46. Casas Adobes Plaza
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Description: When this Spanish-style plaza was built in the 1940s, it was a shopping hub out in the boonies. Today it’s at a busy intersection, but strolling here can still be pleasant. The plaza also houses a boutique, beauty salons, footwear, eyewear, and linen shops, a Whole Foods Market, Maya Palace, and Chico’s. For food there’s Sauce, Wildflower Grill, and Bluefin Seafood Bistro.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
48. El Con Mall
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (520) 795-9958
Address: 3601 E. Broadway Blvd.
Description: El Con was Tucson’s first mall and occupies a large parcel of what is now very valuable land in a central Tucson location. Although spread out, it’s all one level and therefore not as overwhelming as the many more modern malls. It’s home to JCPenney, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, In-N-Out Burger, Home Depot, and Target. You’ll also find a Century 20 theater complex and a small food court. The mall is easily accessible by bus.
49. El Mercado
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Description: Designed to resemble a Spanish open-air mercado (market), this plaza features a number of unusual shops plus salons and restaurants. Here you’ll find a store with all kinds of delicious handmade chocolates and Maya Palace. The El Charro Cafe is an offshoot of El Charro, Arizona’s oldest Mexican restaurant (see the Restaurants chapter).
50. Foothills Mall
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (520) 219-0650
Description: Foothills Mall is distinguished by its wide Saltillo tile corridors and architectural features that give it the feeling of a village mercado. An upscale outlet and entertainment mall, it houses a Saks Fifth Avenue outlet, Barnes and Noble, Levi’s, Old Navy, and Dress Barn outlets, among others. For food there are several sit-down restaurants, a brewery, and a food court with several vendors. For entertainment, the mall has a 15-screen movie theater and GameWorks Studio. There are plenty of special events and entertainment at the mall as well. It’s a pleasant place to shop, be entertained, or just people watch.
51. Joesler Village
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Description: Named for Josias Joesler, Tucson’s premier architect, this upscale shopping plaza on the northwest corner of this intersection is home to boutiques, clothing stores, several galleries, and a number of casual and sophisticated restaurants.
52. La Encantada
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (520) 299-3556
Address: 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Insider Pick:
Description: Big, beautiful, and full of wonderful stores, this lovely outdoor mall sits at the crest of Campbell Avenue at Skyline. Open courtyards, fountains, balconies, and gardens make this a great spot to stroll and shop. Shops include Tucson’s only Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. You’ll also find specialty clothing and stores like Bebe, Brooks Brothers, and Cole Haan, and a phenomenal Apple retail store. Upscale restaurants offer options from barbecue to northern Italian; AJ’s Fine Foods has gourmet groceries. Spend the day.
53. Park Place
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (520) 745-7575
Address: 5870 E. Broadway Blvd.
Description: This attractive mall is built on all one level in a close-in Eastside location. The large stores are Sears, Macy’s, and Dillard’s, which are accompanied by more than 100 shops and restaurants plus a movie theater. For books there’s Borders Books and Music; for moviegoers, a huge 20-plex theater. The information booth is located just inside the mall’s main entrance, which is at the center of the building on the south side facing Broadway Boulevard. Park Place is wheelchair accessible and rents strollers. There’s also a kids’ playground at the food court.
54. Plaza Palomino
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 2970 N. Swan Rd.
Description: This is one of the loveliest places to shop in Tucson, although it definitely leans toward upscale. Elegant shops, galleries, and restaurants constructed of adobe with Spanish-tiled roofs surround a tiled courtyard with fountains, foliage, and singing birds. Plaza Palomino is located near the Fort Lowell historic district, full of old Spanish charm and a peaceful break from hectic malls. You’ll find a number of boutiques, jewelry, art, and home decor shops, and several restaurants with patio seating so you can enjoy the surroundings. Shops include clothing at La Contessa; Native American arts and crafts at Grey Dog Trading; and jewelry, art, and Western-style furniture at Appaloosa in the Woods. It’s also host to a great farmers’ market on Saturday.
55. The River Center
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 5605 E. River Rd.
Description: At the base of the Catalina foothills, River Center is a pretty setting for its 2 dozen shops and restaurants, including a branch of the Pima County Library. A fountain, outdoor dining, and views of the city lights below add to the ambience. In addition to a major drugstore, you’ll find boutiques, the Green Monkey, an upscale consignment shop, a beauty salon, and several small businesses. Restaurants include Ric’s Cafe, with outdoor dining.
56. St. Philip’S Plaza
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (520) 529-2775
Description: Set in a Joesler-designed Mexican-style plaza, this is an upscale shopping center in a pleasant (but congested) location. The plaza itself is a series of Spanish-style brick courtyards, which make for a picturesque stroll with shade trees, lovely tiled fountains, and gardens. One of Tucson’s finest beauty salons and day spas, Gadabout, is located here (they have several other locations, too). Shops include the hip Changes. There are art galleries, jewelry stores, and several of Tucson’s top eateries. Also located at St. Philip’s is Windmill Inn, an all-suite hotel. Watch for special doings that take place here, such as outdoor concerts and a Sunday farmers’ market.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 4500 N. Oracle Rd.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 200 S. Park Ave.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Shopping
Address: 201 N. Court Ave.