This Small Town Is One of the Best Hidden Gems in Arizona

While Tucson has become known as a hub for culture, arts, and excellent food—it’s one of only two UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy in the U.S.—there’s another must-visit spot just under an hour south of the city. The small, walkable village of Tubac is the ideal destination for a day trip or weekend getaway, one with dozens of unique galleries that embrace a sense of place in the Sonoran Desert.

Here, you can dive into history by visiting the ruins of a Spanish presidio at Arizona’s first state park—or head to Tumacácori National Historical Park to explore the preserved remnants of a Spanish mission. Get out for a hike during the day, or take in views of the stars at night (Tubac is a certified International Dark Sky Community). No matter how you fill your time in Tubac, one thing’s for sure: It’s a true hidden gem that will immerse you in history, a celebration of the arts, and a beautiful landscape.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa

Once a cattle ranch, Tubac Golf Resort & Spa transformed into a guest experience, with Bing Crosby as one of the investors, in 1959. Today, accommodations include casita rooms, suites, and a ranch house, outfitted with tile floors, exposed wood beams, and private in-room fireplaces. The resort is also home to a 27-hole championship golf course, an expansive wellness spa, and a seasonal dude ranch pop-up program with horseback riding and archery lessons.

Tubac Country Inn

Conveniently located near the village shops and restaurants, Tubac Country Inn has six suites defined by their historic accents and southwestern decor. Outside, there are numerous sitting areas across the half-acre garden, including a picnic spot and fire pit seating.

Best Things to Do

Visit the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.

Arizona’s first designated state park, the Tubac Presidio, is the site of historic ruins dating back to 1752. The park spans 11 acres, with multiple gardens showcasing heritage plants, succulents, cacti, and herbs. Walk through the museum exhibits highlighting ranching and mining history, and see the 1885 preserved schoolhouse, as well as an 1880s Sonoran “row house” with original furnishings.

Stroll through Tumacácori National Historical Park.

The remnants of three missions from the Spanish colonial era are protected by the Tumacácori National Historical Park, just about four miles south of town. During your visit, you can see preserved construction of the adobe and limestone plaster Spanish mission structures up close, walk among centuries-old orchards with peach and quince trees, and visit the mission San José de Tumacácori church.

Wander into village galleries and shops.

Tubac is a celebrated creative destination. It’s home to the Tubac Center of the Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to artistic expression since the 1970s. The center hosts exhibitions, educational opportunities, and workshops, and many artists show and sell their work in local village galleries. Spend an afternoon walking around town, popping into artist studios and galleries, and admiring the pottery, paintings, garden sculptures, and jewelry on display.

Go hiking and biking.

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail has a trailhead at both the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and the Tumacácori National Historical Park, with a four-mile stretch connecting them. This path can be hiked or explored on horseback as you wander through mesquite and cottonwood trees along the Santa Cruz River.

Search for the stars.

Tubac is one of several designated International Dark Sky Communities in Arizona, which means it’s an excellent spot for stargazing. Watch the stars from just outside your hotel, or head to a star party or guided hike at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park or Tumacácori National Historical Park. The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, a Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory satellite facility, is also about 20 miles from Tubac. It has live demonstrations and exhibits that help visitors learn more about astrophysics.

Best Restaurants

Stables Ranch Grille

The best seat in the house at Stables Ranch Grille may be on the patio next to the fireplace—or at an outdoor table facing the golf course with a mountain silhouette in the background. Located in a former stable at the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, the restaurant is dedicated to historic preservation, and it embraces locally sourced ingredients. Find breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus featuring Arizona-grown greens, hatch green chiles, and housemade pastas, potato chips, and freshly baked baguettes.

Elvira’s

Elvira’s, a colorful, family-owned restaurant since 1927, serves elevated Mexican food. The fine-dining-inspired menu features a selection of moles, grilled seafood, and the “Frida Kahlo” Chile Poblano, a seasonal dish made with roasted poblano and squash blossoms. Pair your meal with the extensive tequila menu, and finish it off with a traditional flan made with vanilla bean, orange liqueur, and a strawberry glaze.

Tubac Deli & Coffee Co.

Walking into Tubac Deli & Coffee Co., you’ll be met with a full case of freshly baked goods (think bear claws, cinnamon rolls, and danishes), along with fruit and cream pies sold by the slice. Prefer something savory? Order a breakfast sandwich on a housemade biscuit, or grab a panini for lunch. Sip on coffee roasted fresh weekly, and settle into a seat on the covered patio.

The Gatsby

With preserved stone walls, moody Jazz Age lighting, detailed leather barstools, and cocktails crafted to transport you to the 1920s, The Gatsby channels a decidedly vintage vibe. Drinks are served in stylish glassware and paired with flatbreads. It’s an excellent afternoon or evening stop.

Best Time to Visit

As is typical in southern Arizona, summer temperatures in Tubac are hot—the average high in June falls in the mid-90s. In the winter months, nighttime lows are quite chilly, leading to moderate daytime highs of 65 degrees. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Tubac, as temperatures during the day are usually in the 70s and 80s.

How to Get There

Driving is the best option for getting to and from Tubac. It’s about a 45-minute drive from both downtown Tucson and Tucson International Airport (TUS). The international airport is served by several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Delta, Frontier, and American.

How to Get Around

Once you arrive in Tubac, the easiest way to explore its shops, restaurants, galleries, and historical highlights is on foot. The village is incredibly walkable, but parking is also plentiful in front of the town shops.