I will be travelling to Tucson with my wife, mother in law, and three teenagers (16, 17, and 17). We have been to Phoenix several times in the last year and thought that we would try Tucson this time. We will be staying at the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. My son and I will be golfing and I know that the girls would like to visit the University. Is there anything that you would recommend for us to see? Any other small towns around the area that are nice to visit? When we're in Phoenix we love to visit Fountain Hills and Tempe.. The girls really like to shop but I've heard that there isnt too much of that to do in Tucson. They like going to little boutiques that we dont have here in Chicago.

Any restaurants that you would suggest? We pretty much love everything. Thank you for your time!

There is an awful lot to do in and around Tucson. I have put together information on suggested day trips and sights. Send me an email and I will forward it to you. Everything I have listed has clickable links so you can "visit" places before you get here.

It also has some of my favorite restaurants.

Thank you for your help, Mike. I just emailed you...

Any other suggestions from anyone else?

When I was a student there, my high-school aged sister visited and she loved shopping on 4th Ave., and then lunch at the hole-in-the-wall spot Bisonwich's (get the half sandwich-half soup combo--yummy!!!!) Said she felt like a college student! (Thrift stores and some southwestern themed places...not high end shopping.)

Another idea would be to walk west of the university toward University Ave. to shop at the chain stores, bookstores, and have a great slice of pizza at "No Anchovies", if that place is still there (last time I was there was summer '05.)

Also loved the Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress downtown for restaurants (hip, small, one-of-a-kind!). Loved Cafe Poca Cosa, and the patio of El Charro downtown (food/service pretty good, ambiance fabulous!) Cafe Terra Cotta further north. Trattoria Guiseppe for Italian!!

Thank you for all of your wonderful suggestions. I know the two teenage girls will love the vintage thrift stores!