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Adventure vacations in Arizona! Information and brochures from Arizona's best resorts and attractions. September 06, 2010 |
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Updated 01/07/10
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Amerind Foundation - Dragoon - Archaeological museum and research facility founded in 1937 by amateur archaeologist William Fulton. View an extensive artifact collections that span 10,000 years of Native American culture, concentrating on the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The museum's Gallery of Western Art includes works by Frederic Remington. the foundations name is a contraction of American Indian. Arcosanti - Cordes Junction - This is a prototype design of compact urban structures combined with large scale solar greenhouses. The design is by architect Paolo Soleri, using a concept called arcology... a combination of architecture and ecology. The site covers 10 acres on the 4,000 acre preserve. Construction started in early 1970 and the city continues to grow with the goal of housing 5000 people. Workshops, seminars and conferences are scheduled regularly, tours are also available. Arizona Military Museum - Phoenix - Located on Papago Park Military Reservation. Exhibits highlight Arizona's military history from Spanish days to the present. Weapons, uniforms, maps and other memorabilia are on display. The Library contains several very rare volumes. Arizona Science Center - Phoenix -***** Sporting over 100 interactive science exhibits that cover earth, space life science, energy and the human body. The Arizona Science Center has a small collection of reptiles. The Science Center also offers traveling exhibits to schools and groups. Arizona State Capitol Museum - Phoenix - Built in 1900, 12 years before Arizona became a state. The offices moved nearby in 1960 when the building became too small to serve as the capitol. The building was restored to it's original appearance with the refurbishing of the Copper Dome. The Governor's office, senate and house chambers and the historical exhibits. Both guided and self guided tours are available. Arizona State Museum - Tucson - You will find an extensive collection of artifacts from Native American cultures of the Southwest. Both prehistoric and modern exhibits including a cave with displays of artifacts from ancient cave dwelling cultures, ceremonial clothing, dolls, Apache blankets and beadwork and very rare sand paintings. Biosphere 2 - Oracle - This a a three acre enclosed, total ecological system in an airtight structure. The facility was designed to recycle air, water, wastes, and nutrients. The biosphere 2 maintains 3,800 plant and animal species as well as sustaining an eight person crew. Open to electrical and solar energy as well as an information exchange. The facility contains seven "biodomes": tropical rain forest, savannah, marsh, a 25' deep ocean, desert, agra-forestry and human habitat. There are both self guided and guided tours. Bisbee Historic District - Bisbee - Considered one of the best preserved turn of the century towns in the Southwest U.S. Founded in 1880, this was once a wealthy mining metropolis. There are several Victorian homes built during the boom years remaining. You will delight in the narrow, winding streets lined with brick buildings in the old section of town. Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum - Bisbee - This Collection contains more than 8,000 historical objects, 12,000 photographs and an extensive archival collection. Housed in an 1897 mining companies general offices. The Core exhibit features a large photo, murals, hundreds of artifacts and several walk in environments highlighting the early days of Busbee. Other exhibits include mineral specimens and period costumes. Bonelli house - Kingman - This two story mansion was built in 1915 for the wealthy Bonelli family after their earlier home was destroyed by fire. The building is constructed of native tufa stone, the stone provides resistance to fire and the thick walls keep the house cool in the desert climate. The family lived in the home until 1973 when the city purchased the house. Many of the original furnishings are displayed in the completely renovated house. Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum - Mesa -***** This museum is located at Falcon Field a WWII pilot training base and is devoted to fighter aircraft and the pilots who flew them. You will see the complete evolution of fighter aircraft from the fragile wood and fabric aircraft of WWI to the jets of the Vietnam Conflict. Also there are over 700 personally autographed photos of aces from 15 countries spanning the history of aerial warfare. The museum has a complete history of the machine gun from 1895 to the present and a large and impressive collection of Thompson submachine guns. Falcon Field is also home to the Confederate Air Force's B-17 Sentimental Journey. Dinosaur Tracks - Tuba City -***** You will see distinct tracks of several species of dinosaur. Located a few miles West of Tuba City on Hwy. 160, the tracks have been preserved in the native Navajo sandstone and are dated to 200 million years ago. One particularly amazing artifact is a raptor claw found embedded in the sandstone. Please Contact John Willie, Native