Scratched, time-worn religious sculptures stand within the shade of the Congress Street Bridge,…read moreforming a lovely, peaceful sculpture garden. Quite miraculously, they've survived decades of floods, droughts, and vandalism. They exist because during World War I, a man named Felix Lucero lay seriously injured on a battlefield in France. Wounded and in agony, he proposed a deal with God: If he survived, he'd use his natural skills as a sculptor to create religious statues. After returning home from the war, Lucero set about making good on his word. In the late 1930s, he lived in Tucson, Arizona, in a shack beneath a bridge. From there, he began creating beautiful works of art. While in Tucson, Lucero spent years crafting detailed statues of religious figures out of sand and debris from the Santa Cruz River, which he then slathered in a protective coat of plaster. He created iconic Biblical scenes, including the Last Supper, Joseph and Mary, and Jesus on the crucifix. Though Lucero died in 1951, his work is still standing--which is amazing, considering the statues weren't built from lasting materials and have faced frequent vandalism over the years. Many are damaged, but they still stand tall. Dedicated locals have worked to salvage and repair the sculptures after each vandalism incident, and in the 1980s moved them to form this sculpture garden near the very bridge Lucero once lived beneath.

Really cool place! I've never seen anything like it. Lovely to reflect on the life of Jesus here…read moreand see amazing sculpture art.

It might have been a little early in the season because there weren't many bats that came out, but…read morethis is a great spot to see them later in the season. I love that the community put a sign with information on Mexican Free-tailed Bats. I also love the quirky bat structure where they're riding a bike! You can get right under the colony by walking the bike path. Gentle reminder- not disturb their home or touch them. View respectfully

Every time I go shopping at the TJ's store on Campbell, I get to see the bats during summer if I'm…read morethere at the right time. It's a sight to see and I usually stand by my car and you should probably be standing in the parking lot too to get a full view of the thousands and thousands of bats that fly out from under the bridge where they nest. The bats are gone now until April or May when the weather is nice and warm at night for them to survive here. I was amazed the first time I saw so many little bats fly in such a short time. It's something special and more people should see this amazing displays of acrobatics the bats put on trying to catch flying insects during summer.

This is one of my favorite local markets. I always go here to get unique gifts for the holidays…read more They also have amazing food trucks during the market. If you happen to be in the area please don't miss it!

So happy that I got to attend this food and craft festival on this gorgeous 80 degree December day…read morehere in Tucson. I love going to these types of events. All the food trucks and stalls are in a different area. Communal tables are set up as well. The lines are long but worth the wait. We got to try a Mexican hot dog with Frito chips on top, killer coffee and a Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet. This was the perfect place for me to buy some souvenirs to bring back. And of course I got some goodies for myself. My son got a small tub of homemade salsa. Tons of booths to explore. I highly recommend. Make sure to wear tons of sunscreen.

It is what it is, we're in the desert folks. Just thought it was funny that there's a category for…read morebeaches :oP

If you've read my Spruce Street Suspension Bridge review, you'd already know my partner is an urban…read moreplanner/transit advocate. Whenever we go somewhere new, we always check out that city's metro system or unique infrastructures. He wasn't with me on this trip so I decided to surprise him with a tale of my adventures to the Rattlesnake Bridge (this bridge has a rattlesnake tail...yes I sent him the picture to accompany the tale). I found this spot on Yelp and it was an adventure finding it in person. There is no parking next to it, so I had to park at Iron Horse park and walk around until I found an entrance to it. Note: If you're coming from that side, the ramp to the bridge is closer to the main street. I think my favorite part of the bridge was the rattlesnake tail at the end. It's fun to be able to say I've been inside a snake.

This is what happens when true creativity, art and community improvement come together! The…read moreRattlesnake Bridge is a unique, functional piece of art that is as pleasing to look at as it is to use! There's a lot of road construction at his silver fanged head so we started at the back end and walked through, it's pretty cool to be in the belly of a snake!! It's not the best neighborhood area and there are folks that have decided to call the area home so be aware of your surroundings just like anywhere else nowadays! Perhaps the Tucson Art Academy could take an interest and clean it up, after all, it is an artists creation!

Looks like a giant donut!…read more This piece of public art is very simple, just an upright circle that lights up at night. It was was originally created for the Luminarias del Pueblo fundraising auction in April 2005. It is located in the median on West Alameda Street between El Presidio Park and the Tucson Museum of Art. I put in a location edit on Yelp back in Nov. 2022 since the location marker was incorrect. Hubby & I drove all over looking for it. Since then, it has been corrected. Be careful crossing the road to get to it! Desert O is a translucent ring that is 6 feet in diameter This object has a steel skeleton inside that can be seen both during the day and at night. It basically looks white and pretty unremarkable during the day. The ring displays a pattern of colored LED lights that circle slowly inside the sculpture. It is covered with frosted acrylic panels that make it glow brightly. This art is a solar-powered. There is one 'secret' touch-sensitive button that allows visitors to control the lighting. You have to find it from the hundreds of metal fasteners holding the sculpture together. It was nice to get out and take a look at this public art!

nothing really special here. when it was built I was in high school and we called it the glass…read moreDonut. sounds allot better than glass O . around the holidays they decorate it as a wreath, or art least I remember they used to.

