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Nogales is a city divided by the US-México border, which runs through the middle of town on what was International Street. The city is one of the most important border crossings between Mexico and the USA by all measures.

This portion of the city is in South Central Arizona; see Nogales (Sonora) for the portion in Sonora, Mexico.

Understand

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Map of Nogales (Arizona)

The origin of the name Nogales is Spanish and derives from the word walnut, since walnut trees used to grow here. International Street, which separates Arizona and México, was once a wide main street much like any other. This changed on August 27, 1918 when American authorities opened fire on a Mexican civilian attempting to return to Sonora, igniting an international gun battle (the Battle of Ambos Nogales) which raged for days and ended with the construction of the first permanent border fence right down the centre of the village. The honorific "Heroica Nogales" was conferred on the Mexican portion of the community in recognition of this history.

• 31.350096-110.928181 Nogales-SCC Chamber of Commerce Visitor & Tourism CenterCategory:Has map markers, 123 W Kino Park (off of N Grand Ave by the Kino statue), ☏ +1 520-287-3685, fax: +1 520-287-3687, info@thenogaleschamber.com. M-F 9AM-5PM.  (updated Jan 2017)

Get in

Take Interstate 19 (I-19) south until the valley becomes narrow. Here you will find the narrowest point, where Nogales is located.

• 31.417778-110.8477781 Nogales International AirportCategory:Has map markers (OLS Category:Airport listing ^IATA). General aviation only. Not to be confused with the Mexican Nogales International Airport (NOG ^IATA). The nearest airport for commercial flights from the American side is in Tucson, 60 miles/100 km north.  

Get around

The historic core of downtown Nogales is most easily seen on foot, particularly if you want to cross the border. To go further afield, you'll need a car.

See

• 31.363586-110.9311421 Pimeria Alta Historical Society and MuseumCategory:Has map markers, 136 N Grand Ave, ☏ +1 520-287-4621, pahsmuseum@gmail.com. Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. This museum is housed in the former City Hall, built in 1914 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rotating displays focus on the history of the region, and include artifacts as well as documents and photographs. Free, but donations appreciated.  
• 31.336411-110.9378662 Santa Cruz County CourthouseCategory:Has map markers, 21 E Court St (corner of Morley Ave). Sa 10AM-3PM. On the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse was built in 1904 from stone quarried in Nogales itself. The building now houses the Nogales branch of Cochise College as well as the Arizona Ranger Museum, which displays artifacts from the Territorial Arizona Rangers and the modern Arizona Rangers. Free.  
• 31.334468-110.9403313 Morley AvenueCategory:Has map markers (a couple blocks north of the border). A historic row of shops in buildings dating from the early 1900s. Many stores, including Kory's Company, Cinderella, and Bracker's Department Store are still run by the descendents of the original merchants.  
• 31.461111-111.23754 Ruby ghost townCategory:Has map markers (12 miles from Arivaca; part of the road is unpaved but in good condition), ☏ +1 520-744-4471. Th-Su dawn to dusk. One of the best preserved ghost towns in Arizona, with ongoing conservation efforts. The site is entirely on private land with a resident caretaker. Pima Community College also occasionally offers tours. $24 (adults).  

Do

• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesCharles Mingus Jazz FestivalCategory:Has map markers, ☏ +1 520-287-3685. April. Held annually in April in commemoration of Nogales-born Charles Mingus, the two-day festival features regional jazz, food, and entertainment. 
• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesFiestas de MayoCategory:Has map markers. 5 May. This annual celebration includes live music, art, entertainment, and Mexican food. 
• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesDay of the Dead TourCategory:Has map markers. 2 November, 11AM-3PM. In observance of the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos, the Pimeria Alta Historical Society conducts tours of the historic Nogales Cemetery. Tickets are available in October at the Pimeria Alta Museum (see listing above), as well as at the start of the tour. $15. 
• 31.36715-110.9501791 Festival Fiestas PatriasCategory:Has map markers, 1905 N Apache Blvd (Nogales High School Auditorium), ☏ +1 520-287-2521. Mid-September. An annual event celebrating Mexican Independence Day, with an evening of traditional mariachi music and folklorico dancers. Free.  

Buy

For souvenirs most visitors like to walk across the border and explore Nogales, Sonora.

