Tucson's streetcar is turning 10! Here's how to spend a day along the route

So when we heard that one of Tucson’s shiny new toys is celebrating a decade of zipping around town, we couldn’t believe it. We blinked, and the Sun Link Streetcar hit the double-digit mark.

Despite being 10 years old, the streetcar hasn’t lost its novelty, serving an all-time high of 1.7 million riders last year.

The City of Tucson is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the streetcar on Saturday, July 20, with a day full of events:

• Swing by Eighth Street and Fourth Avenue for music, games and giveaways from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Over at Main Gate Square, there will be games, prizes and discounts at local businesses from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• For the littles, there will be a “Moana” story time at the University of Arizona Student Union in the KIVA room from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
• The night will end with the Desert Haze Vintage Market, which will feature performances by The Charities and The McCharmlys, at the Hotel Congress Plaza, 311 E. Congress St., at 7 p.m. (tickets are $5).
• Don't miss the Flow for the Soul Train: Streetcar Jubilee at the Mercado Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets for the jubilee are $10 (benefitting the All Souls Procession), which gives you access to local vendors, DJs, live music and food trucks, plus discounts at select Mercado district businesses.

Connecting the community

Tucson’s streetcar connects the Mercado San Agustín district, downtown Tucson, Fourth Avenue, Main Gate Square and the University of Arizona with a 3.9-mile route. With 100,000 people living or working within a half mile of the route, the all-electric Sun Link offers a free and environmentally-friendly way for Tucsonans to get around.

Shellie Ginn, who was the project manager of Sun Link during its development, says that the streetcar serves as both a well-used form of transportation and a stimulant for economic growth.

“There’s been so much development that we’ve had a combined amount of $4 billion of public and private investment along the 4 miles,” Ginn said. “And then our ridership has just been amazing, as well.”

Ridership on the Sun Link hit about 580,000 during 2014 when it opened halfway through the year. Between 2015 to 2019, numbers remained fairly steady between 873,000 and 993,000 riders per year. While ridership dipped during the COVID pandemic to an all-time low of 394,000, numbers are steadily rising. The Sun Link reached an all-time high of 1.7 million riders last year.

“Part of that is, of course, that we have free transit now, and that allows everyone to just hop on and off and not have to worry about figuring out how to pay,” Ginn said. “But also part of it is the development that’s happened along that whole 4-mile area that’s connecting all of these wonderful places to each other and providing great opportunity to ride up and down and take multi-functional trips of eating out (or) going to an event.”

Ginn says that one of her favorite features of the Sun Link route is the art and poetry that can be found at some of the stops. Eight of the 23 stops are signature art stops and others have scrolling poetry. “We coordinate with the University of Arizona Poetry Center, and they provide poetry that scrolls at those stops,” she said. “So just something to be of interest while you’re waiting for your next streetcar to come along.”

You don’t have to wait for Sun Link’s 10th anniversary party to enjoy the streetcar.

A day using the Sun Link Streetcar as a Tucsonan of four years who spends most of her time on the east side, I admit I have a lot to learn about downtown and west-side life.

So, I took a day to explore the area’s many eateries, shops and entertainment venues with the help of the streetcar. Come along with me.

STOP 1: CUSHING/CONVENTO

A clear view of ‘A’ Mountain from the first stop was the perfect way to start the day.

Across the street from this stop, you’ll find the MSA Annex housing restaurants Kukai, Beaut Burger, Rollies and Decibel Coffee Works, plus nine retail businesses within modified shipping containers. With patio seating and an area for live entertainment, the MSA Annex is a place to eat, drink and shop throughout the day.

STOP 2: CONVENTO/CONGRESS

After a quick ride on the Sun Link, a breakfast burrito and an horchata cold brew from Seis Kitchen were calling my name.

What began as a food truck in 2012 has expanded into three locally-owned award-winning restaurants, according to the Seis website. The restaurant has a delicious menu of breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner options made completely from scratch.

My go-to breakfast items from the Mercado location, 130 S. Avenida del Convento, have quickly become the El Niño burrito with birria, potatoes, pico de gallo, green chiles, eggs and cheese, and an horchata cold brew or one of their aguas frescas.

Other popular menu items include the avocado burrito, chorizo burrito, Seis nachos and the Surf and Turf Burrito.

