This week’s guest post on things to do while visiting the Tucson Gem Show is from Donna L. Hull of My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel.
Owl at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, Tuscon, AZ Photo/Donna L. Hull
On a winter visit to Tucson, the bright Arizona sun won’t be the only shiny object to catch your attention. From January 29 to February 13, 2011, The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show fills the Old Pueblo with enough sparkling gemstones, jewelry and fossils to satisfy even the most experienced shopaholic. With over 40 shows housed in tents, exhibition halls and hotel room displays throughout the city, shoppers are inundated with choices. But you can’t spend all of your Tucson time shopping, or indoors, for that matter. When it’s time for a break, turn your attention to a few of my favorite outside gems.
Experience the Sonoran Desert at The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The scenic drive up Gate’s Pass, on Tucson’s west side near Saguaro National Park, brings you to The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (admission: $14 adults/$4.50 kids). The combination zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum proves that a desert can be more than hot sand. In fact, after walking beside lush desert plantings as you visit the outdoor animal exhibits, you’ll be saying, “What desert? I don’t see any desert.”
Cooler temperatures mean the mountain lions, coyotes and the rest of the native animal crowd will be more active. Who knows what you might see? Another visitor favorite is the Raptor Free Flights at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (no extra charge). Have you observed a family of Harris Hawks gliding across the sky? Their swooping and diving fills the desert air at the 2 p.m. show.
Walk on the Wild Side in Sabino Canyon
Picnic pavilion Saguaro West National Park, Tuscon, AZ photo/ Donna L. Hull
On a morning trek into Sabino Canyon in the Catalina foothills of Tucson’s northeast side, you’ll be joined by local joggers and bicyclists who use the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area as their personal gym. The entire walk on the main road covers 3.8 miles one-way, crosses 9 stone bridges and rises in elevation from 2800 ft. to 3300 ft. Once inside the saguaro studded canyon, you’ll feel as if you’re in a wilderness rather than at the edge of suburban Tucson. Entrance fee: $5 per day.
Would you rather ride? Sabino Canyon Tours offers $8 tram tours ($4 for children over two-years-old) into Sabino Canyon from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the winter. Here’s an insider’s tip- ride the shuttle to the turnaround, then jump off for the downhill walk back to your car.
View the Night Sky at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, Tuscon, AZ Photo/Donna L. Hull
Did you know that Tucson offers exceptional night sky viewing? City and county night lighting ordinances protect the starry view and those of the world-class observatories located in nearby mountains. Mt Lemmon SkyCenter, operated by the University of Arizona, is the closest observatory to Tucson and just a short drive up Mt. Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains. On a visit, not only do you get to look through a 32″ Schulman telescope at the night sky, you also view Program Coordinator Adam Block’s extraordinary astrophotography. Sky night programs ($48) include an expansive night view from a mountaintop, a light dinner and the expertise of Adam Block as he shares the glittering universe with you.
Dine With the Birds at Tohono Chul Park
Outdoor dining in the winter? You can in Tucson. Sit on the patio of the hacienda-style adobe building at Tohono Chul Tearoom. Breakfast or lunch is served to the accompaniment of hummingbirds zooming in for a sip from red salvia blossoms. Desert wrens will be fighting over the toast crumbs that you leave behind. My favorite? The Tohono Chul Omelet filled with bacon, cheddar, pepper jack cheese and guacamole. When you’re finished, visit the gardens ($7.00 entry fee), where you’ll find that gemstones at The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show aren’t the only jewels that Tucson has to offer.
Tucson travel writer Donna L. Hull loves shopping at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Are you an active baby boomer traveler? Don’t miss Donna’s blog, My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel. Through travel articles and photography, she encourages boomers to get up off the couch and go.
Oh dear, unfortunately, Tucson is in the midst of its coldest February on record. Next week will be better, though, so don’t cancel your travel plans. I just feel sorry for those people with only one week of vacation who picked THIS week. And also sorry for those Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase people with outdoor exhibits. There are a lot of them, and those that opened this week are not going to be very busy.
Thanks for the heads up from Tuscon, Vera Marie. People should dress warmly and plan to stay around for a couple of extra days if they can. Even if it’s cold in Tuscon, I’ll bet it’s warmer than just about everywhere else. And, as you pointed out, by this week-end things should start to warm up. Good luck to the vendors!
Tuscon looks beautiful! I’ll have to visit– hopefully I’ll see that handsome owl