Highlighted Attractions
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
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This is an internationally known ''living'' museum with over 200
species of live animals and 1200 species of plants exhibited in
naturalistic habitats. The Museum is located on the west side of the
Tucson Mountains and requires transportation. Take Speedway Boulevard
west through Gates Pass to the museum. Gates Pass is a popular and
beautiful overlook point into the valley west of Tucson; this is a
particularly good place to see a spectacular Arizona sunset.
- Colossal Cave Mountain Park
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The Mountain Park is really many attractions in one: butterfly garden,
trail rides, refuge to wildlife (include bats), and of course, the cave!
The Mountain Park is located south-east of Tucson off I-10.
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Kartchner Caverns State Park
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Kartchner Caverns is a massive limestone cave with many passages and two
rooms, Big Room and Rotunda/Throne Room, each as long as a football field.
Visitors will have a rare glimpse at the natural wonders of multi-colored
stalactites and stalagmites. The Park is located approximately fifty miles
from the conference venue near Benson, AZ.
- Kitt Peak National Observatory
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According to the Web page, ''Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) supports the
most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime
optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun''.
Not only can you tour the visitor center and facilities during the day,
but you have the opportunity to do some actual nighttime observing!
- Pima Air and Space Museum
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This is the largest privately funded air museum in the western
United States. Over 275 aircraft depict a century of aviation
history. The Museum is located on the south side of Tucson.
Please note there is a discounted combination ticket for visiting
both this museum and the Titan Missile Museum.
- Sabino Canyon
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Located in north-east Tucson, Sabino Canyon is a wonderful place to hike, bike,
or ride the tram. The beauty of the natural desert landscape and steep canyon
walls should not be missed.
ALERT: A record flood swept through Sabino Canyon on 31 July 2006; the deluge
was the worst flood ever recorded in the canyon. Most of the canyon road
and a majority of the trails are closed while the damage is being assessed.
At this time there is no estimate as to when the trails and tram tours into
the canyon will reopen.
UPDATE (11 October 2006): The tram tours are running again through portions of Sabino Canyon!
The exact daily routes are a function of the clean-up and reconstruction efforts.
Please call 520-749-2327 for any last minute information. The Bear Canyon Trail
tram continues to take visitors to the Seven Falls trailhead.
- Saguaro National Park
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For those interested in a variety of hiking trails (there are scenic loop
drives too), this is the place to visit. In fact, this park has two
components: Rincon Mountain District (east) and Tucson Mountain District
(west).
- San Xavier del Bac Mission
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Known as the ''White Dove of the Desert'', the large size and the bright, white
color make it stand out against the landscape. According to the web site
''San Xavier Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of mission
architecture in the United States. It is a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine
and late Mexican Renaissance architecture...''. This is an historic ''must see''.
- Titan Missile Museum
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This Museum is the ''only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in
the nation''. Visitors are able to enter the actual silo which still
houses the 103 foot tall Titan missile (unarmed of course). This Museum
is located south of Tucson, along I-19 in Green Valley.
- Tohono Chul Park
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Tohono Chul Park is ''listed by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top
22 secret gardens in the U.S. and Canada''. Tohono Chul is a park, specialty
gardens, trails, art exhibit, and tea room on 49 acres on the north-west side
of Tucson.
- Tubac
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The small town of Tubac is filled with art galleries, gift shops covering all
price points, restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, working artists'
studios, and even some historic sites! If you like to shop and are looking
for southwestern gifts, this is the place to go! Tubac is located south of Tucson,
along I-19 about twenty-five minutes south of the Titan Missile Museum.
