Tucson, Az. Unadvertised Attractions
 

My husband & I love Tucson & are going again in Feb. Sabino Canyon, Desert Museum, Pima Air Museum, etc. are all great. But we would like to visit some other places that are not well known to tourists & are off the beaten path. We would appreciate any ideas about unusual or unadvertised places to visit in Tucson area or southern Az.

Hi Carol...there are a few good books about ghost towns in the southern Arizona area...I donot have the titles, but perhaps you can do a subject search at Amazon. com or an internet search on ghost towns in southern Arizona...there are several off the beaten path that you have to walk into from various roads.

Carol: I don't know about unknown, but you mentioned Sabino Canyon, so if you are hikers, the walk up Wasa Peak in Saguaro West is a great day hike with fantastic views from the top. We also hiked in the Madera Canyon area just East of Green Valley, and that was very nice. I think everyone knows about Mt.Lemmon, but it is still a spectacular drive with some great views, and chances to see very different ecosystems than the dessert down below. An interesting day trip or overnighter is to Bisbee, an old mining town southeast of Tucson. It has converted itself into kind of a funky artists town, with interesting restaurants, and places to stay. We stayed at the Inn at Castle Rock which was definitely unique. While in that area we hiked through the Chiricuhana ( spelling ?) National Monument which has spectacular surreal rock formations.

If you like to hike, go east to the end of Tanque Verde Loop road to Tanque Verde Falls. There are three different trails - upper, middle and lower. There are not real well marked, but you will see cars gathered off the side. Of course, the first area you come to is lower. The middle trail is less crowded and beautiful You hike down to a sandy area with water (we love to take the dogs here) and then you can walk along the water (slippery rocks - be careful) either up to an area known for naked hikers or down to the Tanque Verde Falls area. The falls can be dangerous. Get a map of Tucson. Out East that same way, maybe a little more north is Agua Caliente Park, a beautiful desert oasis (living in the desert, I think anything with water is beautiful!) Tanque Verde guest ranch is out this way (as is Paul McCartney's house). At the guest ranch you can go horseback riding and I hear they have a great Sunday brunch. <BR>U of A has the Center for Creative Photography - a very nice gallery right on campus. The University area has some good, casual places to eat and drink. Try Gentle Ben's - great beer and good food. <BR>Arivaca is a community south of Green Valley - funky little place. Not a whole lot to do but the drive on Arivaca road is nice (and twisty). They have the coolest little bakery there and you won't believe how inexpensive the things are! They have a nice co-op on main street where local artists sell their things. Also south is Tubac - but touristy....never mind. Patagonia is a town south of Tucson which is an artsy area; has a lake. <BR>I think I'm stuck...but I'll keep thinking. Great out of the way restarants - Amereno's on E. 22nd has fabulous Italian, as does Trattoria Giussepe on Tanque Verde. Red Sky Cafe on N Swan is great, as is Barrio downtown. A place that looks like a dive but has the best pizza - Zacharay's, by the University on Sixth. Have fun.

I agree about checking out Chiricahua National Monument in the southeast corner of Arizona. Gorgeous place but could have snow in Feb. Also, Organ Pipe Nat'l Park south near Ajo.

Carol try the art museums that specialize in southern Indian art and Kartchner Caves-do need reservations (520-586-2283) Park hours 7/7:30am-6pm. Go to Tubac for arts and crafts (south of Tucson-about 1.5 hrs drive) then go to the golf course resort not far back toward Tucson-go to the restaurant, not the bar. The food and service is very good and charming. Try the chicken enchalada (depending on appetites you could split it). There is also a missle site-left as it was on the way to Tubac as well. I'll keep thinking. Oh yea, go to the Biosphere 2, about 15 miles north of Tucson near Oro Valley. Finally, Kitt Peak is one of the most sophisticated locations for checking out the stars. Bill