American Indian, local resident, and a pretty cool guy. Dage Water Arts and Crafts P.O. Box 3907, Tuba City, AZ 86045 (be sure to tell him Johnny Walker sent you!) Fort Bowie - Fort Bowie National Historic Site - The fort is located in the heart of the Apache homeland. Fort Bowie was established in 1862 to control access to Apache Spring, a chief water source on the Southern Overland Trail. Geronimo and his band of Chirichaua Apaches were brought here following their surrender to U.S. Cavalry troops in 1886. The fort was abandoned in 1894 however, ruins of the Butterfield Stage Station and the Chiricahua Apache Indian Agency and the fort still remain. Fort Verde - Fort Verde State Historic Park - The fort was occupied by two cavalry companies and two infantry companies from 1865 to 1891. The park includes three officers quarters, administration building and a portion of the parade ground. Exhibits in the headquarters building explain the history, routine and methods of 19th century soldiering in central Arizona. Four Corners Monument - Teec Nos Pos - This is the only place in the U.S. that 4 states meet, the monument marks the spot where you can be in 4 states simultaneously! Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Globe Historic District - Globe - The community was established in 1876, but the growth of the town began in the 1860's. Prospectors and mining companies moved into the area with the discovery of silver and continued with the discovery of rich copper deposits. The mines shut down during the Great Depression. Several elegant old buildings remain and many have been restored. Some of the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the US Post Office and the Federal Court building. Grand Canyon Railway - Williams - From 1901 to 1927 more than half of all Grand Canyon visitors arrived by train. Service was discontinued late in the 1960's due to the popularity of the automobile. Today the restored 1920's Harriman coach cars carry passengers on the 65 mile, 2.5 hour trip from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trip ends at the Grand Canyon Depot the last log constructed depot serving an active railroad. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting - Phoenix - The museum houses over 100 restored vintage fire trucks, including hand and horse drawn units dating from 1725. Thousands of artifacts, helmets, badges and memorabilia. Heard Museum - Phoenix - This is an extensive collection of Native American artifacts and fine art. Baskets, jewelry, pottery, textiles, Apache wickiup and Hopi corn grinding room. Kachina doll gallery. Demonstrations by Native American artists with changing exhibits. Both guided and self guided tours are available. Heritage Square - Phoenix - You will find eight structures representative of Phoenix in the late 1800's. The only remaining group of houses from the original townsite, all are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buildings offer a variety of exhibits and activities. Tours of elegant Victorian Eastlake style Rosson House, restored to its original turn of the century appearance. Hoo-Hoogam Ki Museum - Salt River Indian Reservation - Experience the cultural heritage of the Salt River Pima Maricopa people from ancient times to the present. Displays of basketry, pottery, and traditional dress and photographs. Located in the traditional building constructed of adobe and desert plants. The museum name means, "house of those who have gone". Hoover Dam - Lake Mead National Recreation Area - Completed in 1935, the dam took five years and over 5000 workers to build. Sections of the muddy sometimes violent Colorado River turned into the still, clear waters of Lake Mead the largest man made reservoir in the U.S. Regional growth was spured by the tremendous amounts of electricity and water in the area. Guided tours are available. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site - Ganado - The post was purchased in the late 1870's by John Lorenzo Hubbell, this is the oldest continuously operating Navajo trading post. One of few direct points of contact between Native Americn and European settlers, the post helped provide a bridge between cultures. Hubbell often was the Navajo's spokesman. Operated by the National Park Service today , the trading post still operates with members of the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi tribes selling and trading crafts. There are self guided and ranger guided tours of the post compound and Hubbell's house. International Wildlife Museum - Tucson - View over 200 species of birds and mammals from all over the world. Hands on exhibits and interactive video displays, wildlife films and slide presentations. Jail Tree - Wickenburg - An ancient Mesquite tree where prisoners were chained during early day of the town before a jail was built. Families of the incarcerated often came to picnic with the prisoners at the site. The tree still is standing at the highway junction in the center of Wickenburg. Jerome State Historic Park - Jerome - The park museum is in the old Douglas mansion. the museum traces the history of local mining activity and the family of James Douglas, owner of United Verde Copper Company which operated in the early 1900's. Exhibits include photographs, artifacts and minerals. See the 3D model of the town with underground