#but thatll take like one million years

[g3othermal3scapism]

messy mevie doodle that i kinda hate before i go to bed 😎 theyre best friends ur honor <3333 *click for better quality*

[1tsjusty0u]

actually while im at it. flowey undertale. im getting his stupid fanclub pin because unfortunately i am a fan

[xanaxli]

I wonder what it would be like to start over completely. From birth to now. With all the knowledge I've obtained i know id do everything completely different and first thatll start with my parents. I would completely try my best to leave my home if i could. Take my siblings out of that environment. It has almost completely destroyed us. In every way. Every time I think of any relationship ive been in they remind me of my parents someway somehow. I get comfortable with discomfort. Tension is a familiar feeling and i get lost in it sometimes. Whether it be in myself or inside i get lost in the magma. And as i burn i cant help but to cry and think of my "safe haven". Ive never had one of those. And i wish i had. I never had no where to run. No one to call. When i needed someone there no one rescued me. And i think back and its tearing me apart 20 something years later. I wish i could rip my heart into a million pieces and give it to the ocean. The pain I've endured is real and i cant ignore it anymore. My childhood was unbearable. Being an adult now im going through so much mentally and im so afraid to let people close to me. I dont trust a single soul not even my self. And i dont feel safe with myself sometimes. Im sick of being afraid. Tired of fighting. Tired of screaming and no sound coming out. Im tired of the internal suffering i have to deal with from the moment i wake until I finally crash. I am extremely exhausted with my life and ive been at this crossroad for a while. Sitting with no clue of the direction i should go. I wish i knew what to do

[queerloquial]

i want to move out last week

[jawnjendes]

the fog will clear up | shawn mendes

chapter 13/?, university au, shawn x goth oc

AN: sry its short and definitely a filler im sry its boring but it helps build up stuff thatll happen next ok ok im sry

*let me know if u wanna be added/removed from the taglist

masterlist | playlist

Annalise woke with a start. She was wide awake immediately. There was no room for sleepily rolling around the sheets, her eyes weren't heavy like always. She didn't know what dying and coming back to life felt like, but she was pretty sure it felt something like that. She had a weird urge to go for a jog.

Staring at the ceiling, Annalise reached towards the nightstand next to her, intending to grab her phone. Her hand touched the bottle, and she picked it up anyway, reading the prescription label.

Annalise Flores SERTRALINE 50MG TABLET Brand name: Zoloft

"You don't waste anytime, huh?" she murmured before setting it back down. Then, she grabbed her phone and checked the time.

8:47am. A new fucking record. Annalise rolled out of bed, unable to stay still.

In the 2 hours she had to kill before work, she tidied up the dorm, ate a decent breakfast, took a shower, and got started on the course work she had to make up. The energy levels were through the roof, she had never been so on edge and productive at the same time. Why wasn't she put on sertraline sooner? Sure, she felt hyperaware and borderline anxious, but that was apart of the process of getting on a new antidepressant. She was getting things done this way. Sure, she jumped when the lock on the door jiggled, but she was up and running anyway!

If she wasn't, she wouldn't have seen Stella entering the dorm. She was surprised to see Annalise on the couch, looking like a deer in headlights.

"Oh… I thought you were asleep. I'll, uh, I'll come back."

"No, wait!" Annalise sounded a little too frantic, but it did stop Stella from leaving. "Uh, come sit down! Please!"

Stella narrowed her eyes slightly as she went to the couch. At least she was willing to listen.

"I, uh, I'm sorry," Annalise began, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm sorry for what I said. A stupid guy isn't the only good in my life. I have you. You matter to me, and I'm sorry for making you feel like you don't." She really couldn't stop herself from rambling. "I miss you. I miss seeing you here between classes, and I miss your optimism because a bitch could use some of that. And, and I'm sorry for the negativity I've brought in here. I'm working on it now, I swear. Just… come back. Come home… because bro, you're my wife, dude."

It could have been funny, but there was nothing funny about the way she said it. Her eyes were wide and pleading, and she was rubbing her hands together. Stella merely blinked her hazel eyes, nearly overwhelmed by that string of words.

"Look at you, expressing your emotions," she said after a while. "I can see why you hold it back."

Annalise nodded rapidly. "It's my first day on a new medication. Got me all sorts of hyped up, but I'll mellow out in a couple of weeks. And I'm taking therapy seriously again!"

Stella was surprised. "Oh, I see. Well… I've missed you too. Bro…"

"Bro?"

"I'll come home too. Camila's bed is too small for the two of us."

"Bro…"

"I know. I have to update you on all that."

"Br-"

"Okay!" Stella broke out a smile and stood up. "Dame un abrazo, puta."

That was much easier than Annalise had anticipated. She stood up and hugged her best friend, relieved. Stella wasn't one to hold a grudge, nor was she as stubborn as her roommate. It was another person to cross off the list.

~

Shawn had social media mainly to get his music out there. Yes, he interacted with his friends on Snapchat, and some fans on Twitter. Most of the time, Shawn just tweeted when he had new music coming out. He didn't check any of his social media very often, not even to stalk Ann's accounts because she was rarely on her's. He didn't even have his notifications on, purely to keep himself from the possibility of getting too attached to the opinions of random strangers online.

That was why he woke up that morning to a number of texts from Camila.

"SHAAWWNWNN"

"SHAWN IM LKTERSLLY BALD RN"

"CHEKC UR TWITTER RIGHT NOW!!!!!!"

"YOIR FOLLOWERS!!! AAHSKSKSK"

"SKSKSK SHAWNMM IM SCRAMING"

So to Twitter he went. Shawn rubbed sleep out of his eye as he went to his profile. He had around 10k to begin with, that he built up on his own over the last couple of years. He nearly dropped his phone on his face as he read the new number.

50.2k

"What… the fuck?" he breathed out as he sat up in his bed. He scrolled through the list, making sure this wasn't a series of spam bots.

His mentions were just as wild, and it explained the sudden blow up.

@hollaestor: @shawnmendes hiii bella told me to follow you

@samxriv: @shawnmendes i am free to hang out on tuesday to hang out when i am free

@gisellenjh: @shawnmendes bella sent me here and im glad she did! loving your music!

And there were plenty more like that. There were so many tweets, Shawn couldn't even get through all of them. It was making his head spin. There was only one Bella he knew about too… He just couldn't spell her last name. Thankfully, her handle was just @bellasanti, and it was the first one to pop up when he typed it in the search bar.

Right under Bella Santiago's name and the blue checkmark were the two little words: Follows you. Shawn refreshed the page ten times before it sank in. This YouTuber, who has over 2 million followers, somehow found Shawn's music… and she liked it. She liked it enough to tweet about it… 3 days ago.

@bellasanti: underrated spotify artists: @shawnmendes. give him a listen. send him some love. truly talented guy💖

Shawn had only overheard Bella's videos when Ann was watching them in the other room. He never really watched any of her content. But he wanted to pass out at the fact that she took the time to listen to his music and tweet about him. He wanted to jump on the bed. He wanted to call-

He texted Camila back. "Wtf why did no one tell me sooner?? This is so crazy!!!!!"

"We thought you knew and you were keeping it from us!! LMAO congrats rockstar!"

He couldn't believe it. His follower count was rising. He was getting emails from Spotify saying his songs were being added to many different playlists.

@shawnmendes: @bellasanti wow thank you so much! Love you bella❤

He deleted the last bit before tweeting it. Holy shit. Shawn lied back down on the mattress, completely breathless.

How does someone like Bella Santiago find Shawn out in cyberspace? What Spotify rabbit hole did she go down that led her to him? How many of his songs did she listen to? How many songs did she save to her library? How many of those playlist emails were from her? Shawn had so many questions.

~

There were two things Annalise noticed when she was out on the courtyard after Biology. The first thing was a table on the side of the walkway, with a handmade banner hanging off the front. It read in big letters: Shawn Mendes: Live at The Cameron House. Brian, Alessia. and Camila were all sat on the same side at this table, talking to a student who was interested in the little display.

"The lounge called back," Annalise muttered to herself.

The other thing Annalise noticed was Patrick sitting under a tree nearby, reading a book. She went to him first.

The last time she had spoken to Patrick was when they cut up flowers together. He was never one to explicitly state when something has upset him, and he has seen Annalise in a depressive episode before. Annalise knew him well. Patrick kept his distance because he didn't like the negativity around her, and he couldn't afford any more of it himself.

"Hey," she greeted.

His blue eyes tore away from his book to meet her gaze. "'Sup?"

"Trying to be less fucked in the head," she told him.

Patrick nodded in approval. "Cool."

That was all that was needed for the two of them. Content, Annalise turned and went for the table. A small line had formed when she wasn't looking, so she waited behind the last person. However, with three people running the thing, Annalise got to the front fairly quick.

"Oh, she actually showed up," Brian chimed, amused.

"Meaning?" Annalise asked.

"Thought you were too pissed at Shawn to care about his show, that's all."

She swallowed the pit of annoyance, discovering that even more people knew about that. Brian is his friend, though, of course he'd know.

"Selling tickets or something?" Annalise turned her attention to the two girls.

"Yeah! Ten dollars a piece!" Alessia explained.

"Cool, I'll take one."

Just as she opened the flap on her book bag, Camila spoke up.

"Wait. I'm pretty sure Shawn said he wanted to buy you your ticket himself."

Annalise rolled her eyes. "Well, he's not here and I can do things for myself." She pulled out her wallet and paid her own goddamn ticket.

Camila breathed out a laugh. "Are you ever gonna let him do anything nice for you?"

None of your fucking business.

A new thought occurred to Annalise. "Why are tickets being sold for this show? Aren't his gigs usually free?"

"There's more production going into this one," Brian told her. "The lounge gave him the option to make it a ticketed event, and we need to make back what we already put into it. So now, it won't be a performance, it'll be Shawn's performance."

Shawn already knew how to make an audience his bitch, but…

"Alright then." Annalise shrugged and then accepted her ticket and receipt from Alessia.

The ticket alone was already quite extravagant. There were little red roses designed around the edges. This boy really loved his fucking flowers.

"I'm guessing rose petals will fall from the ceiling or something?" she guessed with a chuckle.

"I was given strict orders to not spoil anything," Brian told her, folding his arms.

The two had a mini staredown until Annalise shrugged again. "Whatever."

Then, Camila piped up again, suddenly excited. "Ooh, Ann did you hear? Bella Santiago followed Shawn on Twitter!"

"She what?" Annalise stupidly replied.

Camila practically squealed. "She gave him a shoutout too! He's blowing up on Spotify! Isn't that awesome?"

Annalise wanted to say something, but her brain wasn't quite caught up yet. So she just walked away.

The other three students watched her leave. Needless to say, they were confused.

"Is she ever gonna be happy for him?" Alessia wondered.

"I think she was excited?" Camila said tilting her head.

"I can't believe Shawn is going through all this trouble for that," Brian said with a scoff.

"I can still hear you!" Annalise called over her shoulder as she kept walking.

All three of them went red in the face, embarrassed. Brian would have made a comment about her being a vampire with supersonic hearing, but he didn't want to be called out again.

_______

taglist: @normalcyisoverrated-beyou  @ilsolee @mendesromano @1-800-khalid-mendussy @kitykatnumber @strangerliaa @iloveshawnieboi @goldenmndes @shawnvvmendes @shawnsunflower @shawmndes @ruinhoney @someoneunimportantxx @calyumthomas @yourdeflightfullyleft @havethetimeeofyourlifee @wronglanemendes @chillingbythesea @softmendesss @mutuallynotmutual

[dulharpa]

this is for hayley! @whistlingwillows a dear friend <3333

it’s meant to be a birthday present haha. i just want to shower you in love;;; so thought maybe i could go through as many of your fics and comment on them :^)))

(TO EVERYONE ELSE: please go to @whistlingwillows blog and read her fics!!! they are SO FCKIN GOOD AND AMAZING AND UGH HER MIND (it’s a lot of mcu and her bucky and steve fics are a*. i DEFINITELY RECOMMEND))

i wish you a VERY happy birthday and i hope we stay friends for many more years <3333333333 

i’m going through your masterlist heehee ;)))

ah first off, nice theme! i never could rlly see it before because i’m always on mobile heehee. also sorry for not reviewing them before??? i don’t usually read fics on tumblr as you’ve probably guessed;;

anyways, IM GON REVIEW THE SHIT OUT OF THESE >:DDDD

far from home -  bucky x stark sister!reader

firstly, i like how youre introducing the reader from buckys pov, like you can sort of already gather what shes like from them

‘Bucky can hear Tony’s soft inhale, feel the intensity of the man’s glare directed at Steve. He shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but a twitch of muscle would be enough to alert both men that he’s here. With the amount of tension crackling in the air, a brush against the wall would be equivalent to a thousand cymbals crashing in cacophony.’

IM CRYING ALREADY. the imagery in here is GLORIOUS. your tone here is so fitting! oo and the alliteration here is perfecto

ooooooo!! the backstory coming in  👀👀

‘despite what some people think that Steve and Captain America are two different personas, there will always be parts of Steve in the Avenger, and parts of the Avenger in Steve. They both want to believe in something good. They are, after all, one in the same.// Just as how Bucky and the Winter Soldier are the same man despite everything. HYDRA simply amplified the hate, fertilized the seeds of rage, curated the quiet thunder within his soul, within James Buchanan Barnes so that the Winter Soldier could thrive.’

yIKES! lol this is very character study like! nICE. it hurts tho, my poor children, i love you both 

oo ‘starlight eyes’ that is a very nice way of describing them

‘“Then what was London?” The protesters. “São Paulo?” The earthquake. “Vancouver?” Freezing cold water.//“Look, I care if Stark’s gonna run us over trying to find her. I care enough because she’s part of our team. Come off it, Steve. I know she can take care of herself. I’m gonna take a nap. Dr. Cho said no partying post-Singapore and what do you know, we throw the biggest party ever.’

ooo singapore uwu and london? (coincidence? haha jkjk) and the hints abt reader and buckys background are so good?? but so annoying??? like i just wanna KNOW yknow?? 

‘The water runs copper and the sting bites at his palm as he tries not to think. Tries to focus on the numbing cold that runs over his skin.’ 

your imagery is so vivid?? im actually in awe??? i am so regretful i havent kept reading your fics. like i know they are amazing, i just keep putting them off??? idk man. hopefully this makes up for it (gd tho, im still not done with commenting on one fic. this is what im doing with my motivation teehee ;)

‘ He feels weak. Tired. He wants to go back to bed but he also wants to stay out in the sun for a few hours more. The sun kisses his skin through the windows and he squints against the blue sky, wondering ‘

mood during this quarantine lol

‘“Oh, right.” Your voice is flat, uninterested, cold, as you stare at him. “You killed my parents.”Shit.‘

 OUCH LMAO THATS C O L D, O GOT +100 PHYSIC DAMAGE FROM JUST READING THAT

ooo robin as a nickname noice. very much gives me batman vibes lol

oh! and the way of doing the ‘flashback’ is neat! very original. it both tells us what happened AND buckys reaction to it again. he can re-analyse himself and reader. very cool

‘If you walk away now, don’t bother coming back!” Silence. Bucky can hear his own strained breathing, your soft sigh as you soaked in his ultimatum.’

