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.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Table of Contents

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, canvases hanging in open-air galleries, and beautiful pottery.

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 National Historical Park San José de Tumacacori Mission is the first church in Arizona territory.

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 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.