Trip Ideas
Need something to do on the weekend or a 4-day? Below you'll find some of the best attractions Arizona has to offer.
Kartchner caverns - The caverns are about 30 minutes north of Sierra Vista in a state park. Cave tours are closed on October 10 - 14, 2011 due to cave maintenance. You can visit the offical website for more information on tours.
Colossal Cave - The cave and park are located about 1 1/2 hours north-west of Sierra Vista in the city of Vail. Vail is just before you reach Tucson off of Hwy 10 when you're coming from Sierra Vista. You can take a tour of the cave and there is horse back riding tours offered through the desert at the cave as well. Here's the number to the stables for reservations - (520) 647-3450. You can also visit the official website for more information.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
16721 E Old Spanish Trail
Vail, AZ 85641
Fort Huacucha horseback riding (The Buffalo Corral)- www.mwrhuachuca.com - The stables are located on the area of Fort Huachucha refered to as old post, at the base of the mountains. Not only can you ride here but they also offer lessons and birthday parties. There is a discount for military ID holders but civilians are welcome too.
Building 13555
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-6000
(520) 533-5220
THE BIOSPHERE2 - Just north of Tucson. The trip takes about 2 hours. Biosphere’s gates open at 9 am and close at 4 PM. Tours run periodically throughout the day. Check out the official website for more information and what they're all about.
32540 S Biosphere Rd.
Oracle, AZ 85623
(520) 838-6200
THE DESERT MUSEUM - What is the Desert Museum?
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place. The Museum offers interpretive displays of living animals and plants native to the Sonoran Desert -- an arid region encompassing parts of Arizona and California in the United States and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California.
2021 North Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 883-2702
The City of Sedona -
The City of Sedona is known to be the most beautiful city in Arizona, maybe even in the west. It's located about 5 1/2 hours north west of Sierra Vista and only about 2 hours from the Grand Canyon. Sedona is famous for it's vortexes as well as an immense amount of outdoor activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting, fishing and skiing. Check out our favorite mountain bike rental shop, The Bike and Bean.
The vortexes at Sedona are said to hold mystical power, bringing a wide variety of different types of people to Sedona. Even if you don't believe in the mystical power you cannot discount the fact that the trees at the vortexes grow twisted around themselves. It is a completely unique area of the world.
Check out visitsedona.com
The City of Arcosanti - The city of Arcosanti was originally founded by Paolo Soleri. The city is an Urban Laboratory that is attempting to circumvent urban sprawl. Arcosanti is located about 4 1/2 hours from Sierra Vista to the north-west. The city is mainly funded by donation and the government. Part of their funding program also comes from art that is created there on site. The art is not available on the internet but is available at the city itself. The artwork is mostly copper and is world famous for their copper bells. There are several educational programs that take place in Arcosanti as well as tours around the small city. For more information please visit the Arcosanti Website.
Garden Canyon on Fort Huachuca - There is a canyon tucked away in the Huachucas where there is a park for climbing, hiking, picnicking, and fun. The canyon can be a little tricky to find but is well worth the drive. From the main gate you follow Winrow Rd. until you can turn left (south) onto Garden Canyon Rd. You will then pass a series of ranges along with the sportsman center and the Aerostat site. Continue on this road until you reach Garden Canyon on your left (south). There is also a map on the Fort Information page that has the Sportsman Center.
Coronado National Forest and Monument - Coronado National Monument is located about 40 minutes south of Sierra Vista and near the border of Mexico. It is a large open wilderness area great for hiking, climbing, picnicking, spelunking, and bird watching. There are caves in the area that are not observed at all times so please be careful. Also, be aware that since it is so close to the border of Mexico illegal immigrants often cross to the United States through the park. You can call the Border Patrol suspicious activity tip line at 1-800-BE-ALERT (1-800-232-5378).
For additional information about the Coronado National Forest and Monument you can call the visitor information number at (520) 366-5515 or visit the official website.
The City of Bisbee - Bisbee is known for copper mining and art. This little town just 30 minutes from Sierra Vista is completely unique and truly a stop in the old west. There is plenty to do in Bisbee including ghost tours, museums, historical walk through (520 432-3554), Queen Mine Tours, and many jewelry and art galleries. For more information visit discoverbisbee.com. Bisbee is also good for pubs and bars with a little bit of an older crowd as opposed to Sierra Vista.
The City of Tombstone - The famous historical figures of Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, Johnny Ringo, Ike Clanton walked the streets of Tombstone about 130 years ago. The town has mostly been kept in historical condition and is considered the most "western feeling" city in the southwest.
The Historical city of Tombstone is about a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes from Sierra Vista. The city has several attractions, shows, historical buildings, and shopping areas. The city itself is very small and most everything to do is located on one main street. For more information check out tombstoneweb.com or call the city's Visitors Center at (520) 457-3929.
Paintball - There a couple places in Tucson to play paintball and one at Fort Huachuca.
Fort Huachuca
The Sportsman Center is open for paintball Wednesday - Sunday 9 am - 5 PM. There is one field and a small paintball store and rental center. They can be reached at 
(520)-459-3782. From the main gate, take Winrow Rd. to Garden Canyon Rd. and turn left (south) and the sportsman center will be on your left (east). They can be difficult to find so we suggest you call and ask them for directions.
Tucson
The first company is called Disruptive Paintball and they have at least 5 fields to play on. They also offer team play. They can be reached at their store at 4815 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ (520) 320-0333 or at 1015 West Prince Road, Tucson - (520) 293-5850. They also have a field phone for Saturdays (520) 730-9414. For more information please visit the Disruptive Paintball official website.
There is also the Desert Fox Paintball Outfitters. They are located at 9651 S. Houghton Rd., Tucson, AZ and can be reached at 520-574-9232. They have three fields for play and supply referees.
Lake Patagonia - The lake is a National Park and is about 1 1/4 hours away from Sierra Vista. Patagonia Lake is popular for camping, picnicking, water skiing, fishing, and hiking. The lake is home to bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish, and is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter. There is a Marina with boat rental, as well as public bathrooms. Check out the official website.
Lake Havasu - Lake Havasu is about 7 hours from Sierra Vista and is at the border of California. Lake Havasu is the new owner of the London Bridge as it was brought over from England and rededicated at Lake Havasu in 1971. You can go to the bridge as well as take a ghost tour. Lake Havasu has a seemingly endless array of activities including, parasailing, seaplane rides, scuba diving, kayaking, hot air balloon rides, and sky diving to name just a few. Please visit the official website for Lake Havasu for more information.
The Grand Canyon - You can see the Grand Canyon from the North Rim or the South Rim. Coming from Sierra Vista, the South Rim is the easiest and closest. There are several ways to get to the Grand Canyon and depending on where you want to stay there can be an overwhelming choice of hotels and accommodations. There is a huge selection of websites that can help you plan your trip and your stay. Listed below are a couple that might help you. Some of them have sound, please make sure your volume is a reasonable level before clicking.
grand.canyon.national-park.com