👀👀 yikes that ultimatum. :// not good bucky. tbf theyre both trying to hurt each other but Yikes

eyy!!! readers pov!! finally! and the switch after we find out the outsiders pov? brilliant

oh no :(( more angst

‘When’s the last time you saw your therapist?”“Don’t have one. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”’ they BOTH need therapists;;;;

very good fic!!! :DD they rlly do hate each other! i definitely like how you went back and forth with the timeline! it gave me a v strong idea on what yn was like even before we rlly got introduced. i am now very curious on where reader is? i love your characterisations! 

i will read the 10k+ fics but heck the last one took me ages lolol (i will comment in the future tho!! i promise <3 ) (that took me over an hour jjhghgdjh)

slipping away- amnesiac modern bucky x reader

omg,,, AMNESIA! >:DDDDDD

‘ Put your fucking seatbelt on’

oh no, istg theyre going to have a car crash arent they (’ doesn’t put the seatbelt on to spite you.’ NO PLEASE PUT IT ON U DUMBASS)

ok,,,,, at LEAST he put it on before he got hit, thank heck. but still. youre so cruel to your poor characters lmaoo

oh gosh

‘You fall apart slowly, like pieces of you peeling away until you’re nothing more than your broken heart. The sobs that wrack your body are relentless and you shove your forearm into your mouth to muffle your cries. You want to bite into your skin. You want to distract yourself from the agony tearing you to shreds. You want to feel anything but the pain.///Tears sweep into your hair, cloud your vision and your whole face floods with heat as you try to breathe through the pain. You’re cleaved into pieces on that bed, eyes squeezed shut as the tears keep flowing, and your throat burns’

this hurts damn, it is so vivid?? i can really feel it 

i am so glad you got into writing yk?? so glad

NO PLS, TELL HIM. TELL HIM :((( ‘shes nice once you get to know her?? shes known nat for years now!! years!!

oh god ‘he looks younger without the burden of your time together’ this is so angsty omg

‘Well, he was stumbling through his apology and I just let him finish.” Your body fills with warmth as you remember his embarrassed smile, the way he shoved his baseball cap farther down his head, chin tucked to his chest, trying to hide that face. “When he was done, I opened my mouth to say something polite but what came out was ‘You look like someone I’d very much like to kiss’.”

this is so soft i stg im crying in the club

OH SHITTTTTTTTTTT , you left it off like that!!! thats so cruel!!!! i can’t!!! how dare you!!!! :””””””((( im typing this with tears in my eyes ill have u know!!

anyway!!! very good fic!! you could honestly make that into a longfic very easily lol. i felt too many emotions :(( 

i was just about to say where is the fluff!! where is it!! when i saw the next one and yay :))) pls i cant have more angsty stuff rn

.

cookies and rings and things bucky and reader

‘how much do you love me?’ ‘count the snowflakes, multiply by a million’

did you have to start the fic off with such a SOFT line? its so soft! so TENDER 

‘He wonders what kinda insane person wears socks without any clothes on, but then decides that it’s the kind of person who’s fallen in love with him.’  jesus, the soft moments filled with love are the greatest <3

you can write fluff so well, whyd you have to pain me with all that angst ;””””) (1/10 hurt, 9/10 comfort is the way to go lolol) (jkjk ill read the angsty ones too when i have the spoons) (gonna reread that hydra steve one and ik thatll fuck me UP)

‘ Then, he can feel the cold metal of the ring she slid onto her own finger less than twenty-four hours ago and realizes that he had thought a lot of things shouldn’t be possible, and yet they still are. ‘

you literally brought me to tears reading this softness, you have truly found my weakness

‘ She’s so damn gorgeous with flour on her face and eye bags beneath her eyes that he’s sure she will inevitably make his heart burst ‘

he already likes her so much! i can’t believe this is affecting me so much :’)

‘Bucky is quite sure Sam is in love with his girlfriend in the fact that he’s in love with the fact that his girlfriend is possibly in love with Bucky’

this is so soft??? sam loves reader bc reader loves bucky sm. pls my hear <3333

you do fluff SO WELL DAMN 

‘F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s voice echoes in his small little perch and he still thinks it’s weird without having the side effect of Stark in his suit chasing after him to hear the A.I. but he shoves that uncomfortable feeling of the dead man out of his head. That is too much regret to unpack right now on a mission. ‘

yike bringing back that reminder oof

but thats so soft??? (i am def overusing soft but,,,,, i love it and the vibe) she sent him cookies! god i can feel the love  

‘She expresses her feelings through cooking, which Bucky has learnt the hard way. One time, they got into an argument over something stupid—he can’t even remember what started it—and came to the kitchen at 2AM to see her sitting at the kitchen island crying her eyes out and surrounded by baskets of muffins.’

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 my hEART

you show how much they love each other in so many ways??? i am dying

“Alright, I like it.” Rolling his eyes, he pecks her forehead and she smiles victoriously. It’s so adorable that Bucky, with less than three hours of sleep, adds, “God, I want to marry you.//”“What?”//Oh.Shit.

oh my god! i am literally tearing up!!! AGAIN!!!!!!!!

oh shit o am literally crying

your fluff got me crying harder than your angst i hope youre happy

I really hope you enjoy reading this?? i keep forgetting to like text you but i wanted to do something for your birthday. especially in quarantine when everythings gone crazy. one year i swear ill do something REALLY good for you. not making promises bc i hate if i dont. but ill like, learn how to podfic because you D E S E R V E  I T 

ive spent like three hours doing this lolol 

thank you so much for everything hayley!

[qtjeno]

Boyfriend! Ten Scenarios

i feel like this was requested 10 years ago omg im so sorry shfjaniubfeuioqn also i didnt proof read bcs i just woke up and its like 10 am.

Confession

oh

you would hate ten

like so much

and like tbh he didnt deserve it

and you knew that

but you just did not like him

he was so cocky

and you guys went to the same dance studio

you weren’t extremly serious about dance

but ten was

you thought sometimes he took it too seriously

and like if you were given the chance to punch him, you would have

you guys rarely talked, but you have known him since primary/ elementary school

well,, known of him

he was quiet

but he was one of the kids who moved to the school and immediatly became popular

and he had a set group of friends

and you wanted nothing to do with that group

there was always drama

and someone from the group was always dating a new person every week

on the other end of the table

ten actually highkey lowkey had a crush on you

and luckily for ten

you guys had a mutual friend

johnny was your cousin and was apart of ten’s friend group

yes

the friend group

the one you despised

but you didn’t mind johnny as much

bcs you guys grew up together

and you knew johnny well

so the only time you would willingly be near ten was when you had to talk to johnny

and he would get flustered when you smile or laugh

but he is good at hiding it

eventually johnny caught on

and at lunch he asked ten if he had a crush on you

and he tried to deny it

but johnny isnt an idiot sometimes

so ten eventually gives in

and after that johnny tries to get you to hang out around him more

like he stops you in the halls more often

and ur like ‘what????’

and he says something stupid

ex.

“did you know that oreos are v e g a n”

“johnny, i dont care”

just so that you’re near ten

what a good wingman 

but ten is definetly getting teased by johnny

but gradually you start hanging out with johnny more

bcs he stops you every five seconds to talk

so you might as well hang around him

you try your best to avoid him while the school is busy

bcs you dont want to slowly become apart of his friend group

that isn’t your cup of tea

but during free block (study hall) you hang out with johnny, ten, mark, jaehyun, and sometimes lucas

lucas insists on calling it the ‘english squad’ 

you have rejected this

slowly you realize that they aren’t assholes

and that ten isn’t that cocky

he is acually really quiet

and dances really well

also he is cute

ten starts to get more comfortable with you instead of being flustered

and for a while everyone thought you were dating bcs you guys hung around each other so often

and ur like ‘lmao i wish’ in ur head

and your friends were like ‘ i though you hated ‘them’”

so after a while ten gets his goddamn head out of his ass

and ask you out

after johnny got mad at him bcs ten thought that you didn’t like him

i feel like ten asking you out would be really chill

so he asks you to walk with him to the studio one day

and you happily accept, but wonder why the other boys aren’t coming on the walk since you guys usually walk to your destinations after school together

as you walk you both steal glances at each other

until once you catch him when you were trying to look at him

and he starts blushing

and the words “you’re so cute” slips out of your mouth

and he looks stunned

and you get really quiet and can’t look at him

and then he turns you to face him

and he says “you’re cute too”

and kisses your forehead

and that was his kind of way of asking you out i guess???

like you got the message

and after that y’all got more comfy with one another

so he unofficially asked you out

Dates

ooh ten would be so cliche

amusement park dates? yes

cafe dates? yes

park dates? yES

ten is very hyper once you get to know him

sometimes you wonder how he screams so loudly when in public hes so quiet

you swear he is a different person

he would want to make dates the best they could possibly be

especially when he is busy

bcs he feels like he owes it to you

but he is also always down to just sit around at your house and just talk

a lot of the time while you guys are walking to your date destination 

he would just admire you

and you realize and get all nervous

and you have to tell him to stop

and he will have that cute ass smile and ask why

uwu my heart

when you guys are at cafes you probably like to take pics of ur drinks and snacks before yall can eat

and he gets whiny

“y/n LEt mE eAT!”’

‘‘GiVE mE a MinUtE thE LighTinG isNt RIGHT!!”

i dont think he would mind pda that much

bcs hes a flirt as it is

and he would always have his arm around you

and he would always hug you whenever he felt like it lmao

a lot of the time yall just go on quick dates after dance practice

maybe just go to a small restraunt

or a convenience store and make some ramen

he is such a softie

he probably likes to squish your cheeks and then peck your lips

you probably go to his dance comps

and he goes to yours

but youre literally out here screaming

bcs did you see that?!

you see that??!!!?!?!

ITS LEGEND

The Best Moments

did someone say THE legendary dance couple

yea they did

i know

because it was me

your dance studio probably has a youtube channel

kinda like 1 million dance studio

and everyone @ the nct dance academy posts on it when they cover choreos or make original choreos

and so you and ten often do dances together

and ppl deadass probably stan yall

like who yall stan in nda

lmao ten and y/n, how bout u

catch yall covering trouble maker

wow legends

yall are probably around the same height

bcs ten aint that tall

so youre just the right height to smack him on the back of the head when he makes an inapropriate joke

also fruits?

illegal

bcs i guess fruits are s c a r y

and he refuses to tell you why

but you respect him

and your like

“fine ill just take the strawberries back to my place”

you probably ocassionally stay up late

and he’ll text you

“you up?”

and you’ll say yea

and he’ll ask you if he can come over bcs it was a really long day and he wants to see you

and thatll make your heart ache

bcs ur literal sweet uwu baby boy wants to see you

and when he comes over he immdeiatly hugs you

and you can see the exhaustion in his face

and so yoou guys just cuddle in bed

and he rants to you about his problems 

and you listen while you run your hands through his hair

uwu my heart

uwu his heart

uwu your heart

extras!

[arplis]

Arplis - News: 38 Fun Things to Do in Tucson, Arizona

With incredible outdoor adventures, some of the best Mexican food in the U.S. (yes, seriously!), and a vibrant nightlife, Tucson may just be the perfect weekend getaway. Oh, and did we mention Tucson has wonderfully warm temperatures in the wintertime?! (Fellow Midwesterners, take note!)

The population of Tucson is just over half a million people, making it feel like a relatively small city. But dont be fooled there are an incredible amount of things to do in Tucson!

While there are many things to do in the city itself, the real draw of Tucson is what lies beyond. The Sonoran Desert which surrounds Tucson, is one of the only places in the world to see the iconic saguaro cactus, after all.

Were walking you through the very best things to do in Tucson, Arizona from epic outdoor adventures to foodie experiences to nightlife for all ages.

Our Experience in Tucson

Im going to be honest: Until recently, Tucson wasnt on my radar at all. Instead, I pictured the Grand Canyon and cities like Phoenix, Sedona and Scottsdale when I thought of Arizona.

So when my parents booked a 2-week Airbnb rental in Tucson to escape Minnesotas frigid winter clutches, I asked them, What is there to do in Tucson?

The timing was uncanny, because a week after my parents booked their trip, we were contacted by Visit Tucson (the tourism board) to work on a campaign with them. And all of a sudden, a city I hadnt ever thought much about took center stage in my mind.

When we started planning our trip to Tucson, I truly started to realize why my parents had booked 2 weeks there. As it turns out, theres a lot to do in this southwestern city!

This info-packed guide is full of top tips, where to stay, what foods to try , and everything else you need to know about planning an incredible trip to Tucson.

Contents:

Things to do in Tucson:

Outdoor Activities in Tucson

Food & Nightlife in Tucson

Art, Culture & History in Tucson

Planning your trip to Tucson:

Best Tucson Weekend Itinerary

Best time to visit Tucson

Where to stay in Tucson

How to Get Around Tucson

What to pack for Tucson

Tucson Map

Disclosure: This trip and article was sponsored by Visit Tucson. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and completely our own. Additionally, this article contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more information.

Outdoor Adventures in Tucson

If you like getting outside, youll find your bliss in Tucson because there are so many outdoor adventures to be had in the area surrounding this city.

1. Go horseback riding in the desert

I am going to embarrass Ben for a minute while I tell you something about him few people know: Hes afraid of horses.

Hes looking over my shoulder as I type this and saying, Im not afraid, I just think theyre smart and strong, and we should respect them.

Yeah, okay whatever, Ben.

But to his credit, he agreed to go horseback riding on our trip to Tucson. (Ive been asking him for the last couple of years, and he finally gave in.)

And you know what? When I asked Ben what his highlight was from our trip to Tucson, the first thing out of his mouth was, horseback riding!. So even if youre not an experienced rider, Bens reaction should give you some encouragement.

It was hands down one of my favorite experiences in Tucson too! We were able to see places we never would have without being saddled up on John Wayne and Mac (names of our horses).

Bobbi, the owner of Houstons Horseback Riding, led our group along the trail. We crossed rivers, ducked beneath low-hanging trees, and trotted past giant saguaro cacti with mountains looming in the distance. The landscape changed throughout the 2-hour journey, and the pace was slow and steady (great for those of us who arent experienced riders).

