14 Best Things To Do In Tubac, Arizona

1. Big Horn Galleries

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Western and Wildlife art is in a league of its own and rightfully deserves recognition. Big Horn Galleries in Tubac opened in 2002, with the first location in Cody, Wyoming, that opened 2 decades prior. Some of the works at the Tubac location are Southwest-inspired, and some are local too. Besides the unique flair that the Western landscapes provide to the artworks, this attraction also offers one-of-a-kind prints and other memorabilia. If you’re an art lover on the hunt for something new, check this place out!

Big Horn Galleries

Address: La Entrada de Tubac, Building K, Cll Baca, Tubac, AZ 85646, United States

Website: Big Horn Galleries

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

2. Tubac Historical Society

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Visiting a place as historically and culturally rich as Tubac sure calls for a trip back in time. If you’re interested in getting to know more about this unique town, there’s no better place to be than Tubac Historical Society (THS). THS is a non-profit organization that aims to support research on Tubac’s history, as well as on Santa Cruz River Valley. Their current featured collections are oral histories, biographies, and pioneer Tubac artists. You’ll also find hundreds of the town’s maps that date back to the 17th century.

Tubac Historical Society

Address: 50 Bridge Rd Suite B1, Tubac, AZ 85646, United States

Website: Tubac Historical Society

Opening hours: Mon: 9am - 12pm; Wed: 9am - 12pm (closed on Tue, Thu - Sun)

3. Shelby's Bistro

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Headed out for brunch? One of the best dining spots in Tubac is Shelby’s Bistro. This restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine that keeps things delicious and uncomplicated. You’ll recognize the classics from their menu which include pizza, salad, cold and hot sandwiches, and juicy burgers. This establishment is well-loved by the locals and has been serving Tubac for decades. They have proven time and time again that they are one of the best when it comes to dining in the historic town.

Shelby's Bistro

Address: 19 Tubac Rd #13, Tubac, AZ 85646, United States

Website: Shelby’s Bistro

Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 11am - 4pm; Tue: 12pm - 3pm; Wed - Thu: 11am - 4pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 8:30pm

4. Casa Maya De Mexico

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Casa Maya de Mexico is where you want to go for colorful Mexican-inspired art and items. This arts and crafts store has two locations in Tubac and offers you something to take home after your trip. From tin ornaments and Oaxaca black clay to vibrant shot glasses and Talavera orbs, it’s all available here! These products are hand-made with passion and are sure to brighten your home! Come to this unique gift shop and take a piece of Tubac and Mexico back with you!

Casa Maya De Mexico

Address: 14 Tubac Rd, Tubac, AZ 85646, United States

Website: Casa Maya De Mexico

Opening hours: 11am - 4pm (daily)

5. Tubac Center of the Arts

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Have you got no clue on what to do in Tubac, AZ? Tubac Center of the Arts is an excellent first stop when visiting the historic city. Featuring work from Santa Cruz Valley artists alongside art from across the United States, the Tubac Center of the Arts is a beautiful display of talent. At the Center of the Arts, you will see the Master Artist Gallery and learn about the artists that made Tubac famous and what brought them to the area. Community events are held regularly, meaning when you stop by you’re likely to see a magic show or hear a melodious concert. Before you go, be sure to stop by the gift shop for a souvenir of your time in the arts center and Tubac.

Tubac Center of the Arts

Address: Tubac Center of the Arts, 9 Plaza Rd, Tubac, AZ 85646

Website: Tubac Center of the Arts

6. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Tubac is historically a crossroads for multiple cultures, including Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Pioneer American. The Park is also the home of the oldest Spanish presidio, or fort, in Arizona, and continues to be a preservation center for Arizona’s history. At the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, you can view and learn about artifacts from each culture and see how they all influenced each other through the years. After viewing the exhibits, you can take a walking tour along the Anza trail, reliving history on one of the routes taken to the Western coast.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park

Address: 1 Burruel St, Tubac, AZ 85646

Website: Tubac Presidio State Historic Park

7. Anza Trail

Between 1775 and 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza led the first Non-Native settlers across 1,200 miles of terrain to what is now the San Francisco Bay area. Today, the historic trail, named for Anza, remains a reminder of his historic feat. While you don’t have to trek all 1,200 miles, in Tubac, four miles of the trail are marked for you to explore. Starting at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and ending at the Tumacácori National Historical Park, the trail is perfect for exploring history, culture and outdoor recreation.

