The Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler Logo
The logo of the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine

We all know Tucson is pretty amazing but, it’s always nice to see others recognize it too. In April Tucson received some well-deserved attention from Condé Nast Traveler. If you don’t know what the Condé Nast Traveler is or why we should care let me tell you.

The Condé Nast Traveler

This worldwide magazine is filled with high luxury and lifestyle as well as hard reporting. Originally the magazine was originally bought by Condé Nast in 1987 and has gone on to win over 25 National Magazine Awards. It’s kind of a big deal to be mentioned by them. They published a list of 11 must-see destinations around the world. Taking that into consideration we think that makes this honor even more prestigious.

What They Said

It goes without saying that Tucson is known for its food. We have tons of accolades and it’s no surprise that most of them revolve around our food. There’s a reason we were UNESCO’s first city of gastronomy. So, it is no surprise to us that the very first thing they mentioned was our food.

Image of 2 Sonoran Hotdogs
Condé Nast Traveler mentions sonoran dogs.

Specifically, they mentioned the hotdogs of El Güero Canelo which won the coveted James Beard Award back in 2018. If you are wondering what is so special about a Sonoran Dog? Well, for starters, it’s wrapped in BACON! From there you pile on beans, sour cream, caramelized onions… No words we have will do this hotdog justice. If you ever find yourself in the Old Pueblo you simply must try one.

Image of the Saguaro National Park
Condé Nast Traveler tips its hat to the Saguaro National Park.

Condé Nast Traveler also mentioned the Saguaro National Park, highlighting the majestic cactus and the abundance of beautiful wildflowers we see every spring. You may think you’ve seen flowers in spring before but the blooms of cacti and succulents you will find here are truly spectacular.

Boldly colored Tucson sunset
Condé Nast Traveler mentioned our beautiful sunsets.

And lastly, they rounded out the article mentioning our sunsets. We can’t blame them, it would really be a shame to not mention them. In fact, we’d wager that we have the most dazzling sunsets in the 50 states. Come to Tucson and find out for yourself!

Tucson Ranks in Top 50 Places to Visit in 2021

Travel And Leisure Rank Tucson Top 50 Places to Visit in 2021
Travel And Leisure Rank Tucson Top 50 Places to Visit in 2021

According to Travel & Leisure, our very own desert jewel Tucson is ranked #45 in their top 50 list of places to visit in 2021. And let’s face it, after 2020 we are ready to spread our wings and fly. For some of us, we don’t have to go far since we already live in paradise!

What They Said

Hotel Tuxon
Hotel Tuxon

T&L acknowledges that while we’ve often been in the shadows of our larger more metropolitan sisters like Phoenix and Santa Fe. However, we were catering to the wellness crowd years before “wellness” was really a thing. Our beautiful rolling vistas are a favorite of spas, outdoor enthusiasts, and artists.  

As beautiful as we are, we are also quirky and filled with personality. The accommodation for out-of-town visitors is unparalleled. From the Tuxon to Hotel McCoy you’re sure to enjoy the personality these venues offer. Or perhaps you’re looking for something a little less commercial. The Joshua Tree House Tucson boasts 5 beautiful suites backed up right next to the Saguaro National Park.  

Did you know that Tucson ranks gold as a bike city? Oh yea, it’s so great for cyclists that a new bike guest ranch is in the works to cater specifically to bicyclists! The Bike Ranch will be Tucson’s first sustainable eco-resort.

Come On Down

Yes, we know that 2021 is halfway over but we are confident that Tucson is going to remain in the top places to visit for years to come. We’ve already been identified as one of the top cities poised for recovery after the pandemic. Don’t believe us? Well, you’ll just have to come visit and make up your mind, it’s okay, we’ll wait.

National Geographic Mentions Tucson City of Gastronomy

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Well, well, well… All of us locals know that Tucson is known for its amazing Mexican food, but now there’s recognition from National Geographic! We, of course, have a great selection of Tucson accolades, here is a collection of our food-related ones. If you want to jump straight to restaurants we love, you are more than welcome to do so.

Back in 2015 Tucson was awarded the first US city with the Capital of Gastronomy designation and joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Naturally, we covered the decision here, and so did the Smithsonian Magazine. The Gastronomy award is not the only foodie mention we’ve got. Not by a long shot.

La Estrella Bakery Recognized by Washington Post for Pan De Muerto
La Estrella Bakery Recognized by Washington Post for Pan De Muerto

Not Just National Geographic

Just recently the Washington Post recognized La Estrella Bakery for their amazing pan de muerto and other traditional Mexican treats. Also, Forbes magazine mentioned local Carlotta Flores of El Charro as one of 50 over 50 to keep an eye on. She has several Charro restaurants, all with a slightly different spin and all delicious.

We also love Tucson Meet Yourself, colloquially known as “Tucson Eat Yourself.” Here you will find not only amazing Mexican food but food from all over the world. All brought to you by Tucson citizens sharing their cuisine, a melting pot if you will. A pot you can eat a lot of great food out of.

Pretty please don’t take our word for it. Come check us out, we are so much more than the food. There are dozens of reasons to visit Tucson whether it’s our spectacular sunsets or the hiking trails. Are you in town for a celebration? Be sure to pick up some local beer & wine for an intoxicating taste of the area. Thinking of retiring here? It’s a good choice, Tucson is rated one of the best for retirement living.

Whatever brings you here, we’re certain you’ll want to stay.

http://seetucsonhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/National-Geographic-Traveller-Food.pdf

Catalina Foothills Unified School District is #1 in Arizona

We’ve got a lot of great things going on in Tucson, but I’m here to tell you about one specifically, the Catalina Foothills Unified School District. You might not be aware but birth rates in the USA are declining

Catalina Foothills High School Student Plaza
Catalina Foothills High School Student Plaza

And in our beloved home state of Arizona, that number has declined almost 22% in the last decade. While that figure may sound shocking to you, I’m here to tell you that it’s actually not a bad thing. It’s common knowledge that our teachers are burdened with disproportionate class sizes to what a single teacher can effectively handle. 

Where am I going with this? I’m so glad you asked. Kids need teachers, teachers need schools, schools have districts, and some are better than others. This is why we are so very happy to inform you that one of ours has been ranked the TOP school district in all of Arizona.

Drumroll, please! If you live in Tucson you may have already guessed but for those of you looking to move here with kids, pay attention. The Catalina Foothills Unified School District has been rated #1 in Arizona according to Newsweek!

Catalina Foothills School District
Catalina Foothills School District

Let’s look at some of the statistics.

What You Need To Know

  1. It’s located in Tucson, obviously the best city in Arizona by far. 
  2. CFUSD has a teacher to student ratio of 1:19, while not ideal it’s comparatively better than the competition. The next jump in other districts is 1 teacher to 23 or more students. Sometimes even 35 students are being wrangled by 1 teacher.
  3. Catalina also boasts a 98% graduation rate, that’s the highest in the state!
  4. According to Zip Recruiter, “As of July 2021 the average annual pay for a teacher in AZ is $26,553 a year.” For Catalina Unified they pay their teachers an average of $45,311 a year. That’s an extra $18,000 for our educators and we believe they deserve every penny and then some.

So, there you have it. If you live in Arizona and have children, you might want to consider relocating to Tucson. Parents should always want the best for their children, Catalina Foothills Unified School District is the best in Arizona, hands down.