Vacations Blog

The Renaissance Festival Grounds

Arizona’s annual Renaissance Festival kicks off on February 6th, 2010, and runs through the end of March. I’m giving you plenty of head’s up so you can plan your vacation to Arizona accordingly! Need to get out of the snow and cold of your home state (or country)? A visit to Arizona in February will treat you to sunshine and temperatures in the high-sixties.

I may complain about the summers on a regular basis, but I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the winters.

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The San Xavier del Bac Mission, located just south of Tucson, Arizona, was built from 1783 – 1797 by a pair of Franciscan Fathers. It has been in continuous operation as a functioning parish church of the Diocese of Tucson since its construction. The mission mixes styles from Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architectures – its elaborate arches, domes, and towers can be seen on the horizon for miles around the area.

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Fall foliage

Contrary to the thermometer outside my window, which at this second is reading a balmy 108 degrees (September in Arizona – gotta love it!), the fall weather will soon be upon us. Nothing says fall to me more than the round of upcoming harvest fairs and festivals, scheduled for September through November.

The Arizona Expo and State Fair is being held from October 16th through November 8th (closed Mondays). Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and kids under five years old are free. Parking in all fair lots is $10. The fairgrounds are located at 26 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix, just off of I-10. This year’s concert series includes Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Lady Antebellum, The Black Crowes, David Cook, and Kelly Clarkson. The fair is entering its 64th consecutive year and features the traditional round of carnival rides, fried foods, craft and livestock displays and contests, and rodeo events.

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Photo by simax105

If you’re going to be in Arizona during the July 4th weekend, here are some celebrations that are going on around the state. There’s something going on in virtually every town, but here are ten key events that are sure to please:

Phoenix: Enjoy the 24th Annual Fabulous Phoenix 4th, at Steele Indian School Park. Entertainment (on three stages!) begins at 6:00 p.m., with the fireworks show beginning at 9:20. The event features local entertainment, a cooling misting area, inflatable rides, a Classic Car exhibit, food and beverage vendors, and a water spray zone manned by the Phoenix Fire Department.

Tempe: Check out the 58th annual Tempe 4th of July Festival, taking place in Tempe Beach Park alongside the man-made Tempe Town Lake. The extravagant fireworks show, local food vendors, and live entertainment more than make up for the crowds.
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I would never suggest you need kids to visit the zoo.  In fact, while recently visiting the Reid Park Zoo during our latest Tucson vacation (get there before it’s HOT!) I overheard one guest ask another why there were so many kids at the zoo, which just goes to show that you don’t have to be smart to visit one either.  Anyone can visit the zoo!

The Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona isn’t the biggest or fanciest zoo you’ll ever visit (unless it’s the only zoo you ever visit), but it’s just big enough and what it lacks in exotic animals it more than makes up for in quaint ambiance and friendly staff.

The zoo is located within a large park that offers spring-training baseball and concerts under the stars.  It’s a quick drive from everything you need to complete your day, whether it be food, shopping or a place to catch a few winks- that Tucson sun can wipe out the best of us.

The Reid Park Zoo is affordable, too:

Admission Fees
$6.00 adults ages 15-61
$4.00 seniors ages 62 and over
$2.00 children ages 2-14
FREE for children under 2 years
Reserved school groups $0.50 per child
FREE for members.

The kids had a blast.  There are interactive exhibits and walk-through aviaries and places to get wet.  Who doesn’t love that?

Wherever your journeys take you, a trip to the zoo is a good way to make a lasting memory for the entire family.

Photos: Whit Honea

Dove Mountain Course in Marana, AZ (Photo: WSTickets)

Tucson, Arizona (and the surrounding towns of Marana, Oro Valley, Green Valley and Sauharita) is an area of over a million people and even more cacti.  It is an oasis in the desert where saguaros grow on golf courses and margaritas are served with lunch.

Although the winter nights can be quite chilly the days are relatively warm and almost always sunny.  The same can be said for the spring and fall.

During the summer it tends to get a tad bit warmer (think hell-like), however, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable night than a summer evening in Tucson- especially if a monsoon has been by (they usually clear out fairly early).

There are plenty of things to do in and around the city.  Some may require a drive of an hour or two, but all are worth it.  Here are some favorites:

Sabino Canyon in Tucson, AZ (Photo: NSF)

Sabino Canyon- You can’t beat the beauty of this hiking area, but you can see it without the walk- tram service is available.  Bring a swimsuit (and a camera)!