The views we got right up next to the saguaros on top of the horses was completely different than the perspective wed get walking on the trail with our own two feet. It was surreal.

And after chatting with Bobbi, its clear how much passion she has for this work. She has been working with horses for nearly her entire life and has passed on her admiration for these beautiful creatures to her children who help run the show as well. I mean, with about 30 horses to care for, the more hands the better.

So not only will you have an amazing experience with the horses, but youre supporting a family run business. Win-win!

Hours: Trail rides start at 9 a.m and 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $85 for a 2 hour walking ride

Book Your Horseback Ride Here!

Are you an experienced rider? If youre no stranger to horseback riding, you can book a private ride where your guide will adjust the speed to suit your experience level.

2. Visit Saguaro National Park

Saguaro are the huge cacti that adorn the Arizona license plate and serve as an icon of Southwest USA. And there is a National Park just 30 minutes from downtown Tucson that is dedicated to their existence.

Before we delve into the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, lets start with the basics pronunciation.

Say it with me: suh-waa-row

Now you wont embarrass yourselves like we did. (Youre welcome!)

And because I am fascinated by these cacti, Im gonna entertain you with some fun facts about the saguaro:

They can live to be 150 years old (some even are said to be 200 years old!).

They can grow up to 40-60 feet tall (12-18 meters).

They dont start growing arms until theyre around 70 years old.

They only grow in parts of the Sonoran Desert (a small area in Mexico, southern Arizona, and occasionally southeastern California.

They are expensive! Thats right, some people like to incorporate them into their landscaping, and the large ones can cost upwards of $10,000. The more arms it has, the more money it costs.

One foot of a saguaro weighs around 100 pounds!

We have a love affair with National Parks. Anyone else?! So it should come as no surprise that the first thing we plotted on our Tucson itinerary was a visit to Saguaro National Park.

And guess what?! It was our 20th US National Park! *cue champagne toast*

Saguaro is divided into two sections: one to the east and one to the west. In the middle lies the city of Tucson. Each side is a bit different. The west side of the park is more densely covered with saguaro, while the east side has more hiking trails and is more mountainous.

Try to see both sides if possible, but if youre short on time, visiting the west side of the park will be the best way to maximize your visit.

Best things to do in Saguaro National Park (with limited time):

West Side Saguaro National Park:

Drive around the 6-mile scenic Bajada Loop, and stop along the way at the spots listed below (plus any others that pique your interest):

Hugh Norris Trailhead: Hike up the trail for about 5-7 minutes and look west. Youll see tons of saguaro cacti and this spot would be wonderful for sunset.

Valley View Overlook Trail: 0.8-mile one-way (out and back) easy trail that is relatively flat. There are signs along the way pointing out the different types of plants and the final destination is a viewpoint over the vast valley below that is full of cacti.

Signal Hill Picnic Area: This short 0.3-mile hike up signal hill leads you to dozens of 800-year old petroglyphs that were created by the ancient Hohokam people.

East Side Saguaro National Park:

Drive along the Cactus Forest Drive Loop. It is an 8-mile self-drive loop that takes you to some of the major attractions in the east side of Saguaro National Park:

Mica View Trail: This relatively flat 2-mile return hike starts at a nice picnic area, goes through the cactus forest to East Broadway Blvd and back. You can also start the hike from E Broadway Blvd too.

Desert Ecology Trail: Paved 0.3-mile loop with signs to tell you more about desert plants. Great walk for kids.

Cactus Forest Trail: Splits the East Saguaro National Park from North to South. 5-mile return, mostly flat, but youll be surrounded with saguaro cacti the entire time.

Freeman Homestead Trail: Short 1-mile loop trail easy to do with kids. Youll walk by some of the biggest and oldest saguaros in the park.

Have more time in Saguaro National Park?

Douglas Spring Trailhead (East Side): This is a 16-mile out and back trail that is pretty flat for the first half and then switchbacks up the mountain until the top. About a quarter of the way on the trail, head to the left for 0.4 miles to see the Bridal Wreath Falls (dont expect a massive falls, but refreshing to see in the desert).

King Canyon Trail (West Side): The trailhead starts opposite of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, this 7.1-mile moderate trail winds its way up to Wasson Peak. Many reports say its tough on the way up and you should start early, but youll be rewarded with an amazing view of the saguaro cacti filled desert.

Hours: Visitor Centers are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but the park is open to vehicles from sunrise to sunset.

Cost: weekly pass to Saguaro National Park is $25 per vehicle.

Insider tip: If you dont already have an America the Beautiful Pass, you might want to consider getting one before your trip to Tucson. It will not only cover your entrance to the National Park, but also to Sabino Canyon. Weve put together a guide thatll help you decide if the US National Park Pass is worth it for you.

3. Mountain Biking around Tucson

There are few things better than being outside, getting your heart pumping, and trying something totally new. And thats exactly what we did on our last morning in Tucson. We woke up before the sun, grabbed a breakfast burrito for fuel, and headed to a trailhead.

Tucson has some of the best places in Arizona if not the best for mountain biking. And whether youre a newbie to the sport (like us!) or a seasoned mountain biker, there are trails suited to all levels.

Important info about biking in Tucson:Here's the thing we wish we would have known before going mountain biking in Tucson... Some of the trails around the city are unsanctioned, meaningyou cannot legally ride on them without getting a permit. And the even sketchier thing is some mountain bike rental companies encourage riders to use these trails without first obtaining anArizonaState Trust Landpermit.

Even after quite a bit of sleuthing, we still can't figure out how a visitor to Tucson could actually purchase one of these permits (as the site to purchase them is broken). Moral of the story: When picking the trails you'll ride, be extra careful to choose only those that are sanctioned. Otherwise, you can be fined (and you're breaking the law).

Luckily, there are some reputable biking companies that follow the rules and encourage safe riding on trails that are open for the public to enjoy.

Our recommendation:Home Grown Mountain Bikingis a trusted company that offers rentals, shuttle services, and guided rides so you have an expert with you on the trails.Cost: Mountain bike rentals start at $120 per day. You'll find other package options as well as multi-day discounts.

Some popular mountain bike trails in Tucson (that don't require a permit):

Mount Lemmon:Lots of rugged terrain and temperatures that are significantly cooler than you'll find closer to the city, which makes for comfortable biking even in hotter months.

Catalina State Park, Oro Valley:Lots of beautiful trails, like the intermediate track "50 Year". Note: to enter Catalina State Park, you will need to pay $7 per vehicle.

Tucson Mountain Park:Here you'll find 50 miles of trails that are primarily beginner and intermediate levels.

Insider Tip:Download theTrailForks app to get a detailed look at the trail you plan to ride.

4. Explore Colossal Cave

Stalactites, stalagmites, and bat poo, oh my!

Ive had a fascination with caves since I was a child, so weve visited all different types of caves on our travels around the world. When we heard there was a cave in Tucson, we didnt need much convincing to squeeze a visit into our itinerary.

Located a short 15-minute drive southeast of Tucson, the Colossal Cave has a pretty interesting history. It was once used as a temporary shelter for the Hohokam people (the regions first inhabitants) as early as 900 AD. And later, this cave served as a hiding place for 19th-century outlaws who didnt want to be found.

To enter the Colossal Cave, you must book a guided tour. There are a handful of options to choose from:

Classic Cave Tour: Good introduction to the cave and suitable for all ages.

Length: 50-minute tour

Cost: Adults: $18, Children (5-12 yrs): $9, 4 and under: free

When: 8 tours a day, depart hourly from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tip: Reservations are encouraged

Ladder Tour: Navigate narrow passageways, climb ladders, and cross rickety bridges in seldom-seen parts of the cave system.

Length: 1.5-hour tour

Cost: $35 per person

When: 2 tours a day 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Tip: Reservations required

Wild Cave Tour: The most adventurous of tours offered, guides will take you to the most remote parts of the cave system. Participants must be fit and ready for a rugged good time! Described as absolutely down-and-dirty caving!

Length: 3.5-hour tour

Cost: $85 (reservations required)

Restrictions: 16 years old and older

When: 1 tour a day at 1 p.m.

Tip: There is an Intermediate option as well as Advanced ($125).

Our Opinion: Due to our limited time, the Classic Cave Tour was the one that best fit into our schedule. While it was a good introduction, it wasnt anything too different from what weve seen in other cave systems. We wished we had booked the Ladder or Wild Tour, as it would have been a bit more up our alley in terms of adventure!

Learn more about each tour and make your bookings here.

5. Sunset in the desert

Look up to the skies at dusk and youre in for an incredible show put on by Mother Nature. Seriously though, Tucson is known for having some epic sunsets, so plan to be somewhere special for at least one of the evenings during your trip.

Theres nothing like seeing the cacti start to glow as the sky takes on a pinkish hue.

Some top spots around Tucson for sunset:

Gates Pass

Saguaro National Park

A Mountain

JW Marriot

Tucson Mountain Park

Mount Lemmon scenic drive

6. Get a view over Tucson from A Hill (aka Sentinel Peak Park)

Look to the horizon and you shouldnt have a problem spotting A Hill, which, as the name implies, is adorned with a giant letter A made of rocks. This tribute to the University of Arizona is not only a town icon, but it marks one of the best spots to get a view over the city.

As long as the sky is clear, any time of day will grant you a sweeping view. Get an early morning start here and view the city beneath blue skies.

Or come for that golden hour glow and stay after the sun goes down to see the city lights begin to sparkle. Just know that after the sun sets, this is clearly a makeout spot, which is slightly awkward...

Alternative: Are you looking to get a workout in instead of taking the easy way and driving to the top? Pat yourself on the back, and then head to Tumamoc Hill. The trailhead is just a few minutes drive past the starting point of Sentinel Peak. This short but steep climb is a 3-mile round trip with a 700-foot elevation gain.

7. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

I hate to admit it, but unless it is truly something special like the Met in NYC or the Uffizi in Florence I dont always prioritize fitting museums into our travel plans. Honestly, Id rather be outside or eating which I suppose could be my life motto.

However, once we saw reviews for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, we decided to squeeze it into our itinerary. I mean, its the top-rated Tucson attraction on TripAdvisor (earning 5 stars with more than 8,000 reviews!), so surely it has to be worthwhile, right?

Honestly, after checking it out, I would say it depends. I know thats annoying to hear when trying to plan your itinerary, but keep reading to see if it is an experience thatll float your boat.

First things first, dont think of this as a typical museum... It's more of a zoo blended with a botanical garden and a dash of museum thrown in there for fun.

Youll find a huge variety of exhibits and lots of information around the park. To really explore everything thoroughly, youll need at least 2 hours.

Here are some of the main exhibits:

Aquarium

Raptor Flights

Hummingbird Aviary

Cave & Earth Sciences Center (the cave is artificial but pretty convincing)

Botanical Garden

Indoor Play Area for kids

One major perk to visiting the museum is your entrance fee will help contribute to their ongoing conservation and research efforts. One of their primary missions is to understand, connect people to and protect the natural systems of the Sonoran Desert Region.

Considering that the Sonoran Desert region is home to one of the greatest varieties of plants and animals out of any desert in the world, you can see it is pretty important work.

Interested in hearing more? Check out their website to see their current conservation and research projects.

Our thoughts on the Desert Museum:

Our favorite parts were the cave and gemstone exhibits. We are big rock nerds, so this part was especially cool. Theres even a little piece of rock from the moon on display which Ben geeked out about!

We think this would be a fun activity with kids (though we arent experts on the whole subject of children just yet!).

Honestly, zoos usually arent our thing (but thats a topic for another time). So we werent all that fond of the animal exhibits at this museum.

There is a small pool with stingrays where people can pay a small fee to touch them. We personally try to avoid any animal attraction that encourages touching.

Summary: Overall, this attraction is very well put together with accessible paths, frequent water fountains and toilets, lots of informational signs, and activities for children. You can learn a lot here and spend quite a bit of time exploring it all. However, if youre short on time, going into Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon are going to be even more worth your while.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Adults - $21.95, Seniors (65+) - $19.95, Children (3-12) - $9.95, Children (under 3) - Free

8. Go hiking in Sabino Canyon

Sitting in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon Recreation Center draws more than a million visitors annually. And for good reason: This place is absolutely stunning and packed with adventures for all types of travelers.

Encompassing two gorges: Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon, you can choose to hike along paved or gravel paths, or you can save your legs some work and hop on a shuttle (for a fee).

Bear Canyon Shuttle: $6 adults, $4 ages 3-12; leaves every 30 minutes

Sabino Canyon Shuttle: $10 adults, $5 ages 3-12; leaves every 30 minutes

Seven Falls Hike

5 miles round trip

917 feet in elevation gain

If youre up for a challenging hike (thats well worth the effort), look no further than the Seven Falls Trail. You can hop on the Bear Canyon shuttle and get off at the last stop, which is at the trailhead. (Alternatively, you can skip the shuttle and hike the 2 miles to get to the trailhead.)

From here, its a 2.5-mile hike to the waterfalls that cascade over granite rocks to form pools that are perfect for taking a refreshing dip!

Important note: This trail requires some creek crossings, so be sure to check the conditions at the visitors center before attempting the hike. And be sure to carry plenty of water, as youll be hiking in some exposed areas and it can get very hot.

Cost: $8 per vehicle to enter Sabino Canyon

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Good to know: If you have a National Park Pass, youll get into Sabino Canyon for free!

Planning your itinerary: Wed recommend combining a visit to Sabino Canyon and a drive up to Mount Lemmon (described below) on the same day since they are in the same relative area. If you plan to visit the DeGrazia Gallery as well (#19), you can tack it on the same day since its not far from Sabino Canyon.

9. Scenic drive to Mount Lemmon

When we started planning our trip to Tucson, at least three different people told us, You absolutely have to make the drive up to Mount Lemmon.

And were so happy we listened because it was one of the highlights of our trip. We only wish we had allotted more time to it.

This 40-mile drive snakes back and forth as it winds up through the mountains. There are viewpoints, pullouts, trailheads and campgrounds very frequently along the drive, so there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and scope out the views.

Youll notice a drastic drop in temperature as you make your way up the mountain, and depending on the time of year, you may even start to see snow (a crazy sight when youre coming from the desert!).

At the very top of Mount Lemmon, sits the tiny town of Summerhaven, which is basically a handful of vacation homes and a few small stores. Satisfy your sweet tooth by sampling fudge at the General Store and ordering a cookie at the Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin, and continue to drive to the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area where you can enjoy your sweet treats with some real food you packed!

Insider Tip: One of our friends messaged us and told us to go to the Cookie Cabin, for huge and delicious cookies. Sadly, we got the text too late. So if you have the chance, go to this mountaintop log cabin and order a giant cookie for us, please!

Another fun thing to see is the (tiny) Mount Lemmon Ski Valley before you begin your drive down the mountain.

