sights in Arizona

Those northern Arizona locations will be cold in January--bring your coats! No one has mentioned the excellent Heard Musuem in Phoenix--one of the premier collections of Native American artifacts in the southwest. Kartchner Caverns, a magnificent show cave, is 45 minutes from Tuscon. If you do visit Tubac or Tumacacori, the Titan Missle Museum is in the area--it's pretty cool to go down into the silo and re-live the cold war. The Arizona Highways website is worth a look to give you some other ideas.

here are some websites you may want to check out.
http://www.arizonaguide.com/home.asp
and
www.arizonaroads.com

Have fun in AZ!
Brad M.
Mesa, AZ
(AAA Arizona Employee)

Brad,

With your AAA expertise -- what are your favorite destinations in Arizona?

Mark

Well, I would have to say the best places to visit in Arizona are Flagstaff, Payson, Show Low, and other cities in the "Green Belt" of Northern and portions of Eastern Arizona. I have some trips planned eventualy this year, including driving AZ hwy 366, the Swift Trail Highway to the top of Mt. Graham, as well as the winding U.S. 191 between Clifton and Alpine. The nice thing about Arizona is that it has so many different types of terrain, that everyone from desert lovers to those who enjoy more pine trees can find something they like. I have more knowledge of Washington State though, after living there for the last 12 years.

Brad,

You are now living in state with a plethora of RTA roadtrip experts, Bob posted a field report on the <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/Coronado-Trail.htm">Coronado Trail (US-191)<a/> and <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/Travels-with-Thurman.htm">Gerald's field notes<a/> may provide ample ideas for your future trips.

Thanks for the info, I will surely keep those links in mind when I do decide to hit the road.

Hi,
Is it a feasible plan to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley and return to South Rim on the same day? The question is, will there be enough time to explore the Monument Valley?

The road miles for that endeavor are about 180 each way -- and 4.5 hours driving time. If you left at 5:00 AM, and stopped for gas and breakfast at Cameron, you'd arrive at about 10:30 A.M. The best thing to do at Monument Valley is to arrange a Navajo-led tour (you do this in the parking lot -- you "contract" with a guide yourself). The typical tour is about 3 hours. So you'd be back about 2:00 pm (and a quick lunch at Gouldings). Driving back to the South Rim is 4.5 more hours -- putting you back there by 6:30 or 7:00 pm -- in time for a late dinner.

So yes, it could be done (IF you are able to arrange an IMMEDIATE tour upon your arrival). If you can, if time permits, why not stretch it out another half day and enjoy it a little more -- Monument Valley is one of those places that lends itself to sitting on a rock and just watching the colors change. Sunset or dawn are particularly striking times to visit. Bob

Bob,
My mother is planning a road trip to Arizona from Fort Rock, Oregon. Her main interests for Arizona are historical sights in or near Old Tuscon, Casa Grande, and Jerome. She will be staying with family in Casa Grande. Can you help with points of interest? She is leaving Oregon in late March. Will she catch the wildflowers in bloom?

We're hoping for a LOT of wildflowers, and I would guess late March would be as good a guess as any for the best time to see them -- the amount and timing vary greatly depending on how cold the winter is, how much rain, and other factors I probably can't even guess at! But late March might be perfect!

For sightseeing, try the Casa Grande ruins, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Old Tucson (movie sets and theme park), Organ Pipe National Monument, Kitt Peak Observatory (day time tours), Tumacacori Mission (ruins), Lavender Pit Mine at Bisbee, Fort Bowie (moderately easy 3 mile hike, R/T), Tombstone (touristy but fun). Kartchner Caverns is a winner. Also, I've always wanted to visit the Amerind Foundation at Texas Canyon (near Benson along I-10). It is a cultural center and museum devoted to American Indian culture and lifeways. Finally, the Arizona Historical Society's "2nd Street Museum" near the University of Arizona campus is worth a look. They have 3 other Tucson sites as well, but I have only visited the 2nd Street facility.

For Jerome, see the note above in this thread "Uncle Bob's Choices," in which I hold forth on Jerome's many attractions! One thing I didn't mention -- the chocolate cake (about $5) at the Haunted Hamburger is one of the World's Seven Wonders and will feed at least 4 handsomely. Or ONE Bob-type person.) Bob