210

<are we spending too much time in this area?>

Margo, last April we stayed in Bisbee for a whole month and still didn't see, do everything this area has to offer. We then drove to Silver City where we stayed in Bear Mountain Lodge. We took route 80 through Douglas. Are you still checking this post and interested in more suggestions? There is so much to do in the area. Plenty of prehistory, history, hiking any level. We are going back this spring again for a whole month. Be prepared for very cold mornings and windy days. Bisbee is at elevation of more than 5,500 feet

CollegeMom

IMO Bisbee is the place to stay. The reminder of the elevation is also important because it seems it is always windy there as well as in Las Cruces. On your way south from Tucson, The Dove of the Desert or San Xavier Mission is just off highway 19, and a beautiful example of an early church. It is open to the public to visit at your own pace except during mass. It has had a lot of renovation both inside and out and offers history of the area and religious impact. It is another favorite place according to our visitors. Your two weeks will be filled with so many places to see you will have to return again!

bigtyke

Paula - I find the Brady books just as good the 2nd (or more) time around. I even read the series once in reverse order! I found that an interesting way to do it. JA thought it was unusual when I told her about it.

zinders

When we went to Bisbee, we stayed in the vintage RVs at Shady Dell. Kitschy and the beds weren't that great, but we'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Margo

Zinders--As interesting as those vintage RV's look, I think I will pass. Some don't even have inside toilets and none have showers. Don't know about TV. Or if they come with breakfast!!

210--I'd love to hear some of your suggestions about things to do and see in the Bisbee/Tombstone area. For sure, we plan to do the Queen Mine Tour. And Kartchner Caverns. We have been to Tombstone many years ago and saw the shoot out at the OK. Went to Boot Hill. That is about all I remember. Would love to see the Sand Hill cranes near Willcox but that seems out of the way

Can anyone give me a recommendation on the Hotel San Ramon in Bisbee?

Keep your suggestions coming. Thanks, Margo

paula1470

Did you check out my post where I talked about going to Bisbee via Sonoita and Patagonia. It was really one of the highlights just driving through those big wide open spaces with the grasslands below and the white clouds above. I have lived in the West all my life and am used to the wide open spaces but I was still impressed by that drive. And the wine wasn't too bad. You could pick up some for your stay in Bisbee.

Margo

I'd surely like to see the Sandhill cranes but just don't know how to fit the trip to Willcox in the the schedule. For now I see traveling from Tucson on south on 10 to 90 to visit the Kartchner Caverns then on to Sierra Vista for the next two nights (?) I know this is a change from my previous requests but the one full day out of Sierra Vista could be spent in Tombstone then Bisbee (Queen Mine tour)or the other way around. When leaving the area we can go through Douglas on route 80 to Silver City. How far is it, timewise, from Sierra Vista to Silver City going that way?

Also tell me two Ghost towns to visit in the area. I never met a ghost town that I didn't love to explore.

Margo

CollegeMom

If you are interested in seeing the San Xavier Mission (cultural/area/church history)and/or Titan Missile Museum (US history) which are both south of Tucson on highway 19, there is a cutoff you can take to get to highway 10 without going back to Tucson. If interested, I can provide directions.

Margo

Collegemom--We saw both of those things (mission and titan missile) many years ago so I don't know if we will devote time to them again.
Whereas, I previously thought that we wouldn't have enough to keep us busy in the area, I now find that we have select carefully.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in Tucson or the Bisbee/Tombstone/Sierra Vista area?
Margo

paula1470

Margo-I would really suggest you stay in Bisbee instead of Sierra Vista. Not sure why you'd want to stay there. Nothing wrong with Sierra Vista but it doesn't have the charm and atmosphere you find in Bisbee.

I am sorry you won't have time to drive to Bisbee via the wineries but I understand you have lots to see.

I would leave Tucson and go to Kartchner Caverns. You need to make sure you buy your tickets in advance because the tours can fill up. After the Caverns head to Bisbee to spend the night. Although it's a little bit of backtracking, you can do Tombstone from Bisbee. It's only 27 miles between the two. So you can do Tombstone from Bisbee along with the Copper Queen Mine tour.

I already mentioned Cafe Roka in Bisbee as a good place for a meal.

CollegeMom

For Thai food in Tucson, we like the Bangkok Cafe on Speedway at Tucson Ave. near U of A. It is nothing fancy for decor, but the food is good and reasonable. Do you have a preference for type of food or costs? That would help with recomendations since there are many options in Tucson.

Margo

I guess the Bisbee stay makes more sense. I still wonder why the Hotel San Ramon is number one in Tripadvisor and none of you can recommend it or mention it.

I still am asking for recommendations for interesting ghost towns in the area.

As for restaurants, I guess I am asking for Tex/Mex or other southwestern foods. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Margo