Plan the perfect getaway weekend. From a nature hike up in Sabino Canyon or a getaway at the Chiricahua National Monument. Or explore science at the Biosphere 2 near Tucson or art with the Old Town Artisians. Enjoy your getaway to Arizona with a few of these destinations:
Biosphere 2 - Oracle, Arizona. The facility stands 91 feet tall at it’s hightest point. The ecosystems under glass consist of Ocean with coral reef, mangrove wetlands, tropical rainforest, Savannah grassland and fog desert. The technical portion of the Biosphere 2 consists in the basement is nearly 3.14 acres hosting it’s electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. The other 12 smaller AHs can cool the air and generate condensate water. You first will enter the tripical savanna, travel along the 40 foot ocean cliff and look down into the million gallon tropical ocean. It was designed as an airtight replica of Earth’s environment (Biosphere 1). The desire was to learn what problems would rise from people living in a closed system. Tour Prices: Adults - $20; Seniors 62 + - $18; AAA Members - $18; Military - $18; Children ages 6 - 12 - $13; Children under 5 are FREE. Last tour 3 p.m. Phone: 520-838-6124
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch - Picacho, Arizona. The Ostrich is the largest living bird in the world; it is native to Africa and are desert animals. Just visit the ranch and get your exposure to these huge birds. If you are thinking about baking and need lots of eggs for your goodies you may want to consider an Ostrich egg, one egg is equivalent in volume to 2 dozen chicken eggs. The hen can lay 40 - 100 eggs per year (that’s like 960 chicken eggs at the smallest number of 40!) You will visit the ostrich ranch and the desert and learn about the big birds and all the other things that make this ranch unique (even the birds). Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday until October when they are only closed on Wednesday from October to Christmas.
Shady Dell Trailer Court Motel - Bisbee, Arizona. Looking for a place to stay in Bisbee? There are three trailers that have showers but the owner would really rather the people use the bathhouse since the showers are hard to clean, and after all, at $25 a night a few steps to the shower isn’t bad! There is a small diner for your pleasure, it’s a 1957 Valentine diner purchased from Los Angeles and is now a neon-trimmed, freshly painted silver and red Dot’s Diner. Directions: Bisbee is located in the south of Cochise County, in the southeast corner of Arizona. Phone: 928-432-3567
Chiricahau National Monument - Near Wilcox, Arizona. One of the less known parks of Arizona is the Chiricahua National Monument of Southern Arizona. The Heart of Rocks is a seven mile hike that passes through oddball rock formations that make for a wonderful photo op or just a wonder to the eye. Cochise Stronghold, in the Dragoon Mountains approximately 40 miles west of the Chiricahuas, is one well-preserved fortress from this time. Directions: Chiricahua National Monument is located 120 miles southeast of Tucson. Travel 3 miles into town to the stoplight and turn right. You will follow Arizona State Highway 186 for 32 miles to the junction of Arizona State Highway 181. The Visitor Center is open daily 8 - 4:30 Mountain Standard Time. Sometimes the scenic drive will be closed beyond the campground due to snow, ice or fallen rocks. Phone: 520-824-3560
Tucson Greyhound Park - Tucson, Arizona. For race fans the Tucson Greyhound Park offers you greyhound racing Tuesday - Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. Tucson Greyhound Park opened in 1944, and during more than 50 years of continuous greyhound racing at the park, the track has played host to six of the 25 all-time leading greyhound race winners. JR's Ripper is the number one all-time leading race winner with 143 victories during his racing career. JR's Ripper retired from racing at Tucson Greyhound Park in 1986 and was inducted into the prestigious Greyhound Hall of Fame in 1992. The park also participates in the Greyhound Adoption Program. Greyhounds are smart, sweet, calm, gentle and loving dogs, good with children and adults alike.
Sabino Canyon - Tucson, Arizona. This beautiful canyon offers a wonderful opportunity for hiking on its many trails to enjoy the canyon. The canyon offers nature watches, hiking and equestrian trails, picnicking, watchable wildlife and the shuttle bus tours. It is suggested that if you don’t think you will want to hike the whole canyon then take the shuttle for part of it and hike the rest or hike to the canyon and take the bus back. Admission: Day Pass $5. Location: Northeast of Tucson at the foot of the Santa Catalinas. Access: From Tanque Verde Rd in Tucson take Sabino Canyon Rd north to the Recreation Area just north of Sunrise Rd. From here you must walk, ride a horse or take the shuttle bus into the canyon.
Relax with the Old Town Artisans - Tucson, Arizona. The buildings have the original ceilings made of saguaro cactus ribs, packing crates, and whiskey barrel staves with remnants of imported wallpaper and gold-leaf moldings. Old Town Artisans is located on the site of El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, the fort built by the Spanish in 1775 to stake claim to the northern frontier of New Spain. Hours: Shops: September - May Monday - Saturday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm with Sunday 11 am - 5 pm. June - August Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday 11 - 4. Restaurant: September - May Monday - Sunday 11 am - 3 pm. Location: 201 N Court Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85701
Penelope SanMateo is a travel writer about Arizona vacations on Arizona Beautiful covering exciting places to visit. She writes of things to do on a Tucson vacation getaway visiting the Biosphere 2 and the surrounding deserts.
