From murals to a pink bus: Here are some Tucson spots to take a selfie

From the “Greetings From ... Tucson” mural near North Fourth Avenue, to artist Joe Pagac’s giant midtown canvas of whales swimming through a sunset, the Old Pueblo has a near-endless amount of murals to marvel at.

Some newer pieces include Lalo Cota’s desert heart mural on Speedway and Jessica Gonzales’ No-Tel Motel artwork. Or you can stick to the classics, such as the Stone Avenue piece that simply spells out “Tucson” in massive letters or the “Goddess of Agave” mural on the side of the Benjamin Plumbing Supply building on Seventh Avenue. We even have a map of some murals around the city: tucne.ws/muralmap

Pro tip: Some murals are pretty large — you might need a friend to help snap the perfect photo of you.

You can find cacti pretty much anywhere in Tucson, but if you’re striving for a selfie unobstructed by street lights or telephone wires, try out both districts of Saguaro National Park or Tumamoc Hill. Hike through Sabino Canyon and you might even see a waterfall.

You could also visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and potentially capture some at-a-distance selfies with wildlife.

Bonus points if you find a cactus in bloom or a crested saguaro. Even more points if you snap a photo during sunset.

The charming Barrio Viejo neighborhood, just south of downtown, is filled with the brightest of adobe buildings. It’s said to be among the oldest neighborhoods in Tucson. In the 1960s, part of the neighborhood was demolished for the construction of La Placita Village and the Tucson Convention Center.

Another quaint area is the historic Presidio District, which has a centuries-old history. The district sits near the northern portion of downtown.

Businesses tucked into the district include La Cocina, the Presidio Museum and the Tucson Museum of Art.

If you’re a history buff, a Tucson native or just a lover of all things quirky, pay a $12 visit to the Ignite Sign Art Museum. The museum is home to dozens of old Tucson signs you might recognize.

Signs include Molina’s Midway, the popular restaurant that closed in 2018 after more than 60 years in business; remnants of the De Anza Drive-In movie theater; and a sign for Jerry’s Lee Ho Market, which closed years ago.

If you’re a fan of neon signs, you might also consider strolling down West Drachman Street, near North Stone Avenue, to take a gander at more signs of Tucson’s past.

If you wander to the area of East 22nd Street and South Swan Road, you might find a pink bus serving all the tacos of your dreams. That’s Carnitas Los Gordos, which doubles as a nice stop for your stomach and your camera.

Other photo-worthy restaurants: Dine at Saguaro Corners, or McGraw’s Cantina, for photo-worthy outdoor views.

Try Pinnacle Peak in Trail Dust Town, if you’re looking to fulfill a western vibe.

Areas at Hotel Congress, home of the Cup Cafe, are good selfie spots if you’re searching for something more historic.

And if you’re in the mood for a road trip, Longhorn Grill in Amado, is easily recognizable because of its giant steer skull at the entrance.

The Tucson Botanical Gardens, boast plant species from wildflowers to succulents, in addition to rotating exhibits and events throughout the year. General admission is $15 per adult.

From October to May, butterflies from around the world flutter through the gardens’ butterfly greenhouse. Try snapping a selfie when one lands on you — it’ll probably fly away quickly, so have your camera ready.

Mount Lemmon is photogenic — rain (or snow) or shine.

On your way up the mountain, make a stop at Windy Point Vista. Even if you don’t take a selfie, the view is worth pulling over for.

Other photo-worthy spots: Rose Canyon Lake, Summerhaven and basically any traffic pull-out along the way.

Built in the late 1700s, the San Xavier Mission is a beauty — whether you’re visiting for your first time or your hundredth.

It’s become a tourist attraction in Tucson, but church services are still held there. And if you’re hoping to get the perfect selfie, visit the mission before fall, when scaffolding is expected to go up as updates on the east tower begin.

Among the oldest pieces of art at the University of Arizona is the fountain near Old Main.

It’s the Alexander Berger Memorial Fountain, which was installed in 1919. The fountain is a memorial for 13 UA graduates who died in World War I.

Beware, though: Come April or May, Old Main is typically flooded with students donning caps and gowns taking graduation photos.