roundtrip) Bear Canyon Trail to Seven Falls. The trail crosses Sabino Creek several times and takes you through some amazing desert scenery.
Le Buzz is a breakfast/lunch spot with a friendly vibe and a well-stocked case of freshly baked pastries. The Tanque Verde location is the more convenient one if you’re coming from Sabino Canyon.
