This past December, I had the opportunity to participate in the Media Classic, an annual event that highlights the culture, cuisine, and golf courses for a particular destination. In 2021 the city of Tucson opened its doors and welcomed over 50 media professionals, and showed us around town.
Getting In and Out of Tucson
I flew into Tucson International Airport (TUS) on a direct flight out of Las Vegas on Frontier Airlines. The flight was cheap and direct, just like I prefer! TUS is an international airport, and getting in/out of Tucson via TUS is easy and convenient. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is about 2 hours away from Tucson and is also an option for flying direct from the east coast. We ended up playing a round of golf in Phoenix before flying home direct to Orlando out of PHX on Southwest Airlines.
Where to Stay in Tucson
Like any major city, Tucson has no shortages of hotels, Airbnb, and resorts options. When I travel with golf in mind, I always prefer to stay at a Golf Resort. In Tucson, you have two great options.
The first is Omni Tucson National Resort. The advantages of staying at Omni are numerous. First, it’s a terrific resort that embodies Southwest casita-style lodging. Our room was very spacious, featuring 675 square feet of well-appointed space. We also enjoyed the outdoor fire pit and comfortable lounge chairs. Second, Tucson National has some serious golf chops! They are home to the PGA Tour Champions and the Cologuard Classic with their Catalina course. It was in terrific condition, with lightning-fast greens, and very challenging. Third, you’ll love all the amenities the resort offers, such as a large heated pool/spa with fire pits on the outside. For dining, they have the legendary Bob’s Steakhouse.
The other option is The Lodge at Ventana Canyon. For those that prefer the private club experience, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is for you! The Lodge consists of all-suite accommodations co-located within the clubhouse. The Lodge is owned by the Ventana Canyon membership and offers visitors luxurious accommodations and a chance to taste the Ventana Canyon lifestyle. With every resort amenity you can imagine and TWO Tom Fazio 18-Hole Championship courses, Ventana Canyon is the perfect destination for a family getaway or a weekend trip with the boys to play golf and enjoy a few cigars and bourbon.
The Culture of Tucson
Tucson is a city rich in culture and history. When I travel, I try to get to know the heart of a city. Tucson is the soul of the Sonoran Desert and the flavor of the Southwest. Home to Saguaro National Park, ranches, the best 23 miles of Mexican food on earth, and 35 golf courses. Tucson is an outdoor paradise featuring some of the best hiking trails in North America. If you love adventure, food, and the outdoors, you’ll be right at home in Tucson.
Tucson Highlights
We had a whirlwind for four days in Tucson. We tried to see, play, and eat and drink as much as possible. All our trips revolve around golf, but we felt we got an all-around experience with Tucson.
The best golf we played in Tucson was at Ventana Canyon. We played the Canyon course, and it was destination golf. Incredible views, rolling terrain, fairways like a carpet, and greens were true. It was the best course we played in Tucson. We regret not playing the Mountain course, which we hear is even more stunning than the Canyon course.
Food, and we had some great meals along the trip! El Charro Café in downtown Tucson is a must-visit. The oldest Mexican restaurant in the country is best known for its Carne Seca, which is still dried the old-fashioned way (on the roof)! El Charro Café will celebrate 100 years in 2022, be sure to stop in for lunch or dinner, and you won’t be disappointed! Some other spots worth checking out were Wildflower, for that excellent dinner spot with great atmosphere/food, and Baja Café for that off-the-beaten-path dive-style breakfast that was amazing!
Final Score
Tucson is a destination city, no doubt about it! Golf, entertainment, activities, food, you name it, and they have it. If you love life and getting outdoors trying new experiences, we couldn’t recommend Tucson more. T e winter climate is the perfect time to visit Tucson and thaw out and enjoy life. If you’re looking for a bargain destination, you can find some great rates and deals during the doable summer months.