A vacation in Tucson, AZ means a vacation in a city unlike any other. Tucson blends a metropolitan city with a small town feel to make visitors feel as if they are as much a part of the community as any other. The rich heritage of the area brings together Mexican, Spanish, Native American, and Anglo-American influences to make the city as diverse as the individuals who visit it. As a part of the Sonoran Desert, there is much beauty around Tucson along with an unusually stable climate that brings 360 sunny days to the region each year. When visiting Tucson, you will find an abundance of places to visit, including museums, caverns, parks, golf courses, and fine restaurants.

If you are looking for an interesting museum, the Pima Air and Space Museum is a good place to start considering it is the largest of its kind in the Western United States. Here you can learn about the beauty of flight while touring 75 acres of planes in their facilities. You may need to make reservations for some of the tours and the whole experience usually takes from 3-4 hours, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid scheduling conflicts. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is also a good option if you are looking for a natural experience with a little more variety. This museum is a combination botanical garden, natural history museum, and zoo, which allows visitors to learn about the desert while also enjoying the plant and animal life in the re-created, but realistic-looking, landscapes.

A fairly short drive from Tucson but still a popular draw, the Kartchner Caverns are a great choice if you are interested in caves and the formations within them. In these particular caverns, you will find a variety of features including soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, and even helictites, which are formations that grow sideways. There are tours available year-round and you should plan on setting aside approximately two hours for the entire adventure.

The Saguaro National Park offers two ways to experience the natural beauty and wonder of the saguaro cactus and the Sonoran Desert. You can either take a leisurely drive around one of the loops through the park or, if you are feeling more adventurous and the need to explore is overwhelming, you can take a stroll or a hike on one of the paths throughout the park. There are easy walking paths for those who want an easy journey through the Sonoran Desert and then there are steep, difficult hikes into the Rincon Mountains, so choose the one that best suites your abilities and taste.

With its mild climate and top notch courses, Tucson is a major attraction for individuals looking for some of the best golf courses in the country. Whether you are looking for a traditional course, a course that integrates the desert into the game, or a course that was designed by some of the best architects in the country, including Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Fazio, Tom Weiskopf and Jack Nicklaus, you are sure to find the one that is right for you in Tucson. Two to consider are the Arizona National Golf Club (a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course) and the Golf Club at Vistoso (a Tom Weiskopf design), which is the top public course in Tucson.

When searching for the right restaurant, try La Fuente to really experience an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a tiny Mexican village. La Fuente is a Mexican restaurant that has traditional and gourmet food for a reasonable price while also creating just the right ambiance with the live plants and Mariachi band strolling around. If you are looking for a more traditional dining experience, check out Anthony's In the Catalinas with its award winning wine list and amazing continental cuisine that will leave you stuffed and satisfied.

There are a number of lodging options in Tucson and one that works really well for individuals with families or individuals who are planning on extended stays are Tucson vacation rentals. A Tucson rental allows you to enjoy all the comforts of home as you explore a new city and region during your vacation. Since many vacation rentals have amenities that you will not find in hotels, such as a washer and dryer and a dishwasher, you can truly relax during your trip with the knowledge that there are household items available in case something does not go as planned. If you are planning on visiting Tucson in the near future, consider staying in a Tucson vacation rental so you can have the relaxing and enjoyable vacation you deserve.

About the Author

I have stayed in a couple of vacation rentals in the past couple of years and really enjoyed the experiences. I found a couple of sites particularly helpful, but I definitely think www.homeaway.com is the most comprehensive and complete resource for vacation rentals. Check out Tucson Condos when visiting Tuscon, AZ.

--------------------------------------------------------