bfamilyfun

Any thoughts on the above sights? Also, what might be the considerations for choosing Pima Museum vs Titan Missile?
Thanks again for suggestions.

tomfuller

Mt. Lemmon is always cooler than downtown Tucson due to the elevation. If you are interested in history, you might want the head for Tombstone and later Bisbee to see the Queen Mine.
Southern Arizona could be warmer than you expect. Earlier this month I was in Tucson and Yuma when the temps were in the 60's up to 70.
Do you have any plans to visit Sedona or maybe the south rim of the Grand Canyon?

MmePerdu

Regarding San Xavier del Bac, a comment I made on an another thread which might be of use if you haven't seen it already:

Not far south of Tucson, just off 19 to the west, is San Xavier del Bac Mission, one of the most beautiful buildings, in my opinion, on the planet. It's located on the Tohono O'odham reservation so is free of urban encroachment that so often ruins the setting of historic architecture. Highly recommended.

Arizona and New Mexico

janisj

True that. Years ago I took a gorgeous photo of the mission with an amazingly dramatic sky and ended up selling more than 100 framed/matted prints of it.

bfamilyfun

Our plans do not include Sedona or the Grand Canyon. Bisbee is on my research list. The temperatures I have been seeing look most favorable! Again, thanks for your ideas.

bfamilyfun

Great recommendation! Thanks!

HappyTrvlr

Pima Air Museum would be much more interesting to visit than the Titan Missle.
As far as those two Hyatt’s, neither are in great locations. The airport is far south of things you want to see and do. The other one on Grant is west of I-10.,rather isolated from the important areas of Tucson.Try to get closer to the University or up in the Foothills.
Tusxon’s gems are Mission San Xavier del Bac where Tucson was founded by Padres Kino and Sabino Canyon upon the foothills.
it is in the 70s this afternoon but was in the 30s when I got up this morning. The desert has huge fluctuations in temperatures. Tucson has a higher elevation than Phoenix so usually cooler.
The only reason we ever go to Phoenix is to see doctors at the Mayo Clinicis there. Otherwise, we avoid it, it’s traffic and sprawl.

MmePerdu

I don't agree, for reasons I already mentioned. I'm assuming they know neither is a resort property & for getting around, especially for going out of town, they're both convenient. For something in town I stayed from time to time at Lodge on the Desert & once at Westward Look in the Foothills which I also liked. But it doesn't seem to me that those are what they're looking for.

MichelleY

We thought the Titan Missile Museum was fascinating.

Missile Silo

bfamilyfun

Again, thanks for the many replies and suggestions. As far as staying at the Hyatt we are looking for a home base. We have found their properties to be a few notches above your standard Choice Hotel types and are willing to be spend a few more dollars. The breakfasts we've enjoyed at other locations get the day started on a relatively healthy note and allow for more frivolous meals during the day. The year round, outdoor, heated pool was another plus although our expectations are low for that.
Unfortunately, we are concerned that our flights may be cancelled ending our trip or worst case leaving us stranded somewhere as our trip involves 3 legs on 2 different airlines.
Assuming that we go does anyone have any recommendations for car rentals? We would pick up in Phoenix and drop off in Tucson. I've had reasonable luck with AutoSlash where they search using your stated membership discounts. Wondering if I should just go with their findings or am I missing something.
And again, thanks for the continued and helpful responses.

tomfuller

I ended up taking my trip solo from Oregon to Arizona (post #4). The Sunset Limited arrived on time coming from Los Angeles on Saturday 2/8. I and several other people had to wait until Enterprise picked us up from their location on Stone Avenue in Tucson. I got a good deal with them and was happy with the car. Last November, we rented from Enterprise at a local Enterprise in Mesa getting picked up at our hotel since our flight came in late in the evening. We were allowed to drop off at the Phoenix-Mesa airport with no drop fee.
Can't you fly in and out of Tucson? Yuma also has a nice airport.

bfamilyfun

Airline tickets were purchased weeks ago and subject to change fees so flying into Tucson is not a likely option.
Thanks for the Enterprise tip. I’ll check it out.

tomfuller

There is a shuttle that runs from Phoenix Sky Harbor to anyplace in Tucson that runs about 6 times per day if you find that the drop fee is large. The cheapest fare is $10/person on up to about $77 plus tip. Google.