Visit Tubac-Arizona's Artsy Town with Lots of History

Ever feel like hopping in the car and just seeing where the road takes you? That’s exactly what we did one weekend. We drove south of Tucson and ended up in a town that feels like it belongs in another time Tubac, Arizona.

Tucked just an hour south of Tucson , Tubac is an artsy desert town that’s full of surprises. You’ll find over 100 art galleries, studios, and shops here and some serious Arizona history, including the state’s oldest Spanish mission and second oldest schoolhouse. If you’re into quirky small towns, beautiful handcrafted goods, and stories from Arizona’s earliest days, you’re going to love this place.

Let’s dive into this colorful corner of southern Arizona and see why Tubac deserves a spot on your day-trip list.

We took a road trip to southern Arizona just to check out one of the oldest communities in this state.

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History Buffs and Artists: Historic Art Village of Tubac

Tubac doesn’t get as much attention as Tombstone or Bisbee. That’s part of its magic. It feels like a hidden gem you’re lucky to stumble into.

We stroll through winding streets lined with adobe buildings and color-splashed courtyards. There’s art everywhere. Metalwork that catches the sunlight just right, vivid canvases hanging in open-air galleries, pottery that invites you to stay awhile.

The Village of Tubac has more than 100 art galleries and studios, and it’s impossible not to slow down and peek into every single one. Some shops are run by artists who are painting, sculpting, or glassblowing right there on the spot. Others are cozy boutiques filled with handmade jewelry, home goods, and gifts that don’t feel like the typical tourist fare.

Tumacacori National Historic Park

One of my personal favorite historical places in Arizona is the mission at Tumacacori. San José de Tumacacori Mission is the first church in Arizona territory.

This mission, San José de Tumacácori, is the oldest in Arizona, originally founded by Jesuit missionaries. It was built in 1691 on the east side of the river. It was then moved to it’s current location in the mid 1700’s. Tumacacori sits along the Santa Cruz River, its weathered walls full of stories.

Walking through the mission grounds, you can feel the layers of history, the quiet reverence of the space, the echo of footsteps on ancient stone. It’s one of my favorite historical spots in Arizona.

Inside the park, there’s a museum that helps piece together what life was like here for Indigenous communities, Spanish settlers, and missionaries. There’s also a peaceful garden, a shaded orchard, and a little cemetery that tells its own tale.

How to Get to Tumacacori

Tumacacori is one hour south of Tucson. From Tucson take Interstate 10 East to Exit 260/Interstate 19. Drive for about 40 miles and take Exit 34 to Tubac. Drive to the Interstate 19 frontage road for just over two miles. The State Park is at 1891 I-19 Frontage Rd.

To learn more about Tumacacori

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park

Tubac is also home to Arizona’s very first state park, the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.

This park isn’t just a pretty place to picnic it’s a living storybook of Arizona’s colonial past. The Spanish Army built Fort Tubac in 1752 to protect nearby settlements. It served as one of the stops on El Camino Real, the “Royal Road” that linked 21 missions between Mexico and California.

My favorite part of the park is the Old Tubac Schoolhouse. Built in 1885 out of mudbrick, it’s the second oldest schoolhouse in the entire state. The original floors were dirt, and students sat on wooden benches that don’t look all that comfy.

At one point, over 130 students were packed into this tiny space during a single school year. Over time, the school was updated and even got a layer of stucco. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places.

For reference, the oldest schoolhouse in Arizona is in Strawberry, near Payson . It’s worth a stop if you’re ever up that way!

For more information on Tubac visit the Tubac Chamber of Commerce website.

Check out our post on Arizona Birding Hot Spots: Where to Spot the Prettiest Birds and This Unique Tucson Attraction is a Zoo, Botanical Garden and Museum All in One

Tubac is that perfect mix of artsy and historic. It’s great for art lovers who want to discover handcrafted treasures, history buffs who want to walk through centuries-old sites, day trippers looking for somewhere new and unexpected.