Tucson, AZ Dating Guide
Stacks Book Club isn’t your ordinary bookstore – it’s a community hub with an independent spirit. They’ve got a coffee bar that caters to all tastes, offering everything from morning coffee to evening wine. Plus, you can munch on tasty treats like locally made bakery goods and dishes representing the best of the greater Tucson food scene.
This is a great choice for an affordable date that feels special and unique. Browsing the stacks is free, and titles start at around $15. You can also head to their coffee bar and cafe, where the vast majority of menu items are under $10.
The Screamery stands out as Arizona’s first certified pasteurized ice cream maker. They’re driven by a straightforward mission: unite families, friends, and the community through the delight of the finest hand-crafted natural ice cream. Bring your date here to try one of their incredibly decadent and refreshing rotating flavors, like sweet cream honeycomb or drunken cowboy.
This is a date spot that’s sweet on your wallet, too. Most menu items range between $5-$10, so head over to any of their three Tucson locations for your next first date.
Just Churros is the place to be in Tucson if you’re craving something sweet and deep-fried. These churros are more than just good; they’re downright delicious. Offering a choice of sauces, they’re served fresh and hot, living up to the hype and then some. The ambiance is full of lively energy and a hint of Mexican culture.
As the name suggests, Just Churros has a pretty limited menu, and every item is incredible. For around $20, you and your date can each have a churro s’mores, a churro ice cream sandwich, or just a bag of delicious churros with your choice of dipping sauce.
Opening its doors in 1991, Barrio Brewing Company is been Arizona’s oldest brewery. Their taproom, located just outside Downtown Tucson, offers a local spin on bar food amidst a playful industrial vibe.
Swing by for Happy Hour or catch a dollar off pints whenever the train rolls by the pub. Most menu items here are between $10-$15, so you’ll probably want to grab a bite while you’re here, too.
The Boxyard $$
Come see why this is Tucson’s best patio. The Boxyard is a unique bar and eatery situated directly on 4th Avenue in Tucson, AZ. Comprising ten brightly colored shipping containers, The Boxyard is home to local food entrepreneurs, several full bars, and a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The courtyard, aglow with lights, offers expansive open-air seating designed to withstand the desert’s elements, ensuring patrons can savor the outdoors any time of day, all year round.
While menus and pricing vary slightly between each spot, a trip to The Boxyard for food and drinks is always surprisingly affordable. The food is cheap and delicious, and the good times are priceless.
Old Tucson $$
Established in 1939, Old Tucson, just outside Tucson, AZ, is a renowned film set turned family theme park. Nestled between Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park, it’s been the backdrop for classic westerns featuring stars like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Opening as a theme park in 1960, Old Tucson welcomes guests for immersive experiences, events, and tours. Check out their seasonal offerings for a unique western experience!
The price of tickets to Old Tuscon vary between attraction and season, but most are around $40 per person, with a slight discount offered to those who purchase online in advance. The price of admission includes all Old Tucson’s attractions, and parking is free. If your date prefers something a little spookier, tickets to ghost tour adventures are available for around $25 – $30 each.
Mission Garden is a living agricultural museum of Sonoran Desert-adapted heritage fruit trees, traditional local heirloom crops and edible native plants. They offer both private and group tours through the stunning scenery. Each month, there is a special bird walk where you can look at some of the gardens flying visitors. If walking through the gardens isn’t your style, you can buy your date flowers at the farmers market instead.
Most of the events and workshops offered at Mission Garden are free to attend, with the occasional event requiring an admission fee. Tickets to a guided tour of the Garden are available for just $10 each. The scenery is also free to admire, though donations to the Garden are appreciated.
Get ready for a unique date adventure! Lace up your comfy shoes because you’ll be taking a stroll through history at this Cold War site. Just a heads up, there’s about 55 stairs to tackle, so make sure your date is up for it (no elevators, sorry!). The guided tour is 45 minutes of fascinating stories. Or, if you’re feeling independent, check out the self-guided topside tour. Get set for a date with a mix of history and fun!
