Craving Southwestern charm and vibrant arts? Head to Tubac! Nestled in the Santa Cruz River Valley, Tubac blends history, culture, and color. This artsy village south of Tucson offers galleries, adobe architecture, desert trails, and rich heritage. It’s a peaceful getaway with an inspiring soul.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Tubac is from late fall through early spring (October through April). The weather is mild and ideal for exploring art galleries, walking trails, and outdoor markets. Summers can be hot, but it's quieter and serene.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Tubac is located off I-19, about 45 minutes south of Tucson and 3 hours from Phoenix.
- By Air: The nearest major airport is Tucson International Airport (TUS), offering car rentals and shuttle options.
- By Bus: Limited bus service is available; driving or using a rental is the most convenient way to reach Tubac.
Where to Stay
- Tubac Golf Resort & Spa – A luxurious resort on a historic Spanish land grant, featuring a spa, golf, and fine dining.
- The Tubac Country Inn – Cozy and stylish Southwestern inn just steps from shops and galleries.
- Casa Paloma – Intimate bed & breakfast with peaceful desert views and warm hospitality.
Top Attractions
1. Walk in the Footsteps of History Along the Scenic Anza Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail (also known as the Anza Trail) is a trail that starts in Southern Arizona and stretches over 1000 miles. Anza Trail commemorates the route taken by Juan Bautista de Anza II, a Spanish commander who led an expedition from Mexico through the area from 1775 to 1776.
The trail includes a visitor center where guests should begin their expedition, and includes many different hiking and biking opportunities, the Casa Grande Ruins, an interpretive exhibit, and the towns of Tubac and Yuba, Arizona. Anza Trail ends close to the San Francisco Bay.
2. Celebrate Local Creativity at the Tubac Center of the Arts
Located right off the main intersection in the village of Tubac, Arizona, the Tubac Center of the Arts is known for its art exhibits (nationally juried and changing seasonally) and allowing local artists to display their art prominently.
They also provide a selection of art workshops, lectures by artists (both touring and local), a performing arts series, and a summer arts program for children. The center has multiple main galleries, a master gallery, and a studio. There are also frequent special events, like local bands, wine tastings, holiday themed events, and home and studio tours.
9 Plaza Rd, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 520-398-2371
3. Browse Sculpture and Fine Art at the K Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden
TheK Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden was founded in 1988. The goal of the facility is to exhibit art by using a diverse range of genres, mediums, and artists.
The K Newby Gallery also seeks to be as charitable as possible while displaying art not only from well-known artists but also from local and emerging ones.
Guests can spend an entire day on the grounds, enjoying the art found both inside the gallery and outside in the garden.
The gallery has features works from artists like Esther Benedict, Mike Elsass, and Doris King.
15 Tubac Road, Tubac, AZ, 85646-4217, Phone: 520-398-9662
4. Discover Regional Talent at the Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery
The Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery focuses almost completely on Contemporary Southwestern artwork.
The gallery is located in the well-known Arizona arts community, the village of Tubac, and regularly displays around 35 different artists, from the award winning to the local and emerging.
Cobalt is run by a mother and daughter team and is perhaps most well-known for the Tubac Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, held annually in November. The gallery exhibits artwork from Fred Collins, Tom Philabaum, Barbara Meikle, and Cynthia Duff, and uses mediums like sculpture, painting, ceramics, and fine art glass.
5 Camino Otero, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 520-398-1200
5. Sip Wine and Explore Art at Flying Leap Tasting Room and Art Gallery
Located in one of the most historic villages in Arizona, the Flying Leap Tasting Room and Art Gallery in Tubac combines two exciting activities in one fun building.
The tasting room at Flying Leap is located in a territorial blacksmith shop that is art itself, with adobe walls that were fired onsite over a century ago.
Flying Leap offers a complex portfolio of their wines served alongside a light meal. The tasting rooms collaborates with the local TRUST Art and Fine Design gallery to pair their wines with fine art that can not only be viewed but also purchased.
10 Camino Otero, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 520-954-2935
6. Find Handcrafted Treasures at Tubac Art and Gifts
Tubac Art and Gifts is a fine arts gallery as well as a gift shop located in the heart of Tubac, Arizona.
Featuring both original and archival artwork that is meant to be enjoyed in the gallery as well as taken home and hung on the wall, the gallery and store focuses on fun and colorful pieces that are pleasing even to people with no art background. The art in the gallery is produced mostly by local artists, with some regional and international artists thrown in. The gift shop also features other artistic mediums, from jewelry to functional wood art.
