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Archeological Experience
It’s worth the 3 ½ hour drive and an
overnight stay to visit the historical X Diamond Ranch and experience a
hands-on archeological learning experience. The Little Bear ruin site
lies adjacent to the South Fork of the Little Colorado River, right on
the ranch property among the foothills of the White Mountains and
contains many rooms with different masonry styles. The construction of
the site as well as the types of pottery found clearly indicate that the
ancient people that built it occupied the area during the three hundred
year period between 800-1100 AD. Staff offers lectures, videos, and
hands-on opportunities to excavate, stabilize, and reconstruct artifacts
and learn about the life and lifestyle of the ancient peoples of the
Southwest. The on-site Little House Museum has artifacts from the Old
West and a John Wayne collection. Wayne’s ranch was next door to the X
Diamond..
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a “must-see”. It is really more like a zoo and botanical garden than a museum. Has knowledgeable docents to interpret the exhibits. Lots of walking, but wheelchairs and strollers available there. 883-2702. www.desertmuseum.org This is the oldest and largest
anthropological museum in the Southwest. Major collections of
prehistoric artifacts of the Hohokam, Mogollan, and Anasazi cultures.
Exhibits and photographic collections documenting the lifeways of
historic and living American Indians. This is a major center for
archaeological research and has a vast library on Southwest-related
topics that is open to the public. On the campus of the University of
Arizona, just inside the Main Gate at Park Ave. and University Blvd. Center for Creative Photography Permanent and rotating exhibits by new
and established photographers. Lifetime archives of renowned artists
such as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Off of 2nd St. University of
Arizona Fine Arts complex. 621-7968.
www.creativephotography.org Hands-on science exhibits, laser and
planetarium shows and lectures (special age-adapted shows for children),
mineral museum, nighttime telescope viewing, science gift store. Cherry
and University Blvd. on the University of Arizona campus. DeGrazia Foundation Gallery in the Sun This jewel of a home and gardens houses the vast collection of the themed works of this legendary multi-media Tucson artist, Ted deGrazia (1909-1982) who mined his own gold with which to make the gold leaf that adorned some of his works. Themes of some of the collections include Indian lore, bull fighting and rodeos, Spanish exploration of the southwest. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191. www.degrazia.org Discovered in 1974 by two University of
Arizona college students, this “living” cave (its formations are still
growing) was kept secret and protected from harm for 14 years. In 1988,
the State Legislature (most voters not even aware of what they were
approving) appropriated funds for the creation of a state park. The park
opened in 1999. Other places of interest near there are Chiricahua National Monument, Tombstone Courthouse State Park, Fort Huachuca, Bisbee, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve, and Nogales, Mexico. (See below.) This popular day trip destination is just across the Mexican border from Nogales, Arizona. Eat at LaRoca restaurant. Great seafood, Mexican dishes, and mariachi music. Prescription drugs are very cheap in Nogales. Fun to shop for Mexican craft items, such as goods, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, glassware, baskets, and paintings. No special insurance or visa required. Protected parking for about $3.00 at McDonald’s or Burger King one block from the border on the American side. See retired Air Force One, where Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as president and 250 other historic airplanes, including inhabitants of two hangars devoted to World War 2 aircraft. Visit the Challenger Learning Center for exhibits and activities on space travel and exploration. Go for a virtual ride in the Morphis flight simulator and experience travel via a spaceship, an F14 fighter plane, and other aircraft. 6000 E. Valencia. 574-0462. www.pimaair.org Travel from the mountains of South Africa through the Asian rain forest to the African savanna in one day. This gem of a zoo houses more than 500 exotic animals from around the world. Entrance: 22nd st. and Randolph Way (one block west of Alvernon). 791-4022. www.tucsonzoo.org This beautiful historic Catholic church, built in 1783 is known as “the white dove of the desert”. Founded (in a different building by a Spanish Jesuit, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in 1692), the church has been run by the Franciscan order since the late 1760’s. Today's church was built in 1783. It is situated on one of four Tohono O’odham reservation sites in the Tucson area. Visitors are welcome to tour the church and museum and at Sunday masses, some of which feature mariachis and other music. Call 294-2624. Directions: Houghton south to Valencia (about 9 miles), Valencia to I-19, I-19 a short distance to Exit 92. www.sanxaviermission.org This historic town and artist colony
was founded in 1752 as a Spanish Presidio or fort, and is the oldest
European settlement in Arizona. There are 120 shops, artist studios, and
galleries, The Presidio State Historic Park and Museum and the Tubac
Center for the Arts. Many special events and art exhibits. 40 miles from
Tucson via I 19 north, exits 40 and 34. Stroll through specialty gardens, e.g.,
cactus and succulents, birds and butterflies, sensory, native American
crops, Mexican… There are many fountains, the historic Porter home, a
gift shop, nursery, and daily tours and classes. Hands-on fun for sightseeing-dulled or
heat-dazed children! Four robotic dinosaurs, giant walk-through maze,
real police motorcycle and firetruck to climb on, giant bubble to view
from the inside, miniature grocery store, science exhibits and
experiments, music room, toddler section…Housed in the historic Carnegie
Library building, Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block Established in 1924 and located in the
historic El Presidio District, the Tucson Museum of Art maintains a
permanent collection of more than 5,000 works. In addition, the Museum
mounts 10-12 visiting exhibitions of works in a variety of media each
year. The Palice Pavilion houses pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial, and
Latin American Folk Art. The Goodman Pavilion features western artists,
including Joseph Henry Sharp, William Merritt Chase, Marsden Hartley,
and Olaf Wieghorst. Adjacent and part of the museum is the historic Casa
Cordova, Tucson’s oldest house. Pick up brochures there and start a
walking tour of the historic district and major arts destinations. |
Bed and
Bagels of Tucson
Your Children-, Birder-, and Pet-Welcoming Bed and Breakfast
Sharon Arkin, Host
10402 E. Glenn St.
Tucson, AZ 85749
520-760-5595
cell: 520-603-1580
Sharon@bedandbagels.com
