Thinking about going to Tucson
 

Thanks to stumpworks73's suggestion, we are thinking about going to Tucson in early May. We had originally planned a trip to Hawaii, but due to my recent and upcoming surgeries, we had to cancel that.

We are thinking about staying at the Hilton Conquistador for 4 nights (using Hilton points - yay!!). We mainly want this to be a relaxing vacation, but we would like to get out and see the sights some, too.

We'll go to the Saguaro National Park, and Sabino and Pima Canyons, and maybe the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Any other ideas on things to see/do in the area? I think I'll be able to do some short hikes.

Is this a good time to visit Tucson? I know the average highs are in the high 80's at that time of year.

Thanks very much. :)

I recommend the Arizona-Sonora desert museum. It's part zoo, part botanical garden and quite lovely.

we really enjoyed the Air&Space museum. If you are into planes at all, it's fascinating.

Excellent time to go ... high 80's in the dry desert is much more comfortable than lower temps in high humidity areas.

Another rec for the Desert museum. Also there is an excellent photography museum near the UA campus where Ansel Adams' archives are stored. Often has some excellent exhibits.

go early to the Desert Museum - the animals will be more active then.

If you are interested in Astronomy, then Kitt Peak is interesting - and a nice drive also.

A friend on another board showed us this place at at gtg out there a couple years ago. Highly recommended:
http://www.thepepper.com/tucson_kartchner_cavern.html

I am sorry to read that you cannot make Hawaii but understand. I have been to Tuscon one time - to the Canyon Ranch Resort. I did not spend any time outside of the "ranch" but did hike and it was lovely. I think for what you are looking for, if the resort is nice you will have the time you are looking for.

Hi

I agree that the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is simply wonderful. You wouldn't want to miss it. It is next to / on the way to the Saguaro National Park (west).

http://www.desertmuseum.org/about/

If you like astronomy, the Kitt Peak National Observatory has a marvelous evening program. It includes a tour of the facility and viewing through their telescopes. As part of the evening they take you out with binoculars (provided) to teach you how to navigate with a star map. The staff is truly very entertaining. It is an extremely popular program so you need to make reservations in advance (2-4 weeks) if you want to go.

http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpoutreach.html

About an hour away from Tuscon is Kartchner Caverns. The tours there are simply breathtaking. This is a living cave (water drops are still falling, the formations are still growing) and it is in pristine condition. The story of it's discovery and subsequent protection is fascinating. Again this is an extremely popular attraction and you would need to make reservations prior to arriving in Tuscon; It is well worth the effort.

http://azstateparks.com/parks/kaca/

Just south of Tuscon is the white dove of the desert - the San Xavier del Bac mission. This ia a very old Spanish Jesuit mission.

http://www.sanxaviermission.org/History.html

If you like to wander through galleries and boutiquey type stores, Tubac is a wonderful town south of Tucson. We had a wonderful lunch at Shelly's Bistro when we were there.

http://www.tubacarizona.com/

Also south of Tuscon is Madera Canyon, which is known for it's hummingbirds. (And by the way, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has a wonderful hummingbird house) South Eastern Arizona is one of the premier birding areas in the country. If you are interested in birdwatching, let me know and I post more on that aspect.

I have not been to the Tohono Chul Park but it is on my list for my next visit and has been highly recommended.

http://www.tohonochulpark.org/wordpress/

The Degrazia Gallery In The Sun is also on my list for the next visit. I am not a fan of his art work but the setting and the buildings themselves are worth a visit. Even more so if you like that style of art.

http://degrazia.org/Splash.aspx

I have also heard good things about the photography museum.

One last link - this is to a brochure 101 things to do in Tuscon - you might find it helpful.

http://www.visittucson.org/includes/...ThingsToDo.pdf


The Tuscon area is a wonderful place to visit and after their first visit, people usually want to return and see more. Have a great trip.

Pamela

I like the desert but Tucson is not a scenic or vibrant city. I vastly prefer the California desert.

