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Activity Tucson, USA

Downtown Tucson Walking Tour with Local Guide

5.0 (3 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Downtown Tucson Walking Tour with Local Guide

About this activity

Your tour guide, has a passion for story telling! On your Downtown Tucson Tour we stroll the charming sidewalks of Downtown! We begin with Tucson's founding as a Spanish Colonial Presidio in 1775. Then we stroll by a historic Sonoran Row House dating to the 1850s, and learn how these structures were built for our desert climate!

Next, we visit the Historic Pima County Courthouse to hear of the Dillinger Gang's 1934 capture in Tucson. Next, we learn the tale of Tucson's first cathedral, and hear of a famous gunfighter who partied in Tucson!

We stroll by the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, and see Tucson's first skyscraper! We visit the Hotel Congress & discuss the Rialto Theatre, both with storied pasts! Then we visit the Railroad Depot seeing a steam locomotive used in the movie Oklahoma and learn the tale of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp visiting the depot!

We end at Jacome Plaza to learn of a luxury hotel and the downtown department store scene that gained national acclaim!

Private and Luxury Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Small Group New Product Short term availability Weather Dependent - Weather-Proof

At a glance

Duration
2 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 10 people
People per booking
1–10
Guide
English
Operated by
Strolls and Stories Tours

Ages: Infants (0–1 years) · Children (2–5 years) · Youth (6–17 years) · Adults (18–65 years) · Seniors (66–99 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Two hours of historic stories, fascinating tales & my interesting tidbits of Tucson history!

Itinerary

  1. Presidio San Agustin Del Tucson Museum

    Passing by

    We stroll past the Presidio San Agustin Del Tucson Museum discussing Tucson's founding way back in 1775 as we view the rebuilt mud adobe presidio walls. We also discuss our 4,000 years of Native American History.

  2. Old Town Artisans

    Passing by

    We discuss how Old Town Artisans is one of our mud adobe Sonoran Row Houses that dates to the 1850s. We chat in detail about how these mud adobe structures were constructed for our harsh desert climate.

  3. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block

    Passing by

    We pass by the Tucson Museum of Art and will make mention of the historic buildings that sit on this property.

  4. Pima County Courthouse

    15 min

    We discuss this beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival Styled building that dates to 1929 and do the Dillinger Experience in the courtroom where the gang was arranged back in 1934!

  5. Veinte de Agosto Park

    10 min

    We learn of a very famous gunfighter who partied the night away right here in the 1880s! We also chat about how our first St. Augustine Cathedral once stood here and the fascinating story of what happens to our old Cathedral....this is a good tale!

  6. Fox Tucson Theatre

    Passing by

    We discuss this history of our Fox Tucson Theatre, a southwest art deco designed theatre, and discuss how it was nearly torn down, as we learn how it was saved!

  7. Stop 7

    Passing by

    We will discuss they story of Tucson's first skyscraper!

  8. Stop 8

    Passing by

    We will discuss the Ronstadt family and Linda Ronstadt!

  9. Rialto Theatre

    Passing by

    We will discuss the storied history of the Rialto Theatre in Tucson including how one lady attempted to burn it down - this is quite the story!

  10. Stop 10

    10 min

    We will discuss the history of the Hotel Congress Tucson, including the Dillinger Gang!

  11. Stop 11

    5 min

    We will discuss the history of the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in Tucson, today the Tucson Amtrak Station

  12. Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

    10 min

    We see old steam locomotive 1673 which was used in the filming of the movie Oklahoma! Also a statue of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp as we learn who they chased and shot dead right on the tracks in downtown Tucson!

  13. Stop 13

    Passing by

    We learn what this Pueblo Deco designed building originally housed!

  14. Stop 14

    Passing by

    Learn what very famous mid century actress loved to shop in the dress shop that used to be in this building.

  15. Stop 15

    Passing by

    Learn of the luxury hotel that once occupied this building with a rooftop and all!

  16. Jacome Plaza

    10 min

    Learn of the grand downtown department store shopping scene that once occupied this intersection. We hear how it gained national acclaim, and what ultimately happened to it.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • We meet directly across from the Lohse YMCA Downtown at 60 W Alameda Street...that is a good street address to Google Map to. We meet on the Southeast corner of W Alameda Street and North Church Avenue under the big shade tree. Look for your Tour Guide wearing an orange shirt.

End point

  • We meet directly across from the Lohse YMCA Downtown at 60 W Alameda Street...that is a good street address to Google Map to. We meet on the Southeast corner of W Alameda Street and North Church Avenue under the big shade tree. Look for your Tour Guide wearing an orange shirt.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

  • Service animals allowed

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • Tour Participation Risk Acknowledgement and Liability Waiver: By booking this tour, I understand and agree that participation in this Guided Walking Tour involves walking on public sidewalks, crossing streets and entering both public and private buildings and property. This guided tour could involve risk of physical injury, illness, death or property loss, and despite safety precautions, the tour operator cannot guarantee safety thereof, as all risks cannot be prevented. I understand that any injuries, medical expenses, property loss, or other personal expenditures that result during or from participating in this Tour, are to be borne by the participant, or by their parent or guardian (if participant is a minor), and I agree to release the tour operator and it's owner and employees of any and all liability.

  • No pets please. Service animals are allowed.

Options

  • Summer 2025 Downtown Tour

  • Downtown Tucson Walking Tour with Local Guide

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · 3 reviews
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Downtown Tucson Walking Tour with Local Guide

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