Suggestions/Comments on Tuscon, AZ
Jul 17th, 1999 | 02:40 PM
#1
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Suggestions/Comments on Tuscon, AZ
My husband and I are going to Tuscon in mid-August. We've never been to Arizona. I know it will be HOT but the humidity I hear isn't any where near as bad as Atlanta where we live now so the heat is tolerable. We would appreciate any suggestions on things to do and see...Tombstone? Hiking? History? Gambling? Also, has anyone stayed at the Westin La Palamo Resort? Thanks for any suggestions!
Jul 17th, 1999 | 06:19 PM
#3
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Debra,
I live in Tucson and believe me it can be very hot in August .. right now we are in the midst of our monsoon season which means heavy rains, thunder, lightening, and worst of all flooding. Hopefully all this will be over before you arrive!!! July is usually the worst. Right now Sabino Canyon (which Howard advises) is wonderful but it is not the place to be right now. It turned into a 7 ft. wall of water this week when there were flash floods up there. Hopefully all the bridges will be OK and the debris will be cleared out before you get here. It is a beautiful place tho and if you are not up to hiking there is a tran that goes up and down, you can get off anyplace too. There are other trails up there as well, you can always stop in at the Visitor's Center for info.
Normally, when we are not having monsoons, the humidity is quite low, much lower than Atlanta for sure. But to be honest, it is hot and you probably won't feel like doing too much in the heat of the day. The La Paloma is a beautiful resort and there is plenty to do there, including a nice pool area. There are two casinos near town, The Desert Diamond, and The Casino of the Sun to answer that part of your question.
Tombstone (and Bisbee about 20 miles further down the road) are places tourists like to visit. Personally I prefer Bisbee (and it is cooler as it sits at a higher elevation) but if seeing a touristy version of the old west is on your agenda do go to Tombstone, people seem to enjoy it. You might enjoy visiting Tubac (kind of artsy), south of Tucson on the route to Nogales, also fun for a day if you have never been across the border. If you head south you might visit San Xavier Mission which has had recent resoration. It's a beautiful Spanish mission and church services are held there as well. It was built in 1700. Also worth a visit is the Desert Museum, but go in the a.m. before it gets too hot (always carry some water with you, no matter where you go). If you have time Kitt Peak National Onbservatory, about 56 miles from Tucson is interesting as well.
If it gets too hot there are always the malls! Tucson Mall is the largest and not too far from La Paloma.
I hope this hels a little, you can always e-mail me personally if you want more info. Incidentally the hotel will have lots of brochures of places to go so be sure to pick up some when you check in.
I live in Tucson and believe me it can be very hot in August .. right now we are in the midst of our monsoon season which means heavy rains, thunder, lightening, and worst of all flooding. Hopefully all this will be over before you arrive!!! July is usually the worst. Right now Sabino Canyon (which Howard advises) is wonderful but it is not the place to be right now. It turned into a 7 ft. wall of water this week when there were flash floods up there. Hopefully all the bridges will be OK and the debris will be cleared out before you get here. It is a beautiful place tho and if you are not up to hiking there is a tran that goes up and down, you can get off anyplace too. There are other trails up there as well, you can always stop in at the Visitor's Center for info.
Normally, when we are not having monsoons, the humidity is quite low, much lower than Atlanta for sure. But to be honest, it is hot and you probably won't feel like doing too much in the heat of the day. The La Paloma is a beautiful resort and there is plenty to do there, including a nice pool area. There are two casinos near town, The Desert Diamond, and The Casino of the Sun to answer that part of your question.
Tombstone (and Bisbee about 20 miles further down the road) are places tourists like to visit. Personally I prefer Bisbee (and it is cooler as it sits at a higher elevation) but if seeing a touristy version of the old west is on your agenda do go to Tombstone, people seem to enjoy it. You might enjoy visiting Tubac (kind of artsy), south of Tucson on the route to Nogales, also fun for a day if you have never been across the border. If you head south you might visit San Xavier Mission which has had recent resoration. It's a beautiful Spanish mission and church services are held there as well. It was built in 1700. Also worth a visit is the Desert Museum, but go in the a.m. before it gets too hot (always carry some water with you, no matter where you go). If you have time Kitt Peak National Onbservatory, about 56 miles from Tucson is interesting as well.
If it gets too hot there are always the malls! Tucson Mall is the largest and not too far from La Paloma.
I hope this hels a little, you can always e-mail me personally if you want more info. Incidentally the hotel will have lots of brochures of places to go so be sure to pick up some when you check in.
Jul 18th, 1999 | 05:40 AM
#4
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We stayed at the Westin last March. Its is quite beautiful. Ask for a room with a mountain view. The room we had was similar to a mini-suite. Large, with bed angled in one corner. Sofa, chair, coffee table, desk, and armoir to fill the room. A nice big balcony with table and two chairs for breakfast. We had a mini-bar area with a coffee-maker. The room entrance was a small hallway with a large closet, table, mirror and upholstered stool. The bath is large with great mirrors and lighting, seperate tub and shower. The property is sprawling. The pool area is beautiful (two pools), but can get quite noisy with families at play. The main lobby is formal and large. Nice (but very pricey) shops. It is a "meeting resort" hotel with lots of groups around. It is also a long drive into town. There is no real public transportation, so rent a car. If you have more questions, send email.
Jul 18th, 1999 | 02:25 PM
#5
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You should visit Old Tucson and the Sonora Desert Museum. If you have a car, you may want to go up to Mt. Lemon for a (long) day ride.
Lori: just curious, is the "A" still on A mountain? Any rodeos or other goings on at the fairgrounds that Debra might be interested in?
Lori: just curious, is the "A" still on A mountain? Any rodeos or other goings on at the fairgrounds that Debra might be interested in?
