6 minute read
Getaway
Visiting SOUTHERN ARIZONA
By Jill “MamaBug” Frier
It’s always surprising to hear how many Phoenicians have never spent time in Tucson. Just a short distance south of the Phoenix metropolitan area is a charming gem of southwestern sights to see. Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, but ASU fans shouldn’t let that stop them from enjoying the many fascinating places to see in Pima County. The hotels and resorts are plentiful, but our advice is do your research and look at the map to plan your trip. Tucson is much more than what you can see while driving down the highway, and the limited view from I-10 just doesn’t do it justice. Here are our favorite spots to visit while in Tucson.
ARIZONA SONORAN DESERT MUSEUM
It’s a zoo. It’s a botanical garden. It’s a museum. It’s all of the above! The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is located in mountainous desert on the west side of Tucson, but still right down the road from both Old Tucson Studios and Saguaro National Park West. The museum provides visitors with gorgeous views of Sonoran Desert flora and fauna in a botanical garden type of setting. A stroll down the paved and unpaved trails takes you near enclosures that are home to various creatures native to the Sonoran Desert, from hummingbirds and butterflies, to javelinas, hawks, bears and mountain lions.
One of our favorite exhibits is the geological display, located in a mineshaft trail that takes you underground to see the wonders of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert under the surface. This state-of-the-art facility is a must-see if you are in Tucson – and worth planning a trip just to go there on the weekend.
OLD TUCSON STUDIOS
Ever wonder where they made your favorite Western? It was probably right here in Old Tucson Studios. Located on the west side of Tucson, just down the road from the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, more than 400 movies have been produced at Old Tucson over the years - and they’re still going strong. With live entertainment, rides, tours and plenty to see, this is a great place to visit when you head to Tucson.
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK – EAST AND WEST
Some of the most beautiful hiking spots in Arizona are found in Saguaro National Park West and East. The West part of the National Park is home to a fantastic display of petroglyphs, mountains and Saguaros. The East part of the park provides an entirely different view of the pristine Sonoran Desert, mountain ecosystems and desert wildlife. Everything the Sonoran Desert has to offer is available in two completely different parks, focused on the same purpose – preserving the mighty Sonoran Desert and the Saguaros that give the National Park its name.
KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK
Do you love fantastic caves and beautiful desert vistas? Then you’ll love visiting Kartchner Caverns State Park. It’s opening in 1999 makes it a somewhat recent addition to the Arizona State Park system. Located southeast of Tucson, near Saguaro National Park East, Kartchner Caverns State Park provides facilities for camping, hiking and of course touring the caverns. Be sure to book your cave tour tickets in advance because tours book up very quickly!
PIMA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
If you love aircrafts, space and the
history of flight, then the Pima Air rain. Located at the base of the Santa 2 is “to advance our understanding of and Space Museum should be on your Catalina Mountains on the northeast the natural and man-made environmust-see bucket list. This museum edge of Tucson, Sabino Canyon offers ment through unique experimentation, is one of the largest non-government visitors a chance to see one of the training of interdisciplinary scientists, funded aviation and space museums in premier natural areas in southern Ari- science education and public outreach, the world, featuring over 350 histori- zona. Sabino Creek flows almost year and organization of meetings to adcal aircrafts from a Wright Flyer to a around and the Sabino Canyon tram dress grand challenges that affect the 787 Dreamliner. The museum, which offers narrated, educational 45-minute quality of life and the understanding opened in 1976, is located on 80 acres tours every day. The tram route begins of our place in the universe.” This in the southeast part of Tucson, near and ends at the Visitor’s Center, with facility definitely does that – and it’s Davis–Monthan Air Force Base. stops at points along the road to drop open to the public for tours. off and pick up hikers at the various The Pima Air and Space Museum trailheads. This is a wonderful spot to Biosphere 2 is located north of Tuchouses six indoor exhibit hangars, get a flavor for the beautiful Tucson son, near Oracle, and you can reach three of which are dedicated specifi- wilderness. it on the way into Tucson if you are cally to World War II. Walking tours and museum ground Tram Tours are offered daily. The museum is also the exclusive operator for bus tours of Get BIOSPHERE 2 The Biosphere 2 is one of the most interesting and educational attrac-Your traveling down AZ Highway 77 from Florence, AZ. There is really nothing like Biosphere 2. Make a point to stop and take a look the next time you head Kids the “Aircraft Boneyard,” a 2,600-acre tions we have visited in Arizona. One to Tucson – it’s worth the trip! U.S. military and government aircraft storage facility also located in Tucson. If you love aircrafts, be sure to plan a visit to the Pima Air and Space Museum. But give yourself plenty of time of the world’s most unique facilities, the Biosphere 2 is dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The facility is a working laboratory for controlled These are just a few of our favorite places to visit in Tucson, but there are many more spots worth seeing so take some time to stop and enjoy the desert Outside!! to explore – the museum is huge and scientific studies, an arena for scien- scenery. And be sure to check out there are hours worth of airplanes and tific discovery and discussion, and Ladybug’s Blog (www.LadybugsBlog. historical displays to see! Want to reduce is a far-reaching provider of public education. The mission of Biosphere com) for more fun things to do with kids everywhere in Arizona! SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA If you are looking for a beautiful place to get outdoors for some hiking, bikscreen )me for your kids and get some Get Your Kids ing or trail running, Sabino Canyon is home to a range of trekking opportunities from paved paths and easy trails, to more rugged mountainous terfresh air? Are you looking for fun ac)vi)es to do all Outside! year long right here in our state? Check out Ladybug’s Blog Want to reduce screen ti me for your kids and get some fresh air? Are you looking for fun acti viti es for ar<cles highligh<ng fun to do all year long right here in our state? Check out Ladybug’s Blog for Arizona adventures arti cles highlighti ng fun Arizona for the whole family! adventures for the whole family!
