Tucson Architecture Walking Tour, Tucson

Tucson Architecture Walking Tour (Self Guided), Tucson

Just as any city is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims, Tucson's architectural landscape bears witness to the city's profound historical narrative and cultural melange.

From the majestic belfries of the Saint Augustine Cathedral, adorned with the Spanish Colonial Revival-style opulence, to the resplendent Scottish Rite Cathedral (also known as the Masonic Temple), an exemplar of Beaux-Arts mastery, the architectural tapestry of Tucson is a mesmerizing portrait of grandeur and sophistication.

Emanating an aura of timeless elegance, the MacArthur Building embodies the spirit of the Art Deco movement, with its sleek contours and geometric allure. Meanwhile, the Pima County Courthouse, an architectural gem of regal proportions, exudes the grandiosity of the Mission Revival style, featuring a picturesque enclosed courtyard, massive adobe walls, broad plaster surfaces, and graceful arcades.

Just behind the Courthouse, within the atmospheric grounds of El Presidio Park, the vestiges of Tucson's Spanish Colonial past evoke an ambiance of heritage and reverence for the city's eventful history.

As the sun bathes the city in its warm embrace, the Corbett House, another resplendent embodiment of the Mission Revival style, enchants onlookers with its vibrant color palette.

Lastly, the Levi H Manning House, an impressive example of territorial-style architecture, features a beguiling blend of Spanish Colonial Revival, Italian Renaissance, and Santa Fe Territorial influences.

In Tucson's architectural realm, artistry meets functionality, and historical significance intertwines with aesthetic splendor. The presented here landmark buildings showcase a colorful blend of design styles and capture the essence of the Southwest's architectural heritage. If you wish to appreciate them up close and personally, take this self-guided walk.
How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Tucson Architecture Walking Tour Map

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Tucson Architecture Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Tucson (See other walking tours in Tucson)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)


Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.
Click here to view route map
Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions


1. How do I access my walking tour in Tucson?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Tucson Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Tucson?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Tucson, Arizona

Create Your Own Walk in Tucson

Create Your Own Walk in Tucson

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tucson is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tucson Downtown Walking Tour

Tucson Downtown Walking Tour

Tucson is a city shaped by layered stories and memorable characters. Italian geographer and explorer Eusebio Kino passed through this desert valley in the late 1600s, laying early foundations for future settlements, and centuries later the legendary Earp brothers arrived in town during a turbulent chapter of frontier history. Their time in Tucson was brief, but it reflects something true about the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
University of Arizona Walking Tour

University of Arizona Walking Tour

Founded in 1885, the University of Arizona (U of A) was the first university in the state, and so far has been the only representative from the state of Arizona in the Association of American Universities.

The U of A campus in Tucson proudly showcases a number of landmarks, each with its own story and unique allure. Among these, the Old Main building, an architectural gem, completed in 1891,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles