What's New
Follow developments related to the travel and tourism industry in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
Once joked about as being a place you went only to pay for parking tickets, Tucson’s downtown has been a focal point of revitalization during the past few years. It’s anchored by the 9-year-old light rail, which connects the University of Arizona to downtown and new mixed-used businesses and residential developments west of the freeway. It’s turned downtown from a complex of blasé civic buildings to a thriving epicenter of activity that honors the area’s cultural heritage and innovative spirit. Now a new wave of restaurants, hotels, and attractions are opening in the downtown neighborhoods surrounding the light rail. Here’s a rundown of some of the most noteworthy updates.
TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART TURNS 100 - Originally founded in 1924 as the Tucson Fine Arts Association, the Tucson Museum of Art will celebrate its centennial in 2024. The museum plans to display retro exhibits from their archive to showcase their humble beginnings and the growth and development these past 100 years.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH CAFE OPENS IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON - Tucson restaurateur Patricia Schwabe opened her latest venture, National, October 19, 2024, in Downtown Tucson. Located in the former Wig-O-Rama space, National is a fast-casual breakfast and lunch cafe and bar, offering house-baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and a variety of lunch options, including vegan and gluten-free items. The space also features a full-service bar serving craft cocktails, beer, wine, and packaged alcohol.
NEW RESTAURANT CONCEPT TO OPEN DOWNTOWN- De Novo Market & Tap is set to open Winter of 2024 in downtown Tucson across the Historic Pima County Courthouse. Catering to downtown office works with limited lunch breaks, De Novo Market will offer grab-and-go meals and happy hour offerings meant to encourage workers to linger downtown after-hours. The new concept will feature a spacious 60-seat outdoor patio and serve rotating taps of local, domestic, and international beers, tap cocktails, and rotating wine offerings.
SOUTH AFRICAN-INSPIRED LOUNGE OPENING IN CITIZEN BUILDING – Boutique lounge, The Unicorn Zebra opened in August 2024 at the Citizen Hotel Building in downtown Tucson. The lounge will offer a selection of craft beer, South African wine and Cape Town-inspired cocktails and is owned by Sandy and Lourens du Plessis originally from Cape Town, South Africa. Unicorn Zebra is in the historic Citizen Newspaper building, which housed Tucson’s first newspaper. The lounge will open in August with future plans for a second-floor seating area and Airbnb rentals.
BARRIO VIEJO SEEKING NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION - One of Tucson’s downtown neighborhoods, Barrio Viejo, is seeking National Historic Landmark designation (info here). Barrio Viejo is the largest barrio in the U.S. and exemplifies Tucson’s connectivity to Mexico. Built in the mid-1800s largely by Mexicans, it was considered a poor neighborhood, was undervalued, and fell into disrepair for many decades in the 20th century. Then, in 1969, half of the neighborhood was bulldozed to make way for the Tucson Convention Center (which many people bemoan to this day). What saved the large, still-existing portion of the neighborhood was a small Catholic shrine called El Tiradito, dedicated to an adulterer who was, according to legend, murdered by his father-in-law. The neighborhood pushed for National Historic Landmark status for the shrine and succeeded, keeping the remainder of the neighborhood intact. Within the past few decades, there has been a renewed focus on Barrio Viejo and its historic buildings, including the restoration of Teatro Carmen, a 300-seat theatre, and the adjoining building, the one-time home of the Black Elks Club. The facades of these buildings was restored at the end of 2023, with the renewed interiors slated for 2025.
HOTELS
THE TUXON HOTEL REBRAND – The Tuxon hotel transitioned from Design Hotels, affiliated with Marriott, to the voco brand by IHG in September 2024. This change aims to enhance the guest experience while preserving the hotel's cherished features, and the same dedicated team will continue to manage it. The 112-room modern boutique hotel, which opened on July 3, 2020, is located in the heart of Tucson near Sentinel Peak. By day, The Tuxon serves as a hub for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts, while by night, the pool area provides a relaxed, social setting for cocktails and conversation. Reflecting the city's renaissance and its stunning surroundings, The Tuxon offers an elevated and immersive experience.