Anza Trail

Address: 1 Burruel St, Tubac, AZ 85646

Website: More about the Anza Trail

8. Soulistic Healing Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re looking for the perfect place to relax, check out the Soulistic Healing Center. Offering multiple services like massage, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and lymphobiology, the Soulistic Healing Center is dedicated to making each customer feel special and leave rejuvenated. This spa destination is a must visit for anyone seeking a calm and physically rewarding vacation.

Soulistic Healing Center

Address: 20 Calle Iglesia, Tubac, AZ 85646-1990

Website: Soulistic Healing Center

9. K. Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Featuring art from seasoned professionals to emerging talent, the K. Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden is a classic Tubac destination that further reinforces the community’s place in the art community. With multiple exhibits and pieces of art in different mediums, the gallery is the proud home of an outdoor sculpture garden, making a beautiful and fun adventure to be had. Paying a visit here is one of the best Tubac events for sure.

K. Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden

Address: 15 Tubac Rd, Tubac, AZ 85646

Website: K. Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden

10. Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For a contemporary art experience, look no further than the Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery. Holding true to Tubac tradition, the gallery displays art from over 35 different artists in different mediums including painting, sculpture, fin art glass and ceramics. With variances in the art itself, each artist maintains a Midwestern theme, bringing Tubac and Arizona’s beauty to one place, easily enjoyed by each visitor.

Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery

Address: 5 Camino Otero, Tubac, Arizona 85646

Website: Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery

11. Clay Hands Gallery and Studio

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

As Arizona’s only private gallery in Tubac to be called a “must see” in American Style Magazine’s Top 25 Small Art Towns, Clay Hands Gallery and Studio is the ultimate destination for pottery enthusiasts. Home of Southern Arizona’s largest selection of handmade American pottery, the gallery is not only a display case but also a store for lovers of ceramics and where the magic happens. Depending on when you go in, you might not only get to meet owner and head artist Diane Lisle but also see her in action. So even if you’re just browsing, Clay Hands Gallery and Studio is worth the visit.

Clay Hands Gallery and Studio

Address: 5 Cam Otero, Tubac, AZ 85646

Website: Clay Hands Gallery and Studio

12. La Paloma de Tubac

Want to go shopping in Tubac, AZ? If you love Tubac’s art scene and want to take a piece home, never fret because the town is well equipped. La Paloma de Tubac, is one of many gift shops with gifts for the entire family. Bringing in pieces from Mexican and Argentinian artists, La Paloma de Tubac is fully stocked with Latin American ceramics in a wide variety of products. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Tubac has many other stores to choose from including La Entrada de Tubac, Lone Mountain Turquise and Casa Maya de Mexico. And even if you’re just browsing, you’ll appreciate Western jewelry, pottery, yard sculptures, clothing accessories and more when shop-hopping in Tubac.

La Paloma de Tubac

Address: 1 Presidio Dr, Tubac, AZ 85646

Website: La Paloma de Tubac

13. Avalon Organic Gardens and Eco Village

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For a truly unique experience in Tubac, tour the Avalon Organic Gardens and Eco Village. As one of the largest organic villages in the world, Avalon is an example of what sustainable living should be. Farming all of their own food, living in solar-powered efficiently designed houses and hand-making necessity items like soap are just a few examples of how the village remains functioning without outside help. At the village, you can tour the gardens and meet many of the people who make such a place possible. Before you go, be sure to pick up some of the village’s handmade soap or organic herbs as a memento of your time in the micro-community.

Avalon Organic Gardens and Eco Village

Website: Avalon Organic Gardens and Eco Village

14. Flying Leap Tasting Room and Art Gallery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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After a long day of exploring Tubac’s art scene and history, what better way to round off the day than by viewing more art and drinking wine? At the Flying Leap Tasting Room and Art Gallery, you can do just that, taste wine and enjoy more local art. Set in a territorial blacksmith’s shop, this wine shop near Tubac, AZ, has an ambiance about it that is both comfortable and exciting. Outside the tasting room is a shaded patio, perfect for a light meal to accompany your wine while you discuss the day’s adventures and plan more to come.

Flying Leap Tasting Room and Art Gallery

Address: 8110 S. Houghton Rd. Ste 158-524 Tucson, Arizona 85747

Website: Flying Leap Tasting Room and Art Gallery

Visit Tubac!

As a town that has influenced and continues to influence Arizona’s culture, Tubac stands out as a location perfect for art, history and environment lovers alike. Galleries, museums, nature trails and organic farms call the Arizona town home, forever making Tubac and Arizona a fantastic and worthwhile trip.