In addition to our popular Turquoise Trail, Barrio Viejo, Murals, and Mansions of Main Avenue Walking Tours, the Presidio Museum is offering some new walking tours to our offerings.
The Armory Park Walking Tour goes through the Armory Park neighborhood, south of Broadway and east of Stone. Homes started to go up in this area with the arrival of the railroad in Tucson in 1880. Architectural styles vary from California bungalow to Victorian with Henry C. Trost and Annie Rockfellow being the most renowned architects. Presidio Museum Tour Guide Alan Kruse leads this tour, which includes the outsides of the Blenman Inn, the Carnegie Library, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the Safford School, the Willard Hotel, and the Temple of Music and Art. ***The tour meets in front of the Blenman Inn at 204 S. Scott. Free on-street parking is available.
The Walking the Wall Walking Tour follows the perimeter of the original Presidio Wall. This tour shows attendees just how large the original Presidio San Agustín del Tucson actually was. Along the way, you’ll learn the interesting history of several buildings and hear stories of some of Tucson’s most prominent citizens. Highlights include Old Town Artisans, the Sam Hughes House, the historic Pima County Courthouse, and the location of the old Presidio San Agustin Cemetery. The tour is less than a mile and takes approximately two hours. It’s a good option for those who want a taste of the Turquoise Trail Walking Tour but don’t want to walk the entire 2.5 miles.
The Tales of the Dead Walking Tour through the Court Street Cemetery, where about 8,000 people were buried between 1875 and 1909. When it was closed, about half were reinterred but the other half were left in place. The tour will lead you through the cemetery, show you where bodies have been found and reveal the history of this forgotten place. The tour will take place on Sunday, April 10, at 10 am. (A 1 pm tour will also be offered if the 10 am tour sells out.)
All tours are $25 for non-member and $20 for members.
For more information or to register for these walking tours, see our Walking Tours page.