Tucson, situated in the American Southwest, is a land of desert, rolling hills, winding dry riverbeds, and canyons, surrounded by five rugged mountain ranges. Tucson is an hour’s drive from the Mexican border and one and a half hours from Phoenix. The weather is mild nearly all the time, and is just right for nearly all activities. Downtown Tucson has a beautiful historic district, restaurants, theater, and shopping. With its rich Indian history and heritage, there is much to explore and discover.
The Great Slow Travel Gathering 2008
The lodging offered in Tucson varies, from bed & breakfast and inns to large ranch-style accommodations and retreats, to major hotel chains and resorts. There is not a bad view in the city, and there are all price ranges.
Climate in March/April
Tucson enjoys more sunshine year round than any other city in the US (350 days a year). Average high in March is 74 F, and in April, 82 F. Typical rainfall during those months is .74 inches for March, .39 inches for April.
Getting There
By Air: Tucson is serviced by 11 airlines with non-stop service to 18 cities.
By Train: Amtrak service is available.
By Car: Tucson is situated on Interstate 10, the main highway between California and Florida.
Getting Around: Tucson has a public bus system.
Dining
Tucson is known for its fabulous Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. There are literally hundreds of restaurants. There are also banquet facilities for big events such as ours.
Activities
Must-sees include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a world-renowned living exhibit of local flora and fauna; the Kratchner Caverns, unlimited hiking trails through Tucson’s surrounding mountain passes, canyons, and desert; a lively shopping district.
A wonderful choice! It is a great city and has some beautiful scenic areas around it. Tombstone is not all that far away for anyone wanting to visit a historic and interesting old west town. The committee did a super job and are to be thanked for all the work. I just wish it were for this year as I am already excited. Thanks to all who did this massive job.
Ms.Vegas, You mention Tombstone,but can you tell me how far Sierra Vista is from Tucson? My niece just built a house there and has invited us to visit. J.
I have only been in the area once but I think driving from Tuson to Tombstone or Brisbee we went by SV or at least the turnoff to it. I will try and figure out how far it was and let you know. Maybe some ST's from Tuscon can help out. I will get back with the info.
I love Tucson in March. We have gone many times to Tucson in the Spring. Cactus League baseball Spring training is going on in March. There are 3 teams that have their spring training camps in Tuscon; AZ Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and World Series Champs Chicago White Soxes.
Also, it is sometimes easier to fly into Phoenix. It is about 1 1/2 hours by freeway from Phoenix to Tucson. It is a beautiful drive if the flowers are blooming.
Marta, thanks! I was reading your Slow Travel notes on Tucson. Very helpful! Sounds like you and Janet have really enjoyed going there for flowers, birding and hiking. J.
Hi Chiaro, I just called a friend who lives in Arizona and she says after rush hour, from Tuscon the trip is about a hour and ten minutes, if you don't hit construction. She says it is a very easy drive. I see Marta also gave you a answer. Oh, my friend also said the time would depend on what part of Tuscon you were leaving from...in other words if you are at the "other" end and have to battle the Tuscon traffic it is fifteen or twenty minutes further. She reminded me that I was staying near the airport and just had to get on the road right by the motel. If you need more definite information, I can stop by AA and get a more exact account.
Tucson and the Sonora Desert area would certainly be a unique experience for visitors from over either pond. My only problem with the area is that the dryness may take some getting used to for those of us not prepared for such low humidity. It irritated by ever-irritable sinuses when I was there.
Thanks again Vegas Ms. I was able to put my niece's address in to a Google Map and come up with some answers. From city centres: Phoenix to Sierra Vista is 187 mi. ( 3 hours & 45 min. ), from Tucson to Sierra Vista it is 73.1 mi and 1 hour & 48 min. , and from Phoenix to Tucson it is 116 mi. and 2 hours & 6 mins. approx. J.
Uggg... now everyone can see how little I follow and know about sports. I didn't notice the 2005 fine print when I was looking at the cactus league websites.
But I do like going to a game at the Tucson Electric stadium - even if I don't know who is playing.
Well, we are planning on visiting my niece in Sierra Vista sometime in the next couple of years, regardless of which location is chosen for the GTG, so I bought the Eyewitness Guide to Arizona and the Grand Canyon. If anyone has any questions, maybe I can look up some answers for you. Thanks again to Marta & Vegas Ms. J.
Originally posted by chiaro di luna: Ms.Vegas, You mention Tombstone,but can you tell me how far Sierra Vista is from Tucson? My niece just built a house there and has invited us to visit. J.
Sierra Vista is about an hour and a half drive from Tucson south. It is through some of the most spectacular landscape in the United States. On your way you can explore the wine growing area of Elgin, Sonoita and the Nature Conservancy fabulous Ramsey Canyon for you birders.
The ghost town trail from Tombstone through the mining hills visiting several abandoned towns is fascinating.
One hour south of Tucson is Old Mexico at the town of Nogales, Mexico. Nogales, unlike most border towns has something besides sex, drugs, and illegals to fuel its economy. It is the port of entry for most of the winter fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico and exported to the US. There are a number of wonderful shops displaying artisinal quality goods as well as the usual "cheap mexican junk". La Roca is a wonderful restaurant set in a cave where Geronimo and his band hid from the US Army.