How long does it take? The drive is roughly 42 miles from downtown Tucson and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from bottom to top without stopping. Wed allot at least 3.5 - 4 hours for the drive up and down the mountain with a few stops along the way.

10. Explore Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park | Photo Credit: My Mom ;)

Sitting at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this state park is a haven for desert wildlife and is home to more than 5,000 saguaros.

Come to Catalina State Park put a few more miles on your hiking boots or to have a relaxing picnic surrounded by nature.

Hikes in Catalina State Park:

Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail: This short and easy loop is 0.6 miles and has just 68 feet in elevation gain, making it a good hike for most people. The trail brings you past some historic dwellings and archaeological sites that are marked with signs.

Romero Pools: This 4.9-mile out and back trail is rated as intermediate, and has a 1,047-foot elevation gain. Your efforts will be rewarded as the trail culminates at some beautiful pools.

Cost: $7 per vehicle

11. Drive through Tucson Mountain Park

Another park in Tucson? Yep, thats right!

You will pass through the Tucson Mountain Park on your drive to the west portion of Saguaro National Park. And actually the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tucson are both located within the parks boundaries.

There are no entry fees, and unless youre looking at your map, you might not even realize youre inside the park at all.

Insider Tip: Be sure to stop at the Gates Pass viewpoint for an epic look over the valley. It is especially beautiful during golden hour. There are a few nearby trailheads too, so youll have the chance to stretch your legs if needed.

12. Visit Kitts Observatory

Kitt's Observatory | Photo Credit: My Mom ;)

Are you as big of a space geek as Ben?! If so, a trip to Kitts Observatory might be right up your alley. You can visit during the day to learn about telescopes and all the work that goes on behind the scenes, or you can take a night time tour and see the stars. But be sure to check the weather before you book.

Also, if the weather is cold, be prepared with warmer clothes because it can get even colder up on the mountain. Bring a good pair of shoes too because there is quite a bit of walking in the tour.

13. Tour Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 | Photo Credit: My Mom ;)

Could you live in a bubble for 2 years?! Thats what 8 scientists did back in 1991 when the Biosphere 2 was first introduced to the world. Their goal was to study how a mini-biosphere would work with as few outside variables as possible.

Today, you can visit Biosphere 2 and tour the different ecosystems which range from rainforest to the ocean to a model city. The guided tours take you through various stations and highlight the ongoing experiments happening in the Biosphere.

Inside Biosphere 2 | Photo Credit: My Mom ;)

Some tours are included with the General Admission fee, while other tours have an additional cost. Tours can take around 2 to 3 hours. Plus, getting to Biosphere 2 from the center of Tucson is roughly a 50-minute drive, so youll need to dedicate a good portion of a day to this excursion if you add it to your itinerary.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Cost: Adults: $21, Kids $14

Check the Biosphere 2 website for more details on times and prices.

Fun Fact: If this is Biosphere 2, where is Biosphere 1? Well, youre living on it right now (aka Earth!). Mind blown!

Food & Nightlife in Tucson

Foodies are in for a treat because Tucson is packed with incredible dining options, especially when it comes to Mexican cuisine. And night owls will have a long list of things to do at night, from sampling the best local craft beer to enjoying live music on the town.

14. Eat ALL the Mexican Food

One of the things we were most excited for on this trip was the food. Mexican food, to be precise. #allthetacos

Being that this city is just over 60 miles from the border of Mexico, it should come as no surprise that Tucson is known for having a killer Mexican food scene. In fact, Tucson is the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States!

Psst! If youre a foodie, youll love this intro to the Tucson culinary scene!

The worst part of the food in Tucson was that we couldnt eat it all. Well, that and the fact that our weekend in Tucson obliterated our meager attempt at doing the Whole30 in January. I mean, Im not going to go to a Mexican food Mecca and not eat as many tacos, tamales and guacamole as possible. Its against the laws of nature.

If youre still reading my food-crazed ramblings, youre probably wondering where you can find the best Mexican food in Tucson, and youre about to be rewarded, friend.

While you dont have to look far to find good Mexican food in Tucson, were sharing some top recommendations, from super authentic hole-in-the-wall spots to refined Mexican restaurants with an exceptional dining experience:

Los Tacos Apson: Tiny, unassuming shop with authentic fare and a generous salsa/topping bar. We ordered a handful of items but our favorites were the taco al pastor and taco hass (carne asada, queso, chili verde); and as we were leaving, a local recommended we try the taco rasuada (grilled ribs) next time! This is also a great spot to try a caramelo, Tucsons take on a quesadilla (cheese and lots of meat grilled between tortillas).

Bocas y Tequila: Popular spot, especially with the university crowd, it seems. The tacos were super tasty (albeit not very hot, but we were there at a super busy hour!). The elote (Mexican street corn) was also very good.

Cafe Poca Cosa: An upscale Mexican restaurant with a menu that changes daily.

Taco Fish: Come here for fresh ceviche and tacos de pescado (fish) or camarones (shrimp).

Penca: Contemporary Mexican fusion with a chic atmosphere.

Mi Nidito: Serving Tucson since 1952, this place is a local legend known for large portions, delicious food, and as a place Bill Clinton once ate.

Taqueria Pico De Gallo: Best known for its award-winning fish tacos, this is another local favorite for authentic (and cheap!) tacos.

Taqueria Porfis: While the menu is small, thats okay because what they do, they do well. And the item theyre most famous for is their potato taco, which is stuffed with carne seca, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, and you guessed it potatoes!

Rollies Mexican Patio: Known for their rolled tacos, this cute and colorful cafe makes a great lunch stop.

El Charro Cafe: Set inside a century-old home, this restaurant serves up large home-cooked meals in a charming, yet casual atmosphere.

Fun Fact: This is the nations oldest Mexican restaurant run continuously by the same family.

Street Taco and Beer Co.: Good for late night bites, street tacos, and tequila cocktails.

Insider Tip: We read that if you want to find really authentic, no-frills Mexican food, head to the neighborhoods south of 22nd Street. And 12th Ave, which runs north to south, has a dense concentration of amazing Mexican restaurants.

These streets are part of whats known as the Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food (aka a 23-square-mile area in the city thats known as the best Mexican food north of the border).

15. Try a Sonoran Dog

Im not usually one to order hot dogs, but when we learned that Sonoran Dogs are a must try specialty from this region, we had to give it a go. For research purposes.

And lets just say Im pretty happy I made the sacrifice in the name of work. And while Sonoran Dogs arent something I would eat on a regular basis, they are pretty damn good.

So what exactly is a Sonoran Dog, you ask? This tasty blend of American and Mexican cuisine is comprised of bacon-wrapped hot dog, topped with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, mustard and jalapeo salsa, all stuffed into a soft, sweet Mexican bun called a bolillo.

Rumor has it that there are two rival Sonora dog establishments in Tucson that both claim to serve the best:

BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs: Winner of a Sonoran Dog locally-judged blind taste test against El Guero Canelo, it is definitely worth a try. They also have a large menu of fantastic Mexican fare, some may say the best in Tucson.

El Gero Canelo: With 3 locations in Tucson, this is a Tucson must! We sampled the one on Oracle road, and it did not disappoint. The combo of sweet, spicy and savory is an explosion in your mouth. Youre gonna want more than one.

After a little research, we chose to try our first Sonoran Dog at El Gero Canelo. While we dont have anything to compare it to, it was pretty darn tasty! If you have the time (and room in your tummy!), try them both on your trip to Tucson to determine the winner!

16. Sample Vegan Mexican Fare

Most restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives are laden with grease, layers of cheese, deep-fried everything, and meat. Lots of meat.

But an exception to this is Tucsons beloved Tumerico, which was featured on this hit series in 2018. This local favorite serves up scratch-made Mexican dishes with a menu that changes daily.

While clearly very popular, the service was fast, the prices reasonable, and the food delicious.

Our recommendations: The menu is constantly changing so we cant give specific recommendations, but if there is a taco made with jackfruit, TRY IT. You will thank us! Also, the turmeric lemonade was seriously yummy.

Moral of the story: Even if you do eat meat, Tumerico is well worth a visit.

Good to know: Tumerico is closed on Mondays.

More vegetarian options in Tucson

While these are not Mexican restaurants, here are a few other good options for vegetarians/vegans visiting Tucson.

Charro Vida: While not fully veggie, this Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant (located close to Tohono Chul #35) donates proceeds to local school gardens throughout the region in partnership with the University of Arizona. Just looking at their menu makes my mouth water...

The Tasteful Kitchen: A somewhat upscale restaurant that specializes in vegan, gluten-free and raw cuisine. And while youre there, be sure to check out the mural depicting Mother Earth on the side of their building.

Urban Fresh: Casual cafe with plant-based wraps, salads and soups.

Zinmans Food Shop: carry-out spot with a patio, serving an eclectic assortment of dishes with influences from around the world.

17. Grab a cup of Tucsons best coffee

My name is Katie, and Im a coffee addict. If you are too, youll definitely want to start your day at Exo. Praised as the best coffee in Tucson, Exo does it all, and they do it well.

If you want to switch up your order and get something a little more unique than your everyday latte, order a chiltepin cold brew, which is made with spicy peppers!

And if your tummys a grumblin pick up one of their super tasty breakfast sandwiches, breakky bowls, or to keep the Mexican food theme going, try their breakfast tacos!

18. Visit a Farmers Market

When you combine locally grown produce, artisans selling their creations, and food vendors all in one place, youve got yourself some farmers market bliss.

With a handful of farmers markets around the Tucson area, youll likely be able to squeeze one during your trip.

Here are 3 farmers markets that are closest to town, and are easy to work into your sightseeing schedule:

Rillito Park: Makes a good stop if youre headed up to Catalina State Park, Tohono Chul, or over to Sabino Canyon.

Oro Valley: Stop here on your way to Catalina State Park.

Rincon Valley: Make a stop here on your drive down to Colossal Cave.

We visited the market in Rincon Valley on our way to the Colossal Cave, and while not huge, it was a nice stop to browse some local artists work and nibble on kettle corn!

Hours: All the markets listed above have the same hours.

Winter Hours (Oct. - Mar.): Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Summer Hours (Apr. - Sept.): Saturdays, 8 a.m -12 p.m.

These farmers markets are all put together by an organization called Heirloom Farmers Markets, and you can find more info here.

19. Go on a Food Tour

Im someone who gets serious FOMO when it comes to food.

When visiting a city thats known for its food scene, I feel like I should try everything, which is not exactly an ideal habit for my waistline or my wallet.

If you can relate (yay, Im not alone!), youll want to keep reading because I recently found the cure: Food Tours!

Food tours are a way for you to try a little of each (my favorite!). Plus, your guide usually brings you to local spots you wouldn't find on your own, and gives you insight to the citys history, culture and culinary scene.

So if youre interested in food especially Mexican food (Tucsons pride and joy!), you might want to consider adding a food tour into your itinerary.

There are two companies that run highly-rated food tours in Tucson:

Tucson Food Tours

Taste of Tucson

Weve taken food tours all around the world, and wish we had time to take one on our trip to Tucson. Guess weve gotta save something for our next trip, right?!

20. Hang out in Mercado San Agustin

This square just west of downtown has a collection of high-end boutiques, produce vendors, artisans and eateries surrounding a pretty courtyard. We were there on a rainy day (a rare occurrence in Tucson!), but with nice weather, this would be a prime spot to wander and grab a bite.

Insider Tip: We were told that Seis Kitchen is amazing, and La Estrella Bakery also looks really good. Try them out and let us know what you think!

21. Eat a flight of Ice Cream

Can I confess something? I have an ice cream problem.

Someone once told me, No matter how full you are, theres always room for ice cream because it can fit in all the cracks! And I think Ive taken those words a little too seriously over the years.

This is coming from someone who almost missed the last train of the day in a tiny Italian village because I *needed* to get gelato. And someone who has (successfully) completed more than one ice cream eating challenge.

So lets just say you should consider me something of an expert on the topic of ice cream.

When I heard about the ice cream flights (yes flights!) at The Screamery, I told Ben we had to make it part of our itinerary.

And when I found out it was right across the street from our hotel as well as another highly rated ice cream shop (Hub), I told him we better go to both. Ya know, in order to research as many flavors as possible.

The Screamery: Tons of unique flavors to choose from, reasonable prices, and the option to have a flight!

Flavors we loved: Sweet Cream Honeycomb and Rough at Sea

Hub: A little more expensive, less choices, and no ice cream flight option (dang it!). But still seriously good ice cream.

Flavors we loved: Queen Bee and Mexican Hot Chocolate

Overall, theyre both really good choices. I think the ice cream was pretty similar in quality, so choose the one that has flavors youre more excited about.

22. Sample the best Craft Beer in Tucson

While not exactly the level of craft beer scene youll find in Portland, Tucson has a decent amount of breweries in town.

If youre a purveyor of craft brews (were right there with ya!), here are a few breweries youll want to check out:

Dragoon Brewing Company: Open warehouse-style brewery with a great selection of all kinds of brews. We sampled a flight here, and it was our favorite beer of the breweries we visited in Tucson, but a bit outside the center of town.

Barrio Brewing Co.: Rustic-chic brewery close to downtown with happy hour specials.

Public Brewhouse: Tucked in a dark alleyway, they brew a mean Belgian Dubbel. Worth a stop if youre exploring 4th Ave. Seems to be a pretty new spot, and popular with locals.

Pueblo Vida: Small, hip spot downtown with lots of unique fruit-forward IPAs and complex malty dark pours.

Gentle Bens Brewing: We wanted to visit this brewery just because of the name! Well, that, and it looks like they have some good brews!

Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.: Highly rated brews with a typical brick wall interior. Flights come on a skateboard!

Borderlands Brewing Company: German Chocolate Cake Porter, need I say more Okay I will: female head brewmaster, daily food trucks, & massive murals on the wall.

Iron Johns Brewing Company: Fantastic micro-brewery with crazy concoctions in the heart of downtown.

23. Soak up some speakeasy vibes

Weve been on a speakeasy kick lately. And Ive gotta say, Tucson has a few great options if youre looking for handcrafted cocktails, and a mysterious, 1920s-esque atmosphere.

The Independent Distillery: Pre-prohibition style bar serving their own spirits and enticing cocktails.

Surly Wench Pub: Good for a couple of drinks in what they call an industrial goth bar. The vibe we got was new-age biker bar but apparently the burgers are good.

Club Congress: Throw on your shiniest flapper dress and striped suit and step back in time to this historic bar. Not only do they host the best 1920s themed parties, they have a jammed-pack event calendar including rock bands, cabarets, free yoga and stand-up comics.

