Hedrick Acres - Tucson, AZ

Upon the construction of the University of Arizona in 1885, Tucson saw a tremendous population growth. In 1900, Tucson had around 7,000 recorded residents. In 1910, there were about 13,000. By the 1950s and 1960s, housing developments in suburban areas were rapidly being built to accommodate for the influx of students and young families. In modern-day Tucson, hundreds of thousands of people occupy the southwestern Arizona city.

Much of Hedrick Acres began as poultry farms. In 2009, Hedrick Acres received a grant to include a chicken silhouette on every street sign. The Hedrick Acres Neighborhood Association manages two newsletters, organizes outreach programs and hosts monthly community meetings. Residents benefit from proximity to several innovative learning institutions and the Franklin Auto Museum, which displays a fascinating collection of antique vehicles. Tucson’s annual All Soul’s Day procession marches just south of Hedrick Acres neighborhood, drawing tourists from across the nation and beyond.

Tucson residents never fret over a shortage of authentic, cultural cuisine. Rosa’s Mexican Food serves traditional Sonoran dishes from their family owned Fort Lowell Road restaurant. A community staple for over 35 year, Rosa’s has made a name for itself with Southwestern murals, table tops covered in decorative Spanish tiles and plaques hung to commemorate some of the famous visitors to the restaurant, including Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner to sample menu favorites such as the Egg-on-Top Enchiladas. Pair your meal with discounted tequila shots or a frosty margarita.

Impress Hot Pot lets patrons choose from an assortment of soups, broths, and griddle-cooked meats and vegetables. The portions at Tucson’s first hot-pot restaurant come big enough to share, and each table has a built-in burner so the community pot stays warm while you serve yourself. Relax in a cushioned wooden chair, and split a mushroom platter with your friends, or order the Half and Half — a separated hot pot of regular and spicy broth.

On Steak Night Tuesdays at Pastiche diners can enjoy an order of expertly cooked certified Angus beef and two fresh sides for only $15. On Wednesdays, the restaurant and pub hosts wine tastings. The twisted hanging lights, and green and blue accent walls make for a whimsical atmosphere, as does the late-night bar menu, which features Cajun corn dogs on a stick and El Diablo fries seasoned with cayenne pepper and plated with a side of cool ranch dipping sauce. Reserve a table online, or drop by the Campbell Avenue location before 11 p.m. for classic American fare with an elegant, modern twist.

Hedrick Acres heats up after dark. Boondocks Lounge lures crowds of regulars with Texas Hold’Em tournaments, pool leagues, arcade games and free Wi-Fi. The windowless neighborhood bar’s kitschy neon beer signs give the place a relaxed feel, affording a quiet alternative to the rowdy campus bars. Locals tend to cap off their Friday nights with a little karaoke or shuffleboard at The Golden Nugget, Hedrick Acres’ other favorite dive bar. The 1st Avenue location stays open until 3 a.m., so you can pick tunes from the jukebox, try your luck at the pool table, or kick back and watch one of the mounted televisions.

Hedrick Acres has dedicated bike lanes on every major street, including 1st Avenue, Mountain Avenue and Campbell Avenue. Interstate 10 connects locals to downtown Tucson and the city of Phoenix about 3 hours north. Most strip malls and shopping centres share parking lots, so free spaces prove easy to find.

The Sun Tran bus line has stops up and down Glen Street, Mountain Avenue, Campbell Avenue and Fort Lowell Road. The Sun Link, affectionately known as the Tucson Streetcar, zips across the Santa Cruz River from downtown Tucson to the University of Arizona campus. Uber and Lyft service South Tucson. Cabs should be scheduled in advance via phone or Internet unless in the downtown area.

Mitchell Park, a tiny triangle of green between Park Avenue and Mountain Avenue west of Salpointe Catholic High School, has grass fields, picnic tables and grills. Conner Park, a slightly larger neighborhood park one street south of the Campbell Plaza Shopping Center, has a playground, multipurpose field and benches.

Jacob’s Park on Fairview Avenue has an outdoor aquatics center with a swimming and diving pool, basketball, baseball and tennis courts, multipurpose fields and picnic areas with grills. Jacob’s Dog Park has a fenced off-leash area for dogs with gravel in lieu of grass. Pet owners can supervise their pup’s play from benches. Animal waste receptacles stationed throughout the dog park help keep the park clean. An ample front parking lot ensures spaces for a large number of visitors.

For jogging and cycling, Rillito River Park’s most popular amenity remains the Loop, 4 miles of paved and unpaved trail, with bridges across the water and scenic mountain views. When the river bed dries, equestrians often make use of the land around the wash. The area near the trails has a small playground, water fountains and picnic tables.

Inexpensive housing commands a big part of Hedrick Acres’ attraction. Expect to pay roughly $600 for a one-bedroom apartment. Gas prices typically fall about 0.31 percent under the national average. Expect to pay $2.50 for a beer, $3 for a coffee and $1.50 for Sun Tran bus fare, unless you qualify for a student discount.

Most Hedrick Acres residents stock up on weekly groceries at the Albertsons in Campbell Plaza Shopping Center or the Food City on 1st Avenue and Fort Lowell. For gourmet and specialty items, locals turn to international markets. India Dukaan on Campbell Avenue carries shelves of Middle Eastern spices, teas, and hard-to-find produce such as opo squash and turiy.

Heirloom Farmer’s Market opens in the Rillito Park food pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. Groups of locals growers and vendors gather to mingle with customers, and show off their produce and prepared food. Pets on leashes can navigate the booths, food trucks and live cooking demonstrations with their owners. If you forget to bring a bag, you can buy one at the market.

Tucson Mall, an eight-minute drive outside of Hedrick Acres, touts over 200 stores and services spanning two floors. The sprawling 1,300,000 square foot indoor retail center has a kid’s play area and free events for preschoolers twice a month. Busy parents and adults with young children can take advantage of the family first parking spaces in the lots around the food court, Dillard’s and Forever 21. The huge variety of storefronts and restaurants allows locals to knock out their shopping list, and treat themselves to a meal at the Cheesecake Factory or a burger from In N’ Out.

Some of the city’s best boutiques sit a few miles outside of Hedrick Acres near campus. Zoe’s Boutique on 4th Avenue provides affordable, stylish women’s apparel and accessories. They have a whole category for dresses, skirts and tops under $40, and gifts under $30. Those who don’t have time to browse the racks can ask the helpful staff to point them in the right direction.