Tucson, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, offers a food scene rooted in Sonoran Desert traditions and local agriculture. Experienced on a Backroads Hiking & Walking Trip, from Mercado District bites to memorable on-trip dining, it pairs vibrant cuisine with outdoor adventure and cultural discovery.
Looking to escape the cold and embark on a Backroads adventure that immerses you in unique local culture while staying in the US? Then Tucson, Arizona, may be the place for you. As I set out to lead one of the very first departures of the Backroads Arizona’s Saguaro National Park Women’s Hiking & Walking Tour, I had the opportunity to visit Tucson for the first time, and it was such a pleasure to explore a new city through the lens of a Backroads trip. For anyone seeking a destination that combines cultural experiences with outdoor adventure and amazing food woven throughout, it’s a place well worth discovering for yourself.
From the unique vibrancy and flair that local artists bring to the city’s diverse landscapes—including colorful murals that adorn adobe walls—to seeing the largest cacti in the nation in Saguaro National Park, surrounded by sweeping desert and vast mountain ranges, it was difficult not to instantly become fond of Tucson!
A UNESCO City of Gastronomy
Yet while it’s easy to fall in love with Tucson based on its sights alone, another driving factor that makes it such a memorable place to visit is its incredible food scene. There’s a reason it was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy—the first US city to receive the prestigious title and a designation it shares with other cities such as Phuket, Thailand, Parma, Italy and Arequipa, Peru. What makes Tucson’s food scene so remarkable is that it has its roots in the land itself. Thousands of years ago, farmers in the area we now know as Tucson developed unique ways to capture rainwater, allowing rich crops to thrive despite intense heat and limited rainfall. This tradition of Sonoran farming continues today and still shapes how meals are grown and prepared. The result is a food scene that feels deeply embedded in history and culture and yet is vibrant and evolving—where each dish offers a connection to the desert and its people.
Dining Experiences on Trip
On-trip dining options provide a fun way for guests to immerse themselves in the foodie community of Tucson after soaking in the expansive views they are treated to while hiking. Whether it’s dinner just outside of town at Coronet or at our gorgeous ranch resort of Hacienda Del Sol, trip dinners provide excellent opportunities for guests to try authentic Tucson cuisine that is bound to leave a lasting impression. Personally, my favorite meal experience of the trip is having lunch in the bustling Mercado District just outside of downtown Tucson. Here, guests are able to explore an open-air market with a wide variety of shopping and food options. Whether you're grabbing a burrito from the award-winning Mexican restaurant Seis, straying outside the Tucson norm to get ramen from Kukai or wanting some extra caffeine from Presta Coffee, the Mercado District truly has something delicious for everyone.
A City Worth Returning To
While this was my first time visiting Tucson, it won’t be my last. The city is one that draws visitors in with rich culture, amazing food and unbeatable scenery. The desert serves as a reminder that uniqueness is all around us, and how important it is to soak in all the beauty at our own pace.
