Visiting Tucson and Southern Arizona

Southern Arizona features 350 days of sunshine, and is a premier destination for late winter, and spring travelers. The months of February and March are particularly engaging, as cities like Tucson, Bisbee and Yuma welcome visitors with festivals, events and plenty of natural beauty. Benson is home to the famous Kartchner Caverns. Casa Grande is home to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument – a great afternoon destination during the wonderful spring months in southern Arizona. In Yuma, closer to the California border, you can check out the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park. Also in Yuma, plan for March 3 – you’d be hard-pressed to find a better, local music and dance festival than Lettuce Entertain You, at Yuma Main Street.

Tucson, the Old Pueblo of southern Arizona, is home to the University of Arizona, an array of golf courses, and the scenic Saguaro National Park. One of the biggest attractions in Tucson, is the U of A Wildcats – be sure to visit the McKale Center, home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and watch as they conclude their seasons in late February. Wildcats Baseball is also in full swing – head to Hi Corbett Field and watch as they swing for the fences in hopes of making an appearance in the College World Series. It’s not all sports in Tucson. Plan an afternoon around the Tucson Festival of Books, March 10 and 11 at the University of Arizona Mall. Open through June 9, don’t miss Mars & Beyond, a solar system exhibit held at Science Downtown.

Known as the Hummingbird Capital of the United States, Sierra Vista is a small city set to the southeast of Tucson. Visitors can experience the grandeur of the Coronado National Monument, or Fort Huachuca Museum. Starting March 1, 2012, be sure to check out Nature Walk at Ramsey Canyon Preserve – over 170 bird species share the canyon with black bears, wild butterflies and different frogs. Even better, the Nature Walk at Ramsey Canyon Preserve offers free admission for guests less than 16 years of age. Golfers can sneak in 18 holes before lunch at the lovely (and challenging) Mountain View Golf Course, located at Fort Huachuca.

To the north of Sierra Nevada, less than an hour drive along Highway 90, is Benson. This charming and quaint city is home to Kartchner Caverns State Park – an incredible experience – and the San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society Museum. Don’t miss a round of 18 holes at Turquoise Hills Golf Course – a wonderful executive course where you play nine holes twice.

Tucson and Southern Arizona Hotel Map