TO TUCSON AND THE SOUTH:
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
www.desertmuseum.org
2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson
520-883-2702
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Within the 21-acre grounds, you will see more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants.
Casa Grande Ruins
www.nps.gov/cagr/
Arizona Route 87, between Chandler and Coolidge
520-723-3172
For over a thousand years, prehistoric farmers inhabited much of the present-day state of Arizona. When the first Europeans arrived, all that remained of this ancient culture were the ruins of villages, irrigation canals and various artifacts. Among these ruins is the Casa Grande, or "Big House", one of the largest and most mysterious prehistoric structures ever built in North America.
Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Center
www.b2science.org
Highway 77 & Mile Marker 96.5, Oracle
520-896-6400
Biosphere 2 opened to the public in 1990 as a research, teaching and public learning center. Walk through the various habitats, explore the exhibits and tour "Under the Glass."
Historic Florence
www.florenceaz.org
Chamber of Commerce
291 Bailey Street, Florence
Located south of Chandler, Florence is also an original Arizona territorial town. Founded in 1866, its history reflects the state's mining, agricultural and native cultures. Main Street serves as a baseline for its nationally registered historic district of 139 structures, a virtual museum of architectural style, taste and function of the past.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html
Benson, 520-586-4100
In 1974, two young cavers were exploring the limestone hills at the base of the Whetstone Mountains. In the bottom of a sinkhole they found a narrow crack that seemed to indicate a cave. After several hours of crawling, they entered a pristine cavern. The cave's existence didn't become public knowledge until 1988, and only recently have visitors been allowed inside. Extraordinary precautions have been taken to conserve the cave's exceptional features.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
www.noao.edu/kpno
56 miles southwest of Tucson
520-318-8200
The world's largest collection of optical telescopes is located high above the Sonoran Desert under some of the finest night skies in the world. Kitt Peak, on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, is home to 22 optical and two radio telescopes representing eight astronomical research institutes. Guided tours, including nightly observing programs, are offered regularly.
TO GRAND CANYON AND NORTHERN ARIZONA:
Arizona Snowbowl
www.arizonasnowbowl.com
PO Box 40
Flagstaff, AZ 86002-0040
928-779-1951
Snowbowl features 2,300 feet of vertical drop, average snowfall of 260 inches, 32 trails, four chairlifts, full-service rental shop, repair shop and ski school. Skiing mid-December through mid-April. From mid-June through mid-October, ride the scenic skyrde toward the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view.
Grand Canyon National Park
www.nps.gov/grca/
PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
928-638-7888
Recently voted the "#1 Must See Spot" by the Society of American Travel Writers, the Grand Canyon is located entirely in northern Arizona, just 230 miles from metro Phoenix.
Grand Canyon Railway
www.thetrain.com
233 Grand Canyon Blvd.
Williams, AZ 86046
800-843-8724
Travel a century-old rail line aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway and arrive just steps from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Be entertained by cowboy characters, enjoy the tunes of strolling musicians, and be part of a mock train robbery as train travel from the early 1900s is recreated during the scenic 65-mile journey to the canyon.
IMAX Theater Grand Canyon
www.grandcanyonimaxtheater.com
Located on Hwy 64/US 180
Tusayan, AZ
928-638-2468
Experience the 7-story giant screen presentation of Grand Canyon-The Hidden Secrets, shown at the Grand Canyon IMAX Theatre. From the mysterious Anasazi who inhabited the Canyon 4,000 years ago, viewers will travel through time to join Major John Wesley Powell as he challenges the unexplored Canyon and raging Colorado River in 1869. The journey continues to today's relentless quest to conquer this majestic canyon.
Pink Jeep Tours
www.pinkjeeptours.com
PO Box 1447
Sedona, AZ 86339
928-282-5000 or 800-873-3662
Since 1958, Pink Jeep Tours has provided unrivaled excitement and adventure with guided jeep tours over and around the beautiful red rocks of Sedona. Whether you're seeking rugged adventure, Native American history and culture, nature, geology, or panoramic vistas, Pink Jeep has the right tour for you.
Sedona Arts Center
www.sedonaartscenter.org
PO Box 569
Sedona, AZ 86339
928-282-3809 or 888-954-4442
Sedona Arts Center has world-class exhibits, special events, and more than 200 art courses, and workshops with nationally known instructors. Gallery features the largest selection of local artists' work.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
www.nps.gov/sucr/
Located near Flagstaff, Arizona
928-679-2365
Ancient Indians undoubtedly witnessed the eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano in A.D. 1064-1065 which blanketed the region with black cinder. Today the volcano's rim of red cinders and the lava flows near the cone have cooled and hardened to a jagged surface. Squeeze-ups and hornitos are just two of the fascinating volcanic features you'll encounter while exploring the park.
Verde Canyon Railroad
www.verdecanyonrr.com
300 North Broadway
Clarkdale, AZ 86324-2302
928-639-0010 or 800-293-7245
A ride on Verde Canyon Railroad's historic route from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back - into Arizona's other "grand canyon" - is an unforgettable experience. Passengers on this popular excursion train are enthralled as the eagle-decorated, vintage rolls past towering, crimson cliffs; near ancient Indian ruins; over old-fashioned trestles; and though a dark, 680 foot, manmade tunnel on a four hour round trip.
Wupatki National Monument
www.nps.gov/wupa/
Located near Flagstaff, Arizona
928-679-2365
Less than 800 years ago, a large agricultural community spread across this volcanic plateau. The warm, arid climate and sparse vegetation today make the successes of these pueblo farmers remarkable. Here you'll see stunning artistry in masonry pueblos that emerge from bedrock to stand several stories high.
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