If you're in exploration mode, add the Bike Church to your list! Bike Church is a "walk-in"…read moresculpture made entirely of recycled bike parts. It's lovely both day and night, but the at night it is illuminated. It's really cool! It's also interactive in that the public is welcome to play the musical chimes made from bike parts. The bike church not only references the bike culture of the Old Pueblo but it is also serves as shared community memorial for cyclists. It's a reminder to please share the road :) There's room for all of us! Bike Church is located in Barrio Anita, (downtown ) on the southwest corner of W. Davis Street and N. Main Ave.

The 22-foot-tall-sculpture is on North Granada Avenue and West Davis Street near Barrio Anita. It…read moreserves as a gateway to a six-mile bike path. A walk-in metal sculpture made of hundreds of bike frames, wheels and rims with stained-glass windows and musical chimes made from bike parts, that I have driven past many times with curiosity. It's a nondenominational celebration of bike culture featuring traditional religious architecture. The sculpture's stained-glass windows resemble those of church; the top is similar to those on Islamic temples; and there are two Stars of David on the sides and a mold of a Pascua Yaqui dancer, O'Connell said. Joe O'Connell is one of the sculptures along with Blessing Hancock of Creative Machines. It serves as a permanent memorial for cyclists killed on the streets, but it's also a place for celebration. They want you to play with the chimes! You can attach pictures and mementos to remember cyclists who have passed. Let's be honest, Tucson is very bike friendly, BUT it seems like every time you turn on the news, you hear of a bike accident. At night, solar lights light up the stained glass. It is a way-cool sight!

If you're looking to add something truly special to your sweet tooth routine, this Tucson chocolate…read morecompany delivers an experience unlike anything else. From the moment you open the package, you can tell this isn't your average chocolate -- the craftsmanship, aroma, and creative flavor combinations immediately set it apart. What makes their chocolates so unique is the way they blend bold ingredients with rich, high-quality cacao to create flavors that are both surprising and perfectly balanced. Each bite feels intentional and thoughtfully crafted, turning a simple treat into a memorable tasting experience. Beyond the flavor, the presentation is beautiful and makes these chocolates perfect for gifts, special occasions, or just treating yourself to something extraordinary. It's refreshing to see a local Tucson company bringing such innovation and passion to their craft. If you want to discover a new favorite indulgence or give a gift that stands out, this is one Tucson gem that brings something new and delicious into your life.

Exciting news - Monsoon is making their own baked goods again! I stopped in to purchase some…read morechocolate bars to gift to others...and pot de creme, brownies (one GF, one not), cookies and more delicious Monsoon specialties were back in the cases! The friendly staff smiled at my "yay!" and happily packed my chocolate bars and the pot de creme in a to go bag for me. The pot de creme was just as I remembered it...a smooth, deep chocolate flavor with notes of brown butter. Delicious! I'm bringing a group of co-workers in next week, and I know we'll partake of more treats. If you haven't been recently, check them out!

El Tiradito is a shrine in the Old Barrio neighborhood. El Tiradito means "the castaway," and its…read morethe only Catholic shrine in the United States dedicated to a sinner buried in unconsecrated ground. It is said that the man buried there died fighting for the love of a woman. More like a steamy love affair with his mother in law. Apparently visitors go to this shrine to light a candle for Juan in hope his soul will be freed from purgatory. After all these years of walking over there to light I candle I didn't take the time to read the plaques until now! I always lit a candle in remembrance of a loved one. Either way, this shrine is here to stay! Pay it a visit then head over to El Minuto for lunch.

This was a really quick stop in Bario Viejo. There was a lot to see, but it's a tiny public park…read moreand historical landmark. It's kind of gritty and smelly.

This place is a treasure. The restored-- and not quiet yet restored --- buses and trolleys are…read moregreat and guests are welcomed to go inside them. The person in charge is a very kind retired bus driver who makes models of the busses in his free time. It's a really neat place.

The Old Pueblo Trolley is great if you are spending some time knocking around this area. The…read moretrolley runs about 6-7 blocks down University from the U of A main gate, then turns south on 4th Ave for another 8 blocks or more and takes you through the restaurants, coffeehouses and shops that are commonly found in the vicinity of a major University. The trolley car itself is cool. I found out from the conductor that it was made in Japan around 1950. They bought it for scrap value but it was costly to move to the US. Much of the signage is in Japanese. The car is well crafted and comprised primarily of wood. The trolley is $1 to ride but Sundays are only .25. You can pretty much hop on or off anywhere along the route which is very convenient. The trolley ride really lends itself to a relaxing afternoon wandering around this neighborhood.