I love history and all that is related to it, so a ride into the heart of the Wild West is worth it for me. Tombstone is nicknamed “The Town to tough to die” can you imagine walking down the street where those famous Law Men and the Gun Slingers walked. Make sure you visit the Tombstone Cemetery and maybe have lunch at Big Nose Kate’s saloon. Normally I wouldn’t include a commercial but it had all the facts, great day trip for all.
Located near Payson, Arizona it is a beauty of natural rock formation and to be honest almost killed me about 8 years ago. How you ask, the trek down wasn’t so bad but the trek up was harder than I thought. Thought I was going to die, bring water. It is the largest travertine bridge in the world and is a really cool day trip. I did an home seal way back in March 2012 “Even the Bees get respect in Arizona“.
We have two award winning Zoo’s in Phoenix in my opinion.
The Phoenix Zoo 455 North Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008 602-273-1341. This is an awesome zoo and they continue to become better and better, They do have a notice on their webpage about sunscreen and I’m telling you in the summer that is a great idea actually all year long is good. Wear a hat and glasses as well, but they do have several exhibits inside which will help you cool off.
The World Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium 623-935-WILD (9453) | 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340. It is great to have an additional zoo in the Phoenix area, since I love the concept of promoting animals and wildlife. They recently opened their 4th aquarium building which include turtles and otter habitats.
I enjoy getting out and exploring, so please plan a visit to Arizona and see the beauty that is beneath your feet. All of these caves are unique in their own ways, dry, wet and breathtaking beauty but remember “Don’t Touch”, many of these formations take centuries to form.
Colossal Caves – outside of Tucson, my favorite cave in Arizona. I probably have been here at least 4 times. 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail Vail, AZ 85641 – 520.647.PARK (7275) I really love this cave, the tour takes about 45 minutes and the temperature is always about 70 degrees which is wonderful in the summer. You can actually witness bats and hear them making their little noise and cave formations like stalactites, flowstone, boxwork and helictites.
Kartchner Caverns State Park Kartchner Caverns SP Benson, AZ 85602 (520) 586-2283 This park has a recent history having been found in 1974 but kept as a secret until 1978/1984 and is considered a living cave.
Grand Canyon Caves – Mile 115 Route 66 63 Miles NE of Kingman AZ and 65 Miles West of Williams and the Grand Canyon Railroad
Photo from their site http://gccaverns.com/media/
This cave is unique in that they have a Sloth bear (Jesse), offer night stays and the only draw back is that it is way out there. But it still deserves a visit, its on my list of things to see in Arizona.
The Heard Museum is one of the finest Native American museums in this Country. One of the first things that I did when I arrived way back in 2000 was to attend the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in February held each year. The first year I attended they had a youngster and a guy that was just a little bit older at I think 80 at the time, so it is fun for young and old.
In 2014 they are hosting the 56th annual Indian Fair & Market more than 600 of the nation’s finest American Indian artists.
They also have Sen. Barry Goldwater’s collection of Hopi Katsina dolls and Fred Harvey (Grand Canyon fame) collections. They also have changing exhibits, so please check them even if you have been there before.
