Tucson anyone?

[Le Pirate]

So I'm leaving friday, and will be in Tucson for a week. Never been there. Anything I should see or do while I'm there? Won't have my bike, and will be with my family, but any suggestions don't have to be kid friendly. No kids involved 

[Jaman]

I don't know how close Tuscon is to Chandler, but i really wanna go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Attack_Grill if ever in the neighborhood.

[Monster Dave]

I spend a good amount of time in Tucson. If you're looking for a nice place to have dinner with your family you should check out Cafe Poca Cosa. A friend of mine and his wife took us there for dinner and it was awesome.

Here's the website:

http://cafepocacosatucson.com/

As the weather will be nice you may want to check out the Pima Air and Space Museum.

http://www.pimaair.org/

The claim to fame for that museam is the Titian missle silo tour. It's the only underground nuclear missle silo that you can tour in the US.

There's also the Biosphere 2:

http://www.b2science.org/

Are you looking for more ethnic things to do or see? Mexico is less than 2hrs away, so the influence is pretty strong in the area.

Here's a cool link of 101 things to do/see in Tucson:

http://www.tucsonguidemagazine.com/101things.asp

[Monster Dave]

I don't know how close Tuscon is to Chandler, but i really wanna go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Attack_Grill if ever in the neighborhood.

Tucson is about 1.5 hours south of Chandler.

[SheMonster]

If you like baseball, spring training is going on right now.  The Diamondbacks and the Rockies play down there.  Here's next weeks schedule:

Mar 14th Sat Mariners at ROCKIES 1:10P @ Hi Corbett Field    
Mar 15th Sun Cubs at DIAMONDBACKS 1:05P @ Tucson Electric Park  
Mar 16th Mon Rockies at DIAMONDBACKS 1:05P @ Tucson Electric Park  
Mar 17th Tue Royals at ROCKIES 1:10P @ Hi Corbett Field  
Mar 17th Tue White Sox at DIAMONDBACKS* 1:05P @ Tucson Electric Park  
Mar 18th Wed Brewers at DIAMONDBACKS 1:05P @ Tucson Electric Park  
Mar 20th Fri Rangers at ROCKIES 1:10P @ Hi Corbett Field
Mar 21st Sat Royals at DIAMONDBACKS 1:05P @ Tucson Electric Park  
Mar 22nd Sun Indians at ROCKIES 1:10P @ Hi Corbett Field  

This is the best time of year to be here, it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside right now!  70 - 80 degrees, bright blue sunny skies  

[Monster Dave]

If you do get an itch to meet any local riders, the guys who run the DesmoSouthwest group run a shop called On Any Moto. You should check them out if you get Ducati withdrawls. 

http://onanymoto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=2

[cyrus buelton]

My parents are living there right now.

My Dad is a contract employee at the Air Force base.


I could probably toss you some places to eat; they have been living there for 2 years

[DCXCV]

To do:
Hiking - There are tons of trails arouns Tucson from easy walks in the low desert to strenuous burns up into the Catalinas, Rincons and Santa Ritas.  One of the easier and very scenic hikes is up to Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon - you can jump in the pools on a warm day http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/sabino-canyon/bear-canyon-trail.html
Kartchner Caverns is nearby http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/index.html
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum http://www.desertmuseum.org/
Sky Diving? http://www.skydiveaz.com/
Tombstone and Bisbee a bit further out if you're into touristy old west stuff

Eats:
El Parador http://elparadortucson.com
Poca Cosa is also a good one
El Corral http://www.elcorraltucson.com/index.htm
Breakfast: Blue Willow http://www.bluewillowtucson.com

[angler]

I grew up there and my family still lives there.  Cafe Poca Cosa is a good tip for "fancy" Mexican ($25+ for entrees).  For cheap Mexican there are several.  If you like whole fried snapper (called Pargo) for roll your own fish tacos El Meson de Cobre is great - order the  wrapped shrimp for an app.  Another great Mexican seafood place is Mariscos Chihuahua (essentially on the corner of Grande and Speedway).  They have a shrimp dish with an avocado sauce that is amazing.  For straight up Sonoran style dishes for cheap the best place in town is Rosa's on 1st and Fort Lowell.  If you find yourself needing some late night drunk munchies, stop at a Nico's Tacos - they are everywhere and most are open 24-7.

I'd skip Mexico IMHO unless you need to be harassed by vendors selling crap, need to be kidnapped, or want to buy pharms.  Nogales is highly overrated.  I love Mexico, but hate border towns.  If you want the old world vibe and want to do some curio shopping, stop in Tubac, about 20 miles before you get to Nogales.

