What's new in Tucson-the Old Pueblo

September 24, 4:54 PMKansas City Cultural Travel ExaminerLysa Allman-Baldwin

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Tubac Golf Resort

I love Tucson! The city earned its nickname “Old Pueblo” from the presidio (“military post” in Spanish) that defined its borders in the early years.

Today the city is a wonderful amalgamation of Native Americans, Hispanics and whites, with a small yet significant smattering of African American and Asian peoples, and as such the landscape here is an infusion of cultures with interesting, educational and fun things to do for people of all ages. Whether you are interested in the history of the west, Spanish colonization, the flora and fauna of the desert, art, music, recreational activities, themed getaways, spa vacations or outstanding culinary adventures, you will find it here.

To read the four-part series I wrote about Tucson, click here.

Following is what is going on in and around the city if you visit this fall.

Celebrate the Day of the Dead Tucson Style

Altars festooned with photographs, sugar skulls, skeleton figurines, flowers, candles, and colored tissue-paper cutworks appear in museum displays and store windows in Tucson during late October and early November. These icons are part of the traditional Mexican celebration known as Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Community altars and exhibits will be open at Arizona History Museum, La Pilita Museum, Tohono Chul Park, and Tucson Children"s Museum. The annual All Souls Procession Weekend, November 6-8, includes a photo exhibit, a fundraising evening of fun and entertainment, a children's procession, and the All Souls Procession, an annual non-motorized parade through Downtown Tucson. New this year is the All Souls International Film Festival, a forum for people to actively explore the phenomena of death through cinema, sponsored by the Tucson Film Office and hosted at the Loft Cinema, October 29 at 7 p.m. Details are at www.allsoulsprocession.org.

New Gateway Links Downtown Districts

Tucsonans recently celebrated the reopening of a major thoroughfare connecting three Downtown Tucson dining and entertainment districts. The improved Fourth Avenue Underpass, beneath the railroad tracks at Fourth Avenue on downtown's east side, connects the University of Arizona Main Gate Square, Fourth Avenue shopping/entertainment district, and Congress Street entertainment corridor and the rest of downtown. The underpass provides one lane in both directions for carrying vehicle and streetcar traffic, separate bicycle lanes, and two, lighted pedestrian walkways. People can now park in enclosed garages in any of the three districts, and travel conveniently to and from entertainment and dining venues. The Old Pueblo Trolley currently transports people on weekends. Learn more at www.downtowntucson.org/visiting/gettinghere.
 

Two-for-One Tee Times

Omni Tucson National Resort is offering two-for-one green fees after noon, September 1-30. The Omni Tucson National, located on Tucson"s northwest side, recently completed a $30 million renovation that included improvements to the golf shop, the addition of national restaurant Bob’s Steak and Chop House, and remodeled guest rooms at the edge of the renowned Catalina Golf Course. This golf resort has been home to countless PGA Tour and NCAA events, including the Chrysler Classic of Tucson; it boasts two distinctly different 18 hole courses and has been named one of Golf Digest's "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America" and a Conde’ Nast Silver award winner. For more information, visit www.tucsonnational.com.

Tucson Pride in the Desert

Tucson’s GLBT community will march in pride of who they are and whom they love, Friday, Oct. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Tucson. Leading Tucson’s Pride on Parade as Celebrity Grand Marshal will be Margaret Cho, the acclaimed and often controversial comedian, actress, and activist. At her side as Community Grand Marshal will be Desert Voices, Tucson’s inclusive choir formed to provide singing opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and supportive others. The celebration continues on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Reid Park with Pride in the Desert, a festival featuring live entertainment, commercial and nonprofit exhibitors, a food court, and interactive displays and activities. For details, visit www.TucsonPride.com.

Sample Global Cuisine, World Music

A highlight of the Tucson Meet Yourself free festival, October 9-11, is the delicious, homemade food. Cooks from diverse ethnic clubs and organizations offer an array of food and drinks from around the world (including the American Southwest), which reflect each group’s traditional cultural heritage. The food court and folk music and dance performances are staged among the trees, gardens, fountains, and public art at El Presidio Park, La Placita Village, and Tucson Convention Center Plaza. New this year is a market- place of folk artists who will demonstrate their crafts and offer handmade items for sale. Special events will include a fashion show, a low rider car show, and a corrido (Mexican folk ballad) contest. Learn more at www.TucsonMeetYourself.org.

Tribute to Famed Landscape Photographer

Ansel Adams, the famed American landscape photographer, co-founded a world-class photography museum at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, in 1975. This museum, the Center for Creative Photography, holds America’s foremost collection of Adams’ works as well as collections by nearly every other major, modern North American photographer. A survey of more than 100 photographs by Adams (1902-1984) will be presented at Tucson Museum of Art, October 10 -February 14. The Ansel Adams: A Legacy exhibit is a tribute to one of the 20th century’s most admired artists featuring many of his most famous images, including works that were originally printed by the artist himself in his California darkroom and given to the Friends of Photography to represent his legacy. For details, visit www.TucsonMuseumofArt.org.

A Weekend in the Country

Enjoy a weekend in the country, less than 100 miles east of Tucson. Pick produce at Apple Annie’s or other area family farm, hike the trails in Chiricahua National Monument, or explore the vineyards and wineries in Southeastern Arizona. Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Willcox Wine & Art Festival, October 17-18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the historic Railroad Park in Willcox. Taste wines produced at eight Arizona wineries, meet winemakers and vineyard growers, and snack on appetizers while listening to live music. Browse a juried art and crafts show, and stock up on locally produced foods. For festival details, visit www.AZWineFestival.com. Learn more about Southeastern Arizona cities and attractions at www.DiscoverSEAZ.com.

Spellbinding Cave Marks 10 Years

Many of the extremely fragile, limestone cave formations inside Kartchner Caverns State Park have been continuously growing for tens of thousands of years. In the half-mile-long Throne Room, a 21-foot, wire-thin soda-straw stalactite is the second longest on record in the world. The massive 58-foot-tall Kubla Khan column resembles a giant redwood tree. These and other unusual formations can be experienced on a guided tour of this spellbinding underground landscape, located south of Tucson near Benson. Visit during the tenth anniversary celebration of its grand opening, November 7-8, and enjoy a weekend of insightful presentations, information booths and fun kids’ activities. To reserve a tour, call 520-586-2283 or visit http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/.

Southern Arizona Golf Resort Scores with Wine List

The Stables Ranch Grille at the historic Tubac Golf Resort has earned the Wine Spectator Award. The Stables is the first Arizona restaurant located south of Tucson to earn the coveted award for having an outstanding wine list. Tubac Golf Resort was first established as a ranch in 1789, and the restaurant, true to its name, was once used as stables for Spanish ranchers. Stables joins more than 4,000 fine restaurants worldwide recognized for their outstanding wine programs. Read about the award in the August 31 issue of Wine Spectator magazine and at www.winespectator.com. For information on Tubac Golf Resort, visit www.tubacgolfresort.com.