Reader’s Request: Tucson Faves

Hiiii 😀 Happy almost-Friday! How’s your morning going? Hope you’re having a lovely day so far. Thank you so much for your tips on avoiding the takeout monster 🙂 Let’s see how I do today…

So I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to write a post on Tucson faves, since it’s a request I often receive from readers/bloggers who are traveling to Tucson or Arizona. I put together a little list of my favorite places and things to do 🙂

cactus

1. Where to stay:

-Westin La Paloma (amazing pool and clean, beautiful rooms)

-Leows Ventana Canyon (also has an amazing pool and beautiful rooms)

-Canyon Ranch (all-inclusive health resort; it’s expensive, but so many amenities are offered, such as decadent healthy meals, tons of fitness classes and spa services)

2. Where to shop:

shoppingfrenzy

-La Encantada (this is an outdoor shopping complex and has pretty much everything you could wish for)

-University Blvd. (more local and unique boutiques, Urban Outfitters and American Apparel + restaurants)

3. Where to eat!

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-Cafe Poca Cosa (for dinner- re-cap is *here*)

-Little Poca Cosa (for breakfast or lunch)

-Renee’s Organic Oven (lunch- the best gluten-free pizza, salad beasts, gluten-free sandwiches, etc)

-Blue Willow (vegetarian selections and a unique atmosphere)

-Sunday brunch (Lovin’ Spoonfuls- A totally vegetarian restaurant with gluten-free options)

-For Mexican, check out Guadalajara Grill – they make the salsa and guacamole fresh at your table. If you’re wanting the REAL, authentic thing, check out El Guero Canelo. Drink an horchata, too 🙂

-Anywhere at La Encantada

-Edited to say: how could I forget the Good Egg, Eegee’s and Beyond Bread! You HAVE to try an eegee while you’re in Tucson 🙂

art

4. Clubbin’

-Level (more of a “classy” club. They have a drink called the Green Fairy, which I’ll never, ever have again haha)

-Anywhere on 4th Ave – Maloney’s is our fave

-Cactus Moon (they play country.. and hip hop/top 40)

-Chicago Bar- a total dive bar with incredible local musicians and dancing 🙂

5. Sight-seeing

me and bell

-Sabino Canyon- this time of year make sure to go early since it’s so stankin’ hot. Also, they have a tram that you can ride to the top of the canyon and back. It’s a great choice if you have friends or family that don’t necessary want to walk, but would like to see the beautiful scenery

-4th Ave. There are a lot of cute vintage shops, little restaurants (B Line Cafe is AMAZING) and a couple of health food stores. It’s fun to walk around a look in the little stores and stop somewhere for lunch 🙂

-Farmer’s Markets. We have a TON- check out the Jesse Owen’s park on Friday, and St Phillip’s Plaza on Saturdays and Sundays

-Tourist traps: Gaslight Theatre (local actors who perform in a seasonal melodramatic musical. I’ve lived here forever and always love going to Gaslight shows), Kitt Peak (a national observatory), Colossal Cave (legit cave.. stalactites, stalagmites… bats… everything), Desert Wildlife museum (where you can see our crazy and cute desert creatures) and Tucson Botanical Garden

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6. Where to workout

-Breakout Studios: TRX, Zumba, Dance Cardio, Capoeira, High Heel Fit class

-Red Monkey: Zumba, Pilates, TRX

-Yoga: Yoga Oasis (Anusara yoga), Yoga Vida (Bikram and Vinyasa yoga), Arizona Power Yoga (Baptiste power yoga)

-Canyon Fitness: Bodypump, Ballet workout, Warrior workout, Bootcamp, Step, Zumba

Hope this little list helped!! Have you been to Tucson? Any faves I missed?
Off to do the work thang.. assisting two dance cardio classes today, so it’s going to be a good one 🙂

xoxo

Gina

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72 Comments

  1. Ellie@fitforthesoul on June 30, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    haha The Good Egg! My future in-laws have a house near there and always talk about the good egg….:D I want to try it after all the rave from them and you 🙂 Funky name, it’s so cute.

  2. Mallory on June 30, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Former Tucsonan here….my favorite place for yoga would definitely be Tucson Yoga, on 4th Ave south of the bridge. 🙂

    Also – I love Ghini’s French cafe for breakfast or lunch. Prince & Campbell. Pretty sure you’d love it. You’re welcome 🙂

  3. Emily @ Sweating Sugar on June 30, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Just found your blog and I will be adding it to my list! My husband’s family lives in Tuscon and I will be using your recommendations next time we are down there.

  4. another girl in tucson on July 1, 2011 at 12:33 am

    body works pilates! it is the best!!

  5. Marisa @ Mind Over Booty on July 1, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Gotta give some love to Beyond Bread! And Penguin’s Yogurt used to have the best mint chip fro yo. Yummm.

    • Fitnessista on July 1, 2011 at 10:45 am

      penguins closed! i may have cried

      • Taylore on July 2, 2011 at 4:55 am

        The one on university is now malibu yogurt and it’s still pretty good 🙂 i go to UA. whoop!

        • Fitnessista on July 2, 2011 at 8:58 pm

          go cats! 🙂

  6. Ashley on July 1, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Mmmm . . . Guadalajara Grill soooo good!!! One of my husband and mine’s favs! We go there every time we are in Tucson visiting his Grandpa!! Although his Grandpa prefers Golden Corral or even worse hometown buffet (because beverages are included) hahaha : )

  7. Jared on August 12, 2013 at 12:34 am

    Thank you for getting back to me through Twitter. Great website, really helpful, I’ll be sure to use your blog info when I travel to Tucson next month.

  8. InSalutis | Pho-nomenal on January 15, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    […] a few requests to post my favorite things to do a Tucson places, so I’ll definitely update this post in the next few […]

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