TOP U.S. WINE TASTING ROOM OPENS LUXURY CASITAS – Just over an hour outside of Tucson in the Sonoita-Elgin wine region, Los Milics winery opened nine luxury casitas on their property in July 2024. The new casitas pay homage to their Southern Arizona roots and complement the winery’s tasting room, originally opened January 2023. The vineyards were named second best wine tasting room in the U.S. by the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024. Los Milics is the brainchild of Pavle Milic, one of the two partners of the lauded Scottsdale restaurant FnB, featuring an Arizona exclusive wine list that's been twice nominated for Outstanding Beverage Program by the James Beard Foundation.
RESTAURANTS
FORBES MEAT CO. OPENS NEW LOCATION - Renowned butcher, Ben Forbes, relocated the beloved Forbes Meat Company to the 5 Points area near Downtown Tucson in July 2024. Specializing in custom processing, Forbes offers a variety of fresh options from sausages and steaks to grill-ready meats and seafoods. Their new location, which also features a beer and wine bar, now serves lunch and dinner alongside its whole animal butchery shop. Hunters and ranchers can also take advantage of their butchery services like smoking and sausage making from any animal provided.
CHEZ PEACHY TO OPEN BRICK-AND-MORTAR BAKERY - Popular bento cake purveyor, Chez Peachy, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Fall 2024. Chez Peach has been selling their signature colorful lunchbox-sized 6- and 8-inch cakes since 2021. Owner and baker, Christa Lebron, started off selling her cakes at pop-up markets before opening her food truck in April 2024. The new brick-and-mortar will offer an array of hot and cold beverages including their popular mermaid refreshers along with their signature bento cakes, “kawaii cookies,” brownies, and jumbo cupcakes at 501 N. Sixth Ave., west of the Historic Fourth Ave. District.
BASQUERIA PINTXOS & SANGRIA BAR OPENED IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON
In August 2024, Freddy ElMesselmani and Jeff Baker, co-owners of Urban Pita, opened Basqueria Pintxos, a tapas restaurant inspired by their travels to Spain’s Basque Country. The menu at Basqueria features traditional pintxos, the bite-sized dishes popular in Northern Spain and Southern France, like smoked salmon with goat cheese and hot honey, alongside larger dishes such as ropa vieja and paella, all served in a welcoming space designed to reflect the vibrant culture of the Basque region.
BATA RECEIVES SUNSET AWARD - In September 2024, Tyler Fenton’s downtown Tucson restaurant, Bata, was recognized as one of the best places to eat in the West by Sunset magazine. Opened in spring 2022 in a historic 1930s warehouse, Bata was the only Arizona restaurant to make the prestigious list, which includes renowned Michelin-starred spots from California and Denver. This is the second national accolade for Bata this year, following its Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in June. Bata has earned multiple national honors, including mentions by Bon Appétit and Time magazine.
CELESTIA COLLECTIVE BRINGS A WITCHY, QUEER-FRIENDLY SPACE TO TUCSON - A new community space opened its doors in September 2024. Celestia Collective is a unique blend of a coffee shop and a metaphysical haven, offering coffee drinks, witchy crafts, tattoos, and creative workshops. Beyond coffee and crafts, the space aims to be a welcoming “third space” for the community, with events like karaoke, game nights, and craft workshops, as well as a no-strings-attached pantry for those in need. The collective hopes to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
COFFEE SHOP OPENS IN HISTORIC BLENMAN-ELM DISTRICT – New coffee shop and artisan market, Sonoran House, opened in Tucson’s historic Blenman-Elm District in August 2024. Sonoran House puts a Tucson twist on coffee shop staples with its menu, which includes drinks like a Sonoran Fog and an Agave Latte. In their market, guests can shop from more than fifty local makers and artisans like Creative Kind, Prickly Posies, and Plant Casitas. Their mission is to offer small-batch, sustainably crafted coffee in a space that feels like home.
