San Xavier del Bac Mission || Deposit photo
By Michael Salerno || Arizona Republic
One Arizona city is in a class with Barcelona, Naples and the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara in Egypt as one of the world’s best destinations.
Time named Tucson to its World’s Greatest Places 2023 list, which published on Thursday, March 16. The list features 50 world destinations offering the most exciting experiences for travelers.
The publication lauded Tucson, about 112 miles southeast of Phoenix, for its innovative restaurants, historic neighborhoods and new boutique hotels.
Tucson is one of seven U.S. places on the list, joining the Willamette Valley in Oregon; Yosemite National Park in California; Bozeman, Montana; Tampa, Florida; Rio Grande National Forest in Puerto Rico; and Washington, D.C.
Best of Tucson:Your guide to Mexican restaurants, historic neighborhoods and things to do
Time celebrates Tucson’s thriving food scene
Perhaps the greatest factor in Tucson’s inclusion among Time’s Worlds’ Greatest Places was its culinary scene, one that led to recognition as America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. (Gastronomy is defined as the art and science of food.)
Don’t take my word for it — Time’s editors discussed food more than anything else in explaining why to visit Tucson.
