Your UA bucket list: 50 things you have to do before graduation
- Updated
Welcome to Tucson new Arizona Wildcats! This Sonoran Desert town is hot, quirky, full of culture, food and hidden gems. Here's our list of all the things you should do in your four (or five ... or six) years at the university.
Welcome to Tucson
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Welcome to Tucson new Arizona Wildcats! This Sonoran Desert town is hot, quirky, full of culture, food and hidden gems. Here's our list of all the things you should do in your four (or five ... or six) years at the university.
There's more to Tucson than just the UA. Go out and explore because this little city has so much charm and a lot to offer.
Tucson is recognized for having amazing food. Don't miss out.
Get your friends together and go on a road trip to see what Arizona has to offer and because there's only so much to do in Tucson.
Try them all and you might just never leave.
1. Actually use the stuff you're paying for
- Ron Medvescek/Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Don't go through college without using resources like the Rec Center or Think Tank.
Here, Cydney Mahieu, right, a new freshman from Moline, Illinois, talks with Cassandra Hirdes, a learning specialist with Think Tank, a tutoring organization at the UA on Friday, August 19, 2011.
2. Sit with the rest of the zoo
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The wild ZonaZoo energy is something you should experience at least once, especially during a UA football or basketball game. Support the Wildcats or just go to learn all of the weird hand signals they're doing. Buy your ZonaZoo pass here.
11. Become familiar with the Arizona Repertory Theatre
- Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Students are building the sets, they're acting/singing, and running the show. Check out what's going on this season.
12. See a show at Centennial Hall
- Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Some pretty big productions make their way to campus. Check out what's in store here.
14. Hang out on University Boulevard
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
15. Order a Harry Potter shot at Auld Dubliner
- Lindsay A. Miller / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
It's fiery! Or just go for the karaoke.
20. Hang out with the turtles at the turtle pond
- A. E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Yes, there are tiny wild turtles living on campus. Find them in the open space across from Caffe Luce along Park Ave. Go watch them swim around.
21. Keep your bike from getting stolen
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
This happens more than you might think so make sure you lock up.
*Pro tip: Drop your bike off at Bike Valet, they'll watch it for free.
22. Then participate in Tuesday Night Bike Rides
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
People get together every Tuesday night for a slow ride around Tucson. It's open to everyone, making it the perfect place to meet new people. You meet up around 8 p.m. and it's by the flag pole by Old Main.
28. Go to San Xavier Mission
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Yes, it's the perfect place for Instagram.
29. Get caught in the rain
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Rain only comes a few months a year and it's awesome being able to jump in the puddle rivers. Learn more about our monsoon season here.
30. Hike Tumamoc
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Get in a good view of Tucson and some extra-burned calories.
Location: St. Mary's and Silverbell roads. Park along Anklam Road.
33. Enjoy the Fourth Avenue Street Fair
- Alex McIntyre / For the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The next street fair is from December 9-11 and there will be food, entertainment and shopping.
35. Meet Tucson at Tucson Meet Yourself
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pig out and get to know Tucson's people and cultures at Tucson Meet Yourself in October.
*Pro tip: The locals call it Tucson Eat Yourself.
36. Walk for a loved one at the All Souls Procession
- Rebecca Noble / for Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Paint your face and join the community as they make their way through Tucson in remembrance of all the people lost. Join them this November.
38. Go to the rodeo
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
We take the rodeo very seriously, so seriously that Tucson schools give younger kids a few days off. It's not something you'll want to do every year but you should definitely see it once.
39. Get an Eegee
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Any local is going to tell you to do this right away. Why? They're amazing and no one else has them. You can also take your eegee's drink to the next level with our simple tricks.
There are two near campus: Speedway Boulevard and Tucson Boulevard, 2510 E. Speedway Blvd. AND Grant and Campbell, 2470 N. Campbell Ave.
40. Buy yourself a raspado
- Andi Berlin / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Andi Berlin's pick: Oasis on St. Mary's, 1002 W. St Mary’s Rd. and Sonoran Delights, 921 W. Congress St.
