The iconic, cactus-lined deserts of Southern Arizona hark back to the days of the Old West, while the rest of the region offers trendy cities and lush vineyards.
Southern Arizona looks like a classic painting of American deserts. Drive through dusk-red plains lined with saguaro cacti and backed by dramatic rock formations. These familiar landscapes still manage to hide some surprises, including a thriving wine region and charming towns soaked in Americana.
Follow in the footsteps of Spanish conquistadors, who explored this land as early as the 1540s. Three centuries later, Southern Arizona boomed with the arrival of prospectors seeking copper and silver. Visit the Arizona History Museum to learn about Geronimo, the legendary Apache leader who fought in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century.
Stroll around artistic Tucson, which combines the Old West with modern, stylish Arizona. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum examines the landscapes of the region while the Old Tucson Studios have preserved atmospheric sets from old western movies. Don’t miss the Arizona State Museum and the University of Arizona Museum of Art.
Embrace the cowboy spirit of Tombstone, the town that was the home of Wyatt Earp. Listen to stories of outlaws and sheriffs at the informative museum in the Tombstone Courthouse. Nearby, colourful Bisbee is an old mining town with a welcoming, pedestrianized centre lined with 19th-century homes.
Strike out into the wilderness yourself, taking plenty of water to explore these atmospheric deserts. Follow the Echo Canyon Loop Trail through the Chiricahua Mountains or drive out to Chiricahua National Monument, famed for its gravity-defying rock pillars. The geological wonders continue underground in breathtaking Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Sip on the delectable products of the Santa Cruz Valley, Southern Arizona’s very own wine country. Find tasting sessions and cellar tours in the vineyards that surround towns such as Sonoita and Elgin.
Board a flight from 19 destinations around America and Mexico to reach Tucson International Airport. Visit in winter for beautiful light in the empty desert regions or mild days in Tucson. Explore in spring and fall, when the weather doesn’t get too hot and the cacti are in bloom.