mines. John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum - Page - John Wesley Powell was the first person known to explore and chart the Colorado River. His 1869 expedition took Powell and crew 99 days to travel 1,000 miles from Green River Wyoming to what is now Lake Mead. Exhibits with photographs, etchings, paintings, documents, relics and reconstructions may be viewed along with Native American art and memorabelia of the early pioneers. Kitt Peak National Observatory - Tohono O'odham Reservation - The observatory complex includes a museum and several observatories with the world's largest concentration of optical telescopes. Hundreds of visiting astronomers from all over the world use the facilities to carry out research. The museum features exhibits and daily films about our universe. Several of the observatories are open to the public. Both guided and self guided tours are available. The Little House Museum - Springerville, X Diamond Ranch - Take a step back in time on our grounds. This is a truly unique museum with antiques and artifacts from the old west. Old buildings have been authentically restored to their original condition. Around every corner you'll see turn of the century vintage fashions. Our Music Hall is filled with instruments that are truly one of a kind, such as the rare Violano, patented in 1912, and a Swiss music box patented in 1865. Drop a nickel into a Nickelodeon and let yourself dance to the old saloon music. London Bridge - Lake Havasu City - This is the famous bridge that spanned the Thames River in London, England. The bridge was offered for sale in 1967 after discovering that the 136 year old structure was slowly sinking into the river and was no longer able to handle the busy city traffic. The bridge was purchased by Robert McCulloch for $2,460,000, disassembled block by block and shipped to California and then trucked to it's present location and reassembled over a three year period. Lowell Observatory - Flagstaff -***** The historic observatory was founded by Boston businessman author and scientist, Percival Lowell. In it's time this was America's leading astronomical institution, with research ranging from planetary science to extra-galactic astronomy. The observatory operates eight telescopes, four of the largest research telescopes are now housed at Anderson Mesa in the Coconino National Forest. Public telescope viewing hours on the historic 24" Clark refractor can be scheduled. Madonna of the Trail - Springerville - One fo the monuments erected in 12 states through which the National Old Trails Road passes. This was the road that connected the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. The Arizona monument commemorates hardy pioneer women of covered wagon days. McFarland State Historic Park - Florence - The park is dedicated to Ernest McFarland, former Arizona governor, US senator and state supreme court justice. Housed in the first Pinal County Courthouse, built in 1878 and later used as the county hospital. Featured exhibits include an interpretive program on McFarland, replica courtroom and numerous artifacts from the local area. Mesa Southwest Museum - Mesa - This museum features artifacts of Native American and early pioneer history. The life of prehistoric Native Americans is depicted with reproductions of dwellings made from local materials. Other exhibits include Southwestern Native American pottery, covered wagons and a 1800's school house and territorial jail. Mission San Xavier Del Bac - Tucson - Known as the "White Dove of the Desert", the mission was built in 1783-97 by Franciscans continues to serve as parish for the Tohono O'odham tribe. It is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the US. White plastered brick exterior walls harbor an elaborately decorated Baroque interior filled with frescos, statuary and carvings. Museum displays artifacts and photographs. The building is on the list of National Historic Landmarks. Museum of Northern Arizona - Flagstaff - Galleries and changing exhibitions focus on archaeology, ethnology, geology, natural history and fine art of the Colorado Plateau. Research collections include over one million artifacts, specimens, paintings and sculptures. The museum is host to annual exhibitions of Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo art. Newspaper Rock - Petrified Forest national Park - This huge sandstone block is covered with ancient Native American petroglyphs. The site can best be viewed from the overlook with binoculars. Oatman - Oatman - Once a booming gold mining town located in the midst of the craggy rock pinnacles of the Black Mountains. This was an active gold mining town from the discovery of gold in 1915 until 1942. Many empty buildings and picturesque ruins remain, the current population is approximately 100. Enjoy the old time board sidewalks on the restored main street. Old Tucson Studios - 10 miles West of Tucson - This famous Western theme park and motion picture studio began in 1939 when a movie company built a replica of Tucson in the 1860's. Numerous films and television series with a Western theme were filmed at both the studio and in the neighboring desert. Live entertainment, amusement rides and Studio tours. Phoenix Art Museum - Phoenix - Thousands of works of art from the Renaissance Period to the present. Exhibits include painting, sculpture, and photography. Outstanding collection of costumes and clothing. Changing exhibits, films lectures and recitals. Picacho Peak - Picacho Peak State Park - This was the site of Arizona's only Civil War battle. Monuments commemorate the Battle of Picacho Pass that occurred on April 15, 1862. There is a re-inactment every year. Pima Air Museum - Tucson -***** This outstanding collection contains over 250 aircraft covering the evolution of American aviation. One of the largest collections of historic aircraft in the world includes full scale model of the Wright Brother's 1903 Wright Flyer and many other historically significant aircraft from WWII to the present. This is the home of the Challenger Learning Center of the Southwest. Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum - 25 miles north of Phoenix -***** This is an outstanding facility, featuring over 20 origional and reconstructed buildings from the mid 1800's. The buildings make up nearly a complete pioneer town. Costumed interpreters demonstrate daily activities of the past in various buildings including a blacksmith shop, print shop, school house and church. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park - Flagstaff - This richly furnished home built in 1904 for the Riordan brothers, Michael and Timothy, owners of the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company. The Structure is actually two houses joined by a central room. The houses are filled with original artifacts and hand crafted furniture. Route 66 - McConnico - The most historic highway in the US, known as the "Main Street of America". Route 66 covers 2,200 miles, linking Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California. The road was in continuous use from 1926 until 1984, the last section was replaced in 1985 by the current Interstate system. Immortalized in song and on screen, this was the Migration route during the Great Depression, the The Arizona section winds through the Black Mountains. Sharlot Hall Museum - Prescott - 12 buildings on 3 acres provide recreation and displays of territorial era Arizona. Founded in 1928 by poet and historian, Sharlot Hall, who traveled by wagon train to Arizona in the 1880's at the age of 12. Structures include the old Governor's Mansion, log house with period furnishings built in 1864, Freemont House 1875, Victorian Style Bashford House 1877, and the Sharlot Hall Building, housing the museum with exhibits of Prescott history and Native American artifacts. Taliesin West - Scottsdale - Architect Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and home built in 1937. Situated on 600 acres of rugged Sonoran Desert and constructed with rocks gathered from the desert floor and sand from local washes. Considered an American Architectural masterpiece. On the list of National Historic Landmarks. Titan II Missile Museum - Green Valley - Disarmed Titan II missile in an underground silo. Only one of a kind as all others have been destroyed. Guided tours allow a close look at the launch control center and missile. Tombstone - Tombstone - Known as the town too tough to die, one of the Old West's most famous towns. Built upon one of the West's greatest silver discoveries, with over $40 million dollars worth of silver mined in the 1880's. This is the site of the famous 1881 gunfight at the OK Corral between the Earp family and the Clanton family. Most famous landmarks remain, including the OK Corral, Boot Hill Graveyard, Bird Cage Theater and the Crystal Palace. This is on the list of National Historic Sites. Be sure to see the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, built in 1882 as the Cochise County Courthouse. Tubac Presidio - Tubac Presidio State Historic Park - Established in 1752 in response to the conflict with the Pima tribe. The facility housed 50 Spanish soldiers assigned to control the Pimas, protect the frontier from Apaches and Seris and further explore the Southwest. Juan Bautista de Anza set out from here on an overland expedition that resulted in the founding of San Francisco in 1776. Winsor Castle - Pipe Spring National Monument - This was a ranch and fort built by Mormons to protect cattle grazing lands owned by the church. The site consists of two rectangular, two story houses with walls connecting ends to form a courtyard. Named for ranch superintendent A.P. Winsor, thought to be related to the English royal family. Frontier life exhibits and living history demonstrations highlight the tour. Yuma Crossing State Historic Park - Yuma - The park interprets modes of transportation across the Colorado River from pre-history to the present. Located on the site of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot, where the US Army stored and transferred supplies to military posts across the Southwest. Yuma Territorial Prison - Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park - Constructed by inmates, the prison was completed in 1876. The facility was operated for 32 years and housed a total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women. Crimes ranged from murder to polygamy, with grand larceny being the most common. By 1907 the prison was severely overcrowded and the inmates built a new prison in Florence, the last prisoner left Yuma in 1909. |
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