DAY OF THE DEAD-INSPIRED RESTAURANT OPENS IN TUCSON– In June 2024, the Bohon family, who opened their first Mexican restaurant "Taqueria La Esquina" in 1986, have opened their second restaurant in Tucson. Inspired by copal resin and the Day of the Dead, “Copal” offers contemporary Mexican food and unique and vibrant décor reminiscent of the neon colors often seen during the celebration. Copal is a place that celebrates Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, offering traditional dishes with a twist and a curated selection of Sotol, Bacanora, Tequilas and authentic Mexican cocktails.
NEW LOCAL BAKERY OFFERING HANDMADE ARTISANAL BAKED GOODS AND COFFEE- Inspired by childhood memories of visiting their grandmother after school for coffee and homemade treats, sisters Harper and Haley Hall founded Rosebud Bakery in late 2020 out of Harper's certified home kitchen. In July 2024, the duo opened their brick-and-mortar location at the Flash building near the Five Points area south of downtown Tucson. This new and bigger space has allowed them to expand their menu, offering sourdough breads and other baked goods made with high-quality, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. They also have a full coffee bar highlighting local and national coffee roasters and their own homemade syrups.
TUCSON'S FIRST HIMALAYAN SALT WALL DINING EXPERIENCE - A new fine restaurant experience has opened up near downtown Tucson's 5 Points area. Casa Madre opened in June 2024, west of The Baffert at 5 Points, featuring Tucson's first Himalayan rock salt wall dining experience. Casa Madre features a limited dinner menu and a variety of cocktails for an elevated, intimate dining experience.
POPULAR SOUTH TUCSON RESTAURANT OPENS IN MERCADO DISTRICT - Rollies Mexican Patio opened its second location in the popular modified shipping container shopping center, MSA Annex in July 2024. Rollies joins five other drink and dining options in The Annex, bringing a beloved local favorite to Tucson's west side. Chef Mateo Otero, who first opened Rollies in South Tucson in 2017, brings restaurant favorites like their Nana's and Cheesy Birria tacos and new dishes like Loaded Chilaquiles and Papa Flats to the Mercado District.
AGAVE CENTERED BAR AND RESTAURANT OPENS IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON - Borderlands Brewing Co. owner Es Teran opened his newest business venture in March 2024. Sonoran Moonshine Co. focuses on agave-centered drinks like Bacanora and includes a speakeasy-style bar in the basement. Their drink menu incorporates unique ingredients reminiscent of Tucson and the Sonoran Southwest like their Hola Mushasho, a sotol concoction with beet juice and a cricket shrub on a pineapple leather or their Sweet Elote Espresso, a creamy sweet corn espresso martini. The new eatery will also serve Borderlands Brewing beers on tap and feature a menu that perfectly highlights the best Mexican flavors Tucson has to offer.
ICONIC BAKERY OPENS FOURTH LOCATION DOWNTOWN - A local staple bringing fresh tortillas, Mexican sweet bread, and other baked goods to Tucson for almost 40 years opened its fourth location in downtown Tucson in May 2024. The Franco family first opened the original La Estrella Bakery on 12th Avenue in 1985, quickly becoming a cornerstone of Tucson. They opened their second location in the Mercado District 26 years later and their third in 2021. La Estrella Bakery's newest location is an 800-square foot storefront on Stone Avenue, on the ground level of the building housing the Hampton Inn and Home 2 Suites.
NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA OPENS IN MERCADO DISTRICT - In May 2024, WHOLE SLVCE PIZZA opened at the Monier Building in the Mercado District, between the Mercado San Agustin and MSA Annex. WHOLE SLVCE focuses on New York style, deck-oven pizza slices, and large pies and is the newest adventure of Ari Shapiro Travis Evans of Falora. Evans has an extensive background, formerly working for 10 years as the head baker of Sullivan Street Bakery in New York City, then moving on to work under James Beard Award-winning Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bakery and James Beard Award and Michelin Star Chef Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park. The menu at WHOLE SLVCE offers classic pizza options with an extensive Vegan menu, including a vegan cannoli made by vegan Tucson bakery Houlden's Rise Above.
