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4/4-4/7/2025, Friday-Monday - Explored Tucson, Arizona

  • joraintree
  • Apr 7
  • 3 min read

We had originally planned to go to Albuquerque, New Mexico and spend some time, but it was going to be too cold for us, so we pivoted and went to Tucson, Arizona instead.


We arrived Friday afternoon and found a place to park in the lovely Menlo Park area just west of downtown.
We arrived Friday afternoon and found a place to park in the lovely Menlo Park area just west of downtown.

I went looking for a place to eat lunch and found this cool container park nearby that had restaurants, bars, shops, and even a concert stage.
I went looking for a place to eat lunch and found this cool container park nearby that had restaurants, bars, shops, and even a concert stage.

In the container park I found a vegan restaurant called Beaut Burgers, and I had one of the best veggie burgers I have ever had - score!
In the container park I found a vegan restaurant called Beaut Burgers, and I had one of the best veggie burgers I have ever had - score!

We walked to the downtown area and explored it. That's when we learned that there would be a free 3-day folk festival there and we decided to stay for the weekend.
We walked to the downtown area and explored it. That's when we learned that there would be a free 3-day folk festival there and we decided to stay for the weekend.

We found pinball at Cobra Arcade Bar and went there several times during our stay.
We found pinball at Cobra Arcade Bar and went there several times during our stay.

We found a nice bar/restaurant called The Neighborhood that had good happy hour food and drink specials, so we went there a couple of times.
We found a nice bar/restaurant called The Neighborhood that had good happy hour food and drink specials, so we went there a couple of times.

The first night of the Tucson Folk Festival was a songwriters competition, and we listened to that.
The first night of the Tucson Folk Festival was a songwriters competition, and we listened to that.

It was a really nice music festival with six different stages, and lots of different types of music.
It was a really nice music festival with six different stages, and lots of different types of music.


At one point during the music festival, it rained and the singer called everyone's attention to the rainbow that could be seen behind us.
At one point during the music festival, it rained and the singer called everyone's attention to the rainbow that could be seen behind us.

One stage was inside the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson Museum.
One stage was inside the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson Museum.


There were also vendors and food trucks to check out. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole music festival, and we really loved the cool hippie vibe in Tucson.
There were also vendors and food trucks to check out. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole music festival, and we really loved the cool hippie vibe in Tucson.

The heart of the music festival was across the street from the beautiful Pima County Historic Courthouse.
The heart of the music festival was across the street from the beautiful Pima County Historic Courthouse.

Note the 3-story tall saguaro cactus.
Note the 3-story tall saguaro cactus.

We spied this cute little bird living inside this giant saguaro cactus outside the building.
We spied this cute little bird living inside this giant saguaro cactus outside the building.

Inside the building is a visitors center, and that's where I discovered that the saguaro cactus outside must be at least 200 years old! I had no idea how old these cactus got - very cool!
Inside the building is a visitors center, and that's where I discovered that the saguaro cactus outside must be at least 200 years old! I had no idea how old these cactus got - very cool!

We found the public art interesting.
We found the public art interesting.



Flat Deedra liked the Garden of Gethsemane, where there was a statue recreation of The Last Supper, as well as other biblical statues.
Flat Deedra liked the Garden of Gethsemane, where there was a statue recreation of The Last Supper, as well as other biblical statues.

I fell in love with the amazing giant murals throughout town.
I fell in love with the amazing giant murals throughout town.






One beautiful, sunny day we biked the Julian Wash Greenway starting in Santa Cruz River Park.
One beautiful, sunny day we biked the Julian Wash Greenway starting in Santa Cruz River Park.


There was just a little bit of water in the Santa Cruz River.
There was just a little bit of water in the Santa Cruz River.


Pretty public art along the trail.
Pretty public art along the trail.

I guess people like riding their horses in the dry riverbeds here in the southwest.
I guess people like riding their horses in the dry riverbeds here in the southwest.


Here is the Relive video for our 22.06-mile bike ride that day (with many additional photos):





A funny story from that day...
A funny story from that day...

We had locked up our bikes in the courtyard of the historic courthouse building while we were at the folk music festival, but it closed before the concerts ended that day. So, when we went back for our bikes we found them locked in the courtyard, but there was a note with a number to call for whomever had left their bikes there. So, we called the number and the super nice security guard came and unlocked the gate so we could get them. That made us love Tucson all the more!

 
 
 

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