Tough Luck Club: In the basement of Reilly Craft Pizza (an old funeral home!), youll find this cozy cocktail bar. Oh, and outside is a beer garden if you prefer a more casual vibe.

24. Tequila toast at JW Marriott

When in the Arizona desert it only seems right to have some tequila! And do you know what the best kind of tequila is?

FREE tequila!

Now that Ive got your attention, lets talk about how to get that free tequila, shall we?

The JW Marriott is in a stunning location that gives new meaning to the term desert oasis. But even if you dont have the budget to splurge on a $250-per-night room, you can enjoy unrivaled views and a free tequila toast at sundown.

Simply show up to Salud, the Marriotts on-site bar and restaurant, to take part in their nightly tradition of raising a (complementary) shot of tequila and share the legend behind the classic Mexican cheers, arriba, abajo, al central, en dentro.

And of course as soon as the story is over, everyone gathered there is invited to raise their glasses and make a toast as the sun sets. Tequila is passed around at 5:30 p.m., so be sure to arrive a bit earlier to get a seat by a firepit and enjoy the view.

And if you feel so inclined, try one of their specialty handcrafted cocktails or order your liquor straight up from their selection of more than 150 tequilas. Who knew there were so many tequilas?!

25. Mezcal Tasting

Tequila gets a lot of hype in the US; but in Mexico, people are all about the mezcal!

We learned a lot about mezcal during our travels in Oaxaca, and have been really interested in tequilas smokier cousin ever since.

Whether youre a mezcal connoisseur or youve never heard of the stuff until now, doing a mezcal tasting is a great way to learn more about Mexicos favorite spirit.

While theyre best known for coffee, each Thursday starting at 7 p.m., Exo Coffee hosts an hour-long mezcal tasting at their onsite bar.

While sipping on samples of several high quality mezcal (they have a collection of more than 150 mezcals!), proprietor Doug Smith walks guests through everything youve ever wanted to know about this liquor. This informational tasting costs $20 and reservations are not necessary.

And if Thursday doesnt work for you, tastings are also offered Wednesdays and Sundays between 6 - 9 p.m. for $25. For these tastings, you must make a reservation in advance.

If youre not interested in a full tasting, you can always come during their bar hours to enjoy beer, wine, or mezcal cocktails. They have a great happy hour from 6 - 8 p.m., where cocktails are just $5, and beer and wine are $1 off.

26. Get your giggle on at a comedy show

Weve realized that comedy clubs almost always guarantee a night of fun! Plus, its a great way to spend an evening in a new city, and most big(ish) towns around the world have at least one comedy club.

Tucson is no exception. There are a handful of comedy clubs, but it seems that Laffs gets the biggest national names in stand-up, so we decided it would be a good way to spend our Friday night.

We gave the address of Laffs to our Uber drive and had no idea what to expect, but when we pulled up to a strip mall on the outskirts of suburbia, we were a little surprised.

And when we walked inside, we soon realized this no-frills club was not going to win us over on atmosphere. So we crossed our fingers that at least the show would be good

Lets just say that we were clutching our stomachs from laughing so hard for the next 90 minutes!

Weve been to enough comedy shows to know its not as much about the atmosphere as it is about the people on stage. The comics themselves are what are going to make the experience belly-hurts-from-laughing-so-hard good or just alright.

Theres always the off-chance that youll hate the comedians style of humor (which has happened to us in a comedy club with a top-notch atmosphere!).

We were at Laffs on a night with great talent, and hopefully youll catch a great line-up as well! Our advice is to read up on the comedian who is performing to see if youll like their style, or just show up with an open mind and ready for a laugh!

And dont worry, you wont go hungry or thirsty. There is a long list of cocktails with quirky names, a small selection of beer, and a menu of pub food and snacks.

Laffs has a handful of shows each week:

Thursdays: 8 p.m. Open Mic, free show!

Friday: 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

Saturday: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Cost:

General Seating: $12.50

Preferred Seating: $17.50

You can pay in advance, or you can make a reservation but pay at the door.

Check out their schedule to see upcoming shows.

Psst! If youre into improv or are looking for a family-friendly comedy show, Unscrewed Theater might be more your scene.

27. Spend the evening at a Film Bar

Check Casa Film Bar's Facebook Page for New Showings

Looking for something fun and lowkey to do at night in Tucson? Oh, we have got just the idea for you!

Combine craft beer, food trucks and movies (three of our favorite things!), and youre in for a great time. Youll find this magical combo at Casa Film Bar, which is something of a local secret.

Essentially a bar inside a video rental store, come on a weekend night and youll be able to enjoy a movie showing with a craft brew (or wine or coffee).

They play films ranging from 90s classics, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to little-known indie films, to brand new Oscar nominees (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was playing while we were there, just 6 months after being released in theaters).

Casa Film Bar Schedule:

Films & rotating food trucks: Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays (check their Facebook page for showtimes and to see which food truck will be there).

Smartphone Trivia: Tuesdays from 7 - 9 p.m. (free to play & winners get prizes)

Food Truck only: Sundays 6 - 8 p.m., Pop's Hot Chicken is the Sunday evening staple

Not only will you be supporting one of the few standing video rental stores left, but youll be able to check out a local hot spot and have an all around good evening!

28. Live Music in Tucson

While Tucson certainly wont make the cut for top live music cities in the US, that doesnt mean you should give up hope on catching a performance. In fact, as we wandered around downtown and along 4th Ave, we heard more bands performing than we could count!

From hipster bars to honky tonks, and century-old theaters to swanky resort patios, youll have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a spot to catch some tunes.

Here are some of the venues in Tucson that regularly host live music:

Thunder Canyon Brewery: Large brewery downtown that hosts live music.

La Cocina: This restaurant has a large menu and an even bigger patio, complete with cafe lights and live music on the weekends.

Club Congress: Its hard to beat the atmosphere youll find in Club Congress, though most acts that come through here require you buy a ticket in advance.

Ches Lounge: Yummy cocktails and beer with an outdoor patio and stage for music.

Exo Coffee: Not just a coffee shop, Exo also has a mezcal bar and hosts live music most weekend nights!

Hacienda Del Sols Terraza: If you prefer your live music with a side of class and a bottle of fine wine, the patio at Hacienda del Sol is a good place to catch some jazz or classical tunes as the sun sets.

29. Nightlife on 4th Ave

Being that this street sits directly between the university campus and downtown, it draws a young student crowd as well as a mix of young professionals and tourists. And lemme tell ya: It comes alive at night!

You can find all sorts of quirky bars, restaurants of all kinds, cafes with poetry readings, and shops selling everything from cowboy boots to hippy garb.

Walk down 4th Ave and pop into any establishment that strikes your fancy.

30. Brunch in Tucson

Need a pick-me-up after a big night out on 4th Ave? Lucky for you, Tucson has some amazing brunch options thatll get you feeling like yourself in no time!

Insider Tip: If youre looking for a kickass Bloody Mary to start your day, Elliotts on Congress is where youll want to go. Their infused vodkas make a great base for the drink, and if you like spicy, order the Habanero Bloody for a real wake up call!

And even if youre not hungover, who doesnt love a good brunch?

Seasonal fruit, eggs, flaky pastries fresh outta the oven, housemade jam youre speaking my language! Oh, and we cant forget about the mimosas and bloody Marys.

Tucson has a healthy variety of brunch spots that are sure to strike your fancy:

Prep and Pastry

Cup Cafe

Baja Cafe

Five Points Market

Cafe a La CArt

Art, Culture & History in Tucson

For lovers of all things art, history and culture, theres no shortage of ways to fill up your time in Tucson. Were sharing some of the top things to do if you want to delve into this citys history and art scene.

31. Hunt for Street Art!

Tucsons street art scene is off the hook!

Ermmm do people even say off the hook anymore? Im going to assume no, but still, you know what I mean.

Youll notice colorful murals covering the sides of buildings all over town. Depictions range from desert scenes, to whales and fish, to cultural references, to random but pretty paintings of birds

You really wont have to make much of an effort to spot murals around town, but if you want some direction, here are some of our personal favorite murals in Tucson (and their location pins):

Whale mural by Joe Pagac

Goddess of Agave

Greetings from Tucson Postcard

Girl in Barrio Viejo (Across the street from El Tiradito)

Girl by Charro del Rey

32. Visit Mission San Xavier del Bac

One of Tucsons most iconic buildings, the Mission San Xavier del Bac is a not only a historic landmark, but it also still operates as a church to this day. If you happen to visit on a Sunday, you might just see a church service taking place.

This building is a beautiful example of 18th-century architecture, and has been nicknamed the White Dove of the Desert. As you wander around the mission and church property, youll notice influences of Renaissance, Byzantine and Mexican architecture styles.

If youre interested in hearing about the churchs history, consider taking a guided tour. They are free to join and dont require making a reservation. Simply show up at the museum entrance to join in this 45-minute tour. Tours run quite frequently, but timing depends on the season. Check here for tour hours.

Feeling hungry? If you happen to be visiting Mission San Xavier del Bac on a weekend, keep your eyes peeled for food vendors from the Tohono Oodham Nation who often sell frybread tacos in the open-air market space just across from the mission.

Frybread is pretty much just what it sounds like, a dough (sort of similar in appearance to naan) that has been deep fried to golden deliciousness. This traditional Native American staple is then topped with different ingredients, either sweet or savory.

Weve tried frybread tacos once before, and theyre really tasty. Theyre not all that easy to find in most places, so do yourself a favor and try one while youre at the mission!

Mission San Xavier del Bac Hours:

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free, donations welcome

Insider Tip: If you arrive in Tucson at a reasonable hour and arent too tired, wed recommend heading straight to Mission San Xavier from the airport, as its quite close (and a bit out of the way to come from downtown Tucson). Alternatively, you could stop for a quick visit before heading to the airport on your way out of Tucson.

33. Visit the historic Hotel Congress

It might seem strange that we have a hotel on our list of things to do, but hear us out...

Nestled right in the center of downtown, Hotel Congress is the stuff of local legends. Built just after the turn of the 20th century, it was here that John Dillinger, an infamous American gangster during the Great Depression era, was arrested and brought to jail.

Although he later escaped, Tucsonians take great pride in the fact that Dillinger, a prolific bank robber, was caught in their city. They are so proud, in fact, that there is an annual celebration and recreation of these events which takes place each year in mid-January (we were actually there for it!).

Hotel Congress still retains its quirky, colorful, historic charm. And walking into the lobby feels as if youve stepped back in time. Grab a drink at one of the many onsite bars, or catch a concert at Club Congress. And if you want to spend the night, the historic rooms are cozy, however, there is a caveat...

Our honest opinion: We stayed at Hotel Congress during our trip to Tucson, and while we would definitely recommend stopping in for a drink and checking it out, we would not advise staying here unless youre in Tucson to party.

They dont try to hide the fact that this hotel gets loud like really loud at night. There are even ear plugs in each room. Lets just say we did not sleep very well during our entire 3 nights in Tucson.

Interesting Fact: It is said that Hotel Congress is haunted! While were not ones to really believe these things, we did have a very weird experience where our closet door swung open suddenly. And at night, the 2nd floor where we were staying smelled like smoke from a fire. Spooky...

34.DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

If youre an art buff, the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun makes an interesting stop. This is a gallery dedicated to the works of one man: Ettore Ted DeGrazia.

Dont worry, I hadnt heard of him either; but DeGrazia is pretty well-known in Arizona.

So who is Ettore DeGrazia? Well, heres the short version:

DeGrazia was born into a family of Italian immigrants who lived in a mining camp in rural Arizona. Ettore later enrolled at the University of Arizona, and created a life around his passion: art.

In adulthood, he married (twice) and bought a 10-acre plot of land in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains which would become both his home and gallery.

His works were underappreciated for many years until his oil painting Los Nios was selected by UNICEF to be printed on a 1960 holiday card, which sold millions worldwide. DeGrazias fame spread during the next decade, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to his gallery each year.

Visiting the Gallery in the Sun

A visit to the Gallery in the Sun will leave you in awe at the sheer amount of artwork DeGrazia created in his lifetime. The museum has a rotating collection of more than 15,000 DeGrazia originals! Anyone else wondering how he had enough hours in the day to make all of this?!

DeGrazia liked using all different mediums. Youll see oils, watercolors, sketches and even pottery on display. And another impressive fact is that the gallery was designed by DeGrazia himself.

When you visit the Gallery in the Sun, not only will you see DeGrazias artwork, but youll also be able to walk through his home and his private chapel, both of which are on the property.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily

Cost: $8 for adults, $5 for ages 12-18, children under 12 are free

35. Wander the gardens at Tohono Chul

Hailed as one of the countrys best botanical gardens by Travel + Leisure, Tohono Chul is popular with locals and visitors alike. Covering nearly 50 acres, this is said to be a place where nature, art, and culture connect.

But were not gonna gloss over the fact that when we visited in mid-January, there wasnt all that much to see due to the transition of seasons.

Wed imagine during other times of the year, there are more things to see. Weve heard March is particularly beautiful with the desert flowers starting to bloom. They also host occasional live music and other events throughout the year.

Our Opinion: Before planning your visit, wed do some research to see if it will be worthwhile during the season in which youre visiting. Perhaps between the months of March and May there would be more to see, as the desert flowers are in bloom during this time.

Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 .p.m.

Cost: Adults - $15, Children (5-12) - $6, Children under 5 - Free, Seniors (62+) - $13

36. Explore Barrio Viejo

Translating to old neighborhood, Barrio Viejo is just that: a section of Tucson that still has old charm. Sometimes called the real "soul" of Tucson, you can drive around and see colorful Spanish Colonial architecture and find authentic Mexican restaurants.

While some parts of the neighborhood are lively, there are other sections that have a run-down feeling.

We drove around Barrio Viejo for a while trying to find some of the beautiful, colorful adobe houses we had seen pictures of.

So to point you in the right direction (and minimize your time spent driving around in circles like we did!), here are some points of interest in Barrio Viejo (Note: please be respectful in this neighborhood because people do live here):

Colorful houses on S Meyer Ave and W Kennedy St (and further south on Meyer Ave until 22nd St)

El Tiradito Shrine (described below)

El Minuto Cafe: Mexican restaurant next to El Tiradito

The Coronet: brunch and late night food

Five Points Market & Restaurant: cute and lively brunch spot

Cafe Desta: popular Ethiopian restaurant

37. Visit El Tiradito Shrine

If youre exploring the Barrio Viejo neighborhood, make a quick visit to the El Tiradito Shrine. Stopping here only requires a few minutes and to the naked eye its nothing too special.

It is scattered with candles, flowers, and images of saints. But this is no ordinary shrine, folks. And once you know the legend behind this shrine, its kind of an interesting place to see.

Nicknamed the wishing shrine, El Tiradito is the USs only Catholic shrine dedicated to a.... wait for it SINNER! Scandalous, I know. But thats not even the crazy part.

