Blog Post Type: Planning a Trip to a City
Tucson, Ariz., is the state’s second largest city, but it isn’t second best in terms of opportunities for vacation fun. The list of reasons to plan a trip to Tucson goes on for miles; there are outdoor activities galore, rich historical and cultural attractions, and an abundance of Southwestern cuisine to make your mouth water. Trips to Tucson are cheapest in the summer, when temperatures soar. However, you can outsmart the heat and still have a great time in this gorgeous Southwest city.
Know the Hot Spots for Cooling Off
The cooler early morning and evening hours are a perfect time to get in a round of golf at Forty Niner Country Club or the Arizona National Golf Club. If the links don’t appeal to you, consider horseback riding or an exhilarating hike.
When things heat up, head indoors. A few standout indoor attractions include:
- The Mini Time Machine. The details of the exhibits in this museum of miniatures will astound you.
- The Loft Cinema. This independent movie house is great if you’re in the mood to watch something that strays from the mainstream.
- Museum of the Horse Soldier. This gem takes you back to the Old West and is a must-see if you have a cowboy or cowgirl in the family.
- HUB Restaurant and Ice Creamery. The readers of Tucson Weekly voted this the best ice cream place in the city.
Go Underground
Settle into your air-conditioned rental car and drive the 90 miles to Bisbee, a former mining town with a charming atmosphere that takes you back in time. Browse through unique art galleries, and then head to the mines. You can take a 75-minute tour of the Queen Mine and see firsthand how it operated in its glory days.
During the tour, you have the opportunity to ride a train deep into the mine, don some mining gear, and enjoy the underground temperature, which hovers around 47 degrees Fahrenheit—you may want to bring a sweater!
Look to the Sky
After a relaxing dinner at your comfortable Tucson hotel or one of the city’s delicious restaurants, head out for some nighttime fun. Of course, you could enjoy the star-filled sky from the balcony of your room, but why not get even closer to the celestial bodies?
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter hosts a large telescope and invites visitors to an educational and awe-inspiring experience. Listen to a presentation by an expert while you take in the wonder of the universe. The presenters don’t use a ton of confusing science language, so you don’t have to worry about the kids—or you—getting too confused by a load of astro-jargon.
A budget trip to Tucson doesn’t have to be boring, and it doesn’t have to make you long for an ice bath. You can visit the city in the summer and have a great time exploring both indoor and outdoor attractions. Have you visited Tucson in the hottest months? What are some things you enjoyed that helped you avoid the heat? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Author bio: Joy Nelson is a professional freelance writer who loves to travel, especially when she can do it on a budget. She is currently working on the #HipmunkCityLove project.
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