NEW FIELD GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS AMERICA'S BEST MEXICAN FOOD - Visit Tucson launched their newest Field Guide in March 2024, spotlighting a trail of local Mexican restaurants around the city that will give locals and visitors a taste of Tucson, home of America's Best Mexican Food. Locals and visitors can access the America's Best Mexican Food Field Guide via mobile app to try new restaurants and accumulate points that can be used to redeem prizes.
BORDERLANDS BREWCADE COMING SOON - Borderlands Brewing Co is opening their third location in Tucson's north side in Fall 2024. Borderlands Brewing North will be located at River Road and Craycroft Road near the Catalina Foothills and will sport an arcade bar theme and colorful murals by artist Sangre del Desierto.
TWO TUCSON CHEFS NAMED JAMES BEARD AWARD SEMIFINALISTS - In January 2024, two Tucson chefs were unveiled as semifinalists for the James Beard Award's Best Chef in the Southwest category. Chef Wendy Garcia of Tumerico and La Chaiteria, and Flavia Briones of Barista Del Barrio were named. Garcia, known for her flavorful vegan and vegetarian Mexican food, was the sole Tucson nominee in 2023. This year Briones, known for her delectable breakfast burritos, joins Garcia as a semifinalist. Winners will be announced in June 2024 at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony in Chicago.
ATTRACTIONS
DESERT MUSEUM HONORED AS A 2024 RECIPIENT OF NATIONAL MEDAL - On May 21st, 2024, The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) has been selected as one of 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This prestigious award is the highest honor a museum or library can receive in the United States, recognizing institutions that make exceptional contributions to their communities. ASDM is being honored for its outstanding research, education, and conservation efforts, as well as its role as a vital resource for education, health, employment, and cultural enrichment in the community. Founded in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is renowned for its innovative approach to presenting native plants and animals in their natural habitats. The museum combines elements of a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, and natural history museum, all with the mission of inspiring people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.
NASA ASTEROID SAMPLE ARRIVES IN TUCSON - A sample of the Bennu asteroid brought via the University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx mission is being unveiled at the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum March 2024. A portion of the rare and valuable asteroid sample will be permanently housed at the Gem and Mineral Museum making it one of only three locations that have received a sample available for public viewing.
NEW MUSEUM FOR MILITARY VEHICLES - As one of the world's largest and most diverse aerospace museums, the Pima Air & Space Museum is now broadening its audience to historic military vehicle enthusiasts. The Tucson Military Vehicle Museum will open next to the Pima Air and Space Museum as a new, separate experience in November 2024, showcasing rare and interesting vehicles from all nations and eras. Visitors can expect dynamic activities and exhibits, demonstrations, riding and driving experiences, and STEM experiences for K-12 students.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ALL SOULS PROCESSION - The All Souls Procession, one of North America's most significant and inclusive public ceremonies, returns to downtown Tucson in November. With a weekend full of altars, performances, and installations, the All Souls Procession honors ancestors and celebrates life, drawing on the talents of artists and community members from diverse backgrounds. The event culminates in the symbolic burning of "The Urn," which is filled with community-written hopes, wishes, and remembrances for lost loved ones. November 1st-3rd, 2024.
DUSK MUSIC FESTIVAL - Since its debut in 2016, this vibrant two-day music festival returns to Tucson every November. Set in the heart of downtown Tucson, the festival spans three stages, a lively vendor village, and an array of engaging art installations, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees. Dusk has brought positive energy to the Southwest, showcasing a mix of EDM, indie, rock, and hip-hop. November 9-10, 2024.
TUCSON TAMAL FESTIVAL - The 19th Annual Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival, hosted by Casino Del Sol returns in December 2024. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the vibrant tamal traditions of the Southwest and Mexico, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy fresh tamales while exploring the heritage of this holiday delicacy. With live entertainment, cultural exhibits, a farmers' market, artisan vendors, and a tamal-tasting contest, the festival is a feast for the senses. Celebrate local borderland heritage at this unforgettable community event! December 7, 2024.
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For More Information, Contact:
Cindy Aguilar
Senior Director of Communications
1 (520) 770-2145
Mo Olivas
Manager of Communications
1 (520) 770-2163
