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This region has everything from urban attractions to remote solitude—with a whole lot in between. From centuries-old stands of towering saguaro cacti to rolling hillsides in lush wine country to authentic Old West towns that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers, this corner of Arizona is full of surprises. Set aside plenty of time to explore the character-rich college town of Tucson, where art galleries, historic museums, trendsetting eateries and urban adventures beckon. IN THIS REGION Benson, Bisbee, Elgin, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Tubac, Tucson, Willcox Area Highlights SONOITA/ELGIN & WILLCOX AVA WINE REGIONS Escape to rolling hillsides, pictureperfect rows of grape vines and unpretentious tasting rooms when you visit Southwestern Arizona’s two American Viticultural Areas. The Sonoita/Elgin region is Arizona’s longest-established AVA and home to some of the state’s best-known winemakers, while the Willcox wine region grows 74% of Arizona’s wine grapes. KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK, BENSON Descend into an awe-inspiring underground world of soda straw stalactites, brushite moonmilk and needle quartz formations when you go on a guided cave tour. Above ground, explore miles of scenic hiking trails rated from easy to difficult. The cave, campgrounds and picnic areas are wheelchair accessible. ALFIE NORVILLE GEM & MINERAL MUSEUM, TUCSON Housed in the grand Spanish Colonial Revival-style Pima County Courthouse, this University of Arizona-affiliated facility showcases incredible specimens of minerals, gems, fossils and meteorites. Marvel at flawless jewelry, massive crystals and even a glow-in-the-dark rainbow of fluorescent specimens. ARAVAIPA CANYON WILDERNESS Rugged cliffs, deep canyons, peaceful waters and lush foliage set the scene for outdoor adventure in this 19,410-acre wilderness area. Hike the unofficial trails and take your pick from side canyons, chimneys and outcroppings along the way. Permits are required for all activities—including hiking. BISBEE MINING & HISTORICAL MUSEUM, BISBEE Explore “The Queen of the Copper Camps” at this Smithsonianaffiliated museum, where you’ll enter a state-of-the-art mining exhibit rife with crystals, minerals and the history of this historic town, when miners blasted their way through thousands of miles of tunnels in search of precious metals. SAN XAVIER DEL BAC MISSION, TUCSON A vision of white against vast blue skies and stark desert, this Catholic church known as the “White Dove of the Desert” was completed in 1797 when Southern Arizona was part of New Spain. Today, this National Historic Landmark on Tohono O’odham tribal lands is regarded as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in the country. AMERIND MUSEUM, DRAGOON From ancient artifacts to contemporary artistic explorations of modern-day issues, this museum and art gallery nestled amid the natural beauty of Texas Canyon is dedicated to American Indian and Western art, history, culture and archeology. Be sure to stop by the Amerind Museum Store to shop museum-quality handicrafts. ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM, TUCSON This multi-faceted museum offers an array of experiences. Stroll the botanical gardens filled with Sonoran Desert plant life, see wildlife up-close at the onsite zoo, marvel at rocks and minerals at the natural history exhibits, spot underwater creatures at the Warden Aquarium and view artwork in the galleries. O.K. CORRAL, TOMBSTONE Transport yourself to the roughand- tumble Wild West when you stand in the very place where the infamous gun fight occurred in 1881. Watch a daily reenactment, walk through the 1880s stables and blacksmith shop, and see historic photographs of Tombstone life as it was “back then.” Sky Islands Adventures Driving east across Arizona, the long, straight stretch of I-10 through the Sonoran Desert seems endless. Then, sprouting from the valley floor are the Sky Islands mountain ranges, ecologically isolated peaks nearing 10,000 feet, making a U-bend around southeastern Arizona to frame Cochise County. The southeastern Arizona Sky Islands, partly made up of the Mule, Chiricahua and Huachuca mountains, beckon to outdoor adventurers. Start at Cochise Stronghold near Dragoon. The Stronghold is strewn with massive boulders amid a maze-like terrain. Mountain