Jul 19th, 1999 | 07:32 AM
#6
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D.B.,
Yes, the "A" is still on A mountain!!!
You can scratch Mt. Lemmon from any plans for awhile. The terrific monsoon storms we had last week washed away the road in several spots and they say it will be several months before repairs are completed. The "back" way, up through Oracle is open, but it is a very rough road (dirt) and only accessible with 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Yes, the "A" is still on A mountain!!!
You can scratch Mt. Lemmon from any plans for awhile. The terrific monsoon storms we had last week washed away the road in several spots and they say it will be several months before repairs are completed. The "back" way, up through Oracle is open, but it is a very rough road (dirt) and only accessible with 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Jul 19th, 1999 | 08:21 AM
#7
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Debra-
Too bad about Mt. Lemmon. There is a bakery at the top that makes some of the best fruit pie I have ever tasted.
Highlights from my trip last summer:
The photography institute at the University of Arizona has neat exhibits on a rotating basis. It's free too.
There is a lovely Xeriscape garden on the NW end of town. It's kind of a park, desert wildlife sanctuary, regional species exhibition, cafe, and art gallery all rolled into one. Now if only I could remember the name...
Tubac was interesting as a collection of galleries of different kinds of art (not just southwest stuff).
The San Xavier Mission is very picturesque and worth a roll of ASA 100 color film.
We also went north and toured Biosphere. It was an odd experiment that didn't go the way the planners thought. I thought it was worth the time just to see what they were doing and what went wrong.
People have gone on and on about the Desert Museum, so I'll save spave, but reitierate about going as early in the morning as possible.
Too bad about Mt. Lemmon. There is a bakery at the top that makes some of the best fruit pie I have ever tasted.
Highlights from my trip last summer:
The photography institute at the University of Arizona has neat exhibits on a rotating basis. It's free too.
There is a lovely Xeriscape garden on the NW end of town. It's kind of a park, desert wildlife sanctuary, regional species exhibition, cafe, and art gallery all rolled into one. Now if only I could remember the name...
Tubac was interesting as a collection of galleries of different kinds of art (not just southwest stuff).
The San Xavier Mission is very picturesque and worth a roll of ASA 100 color film.
We also went north and toured Biosphere. It was an odd experiment that didn't go the way the planners thought. I thought it was worth the time just to see what they were doing and what went wrong.
People have gone on and on about the Desert Museum, so I'll save spave, but reitierate about going as early in the morning as possible.
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Jul 19th, 1999 | 08:21 AM
#8
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Debra-
Too bad about Mt. Lemmon. There is a bakery at the top that makes some of the best fruit pie I have ever tasted.
Highlights from my trip last summer:
The photography institute at the University of Arizona has neat exhibits on a rotating basis. It's free too.
There is a lovely Xeriscape garden on the NW end of town. It's kind of a park, desert wildlife sanctuary, regional species exhibition, cafe, and art gallery all rolled into one. Now if only I could remember the name...
Tubac was interesting as a collection of galleries of different kinds of art (not just southwest stuff).
The San Xavier Mission is very picturesque and worth a roll of ASA 100 color film.
We also went north and toured Biosphere. It was an odd experiment that didn't go the way the planners thought. I thought it was worth the time just to see what they were doing and what went wrong.
People have gone on and on about the Desert Museum, so I'll save space, but reitierate about going as early in the morning as possible.
Too bad about Mt. Lemmon. There is a bakery at the top that makes some of the best fruit pie I have ever tasted.
Highlights from my trip last summer:
The photography institute at the University of Arizona has neat exhibits on a rotating basis. It's free too.
There is a lovely Xeriscape garden on the NW end of town. It's kind of a park, desert wildlife sanctuary, regional species exhibition, cafe, and art gallery all rolled into one. Now if only I could remember the name...
Tubac was interesting as a collection of galleries of different kinds of art (not just southwest stuff).
The San Xavier Mission is very picturesque and worth a roll of ASA 100 color film.
We also went north and toured Biosphere. It was an odd experiment that didn't go the way the planners thought. I thought it was worth the time just to see what they were doing and what went wrong.
People have gone on and on about the Desert Museum, so I'll save space, but reitierate about going as early in the morning as possible.
Jul 27th, 1999 | 06:27 PM
#9
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Don't forget to visit the Saguaro National Park. The giant cactus are breath taking....if you like cactus. There are two parks, East and West. I cannot remember, but I think in the West park, you do not have to pay the $20 park entrance fee. You can walk some of the trails or if it is too hot, you can drive through the park and look without getting out of the airconditioning.
Jul 31st, 1999 | 08:45 PM
#13
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the westin is great. very family friendly. sure it's hot but so is alaska in august! to alaskans. look you live in hotlanta so it will feel cooler in tucson. drive to the zoo and you will drive thru so great scenery.
you can also check out the loews hotel but the westin has more kiddie things,aka slides and pool movies, loews is more quiet and built right in the mountain.
you can also check out the loews hotel but the westin has more kiddie things,aka slides and pool movies, loews is more quiet and built right in the mountain.
Aug 1st, 1999 | 11:37 AM
#14
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Yes to Saguaro National Park. Even on a HOT day, you can enjoy it from your car. They have an interesting visitors' center...air conditioned. Also, yes to the University of Arizona Photography Museum. That is the site of an extensive Ansel Adams collection, but in the summer, there are limited days/hours for viewing it. Call ahead to find out when it is available...we missed access to it. The mission someone recommended is also a "must see". Forego the trip to Nogales...IMHO. And no matter how low the humidity...112 degrees is HOT. Take plenty of water whenever you are going to be outside. A better idea would be gatorade. I had trouble with electrolites while there and had to make that switch.
