Every year, my friends and I try to carve out a long weekend to get away together. For a few days, we trade our roles of caring for others as moms, wives, daughters, and doctors to focus on self-care, laughter, and joy. Over the years, our girls’ trips have taken us everywhere from Palm Springs, Sedona, Oregon Wine Country to MTHR retreats, each one a blend of relaxation, reflection, and a little adventure.
This time, when we started planning our annual escape, we had a few goals in mind:
- Find a destination we could all reach easily with nonstop flights from Boston, Minneapolis, and Orange County
- Choose a place where we could indulge in wellness, nature/adventure, and incredible food
- Go somewhere warm in October—especially for my Massachusetts and Minnesota friends craving sunshine
Tucson checked all these boxes. It was an easy flight into Phoenix, followed by a scenic drive south through the desert. We spent a rejuvenating day at Miraval Arizona, relaxed in the bath house at JTH Tucson (complete with sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub), ate our way through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Gastronomy, and wandered among towering saguaros in Saguaro National Park. I’m sharing our itinerary below in case you’re inspired to plan your own Tucson Trip!
Thursday: Arrival & Our Desert Home
We met up at the Phoenix airport, stocked up on snacks and road trip playlists, and hit the road. In about 1.5 hours, we arrived in Tucson.
Our home base was the Prickly Pear Casita at JTH Tucson, a dreamy two-bedroom casita surrounded by desert landscape. It was the perfect blend of cozy and chic — think desert boho meets boutique hotel. That evening, we celebrated our 10+ and 20+ years of friendship with a private chef dinner in our casita (booked through the inn). Everything Chef Aaron Cady made was incredible, from the prickly pear margaritas, ceviche, sea bass entree, and abuelito creme brûlée!
Friday: A Full Day at Miraval and Dinner in Tucson
Friday was all about wellness and relaxation. We’ve been curious about Miraval Arizona, one of the most well-known wellness resorts in the U.S., for years—but hadn’t yet committed to a multi-night stay (I like to plan my own dining and outdoorsy adventures ).
During this trip, we finally got the chance to check it out! From yoga and strength classes to spa time and nourishing meals, every moment at Miraval Arizona invited us to slow down, be present, and reconnect.
By the end of the day, we felt grounded, grateful, and recharged—exactly what we needed. 💛
💡 Tip: Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa offers day passes (around $400) that includes classes, meals, non-alcoholic beverages, spa credit, and pool access. PS – My lime athlete set is from Athleta and the sea soft collection is my absolute favorite athleisure this fall for travel, yoga and hiking! Shop my picks here!
Here is a short 1 minute vlog of our day at Miraval.
After our day at Miraval, we headed back into town for dinner at Kukai, located in the MSA Annex—a fun, modern outdoor market built from shipping containers. This cozy Japanese spot serves onigiri, ramen, and sushi. It hit the spot! Everything we ordered was fantastic!
Saturday: Saguaro National Park, More Wellness and Food highlights!
We started the day with some homemade avocado toast. Our casita had a full kitchen, and honestly, we could have cooked all our meals there—but Tucson’s vibrant gastronomy scene was calling, so breakfast was the only meal we made “at home.”
Here’s my easy go-to recipe for Avocado Toast:
- Toast sourdough bread
- Spread sliced avocado over the toast
- Sprinkle with Everything But the Bagel seasoning
- Add a few halved cherry tomatoes
- Top with a fried egg
After breakfast, we set out for Saguaro National Park, which was just a short drive from JTH Tucson—which borders the west side of the park. We fit in two short hikes among the towering cacti.
We explored Signal Hill, home to ancient petroglyphs carved by the Hohokam people centuries ago, and Sendero Esperanza, a trail surrounded by towering saguaros and sweeping desert views.
Warm Weather Hiking Tips: Bring water with electrolytes, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen. Always Leave No Trace.
After hiking, we worked up an appetite and headed into town for lunch at one of Tucson’s most iconic spots. When a restaurant has been serving tacos for over a century, you know it’s something special! El Charro Café isn’t just the oldest Mexican restaurant in the U.S.—it’s also the birthplace of the chimichanga and a must-visit stop in this UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
We ordered and loved (swipe to see): Prickly pear margaritas, tableside guacamole, chimichangas, street tacos and sizzling fajitas.
After lunch, we returned to JTH Tucson for a relaxing afternoon. We enjoyed their new offering “the bathhouse” where we alternated between the sauna and cold plunge. Afterwards, we wandered into their hot tub, which is designed to blend into the environment.
As the sun began to set, I set up my tripod and we had a quick DIY friends’ photoshoot before heading out to dinner. With a setting this beautiful, we couldn’t resist capturing the moment, and now we have photos we’ll cherish forever.
Dinner that night was at BATA Tucson, a chic, modern restaurant housed in a beautifully restored warehouse in downtown Tucson (35 E Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ). The atmosphere struck a perfect balance between refined and relaxed with a buzz of energy. BATA’s menu highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from Southern Arizona farms, with an emphasis on wood-fired cooking. We chose the tasting menu, which was creative, beautifully plated, and full of thoughtful flavor combinations that reflected Tucson’s vibrant food culture. We loved every bite and recommend BATA for a special occasion dinner!
Sunday: Heading Home
It was time to return to our families and “mom lives,” with flights out of Phoenix around noon. We packed up, said our goodbyes to the desert, and promised to continue our annual girls’ trip tradition. As we headed to the airport, we carried home full hearts.Tucson gave us everything we needed—connection, rest, and a little sunshine for the soul.
If you’ve been dreaming of a wellness getaway, consider Tucson. Between the vibrant food scene, desert hikes and scenery, and restorative wellness offerings, it’s the kind of place that reminds you to slow down—and savor it all.
Tips for Visiting Tucson
Timing: October was a great time to visit—warm days, cool evenings, and no crowds in the park.
Location: JTH Tucson, where we stayed, is located near the west entrance of Saguaro National Park and about 30 minutes from downtown Tucson. We thought it was worth it to stay in a tucked-away, quiet wellness sanctuary and make trips into town for the incredible food scene.
Shopping: We didn’t do much shopping on this trip, but there were plenty of opportunities—both downtown (near El Charro, where there’s an artist plaza and local shops) and at Miraval, which has a lovely boutique.
Note: All opinions and recommendations expressed in this post are our own. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.