Downtown & El Presidio Tour

We begin by strolling past a rebuilt section of mud adobe wall hearing of Tucson's founding as a walled Spanish Colonial Presidio and learn the number of national flags that have flown over Tucson! From there we walk Main Ave in the El Presidio Neighborhood seeing the mansion homes of Tucson's Pioneer Founders, including several designed by Henry Trost. Learn the fascinating tales of these individuals! We stroll past historic mud adobe Sonoran Row Houses learning how they were constructed for our harsh desert climate and how they were built to protect the occupants! Next we visit the Historic Pima County Courthouse, an ornate Spanish Colonial Revival style building designed by Roy Place. We see the modernist Presidio Fountain by Charles Clement then pop up to the Dillinger Courtroom that appears today just as it did in the 1930s as we hear the tales of John Dillinger in Tucson. We walk to Plaza de la Mesilla to see the Mexican styled gazebo bandstand and learn of famous western outlaws that partied the night away in this plaza! In addition we discuss the first cathedral that sat adjacent and the sordid tales of what happened after it was decommissioned. Plus, learn of the nearby Red Light District and how Tucson was the headquarters for the Alianza Hispano-Americana! Next we stroll past the historic Fox Theatre, the last remaining "southwest" art decor designed theater in the country! We discuss the marquee, decorative exterior features and hear the tales of what went on inside during the several decades it was closed. Plus, we learn how it was nearly torn down before being lovingly restored to it's original glory! Finally, we walk to Jacome Plaza and discuss the historic Pioneer Hotel and downtown department store tycoons that gained national acclaim. Learn of their global significance and forward thinking urban planning. The tour concludes where we began, at the southeast corner of W Alameda Street & N Church Ave in Downtown Tucson across from the YMCA. The tour is 2 hours, 2 miles. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, have on sunscreen and bring a bottle of water. Please note we stroll the charming sidewalks and plazas of Tucson seeing the exteriors of mansion homes, historic buildings and theaters. We enter the Historic Pima County Courthouse seeing the interior of this beautiful structure. We are not able to enter many of the other buildings, but guests do hear the stories of these structures and the individuals who inhabited them, plus see historic photos of the interiors and exteriors of the buildings.