Heres the short version of the legend of Juan Oliveras, the man who is buried beneath El Tiradito Shrine: Juan, a young ranch-hand, is married to his bosss daughter, but soon becomes infatuated with his mother-in-law (yep, you read that right), and makes a move. The two carry on an affair, which is eventually busted by the husband/father-in-law/boss. Ouch!

He gets so angry that he kills Juan right there before escaping to Mexico, where he is later murdered. The wife allegedly kills herself, and after all this horrifying drama and death, the daughter (who, by the way, we should mention is pregnant with Juans child) hangs herself as well.

It is said that Juan is buried beneath El Tiradito, a shrine that people visit for all different reasons. Some come out of sheer curiosity about the legend and others see it on a things to do in Tucson list, like this one!

But there is another group of people who come to this spot: Those who empathize with Juan and have similar love triangles in their own lives. It is said that if you write your wish on a piece of paper and have good intentions, it will come true.

Just behind the shrine is a crumbling brick wall, and if you look closely, youll see scraps of paper stuffed in the holes between bricks, many of which are wishes from past visitors.

This shrine was almost demolished when the city was building a new highway, but people in the community fought to preserve it. Perhaps they want to protect history, or maybe some people are protecting their wishes!

38. Step back in time at Old Tucson

Old Tucson | Photo Credit: My Mom ;)

Walk through what looks like a scene straight out of a John Wayne film, and watch as actors from the Wild West perform demonstrations and stunts.

Old Tucson is an amusement park of sorts, complete with a town hall, a saloon and a haunted mine, like all good Western desert towns have.

We didnt have enough time to visit Old Tucson during our weekend trip, and to be honest, it didnt really seem like our type of place. However, if youre looking for things to do in Tucson with kids, this could be a fun activity for a family.

Be sure to look up the schedule of events to time your visit right.

Cost: Adults: $21.95, Children (4-11): $10.95, Children under 4: Free

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (times may change seasonally)

Best Tucson Weekend Itinerary

Are you overwhelmed with the massive list we just gave you?

Dont worry, were going to help you pare it down a bit. Below, weve listed some highlights you can choose from based on your travel style:

If you love the outdoors:

Visit Saguaro National Park

Hike to Seven Falls in Sabino Canyon

Drive up to Mount Lemmon and stop on the way for hikes and lookout points

Explore Romero Ruins in Catalina

If youre traveling with kids in Tucson:

Do the Classic Tour at Colossal Cave

Sonoran Desert Museum

Go horseback riding

Order an ice cream flight at The Screamery

Visit Old Tucson

If youre into food:

Eat a Sonoran Dog

Check out our list of top Mexican food and try as many as you can!

Have a leisurely brunch

Order an ice cream flight at The Screamery

Go on a Tucson food tour

Try a vegan Mexican meal at Tumerico

If youre an art & culture lover:

Check out the Degrazia Gallery in the Sun

Explore Barrio Viejo and visit El Tiradito Shrine

Visit Tohono Chul botanical gardens (if the time of year is right)

Spend an evening at Casa Film Bar

Visit the Tucson Museum of Art

If youre into nightlife:

Tequila toast at the JW Marriot at sunset

Go brewery hopping

Scope out some live music

Grab a drink at Hotel Congress

Head to 4th Ave after dark for a night on the town

Do a mezcal tasting

If youre on a budget:

Do the scenic drive to Mount Lemmon

Go on a scavenger hunt to find as much street art as you can!

Watch sunset at A Hill with a view over Tucson

Have a picnic lunch

If youre craving adventure:

Go mountain biking

Go horseback riding

Book the Ladder or Wild Cave Tour at Colossal Cave

Hike to Seven Falls in the Sabino Canyon

Best time to visit Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a great destination year round, however it can get quite hot in the summertime (albeit a dry heat). June is the hottest month in Tucson, with average highs soaring to 103F (40C). Yikes!

For the most comfortable temperatures, plan your trip to Tucson between mid-September and mid-May.

Even during December (Tucsons coldest month), the average temperature hovers just above 50F (10C) and it rarely dips below freezing. This weather will feel downright balmy to anyone from the Midwest (peace out Polar Vortex!).

Being that Tucson is smack dab in the middle of the desert, there is little chance that rain will ruin your vacation (unless youre traveling during the monsoon season of July and August). We arrived in Tucson on a rare rainy day, but by the next morning, most of the puddles had evaporated and there wasnt a cloud to be seen!

Another thing to keep in mind about this desert city is that temperatures can drop drastically from midday to evening. Be sure to pack layers to keep warm during the nights.

When Do the Desert Flowers Bloom?

It depends on the plant, but the flowering season is from mid-February to mid-June, with the biggest blooms peaking from mid-March to late April. Each year is different depending on rainfall, freezing temperatures during the winter, and springtime weather during the growing season.

Where to Stay in Tucson

Most of the time when were visiting a city, we like staying downtown so we can walk places and be near all the major sights. But depending on your interests, Tucson is a place where wed actually say you dont need to stay in the city center. As you can see from reading our massive list of things to do, many of Tucson's major attractions are on the outskirts of the city.

Weve rounded up some recommended Tucson hotels and Airbnbs below, with a mix of locations in the city as well as some that are a literal desert oasis.

Hotels in Tucson, Arizona

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort

In the foothills of Tucsons Mountain Park, sits the massive JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort. With easy access to Gates Pass and the Western Side of Saguaro National Park, this resort has a great location. It also has 3 golf courses, 4 restaurants (with a daily tequila toast!), and 3 outdoor pools, you can really enjoy your stay in Tucson.

Azure Gate B&B

Located in NE Tucson, this charming B&B is a quick drive to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area or the East Side of Saguaro National Park. Included in each stay is daily ( breakfast, an onsite pool, and free parking.

Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine

This modern hotel is perfect for a couple or a family who wants to stay a little bit outside of downtown. There are murals everywhere (check out the pictures!), an excellent staff, and a daily continental breakfast.

Hotel Congress

If youre looking to stay downtown, Hotel Congress has an unrivaled location. Add to that its historic charm, and you might be ready to book. However, we would be remiss if we didnt mention that this hotel is directly above a club, and it can get incredibly loud on weekend nights.

So loud, in fact, that the hotel provides guests with ear plugs. If that doesnt scare you away, then you might love staying at this historic property.

Airbnbs in Tucson

There are tons of amazing Airbnb options in Tucson. Overall, they are very reasonably priced, and some even have pools. Just take a look at some of the Airbnbs we hand-selected for you!

Insider Tip: Find out how we set our Airbnb filters to find the best properties anywhere in the world!

'Case Study' Guest House: Charming guest house and hosts. Youll have the entire place yourself with a full kitchen and a rain shower in the bathroom. Southeast of Downtown. Check Availability here.

Historic 4th Ave Herbie House: Beautiful studio apartment in the 4th Avenue Neighborhood. Close to bars, restaurants and the metro stops. Check Availability here.

Sonoran Desert Retreat: This inexpensive but lovely place is located in the Catalina Foothills close to shops and restaurants. This would be perfect for a couple looking to get away from the busyness of town. Check Availability here.

Self Check in Airbnb - Near I-10: This cheap Airbnb is located in the northern suburbs of Tucson and is great for a solo travel or a couple wanting to mountain bike the local tracks. Its a small, clean studio, but it has everything you need for a basic stay. Check Availability here.

Tucson Poet's Studio: This Santa Fe Style studio comes with a beehive corner fireplace and a small lounging outdoor pool. Its pretty close to central Tucson just a few blocks east of the university, so its a great location for exploring. Check Availability here.

Psst! Is it your first time using Airbnb? Follow this link and well give you $55 off Airbnb!

Getting Around Tucson

While Tucson itself is a relatively small city, youve probably noticed that most of the major attractions are outside the center. In order to be able to see the best things to do in Tucson, you really do need a car to get around.

Rental Car

If youre flying into Tucson, you can pick up your rental car at the airport. We usually reserve cars through RentalCars.com because we have used them before and they have the best deals for rental cars. When searching I found deals around $36 per day for a standard sedan, which is all you would need in Tucson.

However, this time, we tried reserving our rental car through our American Express Platinum card and we found the same cars for about $23 per day! This saved us about $40 over the 3 days we were visiting Tucson. Head to this article if you want to learn more about the travel credit cards we use to get free or discounted travel.

When driving in Tucson: Be aware that some areas have speed traps enforced by cameras, so keep an eye on your odometer.

Uber or Lyft

If you plan to have a few beverages out on the town, dont risk driving. Instead, order an Uber to get you where you need to go. Downtown Tucson is not that big so rides are pretty cheap.

Metro

In Tucson there is a Light Rail metro line called the SunLink that connects University of Arizona to the 4th Ave District to Downtown (Centro) and finally to the Mercado District including Mercado San Agustin.

For a single one-way fare it costs $1.75, but you can purchase a 1-Day SunGO ticket for $4.50 which is good for 24 hours.

What to pack for a trip to Tucson

Camelback (if you think youll be hiking a lot)

Daypack for hikes

Chacos or other hiking shoes that wont get too hot

Closed toe shoes (for horseback riding or mountain biking)

Layers (it gets cold at night and hot during the day)

Swim suit (if your hotel has a pool)

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Reusables: Weve been kind of living in a bubble in Oregon where plastic bags are banned and many establishments encourage you to bring your own reusables, or provide a somewhat eco-friendly option (like wooden utensils and paper straws).

While many Tucson restaurants and accommodations, like Charro Vida, Boca Tacos y Tequila and Hotel Congress, offer eco-friendly options, there is still a lot of room for improvement when it comes to reducing unnecessary waste (just like many other cities around the U.S.).

We had our reusables packed (as we always do!) which helped a bit, but it was still a challenge.

Responsible Travel Tip: Pack your reusables (listed below), and eat inside restaurants as much as possible to avoid waste like styrofoam and plastic utensils.

Its difficult to avoid it altogether, but wed recommend bringing the following to help you reduce the waste you create:

Coffee tumbler

Utensil set (great for picnics!)

Reusable straws

Reusable bag (one that stuffs up like this is great!)

Water bottle

For more tips on how to reduce your waste while traveling, check out our article on 18 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Use Everyday.

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We want to hear from you!

Are you planning a trip to Tucson? What things are on the top of your list? Do you have any additional questions for us? Write to us in the comments below and well do our best to get back to you!

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/38-fun-things-to-do-in-tucson-arizona

[magpietasia]

These Kids

5th grade i put that pencil to the paper and embraced the feeling creating the illusion of my own world. There was a certain pitch in the sound of graphite dancing across the paper A certain smell to the paper itself A roughness to the trails It made time take a vacation from my anxieties It all came over me like 500 ton weight dropped on top of me It concocted a recipe for a type of passion that you wont learn the definition for in school or a dictionary. It was more than something to do or pursue It was something to live for and speak your folktales and fables into You had a key to a door you never saw before and what i saw after that first tattered rugged scribbled mess was a hidden sense The light immediately hit objects differently The reflection of myself through your eyes had a voice And a smile A smile had so much more power over me than anything else I saw your spirit look up from its hidden bunker deep down in your shell of a vessel It looked at me and spoke to me while you were distracted by a simple passing thought or phrase that infected us both with that smile The rain felt alive instead of cold The passing bee was less terrifying and more respectable The stars transformed into less of a background for some photographer on tumblr It was a million infinite possiblities to what we couldve been and what you should be It became a portrait of darkness with freckles of light and good things Which is what a life should look like Cause i realized that not all things can be good things cause that contrast makes those stars shine brighter and harder so much that we can still see their light thousands of years after they died Never will i ever again say what you dont know wont kill you Or the smallest shit you do doesnt matter Or that the thought can count without an action Cause this isnt an ability talent nor curse This is some real shit This is more than a drug from your burger king manager that will "forever change you" This is the shit that changes a person Shapes a person creates a person and kills a person Makes you be real with a person Or not I dont have a statistic for you to enlighten you on human behavior But i know that it doesn't take a scientific study to find a reason. Not the reasons you learned about like why you're here why you're living on Why you built that subtle yet transforming curve into the cheek Im talking about reasons you love something Reasons you'll do anything to get where you want to reach Reasons you would give your last breathe away to a passion Reasons you never stopped studying someones face so you can redraw it on the back of your eyelids And lets be fucking honest it doesnt take realistic effects to make art It doesnt take a method and procedure It takes your time and heart to another dimension where you can build anything or make it fall apart Cause theres more kids out there than a study can show who get up and wish they saw what they drew They'll lug their bags to school and watch the robots with no sense of self text each other in class They'll find poetic justice in anything They'll imagine worlds with unimaginably kind hearts good souls where everyone spoke everything they knew But they know theyll never live to see a day of just that So they paint smiles on their crooked masks And act like they're okay with that Like theyre okay with a world cold enough to freeze alcohol on the side walk And theyre booking it there thinking about drinking every last drop Think about that when you wake up and put on your socks A world everyone feels unsafe like they need to carry a glock Driving through traffic running around on the clock And a red light thatll tell you to stop the wheels in our heads So we burn out our tires cause our heads wont stop thinking about it we'll only stop talking about it While everyone thinks we forgot about it when we remember it so vividly its almost like its happening still Cause it is. So this is a lifestyle we choose because maybe we can create a new world one day with decent people and conversations. Nothing is more real than making your own laws and limits Nothing is more free than forgetting them Cause we're going to live this life speckling our black hearts with stars bright even after death Till death do we art

[beatmyaudio]

Been Around The World Song Lyrics – Puff Daddy Featuring The Notorious Big And Mase

Been Around The World Song Lyrics

Been Around The World Song Lyrics From Popular Hollywood Artist Puff Daddy Featuring The Notorious Big And Mase from Album.

This song is sung by singer ” Puff Daddy Featuring The Notorious Big And Mase ” in Year 1998.

