Help me plan my trip (on a budget);)

[hikernut]

The Grand Canyon Star Party is June 1st this year.

https://tucsonastronomy.org/events-c...ate=2024-03-08

Kartchner Caverns is just southeast of Tucson.

https://azstateparks.com/kartchner

Aravaipa Canyon requires some planning. I’ve never been, but it’s on my list…

https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreat...izona/aravaipa

Tucson is pretty hot in the summer. Hopefully you like that sort of weather.

[GuruChicken]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

You definitely should take a Jeep tour in the Sedona area. I can vouch for Pink Jeep Tours, but there are several others to choose from.

The second this suggestion. I've done two Pink Jeep tours and enjoyed them so much. I did Ancient Ruin tour in Sedona and a Grand Canyon tour and they were great. For the Grand Canyon we rented the entire Jeep for our family of six and it was worth the money. They showed us things we wouldn't even know were in the park.

[ciceropolo]

Depending on your interests.

Stay in Phoenix area at a centrally located lodging. Then see many of the city area sights 2-3 days and pick a day trip (or two) to specific areas via rental car or arrange for local tour (Sedona Oak Creek Canyon, White knuckle drive up to Lake Roosevelt area, Superstition mountains, White Mountains in East (copper mine), painted desert area south of Tucson.

Sounds like you would enjoy: Painted desert / Tubac art colony area south of Tucson (would need a rental car), Go north to Sedona/ Oak Creek Canyon / Verde Canyon Railroad - nice couple hour train ride. In Phoenix visit the Heard Museum. Lots of archeological sights not sure how adventurous you would be as a single woman hiking but lots of varied sights within a 3-4 hour drive: Canyon De Chelly, Monument Valley (sight of many classic western cinema).

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by hikernut

The Grand Canyon Star Party is June 1st this year.

https://tucsonastronomy.org/events-c...ate=2024-03-08

I looked at this again, and it actually runs from Jun 1 through June 8. I went once quite a few years ago. There are lots of amateur astronomers with telescopes set up for viewing, so you can see a lot of different things all in a couple of hours. On the drive back south after the event I saw a large number of deer/elk, so be very careful driving at night in that area.

The Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff also has some public viewing nights. I've never gone, though.

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One other thing I forgot to mention, if you are in Tucson there is Sabino Canyon on the northeast edge of the city. Some good hiking and waterfalls there.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by stoptheridegonnahurl

Oh my gosh Mike 1003 thank you so much for the wonderful info. That’s so interesting about OP, were you actually escorted by the armed LE ranger or did you just decide to go that last time? I love museums and native culture and art so will definitely check that out. When I went to the GC years ago with family, we stopped into the Northern AZ. museum and saw some beautiful artifacts and contemporary paintings and pottery, just lovely. I do love hot weather but when is the best time you’d say, to visit Saguaro/Tucson. Do people ever hitchhike from the airport to the hotels near the park? (JK) I think someone else said that there are no shuttles..might have to splurge on a rental car.. thank you for the wonderful info.!
Best!

No. the rangers said area was safe and allowed us to go on our own.



As for hitchhiking, no idea. I sure wouldn't want my daughter hitchhiking anywhere, especially in a border state, Tuscon is only 110 miles from the border

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by ciceropolo

Depending on your interests.

Stay in Phoenix area at a centrally located lodging. Then see many of the city area sights 2-3 days and pick a day trip (or two) to specific areas via rental car or arrange for local tour (Sedona Oak Creek Canyon, White knuckle drive up to Lake Roosevelt area, Superstition mountains, White Mountains in East (copper mine), painted desert area south of Tucson.

Sounds like you would enjoy: Painted desert / Tubac art colony area south of Tucson (would need a rental car), Go north to Sedona/ Oak Creek Canyon / Verde Canyon Railroad - nice couple hour train ride. In Phoenix visit the Heard Museum. Lots of archeological sights not sure how adventurous you would be as a single woman hiking but lots of varied sights within a 3-4 hour drive: Canyon De Chelly, Monument Valley (sight of many classic western cinema).

All are great! we've done them


BTW, The Painted Desert is now part of Petrified Forrest NP

[Caladan]

Originally Posted by stoptheridegonnahurl

Can anyone tell me more about amenities nearby at Saguaro? Are there any other cool botanical places I should know about not to miss? I’m big on desert biome and plants, think its so cool. Are there any stargazing tours or anything that operate in the evening?

Other amenities near Saguaro NP - AZ Sonora Desert Museum is just a few miles from the western unit of Saguaro NP. A lot of it is actually outdoors, so lots of flora and fauna to see. Just don't go in the afternoon if you visit during the summer. Another desert biome to see is Sabino Canyon, on the east side of Tucson. You could even do Sabino Canyon in the morning, and then see the eastern unit of Saguaro NP in the afternoon since they aren't very far from each other. If you want mountains, you can drive up to Mt. Lemmon outside of N.E. Tucson, or Madera Canyon which is about 45 minutes drive south of Tucson. Tucson also has a botanical gardens, which can be quite busy when the cacti are blooming. Another place in Tucson to investigate is called Tohono Chul. If you want indoor stuff to do, there are a number of interesting museums in the downtown and university areas.

Tucson also has a number of interesting restaurants too. That might be the reason why Tucson is one of only two UNESCO City of Gastronomys in the USA.

If you decide to see Phoenix, they also have a world-famous botanical gardens too. And if you decide to vacation there, then you will absolutely have to visit the Heard Museum too.

As for stargazing - the best stargazing one can do is at an actual astronomical observatory. And lucky for you, there is one about an hours drive from downtown Tucson. It is called Kitt Peak National Observatory. They have two different programs that allow people to use their telescopes. One is 4-5 hours long, and the other is a full overnight. You can't get better stargazing than that, unless you become an astronomer. I don't know what this costs, but they have a website. I do not know if any type of public transportation can get you there, so you will probably have to rent a car to do this. Actually, renting your own car is IMO a lot better to see Tucson and the surrounding areas than trying to depend on some type of public transportation.

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by stoptheridegonnahurl

Thank you all,
I have been to the Grand Canyon and it was beautiful..though I’d love to go back there one day, it won’t be on this trip.

Have a wonderful day!

Next time then, try Havasupai Falls.