Things to do

Whether your passion is watching migratory birds, desert hiking, or browsing for souvenirs.
Patagonia has an activity for you.

Stroll through colorful downtown

Patagonia is small and compact, downtown is a perfect spot to go out and wander. Fun shops offering artworks, trinkets and souvenirs. 



Global Arts Gallery features an array of jewrelery, clothing, home decor while the Patagonia Trading Post has an assortment of local art.

Explore the Patagonia Museum

Housed in longest continuous-use elementary school in the State, the Patagonia Museum features a mix of school, mining and business history. The setting of the 1914-era school-turned-museum high on a hill overlooking Patagonia adds considerably to its appeal.

Visit the Hummingbirds

The Tucson Audubon's Paton Center for Hummingbirds is an international attraction in Patagonia, offering an up-close look at the areas remarkable hummingbirds flock.

Walk Through Patagonia Railroad History

Also in the downtown area is the historic 1900s-era Patagonia Train Depot (now the Town Hall) that once served the New Mexico and Arizona Railroad. Built in the 1880s, the rail line connected nearby Nogales to the main Southern Pacific line to the northeast.

The rail line later served Patagonia’s prosperous mines, which produced lead, copper, and zinc. A historic sign on the depot building notes that Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico is 255 miles away, while San Francisco is 1,035 miles away.

Hike The Southern Terminus Of The Arizona Trail

The town of Patagonia is also an official Gateway community for the "Arizona National Scenic Trail' which is used by day hikers, back packers, equestrians, mountain bikers, trail runners, and nature enthusiasts.

An Arizona Trail GATEWAY COMMUNITY for Passages 3 & 4

The Arizona Trail cuts an 800-mile path across Arizona, south to north, from Mexico to Utah. Patagonia is the nearest town to the southern end of the trail, and the town bills itself as the southern terminus.

Go Birding At Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve

Known as a world-class birding destination, Patagonia has been included in Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die: Birding Experts Share the World’s Greatest Destinations, a book that is available on a number of websites, including Amazon.com.

The region garnered the distinction for several reasons, including the variety of bird species, the accessibility of prime birdwatching sites, and the area’s geological and ecological diversity and beauty.

The best months for birding are known to be March through September, when migrant hummingbirds, warblers, vireos, flycatchers, orioles, and tanagers pass through the area. Fall brings migrant songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds, while winter brings ducks, sparrows, finches, and longspurs.

Swim, Fish, Or Picnic At Patagonia Lake

Located in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona, scenic Patagonia Lake State Park serves as a recreation center for everything from fishing to swimming to boating.

Featuring a sandy beach, a beautifully arched bridge, and blue waters framed by rugged desert hills, Patagonia Lake is popular virtually year-round. Winter temperatures range in the mid-to-high 60-degree Fahrenheit range, and spring and fall highs are in the 70s and 80s. Summer highs tend to be in the 90-degree range. A lakeside market offers boat rentals and supplies, and fishermen are known to catch crappie, bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout. In addition, the park is popular for water skiing, camping, fishing, and hiking.

Dining

Despite its small size, Patagonia offers a nice variety of dining options, including coffee shops, diners, and saloons. Here are several of the best.

Gathering Grounds

Located prominently along Patagonia’s main street, McKeown Avenue, the Gathering Grounds Espresso Bar, Deli and Ice Cream is the town meeting place for everything from morning coffee to lunches to ice cream breaks. For breakfast, try the sourdough sandwich featuring pan-fried eggs topped with bacon and melted cheddar cheese, and for lunch, the standouts include wraps like the cranberry turkey wrap and the grilled sandwiches like the grilled veggie melt — all served with a side of peanut slaw or pesto pasta. If the weather is fine, ask to sit outside on the sidewalk patio, where you’ll have a front-row seat to Patagonia’s street scene.

Velvet Elvis Pizza Company

Gourmet pizza selections are available just down the street at the Velvet Elvis Pizza Company. The distinctive adobe building houses an Italian restaurant that offers creative pizzas like the Southwest diva with cilantro pesto, red sauce, sun-dried tomato, green onion, pepperoncini, green olives, feta, and mozzarella, or the Popeye with red sauce, spinach, tomatoes, basil, red onions, feta, and mozzarella. Velvet Elvis also offers a range of salads, including an antipasto plate with prosciutto, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, olives, basil pesto, Manchego cheese, and creamy herbed cheese.

Wild Horse Restaurant and Saloon

For a classic menu of burgers, fried chicken, and breakfast choices, head to the Wild Horse Restaurant and Saloon in the Stage Stop Inn. For breakfast, the Wild Horse offers Southwestern favorites like huevos rancheros and biscuits and gravy, while for lunch, the menu has nearly 10 burger choices and a number of chicken and wrap choices.