Monday, January 5, 2009
On your Arizona vacation dont miss attractions such as the Reid Park Zoo
Make your vacation plans with one of the top online vacation guides to Arizona. Explore attractions in southeaster Arizona and visit attractions such as the Pinnacle Peak Park or the Arizona Trail if you are seeking the great outdoors. Or relax in luxury on an Arizona Spa vacation. Or take your children to the Toy Train Operating Museum. Here are a few of the Arizona attractions awaiting you on your vacation!
Visit Pinnacle Peak Park in Tucson, Arizona. You will find there is much more to Pinnacle Peak Park than simply hiking and climbing. Pinnacle Peak Park is located in North Scottsdale, Arizona — East of Pima Road, off Alma School Road between Happy Valley Road and Dynamite Boulevard. The park entrance is on 102nd Way, just west of Pinnacle Peak Patio restaurant. Trail Dust Town (where Pinnacle Peak is) has been a Tucson landmark for over 40 years. If you answered yes to these questions, Pinnacle Peak Park has a variety of volunteer opportunities available for you! Location: 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Arizona
Tubac Artist Colony - Tubac, Arizona. This community of southern Arizona is quickly becoming a growing artist colony. Although the Tucson Artist Colony is not an "Artist Colony" in the truest sense it is a group of some of the best artists in the Southwest. Tucson Artist Colony provides premier studio spaces but it is the Art Classes offered through the Tucson Artist Colony that really set it apart. Contact the artists through his/her website to sign up for classes. Tubac’s present incarnation as an artists’ colony began in the 40’s with the opening of Dale Nichol’s Artist School. Location: 45 miles south of Tucson off I-19.
Arizona Trail - Southern Border to Northern Border, Arizona. Dissecting the state of Arizona from its southern border with Mexico to the northern border of Utah this trail gives hikers, bikers and horseback riders an un-matched opportunity to enjoy the beautiful state of Arizona. There are 807 miles of trails to enjoy. The Arizona Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. Currently 94% of the trail is complete. The Arizona Trail Association's mission is simple: build, maintain, promote, protect and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the land. Use common sense when using the Arizona Trail.
Desert spa resorts in Arizona are especially popular during the winter months. Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson are home to several first class spa vacation resorts. The Boulders Resort features the Golden Door Spa which opened in 2001. The spa offers numerous treatments inspired by the Arizona desert surroundings. Arizona Biltmore, located in Phoenix, has a 22,000 square foot spa center, eight heated pools and three outdoor whirlpool spas. The resort spa uses Sonoran desert plants, stones and mud as a basis for its innovative spa treatments. Arizona features several well-known destination spas. The health spa offers over 100 facial and body treatment options.
Tour the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona. The Reid Park Zoo is home to more than 400 animals. You’ll see all of your favorite zoo animals in comfortable habitat environments located throughout Reid Park Zoo. The Reid Park Zoo features an impressive assortment of beautiful Asian Animals, including Gibbons, bears and tigers. You’ll also see majestic Asian tigers at the Zoo, another endangered species the Zoo is active in protecting. African animals are well represented at the Reid Park Zoo. Brightly colored Macaws are another type of bird exhibited at the Reid Park Zoo. You’ll gain a unique understanding and appreciation of the effort it takes to keep the Zoo’s animal residents healthy, happy and safe at the Reid Park Zoo.
Fort Lowell Museum - Tucson, Arizona. Troop strength at Fort Lowell averaged 130 officers and 239 enlisted men. Serving at Fort Lowell were companies representing the 2nd, 4th 5th and 6th Cavalry Regiments, and the 1st, 8th, and 12th Infantry Regiments. The buildings at Fort Lowell reflected a Mexican Sonoran style of architecture. Currently to the west of the Fort Lowell Park the Commissary building and ruins of the hospital remain. The one intact Officers Quarters on the Adkins Steel parcel representing the most complete original structure from the 1870s Fort Lowell. Since 1963 the Arizona Historical Society has operated a branch Museum at the Fort Lowell Historic Site. Location: 2900 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson, Arizona - The museum is located in Old Fort Lowell Park at the corner of Cracroft and Fort Lowell Road in Tucson.
Gadsden Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum - Tucson, Arizona. There are 90 members of this organization dedicated to the advancement of model railroading by the collection and operation of toy trains and railroad memorabilia, as well as preserving prototype railroad history by sponsoring railroading related activities and events to share with the public. O-Gauge, G-Scale, Standard Gauge, S-Gauge, HO-Scale, N-Scale, Z-Scale displays are all set up for the showing of the different styles of model trains at the museum. GPD hosts two toy train shows/swap meets annually, now called the Winter Toy Train (formerly Coyote) and Summer Toy Train (formerly Roadrunner) Shows.
