You may see pictures on social media of lavish summer vacations, complete with clear blue water and out-of-this-world views, but no sandy beach has Tucson’s food scene.
You don’t have to go on an expensive vacation to have the perfect summer day, all you have to do is take a 20-minute drive to try a new-to-you local restaurant. One bite of a perfect carne asada taco is just as good as sitting by the ocean ... and much cheaper too!
From treating yourself to some ice cream nachos to enjoying a picnic in nature, there are so many things to do around Tucson to beat the heat and have some foodie fun. Below are just a few ideas to help you have the best and most delicious summer day.
The Sampler at the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin comes with every kind of cookie they make, plus a mountain of ice cream on top.
Picnic on Mount Lemmon
A picnic is a perfect summer activity, especially when it's not 100 degrees outside. Sitting on a gingham blanket while eating juicy watermelon and sandwiches — it feels like a scene straight out of a book.
But here in Tucson, sitting for five minutes outside would leave us in a puddle of sweat. Thankfully, that’s an easy fix.
About an hour away, you can escape the heat on Mount Lemmon, where the weather is 20 degrees cooler than Tucson's (high 70s and 80s!!) and nature views that will make all your picnic dreams come true.
To make things even easier, Tandem American Eatery, 8864 E. Tanque Verde Road, offers a picnic lunch that can be packed up and taken up the mountain. According to their website, the $45 lunch includes chicken salad, shrimp and lobster salad, sweet potato salad, house chips, garlic toast and a lemon cheesecake. You can also take a trip to the mountain's famous cookie cabin for a giant homemade cookie as a sweet treat.
Christa Lebron poses with her baby cakes.
Take a workshop led by local bakers
Maybe you've looked at one of Chez Peachy’s lunchbox-sized cakes decorated with swirls of frosting and glitter along the border and thought, “I can totally recreate this!” But before you know it, frosting is everywhere and your Hello Kitty cake looks more like a sad cat.
Here's your opportunity to learn from the expert herself! Chez Peachy often hosts workshops where she guides you through decorating the perfect cake. Keep up with her Instagram so you can see when she hosts her next workshop.
You can find other cooking classes this summer through Flying Aprons, The Garden Kitchen and Antsy Nancy.
Blanca Inzunza prepares churros for customers during the Summer Night Market at the MSA Annex.
Check out local markets and try a new food vendor
Tucson may be known for its delicious restaurants, but we also have an abundance of amazing local vendors who pop up at markets are town.
Dirty T Tamarindo, a candy shop that specializes in spicy, chamoy-covered sweets, hosts a market every third Saturday of the month featuring food, vendors, games and a dunk tank.
Las Mujeres Verdes and the Summer Night Market at the MSA Annex are also monthly markets that feature local food vendors selling their tasty homemade treats.
Bartender Mike Walsh rings up a tab at the Tough Luck Club in 2022.
Escape the heat at a basement bar or speakeasy
Rooftop bars and patios are fun, but not in triple-degree heat. An icy margarita will definitely taste better under the cool breeze of an A/C.
Instead of drinking in the sun, escape the heat by making a visit to a basement bar. Places like the Tough Luck Club, Barbata and Snake and Barrel are underground bars that have unique atmospheres and fun cocktails. To make things even better, each of these bars are connected to restaurants, so you can have a flavorful dinner before drinks.
Most recently, Sonora Moonshine Company opened Prohibición, a secret speakeasy where they say master mixologists craft killer agave drinks on the spot.
Two new gelato flavors debut at Noodies each week.
Cool off with a sweet treat
From chocolate to cake batter, there is nothing like enjoying a cold ice cream cone on a summer day. Thankfully here in Tucson, we have all kinds of sweet treats to choose from.
You can enjoy gelato in creative flavors at places like Ceres, Noodies and Frost or take a short drive to Catalina to try Licks’ cereal-infused ice cream. The Screamery even has special creations such as their ice cream flights, ice cream nachos and classic banana spilts.
Personally, one of my favorite places to visit in this heat is Delicias De Michoacan. Their strawberry raspado with vanilla ice cream and lechera hits the spot every time.
The plain butter croissant ($4.95) at Patisserie Jacqui is the most exquisitely laminated pastry we’ve found in Southern Arizona.
Take a day trip and try food outside of Tucson
It’s hard to believe, but other cities in Southern Arizona have great food that’s waiting to be explored.
Head an hour down south to try some of what Nogales has to offer. The cabeza and birria tacos at Cocina La Ley are some of my favorites ever. You can also grab a Finito while you're there, which is like shaved ice but a million times better.
You can also visit Patagonia, which is home to popular steakhouse The Steakout, or visit Sonoita winery AZ Hops and Vines, where they always have fun events going on. You can even take a trip to Bisbee, where our former food writer Ellice Lueders says the pastries at Patisserie Jacqui are worth the trip alone.
