Welcome to Yuma
If you enjoy the sunshine, temperate weather during the winter months, and quaint, historical downtowns… then Yuma, Arizona is the place to be! Yuma has earned the title of The Sunniest City on Earth! It’s no wonder why this historic, southwestern town bordering Mexico and California is such a popular destination with over 250,000 visitors a year. Exploring downtown Yuma, AZ is one of my favorite things to do!
With ample RV parks, campgrounds and BLM land, Yuma and the surrounding area is a well-known winter haven for nomadic and RV travelers. This beautiful agricultural oasis in the Sonoran Desert offers a plethora of activities, dining, and entertainment including casinos, hiking, boating, and touring historical parks, museums, and landmarks such as the famous Yuma Territorial Prison Park.
This downtown may be small, but it is pleasing in every way! Come along and I will give you a glimpse of the sights, sounds, and tastes of downtown Yuma!
Directions to Yuma
Downtown Yuma is just off of I-8 at exit 172. I recommend using your phone or GPS and putting in the following address to make this your first stop in town.
Yuma Visitor Information Center
264 S Main St.
Yuma, AZ 8536
https://www.visityuma.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-info-center/
Ample free parking is available on S Main St. and also in large lots one street over to the east of S Main St. (S Maiden Lane) and to the west (S Madison Ave.) The parking lots even have several spaces with covered parking.
Sights
The Yuma Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop is impressive! The staff are so friendly and helpful and have lots of informational brochures and handouts for the entire area and State.
If you prefer to go paperless you can even download the VisitYuma app. I enjoy using it because it gives clear, organized information and current happenings going on throughout town without having to fumble through papers! The Center also has a nice selection of gifts and souvenirs. Open daily 9-5.
Art is the focal point of Yuma! The downtown has such a cultural vibe from the moment you enter.
The visible array of public art forms including the luminous overhead welcome downtown sign, colorful murals, unique sculptures, and statues scattered throughout town add such beauty to the community and keep things interesting and fun!
You can even obtain a Public Art Map online or at The Visitor or Art Centers. The numerous art forms were created by a diverse talent pool including internationally renowned artists, prominent local artists, and even local high school students. This is what makes downtown Yuma so unique and why I love it so much!
I suggest you stop by the Yuma Art Center, just steps from the Visitor’s Center, where you can find the latest art exhibitions, get schedules for the Historic Theater performances, and even sign up for art classes if you plan to stay a while. Open Tues-Sat 10-8.
Shopping is a unique experience in downtown Yuma! While strolling the three blocks downtown, I came across several charming stores, many showcasing goods with a local flare, including clothing, gifts, wine (tasting), olive oils, organic soaps, antiques, and used books.
The Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens, known as the Jewel of Yuma, is located at 240 S Madison Ave. What a beautiful setting for learning more about Yuma’s rich heritage! Be sure to check out the shops and cafe next door. There’s even a yoga studio!
When daytime dims into evening, the storefront alleyways light up adding such ambience to the downtown scene. Just Love it!
Sounds
There is plenty of music in downtown Yuma!
Street festivals pepper S Main St. throughout the year featuring live music. I was fortunate to be in town for the KCBS BBQ & Brew Festival in February 2022. The downtown was very lively and filled with lots of people enjoying great food and country music.
The Historic Yuma Theater downtown hosts a seasonal concert series featuring a wide array of music genres, including many tribute performances. For more information and tickets you can check with The Yuma Art Center.
There is plenty of music at Yuma’s downtown bar and restaurant scene as well! A few bars (Jimmie Dee’s, The Red Moon Ale House, and The Kress Ultra Lounge) feature music including DJ’s, karaoke, and live bands.
Tastes
If you want to please the palette and perhaps even try something new, then downtown Yuma is the place to come!
Whether you’re in the mood for BBQ, American, Mexican, Italian, desserts, or more…you can find something for everyone! I even noticed that most restaurants offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Most restaurants and bars are very casual and have indoor and outdoor seating, allowing their customers varied environments for their entire dining experience. Some even welcome dogs!
Da Boyz Italian Cuisine
Da Boyz is the place to go for delicious pizza, salads, pasta, and desserts. It is located in the historic Kress Building in the center block of town.
The old-world charm of this restaurant is perfect for a romantic date (try backroom seating) or for groups of people. The food is amazing and portion sizes are Big. Be sure to leave room for a monstrous slice of heavenly cake or cheesecake!
A very popular place to enjoy locally handcrafted beer is Yuma’s one and only Prison Hill Brewing Company. Beer and food are great. The fried avocado is a favorite!
Lutes Casino
A visit to downtown Yuma is not complete unless you have eaten at Lutes Casino! It’s not a casino but a restaurant and bar filled with memorabilia throughout, especially hanging from the walls and ceiling.
So much to look at! They primarily serve American fare food and the signature item since 1951 is a loaded cheeseburger with a sliced hotdog on top! I had the potato tacos with the homemade salsa and it was delicious. Prices are good and there are even games to play while you wait for your food like dominoes, pinball, pool, etc.
Interested in experiencing a local dive bar saloon? Look no further than Red’s Bird Cage! Great Jute box music, a winding staircase leading to upstairs seating, an outdoor back patio, pool table. Great service and prices. Cash only.
For watching sports, there is nothing better than The Red Moon Ale House! There are plenty of tvs including one with an enormous screen. What makes this place unique is the Arcade featuring old-school games like Pac-Man. Live bands too! What a great place for a night out!
Cafecito
One of my favorite things is enjoying a great cup of coffee in a super charming cafe. Well….in downtown Yuma that would be Cafecito!
This friendly shop is family-owned and operated and serves up great coffee beverages using locally sourced coffee beans. I had the house brew and the avocado toast (with strawberries on top). Both were amazing!
Lodging
There are two hotels conveniently located in downtown Yuma. Both are great choices for enjoying all of Yuma’s attractions.
The Hilton Garden Inn
The Hilton Home2 Suites
I hope you come to visit Sunny Yuma and its quaint, historical downtown!
The people are super friendly and welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering all of the treasures this southwestern town holds. I look forward to many return visits!