• 31.363907-110.9504361 Paul Bond BootsCategory:Has map markers, 915 W Paul Bond Dr, ☏ +1 520-281-0512, +1 520-281-1077, fax: +1 520-281-2577. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-4PM. A nationally-known shop which crafts fine hand-made custom cowboy boots to order.  

Eat

• 31.344784-110.930971 El ZarapeCategory:Has map markers, 694 N Grand Ave (across from Denny's), ☏ +1 520-287-3920. Breakfast and lunch. Homemade Mexican food. On Wednesdays they have a chicken mole special.  
• 31.353999-110.931232 Cocina La LeyCategory:Has map markers, 226 W 3rd St (next to an automotive shop), ☏ +1 520-287-4555. Very popular with locals for Mexican seafood. Especially good are their shrimp tacos and seafood soup.  
• 31.341389-110.9381963 Las Vigas Steak RanchCategory:Has map markers, 180 W Loma St, ☏ +1 520-287-6641, lasvigasrest@yahoo.com. Tu-Su lunch buffet 11AM-5PM, Su breakfast buffet 8AM-noon. Authentic Mexican food, with great machacas and carnitas.  
• 31.46414-110.9966994 Nickel's DinerCategory:Has map markers, 1060 Yavapai Dr #1, Rio Rico (Rio Rico Shopping Center), ☏ +1 520-281-1040, nick@nickelsdiner.com. M-F 6AM-2PM, Sa 7AM-2PM, Su 9AM-1PM. Very popular, with free wi-fi too.  

Drink

Finitos is a very famous local drink of the shaved ice type. It is not the same shaved ice that one typically finds at a ballgame; this one is extremely unique. It is definitely a city favorite and known by all who live in and around Nogales for its high quality. In addition, it comes in a large range of flavors to meet any personal preference. Don't hesitate to try this local treat.

Sleep

• 31.3886-111.09261 White Rock CampgroundCategory:Has map markers (off of Ruby Rd and I-19), ☏ +1 520-388-8300. Located a short distance from Peña Blanca Lake, this popular campground is managed by the Coronado National Forest. RVs 22' and less, no hookups. No water, vault toilets. $15/vehicle.  
• 31.365107-110.9493942 Candlewood Suites NogalesCategory:Has map markers, 875 N Frank Reed Rd, ☏ +1 520-281-1111, ccharles@cimahotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Designed primarily for business travelers. Free breakfast and wi-fi, gym and laundry facilities. $73+/night.  
• 31.342367-110.9321863 Frida's InnCategory:Has map markers, 570 N Morley Ave, ☏ +1 520-470-9708. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Operated in a historic home, with wi-fi, laundry facilities, and multilingual staff. Bookings can be made online via expedia.com or venere.com.  
• 31.419055-110.9065814 Hacienda Corona de GuevaviCategory:Has map markers, 348 N River Rd, HC2 Box 96, ☏ +1 520-287-6503, toll-free: +1 888-287-6502, stover@haciendacorona.com. A historic bed and breakfast which once hosted John Wayne, with murals by Mexican bullfighter-turned-painter Salvador Corona. $200-239/night.  
• 31.365405-110.9488265 Holiday Inn Express NogalesCategory:Has map markers, 850 W Shell Rd, ☏ +1 520-281-0123, lalcantara@cimahotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Free breakfast and wi-fi, no smoking. $81+/night.  

Connect

• 31.340591-110.9363482 Nogales/Santa Cruz County Public LibraryCategory:Has map markers, 518 N Grand Ave, ☏ +1 520-287-3343, fax: +1 520-287-4823. M W 9:30AM-6PM, Tu Th 9:30AM-7PM, F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-4PM. Computers available, free wi-fi access during opening hours.  

Cope

Stay safe

America's appetite for various contraband street drugs has ensured a steady stream of US dollars and US weapons southward to dangerous organised gangs on the Mexican side at all major crossings, in return for drugs which transit Mexico on their way north.

This has created dangers for travellers continuing westward into Mexico from the Nogales area; see the current travel warning issued by the US State Department. If you intend to cross at Nogales, it may be best to stay on the main toll road (México 15), travel by day and avoid display of jewels or valuables in order to keep a low profile.

Go next

• Tumacácori National Historical Park is located 15 minutes north of Nogales.

Tucson ← Tubac ←	N  S	→ → becomes → Heroica Nogales
END ←	W  E	→ Patagonia → Tombstone