42. Get tacos that aren't from Chipotle
- Andi Berlin / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
We have "the best 23 miles of Mexican food" and food writer Andi Berlin knows where you should go.
Andi's pick: Taqueria Pico de Gallo, 2618 S. 6th Ave. Check out more suggestions here.
These "homestyle" beef patty tacos at Micha's have been on the menu since the '70s.
44. Find a restaurant that speaks to your soul — and stomach
- Mamta Popat
- Updated
There are so many places to choose from and there is sure to be something that you life. We have Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, fancy, greasy, fattening, healthy and so much more.
Sherry Weiss, upper left, and Elysa Crum are co-owners of Taste of Tucson Downtown Culinary and Cultural Tours, which is a tour that visits 3-5 restaurants and talks about some of the history in downtown Tucson.
47. Go on a ghost tour in Tombstone, Arizona
- David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Yes, Tombstone is haunted.
49. Go to Mexico
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Experience another culture and practice your Spanish in Nogales because you're only a couple hours away. Or go through a program.
Welcome to Tucson
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Welcome to Tucson new Arizona Wildcats! This Sonoran Desert town is hot, quirky, full of culture, food and hidden gems. Here's our list of all the things you should do in your four (or five ... or six) years at the university.
There's more to Tucson than just the UA. Go out and explore because this little city has so much charm and a lot to offer.
Tucson is recognized for having amazing food. Don't miss out.
Get your friends together and go on a road trip to see what Arizona has to offer and because there's only so much to do in Tucson.
Try them all and you might just never leave.
1. Actually use the stuff you're paying for
- Ron Medvescek/Arizona Daily Star
Don't go through college without using resources like the Rec Center or Think Tank.
Here, Cydney Mahieu, right, a new freshman from Moline, Illinois, talks with Cassandra Hirdes, a learning specialist with Think Tank, a tutoring organization at the UA on Friday, August 19, 2011.
2. Sit with the rest of the zoo
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The wild ZonaZoo energy is something you should experience at least once, especially during a UA football or basketball game. Support the Wildcats or just go to learn all of the weird hand signals they're doing. Buy your ZonaZoo pass here.
6. Buy something that isn't a textbook at the UA Bookstore
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
This bookstore is more than just for textbooks, go in for coffee, makeup (it's actually really nice makeup), UA swag or a book you actually want to spend your money on.
14. Hang out on University Boulevard
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
22. Then participate in Tuesday Night Bike Rides
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
People get together every Tuesday night for a slow ride around Tucson. It's open to everyone, making it the perfect place to meet new people. You meet up around 8 p.m. and it's by the flag pole by Old Main.
39. Get an Eegee
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Any local is going to tell you to do this right away. Why? They're amazing and no one else has them. You can also take your eegee's drink to the next level with our simple tricks.
There are two near campus: Speedway Boulevard and Tucson Boulevard, 2510 E. Speedway Blvd. AND Grant and Campbell, 2470 N. Campbell Ave.
40. Buy yourself a raspado
Andi Berlin's pick: Oasis on St. Mary's, 1002 W. St Mary’s Rd. and Sonoran Delights, 921 W. Congress St.
42. Get tacos that aren't from Chipotle
We have "the best 23 miles of Mexican food" and food writer Andi Berlin knows where you should go.
Andi's pick: Taqueria Pico de Gallo, 2618 S. 6th Ave. Check out more suggestions here.
These "homestyle" beef patty tacos at Micha's have been on the menu since the '70s.
44. Find a restaurant that speaks to your soul — and stomach
- Mamta Popat
There are so many places to choose from and there is sure to be something that you life. We have Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, fancy, greasy, fattening, healthy and so much more.
Sherry Weiss, upper left, and Elysa Crum are co-owners of Taste of Tucson Downtown Culinary and Cultural Tours, which is a tour that visits 3-5 restaurants and talks about some of the history in downtown Tucson.
More information
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