2019 Fall Getaways: Tucson

Under the Tucson Sun

A feast of golf and gastronomy awaits in “The Old Pueblo.”

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Tour Tested

The host of February’s PGA TOUR Champions Cologuard Classic and longtime site of the PGA TOUR’s Chrysler Classic, the Omni Tucson National Resort’s Catalina course remains one of the world’s top resort layouts. The stout, tree-lined design pairs well with the Omni’s newer, more undulant Sonoran course. tucsonnational.com

Omni Tucson National

Some Like It Sabroso

You’ll find the best 23 miles of Mexican food north of the border in Tucson, the First UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With hundreds of Mexican restaurants, Tucson overflows with authentic carne asada, ceviche, the popular Sonoran hot dog and mucho más. Where to start? Some say South Tucson’s 12th Avenue, but you can get a mouthwatering menu of suggestions at visittucson.org

Be an Omni-Vore

With or without 36 great golf holes, the Omni Tucson National Resort’s 128 plush guest rooms, four lighted tennis courts, Sweetwater pool and Forbes 4-Star spa make it an ideal couples getaway. The surprising elegance and intimacy of Bob’s Steak and Chop House adds sizzle. omnihotels.com/tucson

Tacos from Tucson

Time Traveling

Two of Tucson’s cooler attractions are tours of the futuristic, 3.14-acre self-contained ecosystem of Biosphere 2, (biosphere2.org) and Old Tucson (oldtucson.com), the region’s premier film location, with more than 400 films to its credit. The Wild West lives on here, with rides, games, shows and tours for cowpokes of all ages.

In and Around Tucson

More than 40 golf courses dot the Tucson region. Starr Pass Golf Club and the municipal Randolph Park have hosted the Tucson Open, while the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship took place at The Gallery and The Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana. visittucson.org

The 3.9-mile Sun Link Tucson Streetcar route rolls through the heart of Tucson. Check out the hip restaurants bars and shops along 4th Avenue, Downtown Tucson and the Mercado San Augustín. visittucson.org

Lift your spirits with visits to the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, a 10-acre National Historic District devoted to the genius of artist Ted DeGrazia (degrazia.org), and the glorious 17th-century Mission San Xavier del Bac on the Tohno O’odham Nation Reservation (sanxaviermission.org).

Make Tracks for Tubac

Golf nut Bing Crosby was an original investor, and Kevin Costner strode its fairways in Tin Cup. Tubac Golf Resort and Spa may have a celebrity pedigree, but it remains a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path, AAA Four-Diamond oasis of 27 tree-lined golf holes, 68 uniquely appointed suites, 30 magnificenly upgraded guest rooms, a worldclass Aveda spa and the unforgettable Stables Ranch Grill & Patio. Located on the historic Otero Ranch acreage between Tucson and Mexico, the resort features a Mission-style chapel and stylishly salutes its vaquero heritage while providing every modern amenity and convenience. tubacgolfresort.com

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona

Look to the Sky

If you’re a stargazer, Tucson is one of the best spots in the U.S. for astronomy. In 1972, Pima County enacted a “dark sky” code to regulate the brightness and number of outdoor bulbs. Now Tucson suffers from far less light pollution than most cities do, allowing stars and planets to shine through the darkness. Some hots spots are Catalina State Park, SkyBar on 4th Ave. (skybartucson.com), Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter (skycenter.arizona.edu) and the Flandrau Planetarium (flandrau.org). Or simply lift your eyes skyward. visittucson.com

Stargazing in Tucson

Art Attack

Just a mile from the resort, the quaint, eclectic town of Tubac is a mecca of creativity. Hundreds of shops and world-class galleries line its winding streets and hidden courtyards. The Tubac Center of the Arts displays acclaimed works, and all around town this winter look for the colorful Javelinas de Tubac sculptures painted by local artists. tubacaz.com

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This section appeared in the 2019  Fall Issue of Colorado AvidGolfer.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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