Barrio Viejo Walking Tour Itinerary
Explore the vibrant art and rich history of Barrio Viejo with this walking itinerary that takes you through colorful murals, historic buildings, and unique landmarks. This journey is packed with photo opportunities and fascinating stories. Click any photo to pull up a map for directions. If you are driving to the barrio, a good place to park on weekends is in front of Carrillo School, 440 S. Main Ave. Look out for permit-only parking on some streets.
Begin your journey at Rosendo S. Perez Park. On the south wall of 420 S. Main Ave., you'll find a beautiful mural. Just a short walk from here on the north side of the building is El Tiradito Wishing Shrine, an iconic Tucson landmark where visitors leave candles and wishes. Unlike typical shrines dedicated to saints, El Tiradito is dedicated to the soul of a sinner, making it distinctive in the United States.
One prevalent story involves Juan Oliveras, a young ranch hand who fell in love with his mother-in-law. Upon discovering the affair, his enraged father-in-law killed him with an axe. Due to the sinful nature of his actions, Oliveras was denied burial in consecrated ground and was instead interred at the site of his death.
Directly across the street, admire the huge mural featuring a young woman on the north wall of La Suprema Works & Events. This building, located at 319 W. Simpson St., used to be a tortilla factory, and its history still echoes through the neighborhood.
Walk a block east on Simpson to Meyer Avenue. On the southwest corner, you’ll find a statue of Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc. He is remembered as a symbol of indigenous resistance against the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Across Meyer Avenue, there's a colorful mural of a cacti and flower garden on a short wall. It is a good spot to stop and take a photo.
Turn north and head to 369 S. Meyer, where you will find the historic Teatro Carmen just across the street. It was a central hub for Spanish-language performances, hosting a variety of plays, operas, and musical events. Teatro Carmen stands as a testament to Tucson's rich cultural tapestry, reflecting the city's Mexican-American heritage and its ongoing commitment to preserving historical landmarks.
On your side of the street, take note of the gate adorned with a large metal owl and secured by a turtle-shaped latch. Look closely at the window bars of the building to the left of the gate to find small animals sculpted into the ironwork. Continue north on Meyer and turn right onto Cushing Street. Stroll along and admire the colorful, historic homes lining the street until you reach Stone Avenue.
Turn right on Stone Avenue and make your way to the driveway just south of the WomanKraft Art Center. Look down the driveway to spot a vibrant mural on a private residence—a hidden gem worth seeing.
Turn right onto Simpson Street and walk to Convent Avenue. On the northeast corner, you'll see an old grocery store with faint blue lettering from the items it used to sell. Thanks to careful restoration, the original sign has been preserved to look like it did in its heyday.
Walk south on Convent Avenue until you reach Kennedy Street. Stop to look at the large brick house on the southwest corner, with its walls adorned with words carved directly into the brick.
Turn west on Kennedy Street, appreciating the colorful homes along the way until you reach Meyer Avenue. Turn left and head south to 508 S. Meyer, where you’ll find a ghost sign advertising 5-cent root beer. Across the street, at 505 S. Meyer, stands the restored boyhood home of Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero, the father of Chicano music.
Continue south to 600 S. Meyer. This building once housed Lee Ho's General Store, which opened in 1912. Look for Lalo Guerrero depicted in the mural here, celebrating the area's cultural heritage.
Take a right on 17th Street and then a quick right on 9th Avenue. It’s a dead-end street, but halfway up, you'll find a mural painted on a private residence—a hidden treasure that’s worth the detour. Afterward, turn around and go back to 17th Street and take a right, continuing to Main Avenue. You can see "A Mountain" in the distance as you walk to Main Avenue. Take a right and walk a couple blocks to complete your loop. The loop is about 1.2 miles. Enjoy a well-deserved break after exploring the art, history, and vibrant culture of Barrio Viejo!
