Ok, we chose Tucson, after much debate.

Eventually, I know we'll make it to each of those other cities, but Tucson's where we're starting.

So, now that that's finally decided...

We're looking for hotel recommendations... places that can't be missed... restaurants, etc. Hotel-wise, I think we'd like to stay around $100 a night, give or take.

I appreciate all the help you've all given so far: my husband and I have poured over your responses, rating cites and checking websites!

P.S. We were interested in the Flandrau Science Center and its observatory... I don't know that we'd drive all the way out to Kitt Peak, since the Flandrau telescope is at the Univ of Arizona in town. What do you all think? (Flandrau is open, right?)

Thanks again!

The Senora desert museum is great.

We recently used priceline for Tucson. They have a resort category. We bid Resort in the La Paloma - Ventana Canyon area. We got the Loews Ventana Resort at less than 1/2 the cheapest price I could find anwhere else.

For $100 on priceline there's a good chance you can end up with a very nice resort. A few years ago we bid another part of Tucson and ended up with e El Conquistador.

Check biddingfortravel.com for more info on priceline bidding in Tucson.

Taupe79-I am sure you are glad you made your choice especially after that lively debate on the other thread.
I don't think you will get a hotel room in Tucson for $100 a night in February unless you try Priceline. Remember, this is the high season with all the winter visitors coming to the desert. A quick check on Expedia shows that even the Super 8 is over $110. There are a couple of La Quinta Inn's that are a little over $100. The east side of town is good-close to the Catalina Mountains. There is also a few hotels on the west side, Country Inn & Suites and the Ramada. I stayed once at the Country Inn for business-not bad for the price. People who live in Tucson will have to give you the pros and cons for staying on the east side vs. the west side. It looks like the Marriott Omni Star Pass is being awarded on priceline. It get good reviews on tripadvisor but again is out of town about 10 miles. Loew's Ventana would be a great place to stay if you could get it.

As far as things to do, I copied a few things MikeP mentioned (Mike, hope you don't mind). There are also many threads on this forum about Tucson. The Sonora Desert Museum is a must see and I don't think he mentioned the Mission San Xavier del Bac. Someone of this forum did a recent trip report on Tucson and mentioned the mission. They loved it.

From Mike:

"For different shopping, you could head down to Nogales, Mexico, about 60 miles south of Tucson. On the way back stop at Tubac, an artist colony.
http://www.tubacaz.com/

There are a lot of sights to see around here, not necessarily hiking, but definitely "outdoors" things. The University of Arizona has a very nice museum, the Arizona State Museum, right on the university campus

http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/

And west of Tucson is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

http://www.desertmuseum.org/

You could also see Kartchner Caverns, stroll through Tombstone, and go to Bisbee, a quirky old mining town that is now an artist colony."

some good info here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

topping

emd-Couldn't get the thread to open.

Paula, no I absolutely don't mind. I had mentioned, and I will again, Taupe79, if you send me your email address I can send you clickable links.
But in case you are uncomfortable with doing that, here are some more links.

Omigod, I did forget the White Dove of the Desert, didn't I?

http://emol.org/tucson/sanxavier/


For hotels, in February the better ones will likely be more than $100. When checking hotels, there are several that will have addresses on East Broadway (4500 block and higher) and East Speedway, 6000 block and higher. I don't recall your exact dates, but if you let us know we can probably come up with something. Also, if you find something we can give you feedback. I did a quick search on Orbitz and came up with this list of hotels that are more away from the airport (better in my opinion). Not usre if this link will come through, but I did the search for Feb 10-13.

http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewHotelS...e=interstitial



The Flandrau Planetarium and the Arizona State museum are both right on the UofA campus.

http://www.flandrau.org/
http://www.tucsonmuseums.org/educ_pa...ndrau_educ.htm

http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/


Resturants, some of my favorites:
Mexican: El Charro, Cafe Poca Cosa
Italian: Mona Lisa, Gavi
Steaks: Pinnacle Peak, El Corral, OK Corral, McMahon's (higher priced)
BBQ: Tom's, Mr.K's, soul Feathers
Pizza: No Anchovies (just west of UofA campus), New York Pizza
Southwestern: Cafe Terra Cotta, Red Sky Cafe (I do hope Lori chips in some information. She has been to many other of this type than I have)

Here is a local restaurant guide. Would be happy to comment on your choices.

http://tucsonrestaurantguide.com/

Again, I do hope you enjoy your stay. Happy to help in any other way.