Arizona Day Trips by Theme

by Leigh Wilson

Overview

YOUR ALL-IN-ONE GUIDE TO ARIZONA’S BEST OUTINGS!

Discover hundreds of unique attractions around the Grand Canyon State. This comprehensive guide by Leigh Wilson is jam-packed with Arizona’s top spots for fun and entertainment. Take a simple day trip, or string together a longer vacation of activities that appeal to you. Useful for singles, couples, and families—visitors and residents alike—this guide encompasses a wide range of interests.

Features You’ll Appreciate

• Sections divided by theme for easy reference—decide what to do, then figure out where to do it
• Destinations based on themes such as Airplanes & Railroads, Festivals, and Outdoor Adventures
• Tips for other things to do in the area
• Handy size that’s perfect for traveling

You’ll Find

• National parks, lakes, and museums
• Breathtaking views along scenic drives
• Ghost towns and Wild West events

WITH ARIZONA DAY TRIPS BY THEME AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591938897
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/17/2020
Series:	Day Trip Series
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	485,112
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Leigh Wilson is a travel blogger and freelance writer from Moline, Illinois. Travel has been her passion for as long as she can remember. Her parents loved traveling and had an RV when she was small. Her dad was a door-to-door Kirby vacuum salesman, so she often traveled with him on school breaks and summers. In 2017, After a 20-year marketing career, Leigh set out on a 4-month road trip with her Airedale Terrier, in search of a new town to call home. Leigh has always loved Arizona, and upon arrival in Tucson, she felt like she was home. When she’s not writing or traveling, you’ll find Leigh out hiking the many trails around Tucson. Writing this book has been an excellent opportunity for her to explore the deepest corners of her new home state. Every time she leaves home, the diversity of Arizona landscapes and attractions continues to amaze her.

Read an Excerpt

AIRPLANES & RAILROADS

Trains and planes are an integral part of Arizona’s history. The arrival of rail lines hastened the development of Arizona communities as pioneers and cowboys rushed to the West. Trains ushered in the era of tourism at the Grand Canyon, and many Arizona towns owe their existence to the railways. Wide open spaces of the desert make for excellent military presence as well, and the Air Force makes up the bulk of the military population in Arizona. Both airplanes are railroads are well represented in Arizona attractions and museums.

Arizona Railway Museum
330 E Ryan Road, Chandler, AZ 85286; 480-821-1108
http://www.azrymuseum.org

The Arizona Railway Museum is a must for any train enthusiast. The railroad plays a strong role in Arizona’s history. Between mining and tourism, train travel has been a critical link to the outside world. At any given time, there are several refurbished cars open to tour at your own leisure. The 1927 Pullman “superintendent’s car” is a fascinating glimpse into the opulence of the past. Another car shows various seat configurations from dozens of train lines; from Canadian National to a Dallas Street Car. Visitors will spend most of the time out in the train yard, walking through gravel, so wear good walking shoes. Inside the small museum, you’ll find smaller mementos of travel, including tableware and ashtrays from some of the train lines. Hours are limited to weekends, Labor Day through Memorial Day (closed in summer).

Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona
2017 North Greenfield Road, Mesa, AZ 85215; 480-924-1940
https://www.azcaf.org

Located at Falcon Field in Mesa, the Airbase is operated by the Commemorative Air Force, an international organization dedicated to preserving combat aviation history. The Arizona Airbase is the largest of 80 units around the world, with hundreds of exhibits housed in the 55,000 square foot museum and hangars. Visitors can walk around freely to get up-close looks at several airplanes, including the only airworthy example of a Lockheed Vega DL-1 that remains. If admiring these birds from afar isn’t enough for you, the Airbase offers warbird rides. Prices range from $80 for a cabin seat in a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor to $850 for a nose seat in a Boeing B-17G Bomber. Open cockpit tours are also offered seasonally.

Kingman Railroad Museum
402 E Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86401; 928-718-1440
https://thekingmanrailroadmuseum.org

The Kingman Railroad Museum is still a working Amtrak station. The adobe building went up in 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Southwest Chief makes a daily stop on its route from Chicago to Los Angeles. The museum is small but has several displays on the history of the railroad and how it shaped the town of Kingman. In fact, the name Kingman was taken from a railroad surveyor. Three working model train tracks are worth a few minutes of entertainment, plus memorabilia from the golden age of train travel.

Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85706; 520-574-0462
www.pimaair.org

Airplane fans must visit the Pima Air & Space Museum when visiting Tucson. This is one of the world’s largest aerospace museums, and the proximity to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base means you’re likely to see some planes in action during your visit. The museum includes over 350 aircraft on display in the six hangars and outdoor areas. See a Blue Angel’s jet and an Air Force One from JFK’s presidency. For a small additional fee, you can join a narrated tram tour of the museum grounds. I highly recommend adding on the Boneyard tour, but you must make reservations at least ten business days in advance. A background check is required due to the sensitivity of the area, so you’ll need to provide a Social Security Number when making your reservation.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Cultural Pursuits

• Performing & Visual Arts

Arizona History

• American Indian History & Culture
• Ghost Towns & the Wild West
• Historic Buildings & Architecture
• Historic Sites
• History Museums

Recreation & the Outdoors

• The Grand Canyon
• Lakes & Waterfalls
• National Park Site
• Outdoor Adventures
• Sports

On the Go

• Airplanes & Railroads
• Scenic & Iconic Drives

Science & Nature

• Birding
• Gardens, Flowers & Arboretums
• Rocks & Minerals
• Science Museums
• Stargazing

Uniquely Arizona

• Festivals

Odds & Ends

• Unusual Arizona

A Taste of Arizona

• Orchards, Vineyards & Wineries

Index

About the Author