El Presidio Inn Historic Marker
Testimonial
“Cool retreat, great value”
Yes, it's hot in Tucson in July, but El Presidio Inn is a cool and restful oasis. The courtyard is pretty in the daytime with its shade trees and fountain and colorful flower pots, and it is just magical at night with small twinkling lights. My husband and I have stayed there many times over the years when we have been in Tucson for concerts and other events. Patti is a friendly and thoughtful hostess, keeps the rooms meticulously clean, and prepares truly memorable breakfasts. It's easy to walk to the Art Museum, the Fox Theater, the historic districts, the old train station, the 4th Avenue Street Fair, and many other downtown Tucson attractions. This is our getaway home in Tucson.
Donna G, Bisbee, AZ
Street Scene Nearby
Within a four-block walk, you'll find museums, galleries, regional craft shopping, and excellent restaurants.
El Presidio Historic District - Walking Tour
EI Presidio Inn Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of the El Presidio Historic District of Downtown Tucson, Arizona. Named for the Spanish Presidio de San Agustín del Tucson (1775), this is one of the nation's oldest inhabited sites. The photos in the composite above represent places within the historic district all within walking distance of the bed and breakfast.
Below are descriptions of each of the points of interest pictured above starting at the top-left and working down to the bottom-right.
1. Map showing the Presidio District (in brown, center-left) in relation to other city center areas: Convention Center (blue-green), Congress St./Downtown (violet) and 4th Avenue (yellow). A more detailed map may be found below for your reference.
2. The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson is a re-creation of the northeast corner of the original 1775 Spanish fort. The Tucson Presidio Trust hosts Living History Festivals, October through April, where visitors can sample Spanish colonial food, listen to stories of old Tucson, learn period crafts and see musket and cannon fire too!
3. The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block encompasses an entire city block in historic downtown, and features original and traveling exhibitions focusing on Art of Latin America, Art of the American West, Modern and Contemporary Art and Asian Art and has a delightful Museum Store.
4. Old Town Artisans has six distinctive shops and galleries housed in a historic 150-year old building. Featured are fine arts and crafts from hundreds of local and regional artists.
5. Established in 1922, El Charro Café of Tucson, Arizona is The Nation's Oldest Mexican Restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. Featuring traditional Northern Mexico-Sonoran style and innovative Tucson-style Mexican Food, El Charro Café is a Tucson favorite.
6. The El Presidio Historic District is an enchanting neighborhood for walking, full of historic homes and buildings too numerous to list. Note the distinctive street lamp, a Presidio District icon.
7. Built in 1929, the Spanish Colonial Revival old county courthouse is one of Tucson’s most beloved landmarks. Its mosaic dome is one of the Old Pueblo’s most recognizable structures. A portion of the east wall of the original Presidio of Tucson runs through the courtyard.
8. El Presidio Park is located on the site of the Plaza de las Armas, the southern half of the frontier Presidio designated by Colonel Hugo O'Conor of the Spanish army in 1775.
9. El Presidio Park consists of a large plaza containing veterans' memorials, rose garden area, large fountain, various art pieces including the Mormon Battalion (pictured), the El Soldado Cuero (a statue to a Conquistador) and several pieces of modern art.
10. La Cocina at Old Town Artisans offers el fresco dining, or indoor seating in the converted 1920¹s gasoline station. La Cocina is conveniently located adjacent to the shops and is known for its full schedule of live music.
11. This photo shows an example of the unique adobe and brick buildings found in this neighborhood rich in the history of early Tucson.
12. The Julius Kruttschnitt House on North Main Avenue at the corner of Franklin is a Territorial-style adobe house built in 1886. Look familiar?
Map of the Presidio District and Downtown Tucson