Downtown Tucson & El Presidio Guided Walking Tour by Strolls and Stories Tours
Category: Event Calendar
Dates and Times
- Sunday, May 4, 2025 4pm
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025 4pm
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 9am
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 8:30am
- Sunday, May 11, 2025 4pm
- Wednesday, May 14, 2025 4pm
- Thursday, May 15, 2025 9am
- Thursday, May 15, 2025 8:30am
- Sunday, May 18, 2025 4pm
- Thursday, May 22, 2025 8:30am
- Saturday, May 24, 2025 8:30am
- Thursday, May 29, 2025 8:30am
- + 31 more
Location
Exact starting point address of the tour will be emailed with the tour reservation confirmation.
Details
On our Downtown Tucson & El Presidio Tour, we begin with a discussion of Tucson's founding in 1775 as a walled Spanish Colonial Presidio, while strolling past a section of rebuilt adobe wall. We’ll learn about Tucson's 4,000 years of Native American history and the origins of the city’s name. Plus, we’ll talk about how many National Flags have flown over Tucson—you might be surprised!
Next, we walk past a historic Sonoran Row House dating back to the 1850s and explore how these adobe structures were built to endure our harsh desert climate. We also discuss the style changes that occurred as the population boomed.
We then stroll through the charming historic mansions of El Presidio, also known as Snob Hollow, where we chat about the fascinating tales of Tucson’s Pioneer Founders. Several mansions, designed by the famous Southwest architect Henry Trost, line the street, each with its own unique story—one that’s especially fun to hear!
Tour participants will then visit the historic Pima County Courthouse, where we’ll hear the incredible story of the Dillinger Gang's capture in Tucson in 1934. We’ll even see the courtroom where they were arraigned, looking exactly as it did back then! Scott, your tour guide, has plenty of fascinating tidbits to share. Afterward, we stroll through the Presidio Plaza to admire a memorial and a mid-century modernist fountain.
Next, we learn about a famous gunfighter who partied the night away at a festival on Church Plaza in 1881. We’ll also explore the storied history of Tucson’s first Catholic Cathedral and discover what happened to it after it was decommissioned!
Then, we stroll past a Southwest Art Deco-styled theatre and see a stunning former department store designed by Roy Place. We’ll chat about two mid-century entrepreneurs and downtown department store tycoons who gained national acclaim, and discuss a luxury historic hotel and Tucson’s first skyscraper, built in 1929!
All of this AND so much more when you book our Downtown Tucson & El Presidio Guided Walking Tour by Strolls and Stories Tours! This tour lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes and covers 2 miles. Suggested: Wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes, and please bring a bottle of water.
