Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, Tucson (must see)

The Tucson Museum of Art is the largest visual arts institution in Southern Arizona, set within a four-acre Historic Block that preserves several of Tucson’s oldest surviving homes. The museum’s galleries and historic structures surround a central courtyard, creating a layout where art, local history, and early architecture are all part of the visitor experience.

The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 12,000 works. Art of the American Southwest is a major focus, but the collection also features notable Latin American, Asian, and Modern and Contemporary holdings. Depending on the installations during your visit, you may encounter paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed-media works by artists such as Max Weber, John Chamberlain, Chuck Close, Bill Schenck, and Jasper Johns.

If you enter the main courtyard and look along the east side of the square, you will see La Casa Cordova, often cited as one of Tucson’s oldest surviving buildings. Its thick adobe walls and low façade reflect early Sonoran construction techniques. Walk toward the corner just north of La Casa Cordova and you will reach the Romero House, identifiable by its deep-set windows and enclosed courtyard. The Romero House frequently serves as a working studio space, so you may hear pottery wheels or see ceramic work in progress depending on the day.

From there, continue north toward the edge of the block and you will arrive at the Stevens/Duffield House, a later territorial-style residence with higher ceilings and more defined room divisions. If exhibitions are installed inside, the front rooms usually display small rotating selections from the museum’s permanent collection. A short walk west from this point brings you to the Fish House, recognizable by its long rectangular footprint and shaded porch area. Together, these buildings illustrate the shifts in Tucson’s residential architecture from the mid-1800s into the early 20th century.

Because access to individual houses varies, visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s website for the most current information on open buildings, exhibitions, and program schedules.