bikers, hikers and rock climbers head to these rugged canyons and craggy hoodoos for classic climbs and outstanding trails. Go a little farther east to Chiricahua National Monument where towering rhyolite pinnacles and balancing spires stand alongside the 17 miles of trails. Nearby, follow Arizona State Route 181 to Turkey Creek Trail, where you’ll find Johnny Ringo’s grave. Continue on to Sycamore Campground, shaded by a canopy of sycamore and oak trees, making a perfect base camp for a number of trails leading into the Chiricahua Wilderness. Farther west is Fort Huachuca Museum in Sierra Vista, where in 1877, the 6th Cavalry established an outpost to secure the San Pedro and Santa Cruz valleys. Peruse the exhibits and artifacts, and marvel at the adobe buildings of the Old Post. Find more history in Douglas, a former copper-mining town on the Arizona–Mexico border. This community is anchored by the stately Gadsden Hotel, built in 1907 for visiting mining company executives, and fronted with a massive stained-glass window—a breathtaking Southwestern scene by Louis Comfort Tiffany. You’ll also see Cave Creek Canyon, an original mural painted by artist Audley Dean Nicols. For everything from outdoor excitement and historic finds, it’s easy to see how Arizona’s Sky Islands provide endless discoveries. DINING WITH A VIEW In Southern Arizona, dining out often comes with a feast for your eyes as well. Tucson’s Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is set in a 49-acre botanical garden and surrounded by wildflowers and palo verde trees. Peruse the daily brunch menu for choices like prickly pear margaritas and avocado toast. For cosmopolitan cityscapes, head up to the 14th floor of the Graduate Tucson to find The Moonstone rooftop bar, serving up modern Southwestern fare, craft cocktails and panoramic views of downtown. Thirty minutes outside downtown, venture to Tanque Verde Ranch for a down-home Cowboy Cookout. You’ll pile your plate with grilled meats and homemade cornbread and take a seat amid the peaceful scenery of Cottonwood Grove. Against a backdrop of craggy Pusch Ridge, Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails at El Conquistador Tucson serves up locally inspired dishes like chile con carne fundido. Just north of Tucson, Noble Hops gastropub in Oro Valley has va-va-voom views of the Catalina Mountains from its ample patio—plus craft beers and comfort food like burgers, wings and nachos. South of Tucson, Stables Ranch Grille at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa is a historical setting surrounded by views of golf greens, towering cottonwoods and the Santa Rita Mountains from its spacious patio. In between gazing, dig into herb potato gnocchi with smoked bison sausage or the signature pork schnitzel. HAVEN FOR ARTISTS BY TERESA BITLER You’ll discover incredible arts and crafts wherever you travel in Arizona. But in the southern part of the state, several art destinations stand out for their unique sense of place. One of the most famous of these is DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum. Located in the foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains, the Gallery in the Sun pays tribute to Ettore “Ted” Grazia, known for his whimsical paintings of American Indian children. In addition to displaying his art, the galleryturned- museum sells DeGrazia originals, so you can take the artist’s work home with you. Also in Tucson, the Monterrey Court Studio Galleries and Cafe was originally a motel when it opened in 1938. Today, it is home to a restaurant, bar, and several galleries and shops surrounding a courtyard where live music plays most nights. For sale, you’ll find everything from artisan jewelry and handbags at Uptown Rodeo Rose to mixed media and paper art at B. Art. There’s also a spa and three tattoo parlors on-site. Farther south, La Entrada de Tubac resembles the Spanish village that the country’s soldiers may have left to come to the area in 1752. Today, you can visit the presidio they built here, but La Entrada de Tubac is a destination itself. Its galleries showcase original paintings, sculptures and photography while specialty shops sell Southwestern home décor, handcrafted jewelry, clothes, native plants and local food items. Before you go, savor the flavors of Mexico at Elvira’s Restaurant, which opened in 1927.
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