Tucson or Phoenix

Two of us are planning a trip to Arizona in early March and are trying to decide between Tucson or Phoenix. We both like hiking, outdoor activities, relaxing, reading, good food, historcal attractions, antiques, flea markets, horseback riding, museums. Good restaurants are important but not the late night bar scene. I know it is hokey, but I would love to visit some ghost towns too. Which area would you recommend?

Tucson or Phoenix

Tucson. The hiking and natural scenery is better, you%26#39;ll find more non-chain restaurants and the city is more relaxed. Tons of museums as well: http://tucsonmuseums.org/map/

There are two ';ghost town trails'; in Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties which go by several authentic ghost towns, normally silver mining boom/busts. There%26#39;s also Fairbank, on the way to Tombstone, on the edge of Arizona%26#39;s Wine Country, which is a ghost town that the BLM has recently taken under their wing and turned into something very nice and informative. Several other relatively inaccessible ghost towns around Tucson.

hth

Tucson or Phoenix

Granted, you are asking the Tucson board so you are going to receive a biased response.

But Tucson all the way!! Honestly, there is SO much to do in Tucson and its surrounding vicinity on vacation.

Have fun!

Definitely Tucson. Yes I am biased. I very seldom go to Phoenix. Now, if you were into shopping and nightlife, Phoenix would have much more to offer. But Phoenix is so huge, it is a major task to really get to the desert.

In Tucson, everything is much more accessible and there is much more to do, in the way of outdoor activities.

For hiking, there are dozens of trails very close in. Check out this hiking site. You have to register (no cost and no spam) to get detailed info on the hikes.

www.hikearizona.com/Region-Hikes.php?RID=10

For historical attractions and museums, there is the Arizona Historical Society museum, just off the University campus and the Arizona State museum on campus. Also, in Dragoon, there is the Amerind Foundation. Not to mention our Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is a ';must-see';

For more information on these, and other, things, visit my online list of things to see and do.

http://www.mikepintucson.blogspot.com/

MikePin ~ thanks for the Tucson hike website. We%26#39;re headed down next month for a camping/hiking/herping vacation. I%26#39;ve been reading about lots of the hikes available but haven%26#39;t felt able to make any specific choices. This site has the best information!

Do you have any specific suggestions about where we might have the best chance of seeing local reptiles? (My son is keen on seeing lots of rattlesnakes; I just want to get to know the Tucson area.) Our trip will definitely include the AZ Sonoran Desert Museum as well as other local attractions.

Pima Canyon in the Catalinas or Douglas Spring in the Rincons are both good for newbies to the area. The former winds through the desert and into a boxed-in riparian canyon, while the latter ascends a ridge and sort of goes to a small waterfall (should still be running March). Ventana is good as well, or you can do Hugh Norris in the Tucsons, but the landscape isn%26#39;t as diverse as the others. Sabino Canyon gets suggested a lot, and that%26#39;s beautiful, but it%26#39;s all paved and very crowded.

I%26#39;ve only seen one rattlesnake while hiking here in Tucson. They generally stay away from trails and people and tend to have good hiding spots, but you can occasionally catch them around sunset. Certainly don%26#39;t go looking for one though: they really are very dangerous. If your son wants to see them, wait until the Desert Museum.

The most wildlife you%26#39;ll see on hikes are usually deer in the upper elevations, and javelinas, rabbits and the occasional coyote in the lower. Lots of birds, too, including quite a few hawks and tons of doves. And you%26#39;re a little early for tarantulas.

There%26#39;s no question - Tucson is far better for the types of things you prefer. The area is more scenic because of the several mountain ranges surrounding the city. Phoenix%26#39;s mountains are far in the distance while Tucson%26#39;s are very close. Phoenix has become a very large city with lots of traffic - think LA Jr. One place you might like for some of your activities is Tanque Verde Ranch which has rooms, a restaurant (with a great lunch buffet), horses etc.

Nogales, Mexico is a short drive away and the interesting towns of Tombstone and Bisbee can be seen in a day.

There is a ghost town called Ruby not too far away. It can only be visited at certain times under conditions I can%26#39;t remeber, but it%26#39;s very interesting. There are other abandoned places near Patagonia and there are jeep trips to them.

We come to AZ every November for the NASCAR races in Phoenix, but only stay there for the race weekend. Much prefer Tucson. There are so many things to do and see within a 50 miles radius--it%26#39;s one of our favorite cities.

Thanks all, looks like we will stay with Tucson, lots of good web sites to check before we leave!