Anything to do/see in Tucson, AZ?

[scottmandue]

My wife's niece and was going to visit us on way to a wedding in the area... niece's baby got an ear infection so they had to cancel.

Like many women my wife is gaa-gaa (pardon the pun) about babies and I can tell she is disappointed they are not going to visit.

Looked it up on google maps and doesn't look like much of a fun drive (Los Angeles to Tucson).

I suppose we could fly in and visit for a few days...

Any suggestions?

[vash]

All I got. I was just there.

Sonoran hotdog. I can't explain the goodness in flavor and texture.




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[craigster59]

Southwest has cheap non stops out of LAX (1hr 15min flight), otherwise 8 hrs of desert driving. Tucson's a nice town, Tombstone and Bisbee are a nice day excursion. President's day is Rodeo Days in Tucson so might be some excitement going on.

[craigster59]

And the Sonoran dogs are good. Canelo's where Vash went or there's a food truck off of Oracle that has good dogs too.

[Rick Lee]

Pima Air-Space Museum. The Boneyard is across the street. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is world class. Saguaro Nat. Park is there too.

[vash]

Canalo's location #2!!




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[icemann427]

Yep, the 8+/- hour drive from L.A. is fairly tiresome. Entitled truckers in the fast lane make it even more so. If you do drive, make sure you don't pass through Phoenix any later than about 1:00 pm.

Things to do in Tucson. Other than what has already been said. Let me see...Golf. Many nice golf courses. Mountain biking. Some of the best trails around. The occasional great Mexican restaurant if you know where to go. Every other Saturday night, downtown, at "Downtown Saturday Night". The Tucson Rodeo is one of the best. Rent a racing cart at Musselmann kart track.

That's about it...

[Skytrooper]

Did they rebuild "Old Tucson" ? If they did it is an interesting place to spend the day. A lot of western movies used it during filming. I second the Pima Air & Space museum. Davis-Monthan AB Boneyard is cool if you like military aircraft. There is also a Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, just a short drive south of Tucson.

[porsche4life]

If you like to hike check out the Seven Falls trail. Great 8mi hike and this is the perfect time of year! I'll ask tweeze tonight, she went to U of A. Great town!

[vash]

oh, as a Californian, you can go and marvel in awe at all the $1.67 regular unleaded gasoline.

[scottmandue]

I will check on the southwest flight, thanks for the tip...

We were talking about San Francisco, just poking around on expedia to get a ballpark on flight prices SF = ~$200 Tucson = ~$300 (not counting SW).

But then I would have to get a passport to fly correct? That adds another $80-$90.

SF drive has fun stop over locations to break up the drive.

Frankly I would just as soon spend a week on Catalina, need to test the waters with my wife and see how bad she would like to visit her niece.

Wanted to check in here before I made the offer to go to Tuscon.

FWIW nieces hubby flys A-10's

[LeeH]

See large pointy plants:
Saguaro National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Buy a car:
Redline Service | Porsche Service, Racing, and Restoration.

Drive up a mountain:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lemmon

Drive to Tombstone to see tombstones:
Tombstone’s Cemetery: Boothill | History Net: Where History Comes Alive – World & US History Online | From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher

[Hugh R]

Bisbee is kind of cool. We did a Movie of the Week there about ten years ago. Desperation.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

But then I would have to get a passport to fly correct? That adds another $80-$90.

Did I miss something? Are you flying internationally? No passports required.

[Cajundaddy]

Hiking the trails around Tucson are otherworldly. Never had a Sonoran dog but the Mex food can be excellent. If you are from LA, Tucson seems really peaceful in winter.

[Arizona 911]

I live in Tucson. Here are a few suggestions.
Pima Air Museum
Titan missile museum
DeGrazia gallery in the sun
Arizona Sonora Desert museum
Old Tucson
Watch the sunset at Gates Pass
Many hiking trails within easy reach
Rosas Mexican restaurant at Ft. Lowell & Campbell

[porsche4life]

Phoenix is only 2 hours away if you want to run up to the valley for a day. Not hard. When are you going to be out? Lots of going on in town this time of year.

[CMDR Perry]

El Charro is good for lunch, Karchner Caverns is great side trip. We liked the Titan Missile and Sonoran desert museums. DP

[onewhippedpuppy]

I second the sonoran hot dog, Pima Air Museum, and the Boneyard tour. I used to spend a lot of time in Tucson for work.

[ficke]

The drive in cal. from LA to Tucson is absolutely boring, and the Az. part is not much better. coupled with high fuel prices and lower speed limit and drivers who do not understand what a passing lane is, I would suggest flying.
Especially since it sounds like you have not flown in a few years, you do not need a passport to fly domestically. Picture ID like a drivers license will do. A passport is only needed for international flights.
But if you do drive to Tucson, and drive a fun car, once you get here there are great driving roads. Catalina Mt. which is over over 9,000 feet less than an hour drive to the top or nice road to Patagonia maybe go to Elgin and drink a little wine or Bisbee and walk the 'stair' neighbor hoods and also check out the shops.

There is always some car driving event /show going on. The British car club does more here in a month than the San Diego club does in a year, the Tucson British car club averages three events a week, drive/tours/ Cars and coffee etc.

If you are into road bike riding you are in for a real treat, stuff that just does not exist in Cal. smooth roads stretching for miles with a bike lane.
If you are into mountain biking, google 'Fantasy island in Tucson' and also once again, Catalina Mountain.
Hiking? Sajuaro National monument will be a great start, Southern Az. is the only place in the US that has these breath taking giants.
Night time pub crawling? Downtown Tucson and 4th ave.
Of course there is great rock climbing, dirt bike riding, shooting, horse riding, etc.
Food wise Tucson unique flaver is the Sonoran style Mexican food, as mentioned the hot dogs are one of the dishes. The rest of the food here is pretty much what you would find in Cal. except that the fish tacos cost more here than on the Cal. coast and all tacos are half the size of Cal tacos.

You get the idea, but like all traveling you have to have an open mind and be willing to try new things.