“A lot of the food we source are done sustainably,” said Seis owner Erika Muñoz. “We are not purchasing or selling seafood that are overfished or not handled correctly.”

The Mercado location has been around for about 11 years, and Muñoz says much of its growth has been because of the Sun Link.

“Our growth has simultaneously happened with the streetcar,” Muñoz said. “The ease of commuting between all of these awesome districts really opens everything up.”

Other local favorites in the Mercado, especially for breakfast, include Presta Coffee and La Estrella Bakery. For those who are craving something small and sweet, these are two great options to grab before hopping back on the streetcar for the next stop.

STOP 10: FOURTH AVENUE/NINTH STREET

With a belly full and a caffeine fix, historic Fourth Avenue is the place to shop till you drop.

Bookworms can find something to enjoy along the avenue from the Book Stop or Antigone Books.

The Book Stop moved to its current location, 214 N. Fourth Ave., in 2007 after 40 years at its original location on Campbell Avenue. The shop carries a wide variety of used, rare, out of print and scholarly books that are primarily donated by customers.

Antigone Books sells new books hand-chosen by three owners to provide an eclectic selection for customers. The solar-powered shop has always been along Fourth Avenue, but has been at its current location, 411 N. Fourth Ave., since 1991.

“We’re known for really unique books and gifts,” said co-owner Kate Stern. “Pretty much everybody comes here, all kinds of people.”

Stern says one of the best parts of being along the avenue is the foot traffic and the atmosphere of local businesses. She says that one of the factors for an increase in business has been the Sun Link.

“The fact that you can just hop right on, even with your bike, is pretty cool,” Stern said. “It makes it more accessible for people to come here, go downtown or even to the Mercado.”

Antigone Books is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Book Stop is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Those in need of more summer wear or back-to-school clothes have plenty of options to suit their style. Sky and Sand, the Hippie Gypsy and Creations offer bohemian-style clothing perfect for the Tucson heat. Goodwill and Tucson Thrift Shop also offer various styles of recycled clothing for shoppers looking for a bit of everything.

Celestial Rites and Aquamarine Daydream are great spots to shop for all of your spiritual and crystal needs. Celestial Rites offers incense, candles, herbs and teas, journals, books and divinations readings, while Aquamarine Daydream sells more than 40 types of crystals in tumbles, spheres, freeform styles, jewelry and more.

Lovisa Axtell, the owner of Aquamarine Daydream, says she never wanted to open a retail store. In the midst of COVID, Axtell was looking for a warehouse to work out of for her online shop.

When she saw the space open on Fourth Ave, she couldn’t resist.

“I love being surrounded by other local small businesses,” Axtell said. “I feel like there’s a lot of community with other business owners who want to see the avenue grow.”

Aquamarine Daydream, 408 N. Fourth Ave., is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Celestial Rites is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Selling vintage pins, figurines, VHS tapes and so much more makes ’80s and ’90s boutique Generation Cool a collector’s paradise. Owner Robert Hall, who also goes by Slobby Robbie, says he originally started by doing pop-ups throughout Tucson and opened the brick-and-mortar on Fourth in 2013. He says there’s no other street he would rather be on.

“We’re too weird for University, too rough around the edges for the foothills,” Hall said. “We like the foot traffic of Fourth Avenue without the pain of downtown.”

He says he loves seeing the various customers, from college students to concert goers to tourists, come in and explore what his shop has to offer.

“It’s Fourth Avenue, you never know what to expect,” Hall said.

Shoppers looking to browse at a little bit of everything can stop by Pop Cycle, which offers local art, including crafts from recycled materials, reused products and refurbished goods.

“We now carry over 100 local Tucson artists’ (products),” said owner Libby Toby. “We have anything from jewelry to wall art to soaps and apothecary to baby clothes.”

With a home for music lovers at Hurricane Records, a studio for all beauty needs at The Neon Door and dozens of eateries spread along the route, Fourth Avenue could easily take up a few hours to a full day of your time.

Find a list of merchants at fourthavenue.org.

STOP 14: UNIVERSITY/TYNDALL

Just up the Sun Link route from Fourth Avenue are over 20 restaurants in Main Gate Square that make great lunch spots.

If you’re wanting a slice of pizza, some loaded tots and a drink, head to No Anchovies.

