Written by Chelle Peterson, Director of Community Relations at The Post
It’s a great time to be in Tucson! Summer is right around the corner and life is finally getting back to normal.
And that’s got Dan and I thinking about weekends away with the family. So, we thought we’d share our favorite spots for a quick escape near Tucson.
Check them out!
Bisbee
In the late 1800s, Bisbee, which is located in the Mule Mountains, was the site of a gold and cover rush.
Today, it’s an amazing tourist town filled with attractions like the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, the Bisbee Restoration Museum, and Mulheim Museum Heritage House. If you’re feeling brave, you can also do the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour and even take a trip deep into the heart of the old mine.
This is one of our favorite go-to spots!
Sedona
Known as Red Rock Country, Sedona is an incredibly scenic place packed with canyons, hiking, and red rock formations. You’ll also find the incredibly dramatic architecture of Chapel of the Holy Cross. You’ll also find a ton of incredible places for wine tasting and spa treatments, if you’re in the mood to unwind.
Oh, and I can’t forget one of the most stunning parts of Sedona: the night’s sky. Not only is it known for its incredible sunrises and sunsets, it’s also renowned for its incredible stargazing.
Mount Lemmon
Summer in Arizona means hot days. And if you need to escape the heat, Mount Lemmon is a great destination. Nestled in the Santa Catalina mountain range, about an hour’s drive from Tucson, the altitude at the mountain means there can be as much as a 30-degree difference in temperature. Once you’ve driven the beautifully 27-mile Sky Island Scenic Byway to reach the peak of Mount Lemmon, you’ll find everything from bird watching and hiking to fishing, rock climbing, star-gazing, and more.
Scottsdale
We absolutely love Scottsdale and, since it’s only two hours away, it’s a great weekend trip. It’s got a ton of stuff to do, like historica Old Town Scottsdale as well as shopping, art galleries, hundreds of public art installations, bike paths, spas and wellness centers, and more.
Flagstaff
One of the things I love about Flagstaff is that it offers a beautiful change of landscape and scenery, right here in our own state.
Instead of cacti, you’ll find tall evergreen trees here and, in the winter, you can even go skiing at the Arizona Snowbowl.
Flagstaff is teeming with rich history and has a walkable downtown core filled with restaurants and breweries. And you can even head out to Meteor Crater to see the spot where a massive meteor crashed into the earth, leaving a hole almost a mile wide!
Dove Mountain
It has thousands of acres of foothills and canyons and offers a ton of amazing things to do, including golf courses, hiking, spa, and incredible food as well as swimming and slides for kids.
And since it’s only about a half-hour drive outside of the city, it’s a great spot to go for a quick getaway.
La Paloma Resort
You don’t have to go far to have an amazing weekend away. Just 10 minutes from The Post is one of my favorite places to visit for a quick escape: La Paloma Resort.
It’s located in the middle of the Sonoran Desert and offers incredible views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. On top of its spa and restaurants, it also offers some great outdoor activities, like walking through the Sabino Canyon, visiting museums, and more.
You’ll also find a kids’ slide, affordable cabanas to rent, golf lessons, yoga and meditation, a spa and fitness center, and tennis for kids and adults. If you’re looking for a weekend away, the resort is always running specials.
This is one of our favorite places to escape to when we have family come to town.
Cottonwood
If you’re up for a change of pace from what you get in Tucson, take a three and a half hour drive to Cottonwood, Arizona. It’s filled with a ton of great stuff, including a local winery, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, and outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and fishing.
Old Town Cottonwood is also a great place to take a trip back in time and to check out some quaint shops and restaurants.
Chiricahua National Monument
If you’re ready to stray off the beaten path a bit, you’ll find Chiricahua National Monument around 37 miles off of State Highway 186.
This amazing place is filled with other-worldly landscapes including towering stone pinnacles and balcony walks. There are also a ton of things to do, including wildlife watching, walking, hiking trails for all levels of physical fitness, horseback riding, and camping.
Lake Havasu
About a five-hour drive from Tucson, you’ll find Lake Havasu. This incredible getaway offers you a ton of fun options, from boating and watersports to great places to dine and relax. Believe it or not, you can also see The London Bridge, an iconic landmark that was relocated here from England in 1967.
Silver City, New Mexico
Located about three hours from Tucson is Silver City, New Mexico. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a great home base to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings. I find these absolutely fascinating! For thousands of years, groups of nomadic people used these caves as temporary shelter. Then, in the late 1200s, people of the Mogollon Culture decided it would be a great place to call home. They built rooms, crafted pottery, and raised children in the cliff dwellings for about 20 years. Then, they moved on, leaving us with an incredible glimpse into the past.
We can’t wait to start booking weekend getaways throughout the summer! Where are your favorite places to escape to? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
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