Old Tucson Studios – It’s twelve miles and 100 years from town.  It’s an interactive and working studio specializing in your favorite westerns,  Shoot out to Old Tucson!

Tombstone, AZ – If the real thing is more your style take a day trip to the home of the OK Corral.  From Boot Hill to Big Nose Kate’s you can’t go wrong.  While you’re in the area visit nearby Bisbee and tour the mine and/or check out the local art scene.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – It’s a zoo.  It’s a museum.  It’s a botanical garden.  It’s world-famous.  It’s also very close to Old Tucson Studios.

Mount Lemon – You can drive it, hike it or ski it.  Or all of the above.

Kitt Peak Observatory – Kitt Peak is to astronomers what Graceland is to Elvis fans.  The views are fantastic.

Kitt Peak and Lightning (Photo: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF)

San Xavier Mission – “The White Dove of the Desert” is a must-see for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  In a nutshell, it’s beautiful.

Tubac – If you like golf and galleries then you’ll enjoy a trip to Tubac.  Also, if you like hiking the beautiful Madera Canyon is just a short drive away.

Nogales, Sonora (Mexico) – About two hours south of Tucson is this gateway to Mexico.  It’s a great day trip for shopping, dining and culture.  It can get a little rough in the evening as it fills up with drunken teens from the United States (drinking age is only 18 and rarely enforced), so you may want to get an early start on the drive back to Tucson.  Depending on when you read this post a passport may be required to cross the border.

Bear Down, Arizona!

The University of Arizona – Home of the Wildcats, the University of Arizona is part of the Pac-10 confrence and a leader in all kinds of stuff.  The campus is filled with museums, activities, and bikini-clad coeds (if you’re into that sort of thing, which I am).  Notable alumni and staff include: Bob Dole, Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (creator of Sesame Street), Jerry Bruckheimer, Ted DeGrazia, Barbara Kingsolver, Greg Kinnear, Linda McCartney, Linda Ronstadt, Ruchard Russo, David Foster Wallace, Kristen Wiig, Gilbert Arenas, Lance Briggs, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Bibby, Terry Francona, Amanda Beard, Kurt Busch, Jennie Finch, Trevor Hoffman, Steve Kerr, Kenny Lofton, Annika Sorenstam, Jason Terry, Luke Walton, Mike Candrea, Lute Olson, Andrew Weil, and me.

However, the best thing to do in Tucson might be the easiest (and cheapest).  Just find a place to sit and look at this:

Tucson Sunset (Photo: Photobucket)

Related:

Dillinger Days in Tucson, AZ

Winterhaven – Tucson’s Holiday Treat

Tucson Revealed- A Local’s Perspective

Photo: TucsonAZ.gov

When people think of Tucson, Arizona and its gun-slinging element they tend to conjure up images of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday hopping trains to nearby Tombstone.  Not many people think of the infamous criminal/folk hero John Dillinger and his gang that were all captured there.  Dillinger Days can change that.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the moment which put the notorious Dillinger Gang behind the bars of a Tucson jail (Dillinger was shot 6 months later in Chicago) – all without a shot being fired.

The event kicks off this evening at the legendary Hotel Congress and fills the downtown area tomorrow with era-related car shows, lectures, tours, period costumes and a re-enactment of the big moment.  Dillinger Days also serves as a charity supporting C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) that benefits families of officers killed while in the line of duty.

A schedule of events can be found here.

If you plan on visiting Tucson for the event or just the mild winter there are plenty of places to stay in the Downtown area, most notably Hotel Congress (also a great club and restaurant).

From downtown a quick walk will take you to 4th Avenue where a trolley can connect you to the University of Arizona (Go ‘Cats!) and the surrounding historic area and/or bars (that’s where the trolley really helps out).

When you say Tucson and holiday lights in the same breath it is understood that you are talking about Winterhaven (in Tucson, anyway).

For 58 years the Tucson neighborhood of Winterhaven has lit up.  Literally.   Thousands of visitors walk, drive, or ride haywagons pulled by horses through streets lined with festive lighting.

It’s quite amazing, really.

There is no admission, however, there are opportunities available to make donations to the Tucson Community Food Bank.

The festival runs through the 27th of December, but just like Frosty the Snowman, it will be back next year.  And every year after.

Photos by Whit Honea