Penelope SanMateo is a travel writer for Arizona Beautiful. Her travel articles provide insights into attractions and events you don't want to miss while on your Arizona vacation. She recently visited the Reid Park Zoo while touring southern Arizona and the city of Tucson. The zoo offers an impressive assortment of animals from asian bears and tigers to a variety of african animals including a white rhinocerous.
Visit Pinnacle Peak Park in Tucson, Arizona. You will find there is much more to Pinnacle Peak Park than simply hiking and climbing. Pinnacle Peak Park is located in North Scottsdale, Arizona — East of Pima Road, off Alma School Road between Happy Valley Road and Dynamite Boulevard. The park entrance is on 102nd Way, just west of Pinnacle Peak Patio restaurant. Trail Dust Town (where Pinnacle Peak is) has been a Tucson landmark for over 40 years. If you answered yes to these questions, Pinnacle Peak Park has a variety of volunteer opportunities available for you! Location: 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Arizona
Tubac Artist Colony - Tubac, Arizona. This community of southern Arizona is quickly becoming a growing artist colony. Although the Tucson Artist Colony is not an "Artist Colony" in the truest sense it is a group of some of the best artists in the Southwest. Tucson Artist Colony provides premier studio spaces but it is the Art Classes offered through the Tucson Artist Colony that really set it apart. Contact the artists through his/her website to sign up for classes. Tubac’s present incarnation as an artists’ colony began in the 40’s with the opening of Dale Nichol’s Artist School. Location: 45 miles south of Tucson off I-19.
Arizona Trail - Southern Border to Northern Border, Arizona. Dissecting the state of Arizona from its southern border with Mexico to the northern border of Utah this trail gives hikers, bikers and horseback riders an un-matched opportunity to enjoy the beautiful state of Arizona. There are 807 miles of trails to enjoy. The Arizona Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. Currently 94% of the trail is complete. The Arizona Trail Association's mission is simple: build, maintain, promote, protect and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the land. Use common sense when using the Arizona Trail.
Desert spa resorts in Arizona are especially popular during the winter months. Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson are home to several first class spa vacation resorts. The Boulders Resort features the Golden Door Spa which opened in 2001. The spa offers numerous treatments inspired by the Arizona desert surroundings. Arizona Biltmore, located in Phoenix, has a 22,000 square foot spa center, eight heated pools and three outdoor whirlpool spas. The resort spa uses Sonoran desert plants, stones and mud as a basis for its innovative spa treatments. Arizona features several well-known destination spas. The health spa offers over 100 facial and body treatment options.
Tour the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona. The Reid Park Zoo is home to more than 400 animals. You’ll see all of your favorite zoo animals in comfortable habitat environments located throughout Reid Park Zoo. The Reid Park Zoo features an impressive assortment of beautiful Asian Animals, including Gibbons, bears and tigers. You’ll also see majestic Asian tigers at the Zoo, another endangered species the Zoo is active in protecting. African animals are well represented at the Reid Park Zoo. Brightly colored Macaws are another type of bird exhibited at the Reid Park Zoo. You’ll gain a unique understanding and appreciation of the effort it takes to keep the Zoo’s animal residents healthy, happy and safe at the Reid Park Zoo.
Fort Lowell Museum - Tucson, Arizona. Troop strength at Fort Lowell averaged 130 officers and 239 enlisted men. Serving at Fort Lowell were companies representing the 2nd, 4th 5th and 6th Cavalry Regiments, and the 1st, 8th, and 12th Infantry Regiments. The buildings at Fort Lowell reflected a Mexican Sonoran style of architecture. Currently to the west of the Fort Lowell Park the Commissary building and ruins of the hospital remain. The one intact Officers Quarters on the Adkins Steel parcel representing the most complete original structure from the 1870s Fort Lowell. Since 1963 the Arizona Historical Society has operated a branch Museum at the Fort Lowell Historic Site. Location: 2900 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson, Arizona - The museum is located in Old Fort Lowell Park at the corner of Cracroft and Fort Lowell Road in Tucson.
Gadsden Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum - Tucson, Arizona. There are 90 members of this organization dedicated to the advancement of model railroading by the collection and operation of toy trains and railroad memorabilia, as well as preserving prototype railroad history by sponsoring railroading related activities and events to share with the public. O-Gauge, G-Scale, Standard Gauge, S-Gauge, HO-Scale, N-Scale, Z-Scale displays are all set up for the showing of the different styles of model trains at the museum. GPD hosts two toy train shows/swap meets annually, now called the Winter Toy Train (formerly Coyote) and Summer Toy Train (formerly Roadrunner) Shows.
Penelope SanMateo is a travel writer for Arizona Beautiful. Her travel articles provide insights into attractions and events you don't want to miss while on your Arizona vacation. She recently visited the Reid Park Zoo while touring southern Arizona and the city of Tucson. The zoo offers an impressive assortment of animals from asian bears and tigers to a variety of african animals including a white rhinocerous.
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