Summer in Tucson has a predictable rhythm: students depart and seasonal visitors head north, leaving neighborhoods quieter and downtown more distinctly local. Streets from Congress and Broadway to Cushing, Alameda, Toole, Stone and Granada host an assortment of independent businesses and attractions that invite slow exploration rather than a one-day cram. With a water bottle and a packet of electrolyte powder, people are finding they can wander downtown in stages — returning easily when the heat or a new discovery calls.
A visitor looks out from a nearby hill toward the Tucson skyline, showing a panoramic view of downtown and the surrounding mountains.
Mornings begin at neighborhood fixtures such as JoJos, a counter-service restaurant that opens at 8 a.m. Diners place orders at the counter and may choose the airy dining room or a shaded patio enlivened by abundant greenery. The menu includes freshly baked goods — the scones are baked daily — burritos and a traditional plate of eggs, home fries and bacon. The restaurant’s owner, Jo Schneider, says she eliminated table service to reduce customer costs. “I’ve done the insane thing by lowering my prices,” she said, adding that she wanted to offer an affordable space with live music. JoJos is set into the corner of Old Town Artisans, and the warren of shops there is a natural stop after a meal; live music plays every evening.
A short walk from the commercial corridors brings visitors to the Pima County Historic Courthouse and Southern Arizona Visitors Center, where the interior provides both relief from the heat and an overview of the region’s history and culture. Exhibits trace the area from the Tohono O’odham inhabitants through Spanish occupation to modern Tucson. A stripe in the museum’s floor marks the location of the old presidio wall, a feature tied into the Turquoise Trail that highlights more than 20 local landmarks and architectural touchstones. The first floor also houses a fountain for refilling water bottles, a staffed gift shop and restrooms, and docents offer free tours twice daily. “It’s so cool to me … when you wander around Downtown, there’s no McDonalds,” docent Randy Spalding said. “There’s no Burger King. It’s all family-owned stuff and it’s really, really great. I think that’s fantastic.”
A Tucson streetcar rolls past the Rialto Theatre on Congress Street at night, illustrating downtown’s lively nightlife and transit options.
Public and private funding have played a role in shaping the commercial life of Congress Street. Much, if not all, of the business activity there was at least partially supported by Rio Nuevo, the tax increment finance district created to invest in the area’s redevelopment. Crystal Moore, CEO and president of Downtown Tucson Partnership, said that state sales tax collected in the Rio Nuevo district is returned to Tucson and reinvested locally — an effect she contrasted with spending at regional shopping centers. “Typically our state sales tax goes to Phoenix and Phoenix gets to do whatever they want to do with it but what I want Tucsonans to know is when they purchase something in the Rio Nuevo district that state sales tax today comes back to Tucson and invests in this district,” Moore said. “That’s not happening at La Encantada or Foothills Mall. That’s really preserving and supporting our local economy.”
Downtown Tucson Partnership itself functions as the nonprofit Business Improvement District responsible for management and advocacy for the downtown area and for projects such as the Haiku Trail. Under Moore’s leadership, DTP has expanded a visible support network of Downtown Ambassadors — staff members in deep purple shirts who assist with directions, maintenance, beautification, business support and safety. There are more than 20 ambassadors on duty downtown, and their visibility is part of how the area presents itself to visitors. “They work here because they love their city, just like me,” Moore said. “I’m pretty sure most of them could have already gone on and done something different but they’re passionate about keeping Downtown clean and merchants thriving and successful.” Posted maps in storefront windows and freestanding sidewalk structures supplement the ambassadors’ presence so that visitors rarely remain truly lost, only temporarily misplaced.
Families with children find specific destinations designed for hands-on play. The Children’s Museum Tucson, located a short distance from Broadway, occupies about 17,000 square feet and is organized around the idea that children lead the experience. “What we do at the Children’s Museum is focus on accessibility and play,” executive director Hilary Van Alsburg said. “Everything we do is for kids and families. It’s an opportunity for kids to come and lead what’s happening.” On a recent visit, even an infant found a way to laugh and slide, while older children explored themed rooms built for climbing, experimenting and performing.
Exhibits at the museum include a community care area with a crawl-in ambulance and police car and a full police motorcycle on display; an electricity room with interactive, safe displays funded by TEP; a small theater space for imaginative play; and calming nooks for children who want a quieter environment. The site also features science and engineering activities and numerous art projects intended to spark interest in future possibilities. “I would love for everyone to recognize that the Children’s Museum is a value to treasure for families and for generations,” Van Alsburg said. “It’s really the only place that’s dedicated 100% to children. It was built for them and it’s about them.” She added, “It’s the children’s museum for all children, for every child.”
Downtown’s combination of independent restaurants, cultural institutions, pedestrian-friendly amenities and active stewardship by public-private partnerships creates a compact area that many residents visit repeatedly rather than in a single marathon outing. Amenities such as free museum tours, refill stations, restrooms and visible ambassadors are part of the day-to-day experience, while evening offerings — including live music and accessible transit options — extend the district’s appeal beyond daylight hours. For those seeking a sequence of small discoveries, Downtown Tucson presents a mix of dining, history and family programming that can be sampled at leisure and returned to as plans unfold.