Lyrics of Been Around The World :

intro mase yo yo this mase youknowhatimsayin you got niggaz that dont like me for whatever reason you got niggaz that dont wanna see me rich you got niggaz thats mad cause im always with they bitch then you got niggaz that just dont like me you know the those phd niggaz but you know i pop a lot of shit but i back it up though see its a difference a lot of niggaz pop shit but a lot of niggaz dont make hits but its like this whole bad boy shit we come to bring it to yall niggaz me bi puff lox whoever black rob if you wanna dance we dance verse one mase now trick what lace who that aint what mase do got a lot of girls thatd love to replace you tell you to your face boo not behind your back niggaz talk shit we never mind that funny never find that puff a dime stack write hot shit and make a nigga say rewind that niggaz know we go against the harlem jigalo getcha hoe lick her low make the bitch hit the do i represent honies with money fly guys with gems drive with the tints that be thirtyfive percent hoes hope i lay so i look both ways cop says ok my tint smoke gray no way nigga leave without handin me my shit got plans to get my land and my 6 niggaz outta penll understand this shit pop champagne like i won a championship uhh uhh chorus sung by notorious big spoken words by puff been around the world and i i i and we been playa hated say what i dont know when and i dont know why why they want us faded ahehe i dont know why they hate us yeah is it our ladies uhhuh or i drive mercedes uhh uhh baybee baybee verse two puff daddy i was in one bedroom dreamin of a million yeah now im in beach houses cream to the ceiling thats right i was a gentleman livin in tenements now im swimmin in all the women that be tens hoo went from bad boys to the crushed linen men now my dividends be the new benjamins uhhuh hoes of all complexions i like cinnamon mase you got some hoes well nigga send em in cmon what you waitin for let the freak show begin how they came in a truck mase nah puff thats a benz mercedes cmere baby you dont like the way its hot and hazy never shady you must be crazy its ridiculous how you put your lips on this dont kiss right there girlfriend im ticklish heheh and i be switchin fees with a wrist full of gs nigga please im the macaroni with the cheese chorus verse three puff daddy mase now puff rule the world even though im young i make it my biz to see that all ladies come yeah get em all strung from the tip of my tongue lick em places niggaz wouldnt dare put they faces cmon before i die hope i remake a flow by in the brand new treasure on a old try never my throat dry even when the smoke lie eat the mami chochi and drive a lowride we never ride far packed five in a car save money for the drinks im about to buy the bar yeah and everywhere i drive im a star little kids all on the corner scream thats my car it was days couldnt be fly now im in a ti come in clubs with bi now a nigga vi uhhuh rock tons of gold nuff money i fold roll the way you wanna roll break a hundred out the toll chorus w slight modifications line 1 puff cmon yeah yeah uhhuh line 2 puff we been playa hated line 3 puff why line 4 puff why they want us hated line 5 puff why they hate us line 6 puff is it our ladies line 7 puff say what line 8 puff yeah baybee baybee chorus w puff talking while big sings you know sometimes i gotta ask myself whys there so much jealousy in the world dont look at mine get yours music fades radio show from bigs album continued ok after these messages well be back with the mad rapper and his brother the mad producer after this applause ok just sit back relax and enjoy yourself well get you through this take a sip of water deep breath thatll do it and welcome back as you can see you got the check though im trevor jones and im sitting in ive been conversing with the mad rapper did you get the check though and hes still pretty mad but this time he brought someone else with him and quite frankly yeah yeah hes even madder you god damn right mr producer yo youknowhatimsayin why are you so mad yo iiiiiii ima ima keep it real simple for you yeah ttttttell them niggaz why you mad son tell them niggaz why you mad son ok gentlemen please one at a time tell em why you mad son word up tell em why you mad son youknowhatimsayin iiiiiii iiiiiii be i be i been i been i been here for the culture youknowhatimsayin i dont i dont i dont i dont i dont be recognizin all that new jack shit yo we dont play we dont play that shit youknowhatimsayin please mr producer explain yourself mr rapper please calm down that nigga be on some bullshit youknowhatimsayin we aint we dont do that shit word yeah he aint no real producer neither and then come to find out youknowhatimsayin my brother hipped me to it the nigga tryin to rap now oh yeah thats the shit that got me mad please mr rapper once again thats the shit that got me mad thats the shit youknowhatimsayin its a family oriented show youknowhatimsayin thats the shit that feds me up gentlemen please word up youknowhatimsayin disregard the foul language im watchin this nigga video youknowhatimsayin they got mermaids swimmin in they living rooms and shit like that youknowhatimsayin this nigga dancin in the rain with kids climbin up mountains and shit youknowhatimsayin im im im watchin this nigga video im gonna have to ask you to refrain from the language the car goin two hundred miles an hour where the fuck is he goin please mr rapper please refrain from the foul language the nigga climbin out the fuckin car one more time let me see you try that shit on a train youknowhatimsayin try that shit on a fuckin train what kind of shit youknowhatimsayin got a thousand niggaz write for him let me write for you son my shit is jumpin i got john blaze shit

Been Around The World Song Lyrics

Youtube Channel Link

Lyrics, Been Around The World, Edit, English, Hollywood, Puff Daddy Featuring The Notorious Big And Mase from WordPress https://ift.tt/2ZXytWA via IFTTT

[gtforubie]

to be honest. the thought of growing up is annoying to me. i dont know what i want to do, i dont know.

not too sure how im going to last in this fucking hell of a world. i mean of course there are things i want to be alive for and expierence but what am i meant to do when i have done all of that? my teen years are my years of freedom if you think about it. my only time to be mature yet a child for the last time. school during the week and see all my friends, go to parties on the weekend and get so drunk. you cant exactly do this when youre 33 living with your husband and two toddlers, its not how it works. you need to settle down at some point. some stupid point in time you need to stop going out to parties, clubs, getting super drunk and sussing the boy you have had a crush on for months.

youll never know when your last highschool party is. it could be the one before you all leave for college and go your seperate ways or it could be the one half way through the year because no one could be bothered to have a party party and everyone just sticks to having ‘drinks’ or a ‘piss up’ like come on. we will never actually know when the last thing for us will be. the last time we hang out with that person or even the last time buying the alcohol once you have a bad night with it. 

i want to finish my teen years when the whole corona virus blows over, i want to expiernce it like i have never before. i want to make new friends. start a new school. get into shape. learn a new skill. presue my love for field hockey. go to those parties. go on that weekend get away.

i just dont want to be 23 and having a washed up life, no job, cant pay my bills, broke and everything. i dont want that. i want and will be a successful business woman who makes millions and will live a luxury lifestyle. its just bound to happen in the overall end, even if i dont make my 8 figure salary by the time im 40, it will come at some point and i will hold onto that.

i always wonder who will be in my life in 5 years time. who are my best friends and stuff you know, like do you have sleepovers when youre older? itll be weird because we will be legal to go out, drive around with friends and live our life. like we will be able to buy alcohol, go clubbing and all of that shit. i wonder if we will lose the whole thrill and fun of it all in the end. like soon enough itll just come down to me and 3 friends getting drunk off some cheap wine in the bedroom of someones small apartment. it makes no sense, i want to be the classy rich friend, very smart, lives in luxury and all of that shit. i wanna be the cool aunty my best friends kids love, i take them out once in awhile spoil them with gifts and then we go on a week long trip to fiji for one of their birthdays, since ill have so much money to spend. 

yeah i already know thatll be me. ugh fucking hell, now that im thinking about it i could so make loads of fucking money writing a plot of a tv show, ya know i could really do well with it. 

i really need to re do my room as i hate it because i wanna make it more “me” you could say, i need new hiding spots to hide alcohol and everything so i can be up at 2 am sipping on some wine or be with my best friend with a flask getting drunk while her parents are out of town, sounds pretty fun to me now that i think about it. i should start stacking up or saving up hmmm one of the two. 

yeah the whole adult lifestyle just seems a tad stressful to me you know? yeah nah not too sure about that one

[infolibrary]

30 Guinness Facts That'll Leave You Thirsty For More!

New Post has been published on http://www.infolibrary.net/30-guinness-facts-thatll-leave-you-thirsty-for-more/

30 Guinness Facts That'll Leave You Thirsty For More!

Guinness is one of the most popular beers in the world – and with good reason! Even though it’s so dark, it’s flavor profile is smooth and drinkable by almost everyone. As an Irish classic, it’s no wonder people from all over the world visit Dublin to see the headquarters.

But what do you know besides how delicious it is? Check out these 30 mouthwatering facts about Guinness and be even more impressed by this simple yet delicious beer!

Guinness was founded in 1759 in Dublin, Ireland by Arthur Guinness.

There are only four ingredients in Guinness – malted barley, hops, brewer’s yeast, and water.

However, as simple as it may sound, in order to make Guinness, you need to have knowledge in microbiology, mycology, bacteriology, and thermodynamics.

There is an official 6 step process to pouring a pint of Guinness perfectly. It takes exactly 119 and a half seconds, because you’re supposed to fill the pint glass 3/4th of the way at 45 degrees and let it sit for about a minute before filling the rest.

There’s also an official way to drink it! Mark McGovern, the former brand manager of the Guinness storehouse, says you have to hold your elbow up to be perpendicular to the floor, and drink right through the head which is the most hoppy and bitter part of the beer, until you taste the sweeter body.

The white balls in the Guinness cans are called “widgets.” They are filled with nitrogen infused beer to create the foamy head when you open the can. In 1991, the widget beat the internet as the best invention of the last 40 years.

The Guinness Book of World records was founded in 1954 for the purpose of settling pub disputes.

When Arthur opened Guinness, he signed a 9,000 year lease on the Saint James Gate location at around $60 per year. The lease, which included free access to a water supply, went out of effect when the property was bought and expanded.

A 20 ounce pint of Guinness only has 210 calories – that’s less than a glass of milk or orange juice!

To order a Guinness at a bar in Ireland, you can ask for a pint of the plain, the good stuff, your best, or just hold your forefinger in the air and the bartender will understand!

Scientifically, Guinness does taste better in Ireland! This is most likely because of freshness and quality control.

Guinness is brewed in more than 150 countries including Nigeria and Indonesia.

Worldwide, over 10 million glasses of Guinness are sold every day. 3 million pints are brewed daily at the original Dublin brewery.

Originally, Guinness also brewed an ale along with the porter. The ale was dropped in 1799 so the focus could be put on the popular stout.

In 1928, Guinness employees were given on-site medical and dental care, two free pints after each shift, and full pensions. This makes Guinness one of the first companies to offer employee benefits.

On September 24th, 2009 at 5:50 P.M, Ireland celebrated the 250th anniversary of Guinness with “Arthur’s Day.”

In celebration for the 250th Guinness anniversary, a submarine bar was commissioned in 2009. A contest was held and the winners got to have a pint onboard.

Guinness is still the biggest exporter of stout in the world, and remains to be a technologically modern brewery. It has its own power plant!

Until 2009, blood donors in Ireland used to get a pint of free Guinness after they gave blood.

While most people assume Guinness is black or brown, due to its coloring by roasted barley, it is actually a dark ruby red color.

While draught Guinness is not vegan, the Guinness Extra is vegan!

Half of all pints drunk in Ireland are Guinness, however 40% of all Guinness is sold in Africa.

The Guinness brewery is the top visited attraction in Ireland. Over one million people visit the Guinness storehouse every year.

The first print advertisement for Guinness promoted, “Guinness is good for you.” Researchers have found that there are antioxidant compounds in Guinness that are comparable to the ones found in certain fruits and vegetables.

The harp because the official trademark in 1876, however there was initially issues because it is also the symbol of Ireland. To avoid this, it was agreed that the Guinness hard would always face right, and the official use of the harp logo would face left.

Until 1939, if a Guinness brewer wanted to marry a Catholic, their resignation was requested.

Interestingly enough, around 1860, Arthur’s grandson who had taken control of the brewery, donated almost $200,000 dollars towards the restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Every batch at the Guinness factory is taste tested to ensure no bad batches are sent out!

In the 1960’s, employees were segregated by gender because they were afraid men’s lewd conversation would be offensive to the women.

The Guinness Store house has a Gravity Bar, which is 150 feet off the ground and the highest bar in Dublin.

Michelle Gabriel is a freelance writer and blogger and currently loving it! Her primary focus and passion is traveling, which she does full time and continues to be her preferred topic when composing articles.

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[floridaindependent-blog]

12 Genius Hotel Hacks That'll Save You Money On Your Next Vacation

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12 Genius Hotel Hacks That'll Save You Money On Your Next Vacation

Every year, guests spend over 1.1 billion nights at hotels across the United States. More than five million hotel rooms speckle the country. There’s no doubt that you’ll rely on a hotel sometime in the future.

And when you do, are you prepared to get the best price? Oftentimes, traveling can seem like a luxury. But if hotel prices are limiting your vacation opportunities, you’ll be surprised to learn that there are plenty of ways to save money on hotels.

The vacation of your dreams is in reach. Pack your bags, because these hotel hacks just made traveling way more affordable.

1. Pledge Your Loyalty

From airlines to grocery stores, it seems every business has its own loyalty program. This includes most hotel brands.

Generally, becoming a member leads to immediate rewards. These might be small bonuses, such as free Wi-Fi or lower rates.

But in addition to sign-up incentives, you’ll also earn points that will lead to offers such as free nights or access to special deals and prices.

2. Don’t Want to Commit?

Hotel accommodation providers like Expedia or Travelocity don’t always have the cheapest rates, but many have loyalty programs of their own. If you don’t want to pledge yourself to a single hotel, then take advantage of some of these alternative offers.

These can mean lower prices, members-only perks, and even free nights.

3. Avoid the Food Bar

Everyone loves a free breakfast, but it isn’t always available at certain hotel chains. Although a paid breakfast may be a special treat, the price can add up.

So instead, pack your own food. Even if your room is lacking a kitchen component, you’ll still have a coffee maker. Heat up some water to make a simple and filling oatmeal.

This advice is true for the minibars as well. Want to know how to save money on hotels? Don’t buy their alcohol. A common hotel hack is to fill your sink with ice and use it as a refrigerator.

4. Schedule in the Off-Season

During the most popular travel and vacation times, airlines and hotels will raise their prices. You know the deal: supply and demand. If your schedule can accommodate, you’ll save big by booking a hotel room during the off-season.

Not only will you score a lower rate, but many hotels have special deals to try and encourage guest attendance.

5. Be Direct

How do you find a hotel room? If you’re like most Americans, you probably use a hotel accommodation provider like Expedia. While these are convenient, they don’t always lead to the best deals.

Once you choose a hotel, contact them directly. Many hotels try to offer the lowest prices on their personal websites. Or you can take it a step further and call the hotel to price match or ask about hidden special offers.

6. Look for a Bundle Deal

Some travel providers allow you to book a flight in addition to the hotel room. Depending on the deal, you could save hundreds of dollars. Just be aware that you need to pay the fees upfront and cancellation might not be possible.

7. Extended Stays Mean Extended Deals

Will you be staying at the hotel for a week or more? Many offer special deals for extended stays. But these deals are specific to the hotel and not likely to be found online.

Contact the hotel and inquire about extended stay discounts. Keep in mind that these discounts tend to require advanced pay.

8. Hotel Hacks? Think Hotel Credit Cards

Yes, you read that right. Just like loyal programs, hotel-specific credit cards offer a variety of travel incentives. Some sign-up bonuses include things like free nights and room upgrades.

Some of these cards require annual fees or purchase requirements, which means you’ll need to use the credit card to earn your rewards. 

