Make the most of your time in Tucson, Arizona with this simple travel guide based on our adventures.

We had a work assignment in southern Arizona and Tucson was the closest town that had civilization. Add that to the fact that we tried living in our tiny trailer home during the summer which resulted in a lot of weekends in Tucson escaping the heat.

Tuscon quickly became our favorite Arizona city. Plan the perfect Tucson vacation with this weekend getaway travel guide.

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Where to Stay

Westward Look Wyndham Resort and Spa

If you want desert luxury then Westward Look is for you. It's the perfect mix of sunny views with cacti surroundings.

It was an impromptu vacation because we had Wyndham points to use and our internet not working at home wasn't working for Phil's fantasy draft. So we packed up and drove for a little mini-staycation.

We stayed in the Casita Junior Studio Suite and it was perfect. Phil has fast internet and a perfect couch set up while Kelsey got to hang out right outside the room on the patio.

There were little unexpected perks like a mountain view from the fitness room and a tiny hiking trail on the property. But our favorite part was the hot tub, perfect for wine drinking on a Sunday night.

Airbnb

During our time in Tucson, we stayed at five Airbnbs. All of them offered something different and we loved each one.

One had a pool, one had the perfect downtown location, one had amazing internet and one gave us our own guesthouse with a loft the boys loved.

We found that the hotels are pretty pricey so if you are visiting we suggest saving some money and opt for renting, especially since there are so many options.

Probably our favorite of all of our stays was the guesthouse located right by the college. Having an entire guesthouse gave us so much space and the patio outside was very secluded.

Not to mention the owner of the property is a very sweet cat owner who made sure we were enjoying our stay.  There was a shared laundry unit on the property and a friendly cat who liked to climb the trees.

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Where to Eat

Lovin' Spoonfuls

This was the best vegan restaurant we found in Tucson. They have a few locations making it easier for you to find one no matter where you are staying.

The best part about Lovin' Spoonful is that they have vegan takes on non-vegan staples such as a Rueben, Philly cheesesteak and buffalo wings. There are also vegan desserts such as cupcakes and cookies.

The Coronet

Located right downtown, The Coronet has a very fancy vibe. It's the kind of restaurant that has a pretty small menu but everything is amazing.

The drink menu is probably one of the better parts as they are unique and delicious. Their bloody mary came with pickled green beans and a pickled egg.

We loved going for brunch after walking around the city but their brunch is only available on weekends. They are open mostly for dinner so always double-check their hours.

Tohono Chul Garden Bistro

This little garden bistro is located at the Tohono Chul park so you can get food and also walk around enjoying the views. They have a gift shop you can check out if there's a waiting list.

The best part is the prickly pear mimosas (unlimited during brunch) and prickly pear margaritas. They also have yummy vegan options.

Food Conspiracy Co-op

We best describe the Co-op as a neighborhood-friendly Sprouts. It's a grocery store but oftentimes with produce and goods from locals. This is a great place to get all of your groceries but there is also a cold and hot bar.

Our go-to is their "cheap red wine" which tastes great and only costs about four dollars...and yes, that's the name.

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What to Do

Thrift Shopping

Since Tucson is a bit of a hipster college town they have an excellent selection of thrift stores. You can't go wrong with any of them but one of our favorites is Tucson Thrift Shop right downtown.

They have more trendy items as they keep up with fashion and make some of their alterations. Kelsey found the perfect pair of vintage, cut-off jean shorts.

See a Movie

Phil loves movies and whenever we find a theatre that offers food and drinks you can order right from your seat, we have to go. Roadhouse cinemas are like a restaurant and a movie in one.

They have reclining seats, a full menu with a bar and a server with good prices to boot. It can be a great way to escape the heat in the summer.

Yoga

The whole city of Tucson seems to have a healthy atmosphere so yoga is everywhere to be found. Kelsey is always up for yoga and found a great place that offers five-dollar classes called YogaOasis. Other places offer monthly deals but since we are always on the road, the five-dollar classes are great for people just visiting for a weekend.

Hiking

Tucson has a lot to offer when it comes to awesome day hikes. Going for a quick hike can be a great way to get in some exercise while also being able to explore the Tucson area.

Many of the viewpoints offer views of the entire city and are a great photo opportunity. Plus hiking is free making this idea performed for the budget traveler.

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We hope our travel guide for Tucson, Arizona will inspire you and help you plan your next trip. Probably the best city in Arizona with a college town feel and plenty to check out. Happy Adventuring!