31 Tubac Road, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 575-640-6569
Romantic Activities and Attractions:
7. Enjoy Southwestern Flair at Rogoway Turquoise Tortoise Gallery
The Rogoway Turquoise Tortoise Gallery has been around for decades, mainly due to the way that it combines fine art with an environment of fun and congeniality.
The gallery prides itself on presenting art made in a variety of original media - paintings done in both acrylic and oil, bronze sculptures, Native American jewelry, art glass, handmade art clocks, gourd art, and more. They also host regular events, like Tubac Bonanza Days, which offers discounts on hundreds of pieces of fine art. Rogoway is constantly seeking out and accepting applications from exciting new artists as well.
5 Cll Baca, Tumacacori, AZ, 85640, Phone: 520-398-2041
8. Dine with a View at the Elegant Stables Ranch Grille
Located at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa, Stables Ranch Grille serves up regional American fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The dining rooms offers hungry guests stunning views of the Island Green and the Santa Rita Mountains, and the patio is the perfect place for watching the sunset while enjoying their happy hour specials. Live entertainment is offered Friday and Saturday nights. They also operate the Stables Bar, a full bar with a cowboy theme with sombreros and saddles. Stables Ranch Grille is open seven days a week and has attracted Western film stars like John Wayne for decades.
1 Ave De Otero Road, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 520-398-2211
9. Explore Western and Wildlife Art at The Big Horn Galleries
The Big Horn Galleries has galleries in both Tubac, Arizona and Cody, Wyoming.
Both galleries were designed to highlight the finest in Wildlife and Western artwork, as well as artwork focusing on the Landscapes of the West. The gallery in Tubac opened in 2002, in a town known as the place “where art and history meet.” It especially focuses in on Southwestern artists. Guests to The Big Horn Galleries can enjoy the artwork and also take-home original prints, jewelry, books, posters, and other artistic gifts. The gallery also offers high quality art and custom framing.
1167 Sheridan Galleries, La Entrada de Tubac, Building K, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 520-398-9209
10. Experience Bold, Female-Centered Art at the Feminine Mystique Art Gallery
Focusing only on female artists, the Feminine Mystique Art Gallery displays more than 85 of them on a rotating basis.
The gallery has a variety of media like pottery, watercolor, acrylic, cards, oils, jewelry, wood, and glass in their small shop. The majority of the artwork featured is contemporary in nature, and all of it is original. The gallery also offers art workshops and new artist introductions. The Feminine Mystique Art Gallery is located in the beautiful park-like La Estrada and is wheelchair accessible. The area is full of art galleries, restaurants, and other shops.
La Entrada de Tubac, Tubac, AZ, 85646, Phone: 520-398-0473
Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:
- Tubac Presidio State Historic Park – Arizona’s first state park, with preserved ruins, artifacts, and regional history.
- Tubac’s Art Galleries and Shops – Explore more than 100 galleries and boutiques featuring local artists, pottery, jewelry, and more.
- Karen Newby Gallery – One of many top galleries showcasing desert-inspired fine art.
Where to Eat
- Elvira’s Restaurant – Bold Mexican cuisine and eclectic décor make this a must-visit spot in town.
- Shelby’s Bistro – American and Southwest flavors with a relaxed vibe and patio views.
- Wisdom’s Café (nearby Tumacácori) – Family-run favorite for delicious burritos, fruit chimis, and local flair.
If you are interested in local events:
- Tubac Festival of the Arts (February) – Arizona’s longest-running art festival with booths, performances, and food vendors.
- Dia de los Muertos Celebration (Late October) – Honoring traditions with art, altars, and festivities.
- Holiday Art Walk (December) – Galleries stay open late with refreshments, lights, and seasonal cheer.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Tubac, Arizona:
- Tumacácori National Historical Park (5–10 min) – Explore the ruins of a 17th-century Spanish mission and museum exhibits.
- Rio Rico (15–20 min) – Enjoy golf, peaceful desert views, and nearby river trails.
- Amado (20–25 min) – Visit quirky roadside spots like the Longhorn Grill & Saloon and explore nearby ranches.
- Green Valley (25–30 min) – A retirement community with golf courses, restaurants, and nearby hiking in the Santa Rita Mountains.
- Patagonia Lake State Park (30 min) – Swim, boat, or birdwatch at this scenic lake nestled in rolling hills.
FAQ:
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What is Tubac Presidio State Historic Park known for?
- The park is home to Arizona’s oldest Spanish fort, San Ignacio de Tubac.
- It is also the location of Arizona’s first official state park.
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What historical significance does the park hold?
- The park’s museum contains over 2,000 years of history.
- It showcases history from the original Native American inhabitants through modern-day Arizona.
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