MmePerdu

I dropped into Bisbee for a visit & stayed 25 years. Not an unusual story, it’s that kind of place. I suggest staying 2 nights to better enjoy one of Arizona’s most charismatic communities, then a quick stop in Tombstone on your return to Tucson.

HappyTrvlr

yk, yes that’s a lot to do upon arrival but all very worthwhile. All those places should be visited whether on the first or perhaps, second day.
You could visit Desert Botanical Garden at the end of your trip too since you using PHX for your flights.

Nelson

Staying in Bisbee would definitely be more interesting than Benson. I had suggested Benson because I wasn't sure what time your flights arrived, and it was the closest place to Tucson near Tombstone and Kartchner. I was minimizing driving time. But Bisbee would be better, more interesting, and the mine tour there is one of the best in my memory (about 8-10 years ago).

Agree with both MmePerdu and HappyTrvlr, consider 2 nights Bisbee, and visit the very worthwhile Botanical Garden at the end of your trip, if the timing works out. But if not then what you suggested is doable.

MichelleY

I think Bisbee is too far and out of the way for your first day. Plus, Kartchner Caverns is trying to protect their bats from the fatal white nose syndrome and prefer one doesn’t wear clothes or shoes worn in other caves or mines. Kartchner Caverns will be a highlight of your trip.

https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/cave-tours/tours

J62

YK,
Your son might like these two activities, both are about 20min south ofTucson

- Copper mine tour https://www.asarco.com/discoverycenter/
- Titan missle silo/museum https://titanmissilemuseum.org/

these are things we don't normally see here in the northeast.

tom_mn

Chiming in late but we thought https://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm was the highlight of the Tucson area. It's a 2 hour drive each way but since you are skipping Sedona it gives you more of a Southwest trip with rocks. The Big Loop (10 miles) requires 2 vehicles or a shuttle but it is worth it. SB-Trail-Guide-Final-2022.pdf

MichelleY

The Titan Missile Silo was fascinating. Again, to protect the bats from white nose syndrome, visit any caves or mines after Kartchner Caverns.

yk

The tricky part of visiting Kartchner Caverns first (on arrival day) is I assume we need to prebook the tour, and I hate to prebook for arrival day in case of flight cancellations or delays. Their website says they have disinfectants for shoes?

I agree we should leave Phoenix desert botanical garden on our last day.

Back to arrival day, on the drive between PHX airport and Bisbee, I'd like to break it up with a stop or two to stretch our legs. One stop would be for lunch, which I prefer to be not too far out from the airport (our flight arrives just before noon so by the time we get our rental car it will be 12:30 or later). Any places you'd recommend that's just slightly outside of the city but not too far off from the highway?

a second stop I'm considering is the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which looks like a pretty quick stop ? My son loves collecting Junior ranger badges.

I've reserved one night on Bisbee (arrival day), so for day 2 we will visit the mine, Tombstone, and Kartchner Caverns, before driving to Tucson for 5 nights.

for Tucson, we will definitely visit both Titan Missile and Pima air and space. Also the 2 parts of Saguaro NP, az-Sonora desert museum, San Xavier del bac mission , possibly Sabino Canyon and some hiking there. may also look into programs at Kitt Peak Observatory.

I also just came across info regarding the Tucson rodeo parade? We will be there on the day of parade but I haven't had time to look into it for more detail. Wondering about your opinion on it. We've never been to a rodeo so we certainly are interested, OTOH I don't know how crazy it gets (parking, crowds etc) or is there a way to join the festivities without spending an entire day stuck in traffic?

MichelleY

The Casa Grande is a pretty quick stop. Kartchner Cavers will disinfect shoes. Better yet, change your shoes and clothes if possible. Kartchner Caverns was designed to be and stay pristine, since it was only discovered in the 1970s.

HappyTrvlr

yk, the Rodeo, the Fiesta de los Vaqueros , is a big deal in Tucson, culturally Mexican. Schools close for it. Parade and Rodeo. I highly recommend you attend some of it as a cultural experience. Rodeo grounds are in South Tucson. We have taken our grandkids to the Rodeo. Luckily you didn’t want to visit Tucson during the International Gem Show when huge crowds arrive.

Nelson

Can't help you on near airport dining. Casa Grande is a pretty quick stop. There was a family of Great Horned Owls nesting in the rafters when we were there.

If you feel the need to stretch your legs, about a half hour down the road is Picacho Peak State Park. There are some short easy hikes.
https://azstateparks.com/picacho

Five minutes from Picacho is Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch and Petting Zoo. Not sure how you feel about those kind of places, but we thought it was fun.
https://www.roostercogburn.com/

If you like mine tours and haven't had enough in Bisbee, the one in Tombstone is also "good enough".

The rodeo would definitely be interesting and memorable, but have not been to this one so don't know about the logistics.

The Chiracahua mountains mentioned by tom_mn are unique and a favorite place of ours, but they are a heck of long way from anywhere.

Just adding things to your plethora of options!

matthew231b

I have done Vegas and Seattle and there's no question - Seattle - so much to see. Do some research, there's loads, from the beaches, ferries to the islands, blues bars in Seattle suburbs, etc, etc.

janisj

My guess is you haven't visited Seattle in . . . Feb.

matthew231b

Well I know it will be cold but then two points, it wasn't that warm when we went in Sept last year but was still great for walks on the islands, and good for indoor things as well - museums (especially Boeing), cafes, the market, etc. So much more than Vegas (which isn't hard on my opinion!)

janisj

OK, there is a tremendous (really HUGE) difference between Sept. and Feb.

If the OP had been asking about a trip in September most everyone up thread would have answered differently and probably recommended Seattle. But she wasn't.

Vegas in Sept is pretty bad, can be awful -- Seattle in Feb is pretty bad, can be awful..