For those of you interested in the Indian wars of the Southwest Arizona is of course prime battle grounds. Cochise and Geronimo both lived and warred in Arizona. The buffalo soldier fort - Fort Bowie is a wonderful stopping off point on the way to the Chiricahua National Park
Since this is an El Nino year we have high hopes for a spectacular spring wild flower display. I'll see if I can find my pictures from the last El nino year.
Sabino Canyon is world famous for its desert riparian habitat.
Finally, the attractions in Tucson are virtually 100% accessible for those of you with mobility issues.
Tucson, situated in the American Southwest, is a land of desert, rolling hills, winding dry riverbeds, and canyons, surrounded by five rugged mountain ranges. Tucson is an hour’s drive from the Mexican border and one and a half hours from Phoenix. The weather is mild nearly all the time, and is just right for nearly all activities. Downtown Tucson has a beautiful historic district, restaurants, theater, and shopping. With its rich Indian history and heritage, there is much to explore and discover.
The Great Slow Travel Gathering 2008
The lodging offered in Tucson varies, from bed & breakfast and inns to large ranch-style accommodations and retreats, to major hotel chains and resorts. There is not a bad view in the city, and there are all price ranges.
Climate in March/April
Tucson enjoys more sunshine year round than any other city in the US (350 days a year). Average high in March is 74 F, and in April, 82 F. Typical rainfall during those months is .74 inches for March, .39 inches for April.
Getting There
By Air: Tucson is serviced by 11 airlines with non-stop service to 18 cities.
By Train: Amtrak service is available.
By Car: Tucson is situated on Interstate 10, the main highway between California and Florida.
Getting Around: Tucson has a public bus system.
Dining
Tucson is known for its fabulous Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. There are literally hundreds of restaurants. There are also banquet facilities for big events such as ours.
Activities
Must-sees include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a world-renowned living exhibit of local flora and fauna; the Kratchner Caverns, unlimited hiking trails through Tucson’s surrounding mountain passes, canyons, and desert; a lively shopping district.
Let me add some additional information.
Besides Tucson airport (which can be a bit pricy from some destinations) Phoenix Sky Harbor is an easy 1.5 hour drive to Tucson. There are shuttles every 1/2 hour from Sky Harbor to Tucson and the shuttle stops at all the major hotels. Google Tucson Shuttle.
Tucson not only has wonderful mexican food but also has A MULTITUDE of various cuisines. Many with Conde Nast 4 and 5 star ratings as well as James Beard citations. Everything from a great mesquite grilled steak (El Corral) to high french (Janos).
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum was the first museum in the world to have a hummingbird aviary and among the first to have a butterfly "aviary". I wonder just what do you call a live butterfly exhibit? The animal exhibits mimic natural habitats, there is a caving experience, a walk through Arizona vegetation zones (7 from low land desert to high alpine) a night dwellers exhibit (blue light allows the visitor to view the animals) and a wonderful, mesmerizing otter exhibit. Lewis Thomas in one of his books talked about the ASDM and its wonderful otter exhibit. His comments about play and how humans seem hardwired for play are very insightful.
The ASDM is situated in the heart of the Saguaro National Forest (west) and the drive over Gonzales pass into the park will take your breath away. Also situated in Saguaro National Forest is Old Tucson - the TV and Movie studio site. Hokey but amusing.
For the star gazers Kitt Peak National Observatory offers tours and wonderful star viewing. Tucson has passed low light ordinances so the night skies (particular in the cooler winter months) are spectacular.
Karchner Caverns are an other world experience. One of the few pristine wet caves in existance the caverns are entered through a series of airlocks which keep the temperature and humidity constant. Cave formations include extremely rare soda straws (some over 20 feet long), bacon stone and angel wing formations.
In March both the big room and the Kubla Kahn tours are available but must be booked in advance.
Buenos Aires National Wildlife preserve is a short 45 minute drive from Tucson and is part of the largest biopreserve in the world. Stretching from the gulf of California in Mexico through the Penacotes, the Pima indian reservation, Goldwater bombing range (now defunct) Organ Pipe National Monument and the lower Colorado river. In March we will be having the national flight count where birders from all over the world come and count the numbers of migrating birds.
East of Tucson are the Wilcox lake beds with their wonderful sandhill cranes. Also close is Hot Wells Dunes BLM preserve for those of you who want sand dunes and ATV experiences.
Along the border between the US and Mexico lies the Coronado trail. The path that Coronado took looking for his 7 cities of gold. The Coronado monument is about 2 hours from Tucson.
For the artist or just the art appreciator Tucson has multiple art galleries (and not all turquoise) and a wonderful "art tour".
We have spent 25 year exploring Southern and southeastern Arizona using Tucson as our "jumping off point". Many places we revisit but each trip also involves a new experience.
People ask - what is there to do in Tucson? To which I reply - "what are you doing with the rest of your life?"
Read-Only Topic
J.