Admission to the Titan Missile Museum is affordable, with tickets costing less than $20 each. For those who aren’t interested in climbing the stairs, tickets for only the self-guided topside tour is about half the price. There is a discount for senior citizens, and members of the Arizona Aerospace Foundation can get in for just $1!
The Gaslight Theatre showcases musical comedy melodramas 6 nights a week. The cast performs five different shows per year, including the theater’s famous Christmas show. If that’s not your speed, they host live music concerts on Monday nights. An evening at the Gaslight Theatre is sure to be full of fun for you and your date.
Tickets to the Gaslight Theatre are around $30 per person, and there are discounts available for senior citizens and military members. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the theater box office. Seats fill up quickly, so get your tickets today!
Get ready for a date filled with artistic energy at the Tucson Museum of Art! They have rotating exhibitions, so there’s always something new and exciting to discover. Dive into the rich world of indigenous and Latin American art, exploring the stories woven into every piece. And don’t miss out on the art of the American West—it’s a journey through the colors and landscapes that make this place so special. This museum is your ticket to a date filled with creativity and cultural richness!
General admission to the museum is $15, with a discount offered to seniors and educators. Many folks are eligible to enter for free as well, including veterans and active duty military personnel, as well as members of several museum alliance groups.
If you’re looking for a crafty date, come to Santa Theresa Tile Works! Located at the corner of 6th Avenue and 6th Street (just behind The Royal Room), it’s like a treasure trove where you can shop for awesome tiles or snag unique gifts. Feel like getting creative on the spot? You can make something beautiful right then and there. Plus, you can sign up for workshops and take your craftiness to the next level. It’s a spot where you can shop, create, and maybe discover a new artistic hobby together. Get ready for some hands-on fun!
Workshops at Santa Theresa Tile Works start at around $45. The projects available range from small photo frames to entire tabletops, and for those who want to keep the hands-on fun going, they offer more intensive week-long programs.
Get ready for a blast at the Ignite Sign Art Museum! This place is an ecclectic collection of bright neon sighns that’ll have both kids and adults grinning from ear to ear. The signs are like pieces of art, showcased in storefront setups – imagine stepping into a diner, a cozy living room, a hardware store, or even a Texaco station. It’s a date destination where you can explore, laugh, and discover the charm of vintage Americana together.
General admission to the Ignite Sign Art Museum is less than $15 per adult. The Museum also offers a discount for seniors and military personnel, making this a great affordable way to light up your date’s world.
Casa Film Bar $-$$
More than three decades ago, this awesome video rental store started its journey. They were passionate about movies, and over time, they spotted a golden chance to add another love to the mix – craft beer! At Casa Film Bar, you and your special someone can unwind with a box of popcorn, order from a fantastic selection of 20 beer taps, and enjoy your favorite movie together.
A rotating selection of food trucks outside means that the price of your meal might fluctuate slightly, but not too much. After dinner and beers on tap, stick around for what’s on screen in the bar, or head over to rent a movie to take home. Come by on Tuesday or Wednesday to get two rentals for the price of one.
Locale $-$$
Locale is the perfect destination for a warm and inviting dining experience. This charming spot seamlessly marries classic Italian favorites with inventive local twists. Guests can indulge in the seven-layer lasagna or savor a slice of pizza a taglio, both crafted with fresh, local ingredients daily. The wine bar offers a curated selection of over 50 wines, complemented by rotating local beers on tap.
Locale is the ideal setting for shared laughter, intimate moments, and delightful conversation. Menu items are mostly in the $10-$15 range, making this a cozy meal that’s affordable too.
Tucson Astronomy Adventures $$
What’s more romantic than gazing up at the stars together? With stargazing adventures offered by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, you can have an interstellar date night. Tucson has nearly 300 clear nights annually, so there are plenty of opportunities for their Astronomer Guides will walk you through the Solar System, showcasing the Moon, Saturn’s rings, and Jupiter’s moons.
For a two-hour stargazing event, tickets are about $50 per adult. That’s not a bad price for a date night that’s out of this world!