The Arizona-Sonora desert museum is a must. Here are some more recommendations:

- Mission San Xavier del Bac is very impressive. You should not miss it.

- Although touristy, Tombstone is a fun place to visit.

- You may drive down to Nogales and walk over the border to get some flavour of Mexico.

- If you are in the area, you might also visit Tumacacori, a ruined mission.

I disagree that Tucson is not vibrant or scenic, that is strictly a subjective statement.
Take a couple of hours at the Tucson Museum of Art downtown in the historic district. Interesting exhibits, Tucson's oldest buildings are part of the Museum, nice Cafe and gift shop.

charli and others, what city or other place would you say Tucson is like? I was thinking about visiting, too, but I'd not be happy if it turns out to be not vibrant or scenic. Is it like Phoenix? San Antonio? Alburquerque? Santa Fe? None of those, but someplace else?

eveningcrane: I don't know if the OP is interested in birding but I am. I'll be in Tucson for a week at the end of February for the primary purpose of bird photography. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

sf - I was not that impressed with the surrounding areas - but that is not to say that it is not a vibrant place. I loved Canyon Ranch if you want to go there :))

I've not traveled extensively out west, but to me, Tucson was somewhat similar to Phoenix scenically speaking.

In all honesty, here's why I asked -- I love Santa Fe (for its vibe, food, gallery wandering, etc.) for a long weekend; I like Phoenix for its weather/resorts/spring training but wouldn't otherwise go out of my way, I was not too enamored of Albuquerque, and consider San Antonio worth a 1-2 day visit at most. Now that I've "come clean", does anyone have any further comments about Tucson :-) ?

Hi

dwooddon: Are you familiar with the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory http://www.sabo.org/ ? It has a wealth of information about birding in Southeastern Arizona. I have also called them and spoken to the staff about birding prospects in the various areas. They have a number of scheduled birding field trips - during the last week in February they have a hawk stalk, a whitewater wetlands walk and a sandhill crane watch.

Earlier this month we went to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Refuge, south of Elfrida. It is a great place to watch sandhill cranes. We also saw a number of vermillion flycatchers, a flock of snow geese (including 2 dark morphs and probably a ross goose or two). We saw three very viewable soras, two great horn owls roosting in the picnic structure, a common yellowthroat, an immature bald eagle, harriers, red tailed hawks, northern pintails, gadwalls, shovelers, buffleheads, black phoebe etc. It's a bit of a drive from Tuscson proper, but it is a wonderful birding site.

We also went to the camping area at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains and saw a number of acorn woodpeckers, a couple of painted redstarts, western bluebirds and yellow eyed juncos.

sf7307: personally, the city of Tuscon itself isn't a major attraction; not like going to Santa Fe. For me, it's all the wonderful places to see around the Tuscon area -the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, the Saguaro National Park, Kartchner Caverns, Kitt Peak Observatory, Texas Canyon, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Bisbee (mine tour), Tombstone (touristy but interesting), Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tubac, Chiricahua National Monument, etc. I guess what I am saying is that southeastern Arizona is a wonderful place to visit and Tuscon is the portal.

Also, for anyone going to Kartchner Caverns, I highly recommend Magaly's Mexican Restaurant on W 4th Street in Benson if you are looking for some place to eat.

Pamela

eveningcrane: thanks for the info. I'll follow-up on it.

Thanks eveningcrane - that's very helpful information.

Thanks so much for all the info! :) We'll have to get the go-ahead from my doc, and then we'll be able to more definitely plan.

we go to Canyon Ranch as well and don't know Tucson as well as Phoenix.
Bisbee I hear is a cool artsy town similar to Jerome.
Stayed years ago at the Conquistor and it was a great property..had a great golf course too.
Have you thought about Sedona?
Try expedia.com
We like Sedona Rouge, Enchantment resort BW Inn of Sedona.
You have stunning red rock, great hikes, good food and you can take side trips to Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Jerome and Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Wish you all the best!