9. Skip the Laundry Service

On-site laundromats or laundry services are a luxury no matter where you are. Thankfully, you won’t ever need them. If you’re having a short stay, you could have enough clean clothes to avoid washing entirely.

But when you need to clean your clothes, just use your room’s sink or bathtub. Add in a bit of detergent, and you’ve got your own washing machine! You can hang your clothes on the shower rod.

Be sure to put some towels down to avoid spilling water everywhere.

10. Snatch Domestic Rates

Of all the hotel room hacks, this one feels the… hackiest? Both airlines and hotels offer you rates and deals based on your location. If you visit a foreign page with an incognito browser, these websites will allow you to book with domestic rates.

You’ll have to pay foreign transaction fees, so make sure the savings are worth it!

11. You Only Need Your Computer

Every modern hotel room has a flat-screen television. Instead of paying for the hotel’s cable or movie package, hook your computer to the television with an HDMI cable.

You’ll be able to stream the contents of your computer directly to the screen. Don’t forget to bring your DVDs or download the movies ahead of time!

12. Hotels Love to Accommodate

If you’re staying at the hotel for a special occasion, such as a wedding or honeymoon, let the hotel know! Most staff will go out of their way to decorate your room for the occasion and include complimentary gifts.

While the gifts are nice additions, you might also snag an upgrade to a honeymoon suite, especially during the off-season.

Enjoy a Guilt-Free Vacation

A vacation is supposed to be a fun time to unwind and experience some rest and relaxation. With these hotel hacks, stop worrying about hotel prices or paying more than you should. You’ll keep the cost down, snag some great deals, and enjoy some delightful freebies.

So what are you waiting for? Get searching! An unforgettable vacation is just around the corner.

[aaronsniderus]

Are You a First-Time Home Buyer? Take Advantage of These Tax Deductions!

Purchasing a home is a life-changing event. You’re suddenly responsible for a number of things you may not have been responsible for if you rented in the past, including mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway or repairing a leaky roof. There’s a whole other aspect to owning a house apart from a few additional chores, though. Your home also affects your taxes.

If you’re already a homeowner, this probably isn’t news to you. However, if you’re in the market for your first home, I’ve got some valuable information for you. Below you can find information about what you can and can’t deduct, available tax credits and other tips for you to become a tax savvy homeowner!

Do You Get a Tax Credit for Buying a House?

The answer to this question is maybe. It depends on what you qualify for, and things are a bit nuanced. For now, let’s start with a more basic question: What is a tax credit?

Tax credits are items that’ll lower your overall tax bill. These credits can be refundable or nonrefundable.

Nonrefundable tax credits can be used to reduce someone’s individual tax liability down to $0. This means that if you owed $500 in taxes and qualified for a $700 credit, you wouldn’t owe any taxes, but you also don’t get the $200 back. In contrast, if the credit is refundable, you’re entitled to the full amount if you qualify no matter what your tax bill is. This can be used to increase the size of your refund. For that reason, refundable credits are considered to have the biggest benefits for the taxpayer.

Is There a Tax Credit Available for First-Time Home Buyers?

When it comes to your federal taxes, the answer to this question is technically yes. Although the refundable first-time home buyer tax credit existed between 2008 and 2010, if you entered into a contract to buy a primary residence before April 30, 2010 and closed by September 30 of that year, you may still be eligible if you’ve never claimed the credit before.

If you bought a home in 2008 with the credit, it functions like an interest-free loan. If you claimed the full amount of the credit, $7,500, you have to repay it in $500 installments over the next 15 years, beginning with the year after the credit is claimed. We have more information on repayment.  If the house season is to become your primary residence at any point during that 15-year period, whatever balance you have left is owed on your next tax return.

If you bought a home in 2009 or 2010, you don’t have to repay the credit unless you stop using the home is your primary residence within three years of the date you closed. If you did, you pay off the full balance.

Individual states may have their own credits available for first-time home buyers, but down payment assistance is far more common. A good place to start your search for state programs is the local home buying page maintained by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Mortgage Interest Credit

The other type of credit that’s available on federal taxes is the mortgage interest credit. It’s intended to help low-to-moderate income families afford homeownership. Unlike the mortgage interest deduction, which we’ll discuss below, this can directly lower your tax bill.

In order to claim the deduction, you have to get a mortgage credit certificate (MCC) from an authorized state or local government agency. The credit is limited to up to $2,000.

What Is Tax Deductible?

Tax deductions aren’t money you get back on your refund, but they do reduce your taxable income, thereby potentially lowering your tax bill. Let’s go over some of the deductions homeowners can take.

Mortgage Interest

A new mortgage means a little more work for you when it comes time to file your taxes. However, the extra work is worth it in the end. Perhaps the most important tax deduction you need to be aware of is your mortgage interest. At year-end, check out Form 1098 from your lender to see how much mortgage interest you’ve paid.

In most cases, mortgage interest is fully deductible. There are limits, though. First, the mortgage has to be for the purpose of building, buying or remodeling your home. This is referred to as home acquisition debt. You can also only deduct interest on your primary home and a single vacation residence.

Secondly, there are limits on the amount of the mortgage you can take out.

Because of changes that came in with last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, if you got a mortgage on or after December 15, 2017, the limit on the amount of mortgage debt you can claim this on is $750,000 for single people, heads of household or joint filers (or $375,000 for people who are married and filing separately).

If you purchased your home before that date, your grandfathered in under the old limits, which were $1 million or $500,000 if married and filing separately.

If you take the mortgage interest credit mentioned above, you can still deduct your interest, but you need to reduce the deduction by the amount of the credit.

Mortgage Points

Simply put, mortgage points are prepaid interest. You can purchase points to lower your interest rate when you get your loan. By purchasing points, you can save money in the long run if you stay in the home for a certain period of time, depending on the amount of points you purchase.

For example, if you have a $200,000 mortgage and buy two points, you’ll owe $4,000 for those points at closing. (Each point is 1% of the value of your mortgage.) If buying the points lowers your payment $250 a month, you’ll have to stay in your home for at least 16 months to break even. After that time passes, you’ll start putting money back in your pocket.

One thing to note is that you can’t deduct mortgage points all at once in the vast majority of cases. You have to spread the deduction over the term of the mortgage. There are limited exceptions.

State and Local Tax Deductions (SALT)

You can also deduct your state and local taxes as well as real estate taxes. There’s now a limit of $10,000 on this deduction. Previously, you could deduct every dollar of state and local taxes.

Is PMI Tax Deductible in 2018?

For right now, private mortgage insurance (PMI) isn’t deductible for the 2018 tax year. The same is true for mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) on FHA loans and USDA guarantee fees.

Rep. Julia Brownley of California has introduced the Mortgage Insurance Tax Deduction Act of 2019. It seeks to make the mortgage insurance deduction permanent for the majority of Americans. In its current form, the bill would make mortgage insurance deductibles retroactive to this year.

It should be noted that this has just been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. If it gets out of there, then the whole House has to approve it. Then it goes over to the Senate and the whole process starts all over again. If the Senate passes it and there are no differences in the bill, it goes directly to the president for his signature. If there are differences in the House and Senate bills, a conference committee has to hammer out a compromise bill that gets passed by both chambers which then gets sent to the president.

If the president vetoes the bill, it can still go into effect if passed by a two-thirds majority of both chambers of Congress. This is a good summary of the process.

Sorry about the mini government lesson. But it was a long way of saying that while there’s still hope that mortgage insurance fees for this year might be tax-deductible, there’s still a ways to go.

Are There Any Tax Breaks for Homeowners?

We’ve included this category because this last tip doesn’t fall into being a credit or deduction.

You can withdraw from your IRA once in order to fund a down payment as a first-time home buyer. If it’s a traditional IRA, you’ll need to pay income tax on the withdrawal, but there’s no penalty. If it’s a Roth IRA, you don’t have to pay income tax on the withdrawal because you paid income tax already when you put in the money.

You can also borrow from your 401(k), but you do have to pay it back.

While we’ve tried to provide in general tax advice here, everyone’s situation is different. If you have any doubts, please feel free to consult a financial advisor, tax professional or tax preparation software.

The post Are You a First-Time Home Buyer? Take Advantage of These Tax Deductions! appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.

from Updates About Loans https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/first-time-home-buyer-tax-deductions

[mikebrackett]

Are You a First-Time Home Buyer? Take Advantage of These Tax Deductions!

Purchasing a home is a life-changing event. You’re suddenly responsible for a number of things you may not have been responsible for if you rented in the past, including mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway or repairing a leaky roof. There’s a whole other aspect to owning a house apart from a few additional chores, though. Your home also affects your taxes.

If you’re already a homeowner, this probably isn’t news to you. However, if you’re in the market for your first home, I’ve got some valuable information for you. Below you can find information about what you can and can’t deduct, available tax credits and other tips for you to become a tax savvy homeowner!

Do You Get a Tax Credit for Buying a House?

The answer to this question is maybe. It depends on what you qualify for, and things are a bit nuanced. For now, let’s start with a more basic question: What is a tax credit?

Tax credits are items that’ll lower your overall tax bill. These credits can be refundable or nonrefundable.

Nonrefundable tax credits can be used to reduce someone’s individual tax liability down to $0. This means that if you owed $500 in taxes and qualified for a $700 credit, you wouldn’t owe any taxes, but you also don’t get the $200 back. In contrast, if the credit is refundable, you’re entitled to the full amount if you qualify no matter what your tax bill is. This can be used to increase the size of your refund. For that reason, refundable credits are considered to have the biggest benefits for the taxpayer.

Is There a Tax Credit Available for First-Time Home Buyers?

When it comes to your federal taxes, the answer to this question is technically yes. Although the refundable first-time home buyer tax credit existed between 2008 and 2010, if you entered into a contract to buy a primary residence before April 30, 2010 and closed by September 30 of that year, you may still be eligible if you’ve never claimed the credit before.

If you bought a home in 2008 with the credit, it functions like an interest-free loan. If you claimed the full amount of the credit, $7,500, you have to repay it in $500 installments over the next 15 years, beginning with the year after the credit is claimed. We have more information on repayment.  If the house season is to become your primary residence at any point during that 15-year period, whatever balance you have left is owed on your next tax return.

If you bought a home in 2009 or 2010, you don’t have to repay the credit unless you stop using the home is your primary residence within three years of the date you closed. If you did, you pay off the full balance.

Individual states may have their own credits available for first-time home buyers, but down payment assistance is far more common. A good place to start your search for state programs is the local home buying page maintained by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Mortgage Interest Credit

The other type of credit that’s available on federal taxes is the mortgage interest credit. It’s intended to help low-to-moderate income families afford homeownership. Unlike the mortgage interest deduction, which we’ll discuss below, this can directly lower your tax bill.

In order to claim the deduction, you have to get a mortgage credit certificate (MCC) from an authorized state or local government agency. The credit is limited to up to $2,000.

What Is Tax Deductible?

Tax deductions aren’t money you get back on your refund, but they do reduce your taxable income, thereby potentially lowering your tax bill. Let’s go over some of the deductions homeowners can take.

Mortgage Interest

A new mortgage means a little more work for you when it comes time to file your taxes. However, the extra work is worth it in the end. Perhaps the most important tax deduction you need to be aware of is your mortgage interest. At year-end, check out Form 1098 from your lender to see how much mortgage interest you’ve paid.

In most cases, mortgage interest is fully deductible. There are limits, though. First, the mortgage has to be for the purpose of building, buying or remodeling your home. This is referred to as home acquisition debt. You can also only deduct interest on your primary home and a single vacation residence.

Secondly, there are limits on the amount of the mortgage you can take out.

Because of changes that came in with last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, if you got a mortgage on or after December 15, 2017, the limit on the amount of mortgage debt you can claim this on is $750,000 for single people, heads of household or joint filers (or $375,000 for people who are married and filing separately).

If you purchased your home before that date, your grandfathered in under the old limits, which were $1 million or $500,000 if married and filing separately.

If you take the mortgage interest credit mentioned above, you can still deduct your interest, but you need to reduce the deduction by the amount of the credit.

Mortgage Points

Simply put, mortgage points are prepaid interest. You can purchase points to lower your interest rate when you get your loan. By purchasing points, you can save money in the long run if you stay in the home for a certain period of time, depending on the amount of points you purchase.

For example, if you have a $200,000 mortgage and buy two points, you’ll owe $4,000 for those points at closing. (Each point is 1% of the value of your mortgage.) If buying the points lowers your payment $250 a month, you’ll have to stay in your home for at least 16 months to break even. After that time passes, you’ll start putting money back in your pocket.

One thing to note is that you can’t deduct mortgage points all at once in the vast majority of cases. You have to spread the deduction over the term of the mortgage. There are limited exceptions.

State and Local Tax Deductions (SALT)

You can also deduct your state and local taxes as well as real estate taxes. There’s now a limit of $10,000 on this deduction. Previously, you could deduct every dollar of state and local taxes.

Is PMI Tax Deductible in 2018?

For right now, private mortgage insurance (PMI) isn’t deductible for the 2018 tax year. The same is true for mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) on FHA loans and USDA guarantee fees.

Rep. Julia Brownley of California has introduced the Mortgage Insurance Tax Deduction Act of 2019. It seeks to make the mortgage insurance deduction permanent for the majority of Americans. In its current form, the bill would make mortgage insurance deductibles retroactive to this year.

It should be noted that this has just been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. If it gets out of there, then the whole House has to approve it. Then it goes over to the Senate and the whole process starts all over again. If the Senate passes it and there are no differences in the bill, it goes directly to the president for his signature. If there are differences in the House and Senate bills, a conference committee has to hammer out a compromise bill that gets passed by both chambers which then gets sent to the president.

If the president vetoes the bill, it can still go into effect if passed by a two-thirds majority of both chambers of Congress. This is a good summary of the process.

Sorry about the mini government lesson. But it was a long way of saying that while there’s still hope that mortgage insurance fees for this year might be tax-deductible, there’s still a ways to go.

Are There Any Tax Breaks for Homeowners?

We’ve included this category because this last tip doesn’t fall into being a credit or deduction.

You can withdraw from your IRA once in order to fund a down payment as a first-time home buyer. If it’s a traditional IRA, you’ll need to pay income tax on the withdrawal, but there’s no penalty. If it’s a Roth IRA, you don’t have to pay income tax on the withdrawal because you paid income tax already when you put in the money.

You can also borrow from your 401(k), but you do have to pay it back.

While we’ve tried to provide in general tax advice here, everyone’s situation is different. If you have any doubts, please feel free to consult a financial advisor, tax professional or tax preparation software.

The post Are You a First-Time Home Buyer? Take Advantage of These Tax Deductions! appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.

from Updates About Loans https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/first-time-home-buyer-tax-deductions