Aarp’s city guide to tucson, arizona

​ANELLO Southwestern ingredients take a detour to Italy at this intimate and forward-thinking pizzeria, where pies are made with naturally leavened sourdough crusts and cooked in a

wood-fired oven shipped over from Naples. In place of traditional chili flakes, dishes get a hit of spice from chiltepín, which grow throughout the Southwest, and seasonal toppings might

include pickled Anaheim peppers, local kumquats, dandelion greens or roasted peaches. Located in a brick building from the late 1800s, the minimalist space is inspired by Japanese design,

with a sleek Douglas fir ceiling and a 12-person communal table.  ​BARRIO CHARRO Barrio Bread owner Don Guerra — who uses heritage grains like white Sonoran wheat in his loaves — was named

America’s best baker at last year’s James Beard Foundation Awards. In 2021, he teamed with chef Carlotta Flores, from the century-old El Charro Café, for this wildly inventive fast-casual

spot. In addition to all-day brunch with $5 mimosas, expect a menu of soups, burritos and tortas, like the Pueblo Quesabirria, made with birria (stewed beef), queso Oaxaca, beans, pico

salsa and a consommé dip on the side; if you haven’t tried it before, it’s something like a Mexican French dip with tons more flavor.  ​AARP TOP PICKS  Nicknamed “The White Dove of the

Desert,” the San Xavier del Bac Mission is on the San Xavier Reservation. Getty Images ​SAN XAVIER DEL BAC MISSION This Catholic mission was built between 1783 and 1797, and is the state’s

oldest intact European structure. Over the years, it passed hands from New Spain to Mexico to the United States. Nicknamed “The White Dove of the Desert” for its gleaming whitewashed walls,

the Baroque church is located in the San Xavier Reservation, part of the Tohono O’odham nation, and among its original murals and statues is a wooden carving of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the

first Native American saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Ways to save: The church is always free to visit. Note: Face masks are required indoors only, and social distancing should be

observed. ​MISSION GARDEN To see why Tucson was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, visit this living agricultural museum, which feels like a little slice of Eden at the foot of Sentinel

Peak — the city’s birthplace, where its first inhabitants grew crops 4,000 years ago. Now, it’s a fascinating community garden brimming with heritage fruit trees, heirloom crops and edible

native plants like prickly pears, mesquite and palo verde beans. Ways to save: The entry fee is a suggested $5 donation, and the garden operates a slew of free programs including monthly

bird walks, on which you can meet Kevin the roadrunner.  Saguaro cactuses are the main attraction at Sagauro National Park. Alamy ​SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK Sky-high saguaro cacti are one of

the enduring symbols of the Old West, and they’re the main attraction at this 143-square-mile national park, which is split into two sections — Saguaro West and Saguaro East — flanking the

city. There’s something for every outdoorsy type, from low-key scenic drives to hiking on the park’s more than 165 miles of trails. Be sure to save time for the Signal Hill Petroglyph Area

in Saguaro West, which is reached via a 500-foot walk with a 40-foot elevation change: Here, you’ll be able to see more than 200 examples of Native American rock art, created between 550

and 1,550 years ago. Ways to save: The entry fee is $25 per vehicle and good for seven days in both sections of the park; purchase an Annual Senior Pass (for 62+) and pay $20. More than

400 historic aircraft are housed at the Pima Air & Space Museum. Alamy ​PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM  This collection of more than 400 historic aircraft sprawls across six hangars and

250,000 feet of indoor exhibition space. Among the flying machines on display are a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, a Sikorsky UH-60MU Black Hawk military helicopter and an Aero Spacelines

377-SG “Super Guppy,” a bulbous-looking cargo plane that was used to carry the Apollo program’s Saturn rockets. Ways to save: Admission is $19.50; $16.75 for ages 65 and older.  ​MONSOON

CHOCOLATE  It’s hard to think of a sweeter souvenir to take home than this indie chocolatier’s bon bons, which come in desert-inspired flavors such as prickly pear caramel and Whiskey Del

Bac Dorado. For a true taste of the region, try the blue corn atole white chocolate, which is based on the traditional Mesoamerican corn- and masa-based beverage.  Ways to save: The store’s

cookies are a relative steal, starting at $3.75 each; try the Monsoon cookie ($4), made with toasted rye, brown butter, Tanzanian dark chocolate and flake salt. Get there early — the

cookies sell out fast.