Since the first time Phillip and I attended Tucson Comic-Con a few years ago, the event has expanded to take over most of Tucson Convention Center and the adjoining Tucson Arena!
It now spans 3 days full of activities, including panels, fan group meetups, an art zone with free classes, scavenger hunts, costume contests, plus a grand ballroom dedicated to all kinds of gaming – giant board games, a free play arcade, puzzle competitions, role-playing games, and more. Continue reading “Tucson Comic-Con 2025 Highlights”
Updated May 2025. Originally posted November 2017.
Over 30 Arizona museums and attractions offer free passes to local library card holders through the Culture Pass program!
“G’s Horn” sculpture of bronze and living plants by Robert Wick at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
What is a Culture Pass?
Culture Passes are a limited number of free admissions to cultural, historic, and other educational sites in Arizona that libraries make available to patrons. It was created by Act One, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Culture Passes from 2017 (old design)
Libraries that offer Culture Passes have a certain number available for each museum, etc. Different libraries have a different selection and number of Culture Passes that they offer.
Great Reading Room at Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix
About 175 libraries statewide and the library districts for 11 out of Arizona’s 15 counties participate in this program.
Desert Botanical Garden pathway
Who Can Check Out a Culture Pass?
To check out a culture pass you must…
Be a current cardholder for a participating library.
Live in the district (or be a member of the community) that library serves.
Be 18 or over.
“Measures of Separation” sculptures by Nazafarin Lotfi at Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson
How to Use a Culture Pass
Each pass is good for free general admission for two people on one visit.
I wrote a guide for Tucson Foodie about how to get the most out of Tucson if you’re only here for 24 hours. Of course, where to eat is a big part of it. But I also recommend where to stay and fun things to do while you’re here.
The post is split up for 4 different types of travelers. (Kind of like a very short Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book.) So there’s a different 24 hour itinerary depending on whether you’re a Super Foodie, Outdoor Adventurer (looking to hike, mountain bike, etc.), Wellness Seeker (looking for a DIY spa-like experience) or Family with Kids.
Gates Pass
Check it out and let me know which itinerary you would choose!
I’ve paired nine shots of Arizona fall color with Etsy finds that match their autumn vibes! Each pair is a place to go along with fall-inspired decor and other fun stuff.
Every fall, this Chinese Pistache Tree at Boyce Thompson Arboretum turns brilliant shades of orange. You can see it from far away, as it stands out from the green leaves of trees surrounding it.
BTA is a great day trip from the Phoenix area! It’s just about 45 minutes from the East Valley via US 60.
In similarly striking oranges and yellows, you could use these fall foliage stems as part of a flower arrangement or on their own, grouped together to make a standout seasonal centerpiece.
At 24 inches tall, they could really add some height to your Thanksgiving tablescape!
Sourced by BoutiqueBarn + shipping from New Hampshire.
I wasn’t planning on taking a photo of a tree stump while I was admiring the view from Mount Lemmon. Then I noticed teeny – almost cute – little mushrooms growing out of it, and those needed to be captured! Continue reading “Pairings: Arizona Autumn + Fall Decor”
We’re right smack dab in the middle of Sonoran Restaurant Week, when around 100 (!) restaurants in Tucson and surrounding cities offer special prix fixe menus for $25, $35, or $45 (plus tax and tip). The price often includes several courses that would regularly cost more.
The idea is to encourage diners to try restaurants they haven’t been to, as well as revisiting old favorites. You many need to ask for the Sonoran Restaurant Week menu if you’re at a participating place and don’t see one. Find participating restaurants and menus on TucsonFoodie.com.
View of the city from inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tucson.
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