The Perfect Arizona Getaway To Take If You Have Been Dreaming Of Spain
By Melissa Mahoney|Published March 05, 2024
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Dreaming of a vacation to Europe but don’t want to go too far? Visit Tubac for the perfect Arizona getaway. With a long history steeped in Native American culture, Spanish settlers then colonized the area in the 1700s and established a presidio. Tubac is one of the oldest European settlements in the state and is worth visiting. Today, the Spanish influence remains in much of the town’s architecture and may make you feel as though you’re in Europe.
Tubac is a destination for artists and those who appreciate art as well as for those who need to escape big city life for a little while.
When you walk around town, you may notice the Spanish influence in the architecture. There are adobe buildings featuring thick walls, clay tile roofs, arched windows and doorways, and just those small ornate details that may make you believe you're overseas.
Head to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park to see the Presidio, which happens to be the first fort in Arizona, and get a feel for the history of the area that includes Native American and Spanish influences.
Take a look at the flags in this photo -- the second flag displays the coat of arms of Carlos III who was the King of Spain when the Presidio was built. These are found at the Presidio.
Aside from the history here, Tubac is a wonderful town for a relaxing getaway. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, you can go hiking or spend some time walking around the historic downtown area.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Stables Ranch Grille offers a wonderful menu featuring Southwest cuisine. This restaurant holds a lot of history, too, as it occupies the stables of what was once Otero Ranch. Notice the saddles and other decor that reflect the history of this restaurant when you dine here!
Have you visited the town of Tubac yet? Is there another place you enjoy for the perfect Arizona getaway? Let us know! To learn more, visit the Tubac AZ website. And if you’re looking for a place to stay in this historic and artsy town, we think you should check out the unique vacation rentals on Vrbo.
Looking for more charming small towns for a getaway? Check out these tiny Arizona towns that are always worth a visit.