Visiting Tucson and Southern Arizona

From Tucson's luxury resorts and golf courses to the planked sidewalks of Tombstone, southern Arizona offers an immense variety of sights and attractions for visitors. Almost forgotten ghost towns, rugged desert terrain, and the urban attractions of the city are the regions calling cards. With mild winter temperatures and the seasonal spike in population, it is an exciting and vibrant region to visit in the Winter and Spring. From Yuma in the West to Douglas in the east there are also interesting towns along the US Mexico border to enjoy the melting pot of cultures.

Tombstone, in old west lore, is the town too tough to die, and it has not. Today, its historic preservation efforts, render it one of America's best examples of the old west. Famous for the gunfight at OK corral, with good guys Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, reenactments of the gunfight are a popular event today.

South of Tombstone on the Mexico Border sits Douglas, a small town with some big stories. The town was settled during the days of Wyatt Earp and Geronimo, providing real old west drama to local history. The Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa was no stranger to Douglas, where you could hear his gun fire and watch the banditos ride through town. The seventh step in the marble stairs of the Hotel Gadsden is chipped from Pancho Villa riding his horse upstairs to the balcony. You had better book a Best Western Hotel as the Gadsden is also reported to be haunted by the Gadsden ghost.

You can find all the best of Arizona in Tucson. In winter and spring, activities range from snow skiing to golfing and baseball. Ski Valley, outside Tucson on Mt Lemmon, is getting amazing snow this year and is reasonably priced for a family day on the slopes.

Baseball Fans: Tucson hosts two major league baseball teams for Spring Training. With two terrific facilities, you can catch any number of your favorite teams during March and Aprils exhibition games.

The Fourth Annual Fiesta de Saguaro is held the first of March, celebrating southern Arizona's Hispanic heritage. Immerse in the culture, enjoying mariachi music, traditional dance performances and pinata breaking for kids. There will be plenty of excellent food and demonstration making it a full and exciting day. The festival is held at Saguaro National Park East.

Gear up for the 100th annual Pima County Fair in April. Bring the entire family and enjoy the exhibits, animals, carnival rides and great entertainers. This year is not to be missed.

Music lovers get your tickets now for the Espectacular Concert, the finale to the La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference. This is held April 20-24 at the Tucson Civic Center. The concert will feature Lila Downs in addition to well know Mariachi groups.

While you are in Tucson stop by the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun for a retrospective exhibit of paintings by Ted DeGrazia. Through April, DeGrazia's paintings from his apprenticeship with famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera are on exhibit. All the paintings were done while DeGrazia worked in Rivera's studio in 1942. This is an exceptional treat for fans of Latin American art.

Best Western Hotels are located through out Southern Arizona no matter where the road takes you. Convenient and affordable, choose Best Western for your lodging needs.

Tucson and Southern Arizona Hotel Map