Barrio Viejo Tucson Walking Tour plus Historic Scott Avenue – Tucson, Arizona

EXPERIENCE

On this guided walking tour guests learn the rich history of the Barrio Viejo Tucson plus historic Scott Avenue! The Barrio Viejo features the largest collection of mud adobe structures found anywhere in the United States! Learn how these Sonoran Row Houses were built with two foot thick walls for our harsh desert climate and we discuss in detail the three styles of Sonoran Row Houses and what brings about each style change!

As we stroll the charming sidewalks, hear the lively tales of the Barrio Viejo neighborhood, the working class neighborhood of the city. Hear of corner stores and front room shops. See examples of row houses that are beautifully resorted with bright colored exteriors, others in a vintage state and still others in a state of ruin where we can see how the mud adobe construction techniques!

Next we visit the El Ojito Spring that was the water source for Spanish Soldiers and their families during the walled Spanish Colonial Presidio days of Tucson. Then we visit the El Tiradito Wishing Shrine and hear the tale of how this shrine came to be, the only shrine in North American dedicated to the memory of a sinner instead of a saint – this is an incredible tale! We finish our tour of the Barrio Viejo by strolling past the historic Teatro Carmen theater.

On this tour we also stroll down historic Scott Avenue where we see several prominent structures by the famous architect Henry Trost including the Scotish Rite Cathedral. We stroll past what is believed to be the only mud adobe territorial styled building designed as a San Francisco Victorian styled mansion, today a charming Inn. Then we stroll into the courtyard of the historic Spanish Colonial styled Temple of Music & Art and learn of the theaters twin!

Suggested: This tour involves 2 miles of walking and is 2 hours. Please wear comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water and wear sunscreen.

HIGHLIGHTS

Learn about the Barrio Viejo’s historic mud adobe Sonoran Row Houses
See historic buildings by architect Henry Trost and a mud adobe shrine
Hear the tales of Tucson’s founding as a walled Spanish Colonial Presidio

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