Tucson Barrio Viejo Tucson Walking Tour & Scott Avenue with Guide

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!

1. 1

   St. Augustine Cathedral

   Pass by

   We begin discussing our St. Augustine Cathedral, why it has this name, and how Tucson was founded as the Presidio San Augustine del Tucson in 1775 as a Spanish Colonial Fort!

2. 2

   Stop 2

   Pass by

   We discuss the famous architect Henry Trost and his many designs in Tucson including the Scottish Rite Cathedral, a beautiful Masonic Temple.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   Pass by

   We learn about the many uses of this historic building and it's unique sign!

4. 4

   Children's Museum Tucson

   Pass by

   We learn about our historic Carnegie Free Library, today our Children's Museum, designed by Henry Trost!

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   We hear the historic story of The Blenman Inn!

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   We learn what this building originally housed, and the story of the historic Owls Club in Tucson!

7. 7

   Arizona Theater Company

   Pass by

   We learn the storied past of the stunning Temple of Music and Art, today managed by the Arizona Theatre Company.

8. 8

   Barrio Historico

   1 hour

   We visit the Barrio Viejo Neighborhood, today the largest collection of mud adobe structures found in a single neighborhood anywhere in the United States! We discuss the melting pot of cultures who lived in this neighborhood, learn how our Sonoran Row Houses were built for our harsh desert climate, and hear the lively tales of life in the Barrio!

9. 9

   Clay & Cloth

   Pass by

   We pass by several boutique shops that have opened in our historic Sonoran Row Houses as we explore the Barrio Viejo, discussing how historically this neighborhood had a rich and lively mix of retail and residential!

10. 10

    Etherton Gallery

    Pass by

    We pass by this photography gallery making note of the revitalization taking place in this historic Barrio Viejo.

11. 11

    Bahti Indian Arts

    Pass by

    We pass by Bahti in the Barrio Viejo. We learn why this intersection was very prominent in the mid to late 1800s in the Barrio Viejo!

12. 12

    Stop 12

    5 min

    We visit the charming Parque de Orlando y Diego Mendoza, and learn the story of how this park comes to be.

13. 13

    Stop 13

    Pass by

    We learn the story of this historic theatre that dates to 1915!

14. 14

    Stop 14

    Pass by

    We learn of the mercantile family who first occupied this building!

15. 15

    El Tiradito Wishing Shrine

    10 min

    We hear the fascinating tale of Juan Oliveras and his sexual sinful ways in the 1870s...and how some good comes from his sinful ways a century later! Ohh - This is a good story!

16. 16

    Stop 16

    5 min

    We learn the spectacular history of Tucson's First Park!

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Tour Participation Risk Acknowledgement and Liability Waiver: By booking this tour, I understand and agree that participation in this Guided Walking Tour by Strolls and Stories Tours involves walking on public sidewalks, crossing streets and entering both public and private buildings and property. This guided tour could involve risk of physical injury, illness, death or property loss, and despite safety precautions, Strolls and Stories Tours cannot guarantee safety thereof, as all risks cannot be prevented. I understand that any injuries, medical expenses, property loss, or other personal expenditures that result during or from participating in this Tour, are to be borne by the participant, or by their parent or guardian (if participant is a minor), and I agree to release Strolls and Stories Tours and it's owner and employees of any and all liability.
• No pets please. Service animals are allowed.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.