For tacos, burritos and nachos, grab Illegal Pete’s and for poke, hot rice bowls and salads, have a bite from Jimmy’s Pita and Poke. And don’t forget to grab a drink from UA favorite Scented Leaf.

Frog and Firkin general manager Jonathan Graham says he loves the diversity of the crowds he sees coming in.

“We get our fair share of the college population, but our main demographic is 25 to 55,” Graham said. “We wanted a place where families can go and enjoy the atmosphere, but at the same time we’re a college bar so we’re going to get our party on.”

You can hop on the Sun Link anywhere along the route and fulfill any kind of craving, from Indian food at Kababeque Indian Grill to sushi from Fuku Sushi, in Main Gate Square.

Learn more about the area has to offer at maingatesquare.com.

STOP 8: CONGRESS/STONE

After lunch, head west and beat the afternoon Tucson heat with an activity downtown.

In just a 7-minute walk from the Sun Link stop, art buffs can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, also known as MOCA, at 265 S. Church Ave.

Housed in a repurposed firehouse, MOCA is Tucson’s only museum devoted to contemporary art from around the world. The museum is currently displaying Los Angeles-based artist Fay Ray’s exhibition Portals. The exhibition features distinctive metal sculptures and debuts a new immersive black-and-white collage created with images taken in the Sonoran Desert. MOCA is closed for summer break through Sept. 4 but its regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

For those looking to do something more interactive, folks 21 and up can play old-school arcade games at Cobra Arcade Bar Tucson, 63 E. Congress St.

The 5,000-square-foot arcade bar showcases popular games including Mario Bros, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, Joust, Dance Dance Revolution and Marvel vs. Capcom. The destination also has regularly scheduled events with DJs and game-themed cocktails like “Inky’s Drinky” and “Sandia Sunset.”

Later in the evening, Tucsonans can watch a comedy show or film at The Screening Room or catch a show at the Rialto or Fox Tucson Theater. 

STOP 11: FOURTH AVENUE/SEVENTH STREET

Take the eastbound streetcar at night from downtown to grab dinner, a drink or have a late-night snack at one of the many bars and restaurants along Fourth Avenue. (Downtown Tucson has loads of dinner options, too.)

The Surly Wench Pub is popular for its monthly burlesque shows, burgers and goth music selections.

Owners Jasmine Pierce and Stephanie Johnston say that the pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave., has an alternative scene coming in for their '80s and Industrial DJ nights.

“We’re fairly eclectic and very welcoming and very inclusive of everybody,” Pierce said.

The pub has been hosting burlesque shows for over 18 years, the owners say, with different producers coming in each month.

“Different cast, different producers, different themes,” Johnston said. “So every month is a different show completely.”

The owners say they love running a business along the eclectic Fourth Avenue. Johnston, the original owner, said she knew from the beginning that if she were to open up a bar, it would there.

“I’ve been hanging around Fourth Avenue since I was about 13,” Johnston said. “It’s such a great community that’s lasted for quite a while.”

Serving a more college-aged crowd, tiki bar The Hut has become popular for its tropical cocktails and live music.

“It’s a really fun environment,” said general manager Chris Newell. “Everybody’s really friendly, our bartenders are really good and I think the whole general environment is friendly and welcoming.”

Between 10 p.m. to closing time 2 a.m., the tiki bar’s dance floors are usually packed as local DJs play everything from The Cupid Shuffle to Super Bass to 50 Cent’s “In Da Club.”

“We’ve got great local live DJs,” Newell said.

The Hut’s most popular cocktail, The Fishbowl, comes in six flavors.

“They’re big, fruity and tropical drinks,” Newell said. “The most popular one is our blue one, which is like a giant Adios.”

Outside of the various bars located along the avenue, Fourth offers plenty of places to grab a quick bite or a meal.

Brooklyn Pizza Company, open until 2:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, offers solar-powered fresh-baked pizza, garlic knots and wings daily.

Lindy’s on 4th offers giant hamburgers with crazy toppings from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

If a quick bite is more your speed, grab a $5 Sonoran dog or a burger at one of the many food trucks lined along the avenue at night.

Plenty of ways to use the Sun Link

Though we’ve shared a pretty extensive list of things to do and places to shop and eat, head here for more info on Sun Link rider rules, hours of operation, route options and more.