Tucson

A convergence of culture and relaxation in an authentic desert setting

By CHRISTIANNA RAPHAEL

When people think of Tucson, they think of a cute town in the desert, not knowing this description barely scratches the surface. Due to its higher altitude, Tucson’s Sonoran desert is surprisingly lush and green to new visitors, providing cooler temperatures than other desert environments. Five ruggedly beautiful mountain ranges surround Tucson’s desert. This unique and beautiful topography offers extreme versatility when it comes to enjoying Tucson—indoors and out.

Tucson has a wide variety of museums and galleries to please almost every artistic taste. Modern art or antique planes? You pick. Daily pampering or activities such as hiking under the pristine skies? Tucson offers both (and more). Swing a golf club, or simply gaze at the expansive star-dotted sky—from earth to sky, Tucson’s yours.

In addition to culture and history, world-class resorts rule this desert oasis. Tucson’s renowned spas offer a veritable laundry list of spa services to take away years of stress. Horseback riding, mountain biking and tennis—among many other activities— make for a dizzying array of fun.

“In the winter, you can golf and ski in the same day!” says Toby Parks, director of Marketing at the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. No wonder Tucsonans are proud of their town.

Spaaahh, Ride or Swing

A goldmine of rest, relaxation and resources, Tucson’s home to some of the world’s most luxurious and highly rated resorts, with a glut of offerings to entertain and indulge. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey have come to regard Tucson’s resorts as their little desert secret, and families from all over the world come to partake of Tucson’s treasures.

Family Fun at Tanque Verde Ranch
TVR offers something for everyone—the individual and the family: from horseback riding and tennis lessons to mountain biking and fishing, even team penning—where guests (in teams of five) are timed while chasing cattle into a pen. Competition apparently gets fierce. As operations manager Paul “Gus” Gusfavson says, “It sounds like a college football game with all the whooping and hollering!” Like horses? TVR offers grooming and tack classes, in addition to private riding lessons, private rides and sunset rides. Loping is optional. (Yes, you truly can ride off into the sunset in Tucson!) Additionally, TVR caters to the entire family, offering a children’s program for ages 4-11. They can participate on their own while their parents enjoy some time alone. The kids program provides trail rides, riding lessons, tennis lessons and nature hikes. If the hubby’s not into riding, he can mountain bike or fish. Attesting to the popularity of TVR, one family in particular has been coming every year since 1967! 520.296.6275, www.tanqueverderanch.com.

Hiking, Stargazing and Butterflies at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
A luxe resort right against the mountains, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort boasts the AAA Four-Diamond Star rating and the only AAA Five Diamond Star-rated restaurant in southern Arizona, the Ventana Room. For introspection and quiet connection with nature, consider Loews’ popular hiking trail and educational nature trail, which features a hummingbird and butterfly exhibit and indigenous plant life. Guests may also see native birds, reptiles and mammals. “As our property was built with nature in mind, we decided to find ways that we could expand on this legacy,” says Brian Johnson, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort general manager. “The Loews Ventana Canyon Window Trail allows us to share with all of our guests the unique aspects of the Sonoran Desert that visitors sometimes don’t have the opportunity to enjoy. It’s an opportunity to really learn about the flora and fauna that live in our own backyard.” Set your sights on the stars! Since Tucson is known as the “Astronomy Capital of the World,” Loews created the Ultimate Celestial Stay. In the evening, when the night sky comes to life, the property’s croquet court is transformed into an intimate, outdoor observatory, which allows guests to peer at the 12 zodiac constellations using a high-powered telescope calibrated by the hotel’s Celestial Concierge. It’s no wonder Loews Ventana Canyon Resort was named one of Sunset magazine’s top 10 nature hotels! 520.299.2020, www.loewshotels.com.

“FORE!” With more than 20 golf courses in Tucson and the surrounding areas (including those designed by none other than Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus), you could spend your entire vacation on a course and never get bored. Over 300 days of sunshine cater to the golf nut in your family, and many resorts offer golf packages and vacations. Check out the Accenture Match Play Championship the last week of February, where the world’s top 64 players compete to benefit local charities.

Culture and Cacti

Home to enough museums and galleries to make cities twice its size envious, Tucson remains an art lover’s paradise. To the visitor’s benefit, artists have alighted upon Tucson and created a sort of artists’ enclave. Contemporary, traditional and historical museums and galleries combine to satisfy your artistic curiosity. After horseback riding and a massage, head to one of Tucson’s many museums or galleries and give your spirit some pampering.

Contemporary— Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Not traditionally known as a center for modern art (but becoming increasingly so), Tucson will surprise and delight art lovers with permanent and traveling exhibitions from nationally and internationally known artists on the cutting edge of modern art. In the fall, don’t miss the public programs by MOCA’s “Local Genius” award recipients, granted to southern Arizonans in various artistic disciplines, sure to open your eyes to the various interpretations of modern art. 520.624.5019, www.moca-tucson.org.

Planes— Pima Air and Space Museum
One of the largest air and space museums in the world, and the largest non-governmentfunded aviation museum, the Pima Air & Space Museum boasts more than 275 aircrafts—one of the country’s largest collections of historical aircrafts. Hangars filled with war aircrafts and original World War II barracks just may sate the appetites of aeronautical buffs for wartime history. 520.574.0462, www.pimaair.org.

Children— Tucson Children’s Museum
Housed in a historic library building, the Tucson Children’s Museum boasts interactive exhibits geared toward learning and exploration. Kids of all ages can have fun while learning from the museum’s many exhibits. Check out life-size animated dinosaurs and fossils in Dinosaur World or, if electricity’s workings are your child’s thing, the museum’s Electri- City Gallery allows children to find out how much power things around the house use. To create art, stop by the Art Studio or Performance Hall. Art becomes play and play becomes art in a childfriendly environment. 520.792.9985, www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org

Photography— Center for Creative Photography
Located on the University of Arizona campus, Tucson’s Center for Creative Photography houses works from more than 60 of the 20th century’s greatest American photographers— over 80,000 prints—one of the world’s largest collections. The permanent collection includes Ansel Adams, Aaron Siskind and Edward Weston and is sure to please any shutterbug enthusiast. The center’s print study program allows public access to the prints, but by appointment, so call ahead. 520.621.7968, www.creativephotography.org.

For more information about Tucson and its many attractions, please visit www.visitTucson.org.