Top Tucson Architecture Tours

Discover downtown Tucson’s historic mansions and homes on this private self-guided audio walking tour. Learn how the area transformed from a prehistoric village into a neighborhood rich in design where some of the Southwest’s leading architects left their mark. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace. The app features turn-by-turn directions, so you won't get lost.

Scott, your tour guide, has a passion for good story telling! Hear the historic stories, fascinating tales & my interesting tidbits of Tucson History on this Strolls and Stories Tours guided walking tour! We begin with the St. Augustine Cathedral and a discussion of Tucson's Spanish Colonial founding & 4,000 years of Native American history! We stroll historic Scott Ave seeing several buildings by the famous architect Henry Trost, and learn the tale of the Temple of Music & Art. Next we visit the Barrio Viejo, the largest concentration of mud adobe structures in a single neighborhood anywhere in the United States! We discuss how our Sonoran Row Houses were built for our desert climate, learn of corner mercantiles & Chinese Grocers! We learn of the melting pot of cultures who lived in the Barrio! We visit the El Tiradito Wishing Shrine dating to the 1870s, & learn the tale of Juan Oliveras, and how some good comes of his sexual sinful ways, & stroll past the Teatro Carmen!

Your tour guide, has a passion for story telling! On your Downtown Tucson Tour we stroll the charming sidewalks of Downtown! We begin with Tucson's founding as a Spanish Colonial Presidio in 1775. Then we stroll by a historic Sonoran Row House dating to the 1850s, and learn how these structures were built for our desert climate! Next, we visit the Historic Pima County Courthouse to hear of the Dillinger Gang's 1934 capture in Tucson. Next, we learn the tale of Tucson's first cathedral, and hear of a famous gunfighter who partied in Tucson! We stroll by the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, and see Tucson's first skyscraper! We visit the Hotel Congress & discuss the Rialto Theatre, both with storied pasts! Then we visit the Railroad Depot seeing a steam locomotive used in the movie Oklahoma and learn the tale of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp visiting the depot! We end at Jacome Plaza to learn of a luxury hotel and the downtown department store scene that gained national acclaim!