What kind of things are you in to? +1 on the Pima Air Museum and the other attractions mentioned by Monster Dave. I don't golf, but there is fabulous golfing.  I like to hike a lot and there are some real awesome day hikes in the area.  Pima Canyon is great, Catalina State Park's Romero Canyon Trail, Finger Rock Trail, Linda Vista Trail, and Sabino Canyon.  All of the aforementioned trails are North or North and West of Tucson, but right in the foothills of the Catalinas.  If you bird watch, this time of year is great and Madera Canyon (45 minutes south on the road to Nogales) is a good spot as is Ramsey Canyon.  Kitt Peak Observatory is another cool place that involves a nice drive up to high elevation.  The San Xavier Mission south of Tucson is neat if you are in to old churches.  Go hungry and eat some indian fry bread from a stand out front. 

If you like scenic drives, the drive up Mount Lemmon can't be beat and is right in town.  You go from 2500 ft elevation to almost 9000 ft in like 30 miles or so.  Stop at Windy Point for an incredible vista.  Highway 83 to Sonoita is another great drive and a good day trip is to head out of Tucson on I-10 East, Take Hwy 83 south to Sonoita, East on 82 to 80 to Tombstone.  Tombstone is a tourist trap, but interesting if you are in to gunfight reenactments and cowboy memorabilia.  I would continue on from there to Bisbee on 80.  Bisbee is an awesome town.  There you can take the mine tour and bum around in this old town before heading back.  It would be an all day affair.

If you like zoos, the Desert Museum is a fantastic zoo for desert creatures.  It sits right in the middle of Saguaro National Monument West, which also has some excellent hiking.

PM me if you want any more tips,

[angler]

To do:
Hiking - There are tons of trails arouns Tucson from easy walks in the low desert to strenuous burns up into the Catalinas, Rincons and Santa Ritas.  One of the easier and very scenic hikes is up to Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon - you can jump in the pools on a warm day http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/sabino-canyon/bear-canyon-trail.html
Kartchner Caverns is nearby http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/index.html
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum http://www.desertmuseum.org/
Sky Diving? http://www.skydiveaz.com/
Tombstone and Bisbee a bit further out if you're into touristy old west stuff

Eats:
El Parador http://elparadortucson.com
Poca Cosa is also a good one
El Corral http://www.elcorraltucson.com/index.htm
Breakfast: Blue Willow http://www.bluewillowtucson.com[/url

+1 on Karchner.  Last time I went you still needed reservations, so you might want to check that one in advance.  There is also Colossal Cave closer to town, but it is not nearly as spectacular.

[Monster Dave]

If you like scenic drives, the drive up Mount Lemmon can't be beat and is right in town.  You go from 2500 ft elevation to almost 9000 ft in like 30 miles or so.  Stop at Windy Point for an incredible vista. 

True, but you still need snow chains or 4x4 to get up there!!!

[angler]

True, but you still need snow chains or 4x4 to get up there!!!

In March?  I mean they can get snow even in the middle of summer, but it is a paved road that rarely closes for more than 24 hours even after a big dump. According to 520.547.7510 (Sheriff's report) it is open today.  "That is subject to rapid change...." so check before you go.

[Monster Dave]

In March?  I mean they can get snow even in the middle of summer, but it is a paved road that rarely closes for more than 24 hours even after a big dump. According to 520.547.7510 (Sheriff's report) it is open today.  "That is subject to rapid change...." so check before you go.

That was just a warning/reminder that I saw on KOLD news yesterday morning. It's open up to mile marker 17 I think, beyond that it's 4x4 and chains.

...at least that what the news says, but the news has been know to be wrong on more than one occassion!!!!

[angler]

That was just a warning/reminder that I saw on KOLD news yesterday morning. It's open up to mile marker 17 I think, beyond that it's 4x4 and chains.

...at least that what the news says, but the news has been know to be wrong on more than one occassion!!!!

Always a good reminder to check the road conditions with any elevation during spring in Southern AZ. 


Almost forgot the bar scene. If you want a pub crawl, hit up 4th Avenue.  You'll find all sorts of bars from sports bars to meat market bars to everything in between.  The Shanty (just off 4th on 9th street) is a crowd pleaser.  O'Malley's is where all the kids hang out.  Che's Lounge is a basic bar with great atmosphere that ALWAYS has a dollar draft and PBR in cans for a buck.  Club Congress, not too far from 4th, has some good live music.  They are all within walking distance of each other.

[DCXCV]

That was just a warning/reminder that I saw on KOLD news yesterday morning. It's open up to mile marker 17 I think, beyond that it's 4x4 and chains.

...at least that what the news says, but the news has been know to be wrong on more than one occassion!!!!

Yeah they really don't enforce it except right after a storm.