Pssst. Baby boomer travelers, want to know a secret?
Travel bloggers are revealing their top 3 travel secrets in an internet game of tag. Here, click on over to Barbara Weibel’s blog, Hole in the Donut, for a very good explanation.
OK. So back to the secret. My secret. Jill of Travelogged tagged me, so now I’m writing a post revealing my top three travel secrets. Hmm, so which secrets should I tell?
The view from my favorite Tucson picnic pavilion. A secret that I'm not sharing.
How about three travel gems to visit on your next trip to my headquarters—Tucson, Arizona?
Did you know that Tucson offers exceptional night sky viewing? We even have city and county ordinances about night lighting to protect our starry view. That’s because several mountaintop observatories are located in the area like the National Optical Astronomy Observatory on Kitt Peak or the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins. Come here, lean in a little closer. Let me tell you about Mt Lemmon SkyCenter, operated by the University of Arizona. Situated on Mt. Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains, it’s the closest observatory to Tucson. On a visit, not only do you get to look through a 24″ telescope at the night sky, you also view Adam Block’s (Program Coordinator) extraordinary astrophotography. Sky night programs ($48) include an expansive night view from a mountaintop, a light dinner and the enthusiasm of Adam Block as he shares his love of observing the universe with you—it’s a secret worth knowing.
Want to eat breakfast or lunch in a lush garden setting? Bet you thought that Tucson is all desert? Well it is. But Thono Chul Park proves that gardening in the Sonoran Desert is not only possible, it’s beautiful. Sit on the patio of the Tohono Chul Tearoom, housed in a hacienda style adobe building, for breakfast as hummingbirds zoom 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, pepperjack cheese and guacamole. When you’re finished, visit the gardens ($7.00 entry fee) to walk the trails or browse the art exhibits in The Gallery.
My third secret will take you about an hour southeast of Tucson to a museum filled with Native American history and culture. Located among the boulders of Texas Canyon, Amerind Museum houses the largest private collection of Native American artifacts and art in the country. Travel from Alaska to South America as you wander through the exhibits of archaeological finds. When it’s time for lunch, enjoy a picnic on the grounds before exploring Cochise Stronghold. Now that’s a real journey to the old west.
OK. I’ve told you my three secrets to visiting Tucson. Surprise! I’m throwing in a bonus tip. For Mexican food with a gourmet twist, visit La Olla Mexican Café in the Tucson suburb of Marana. Owner Ken Gallardo whips up Sonoran style classics, adding his own imaginative touches. The results? Delicious! You’ll see me there on Saturday nights. I’m partial to the pork carnitas accompanied by tamale pie.
Now it’s my turn to tag five more members of the travel blogging community.
Vera Marie at A Traveler’s Library
Dominique King of Midwest Guest
Sonya at Traveling Greener
Fida at Unusual Travel Destinations
Simone at eXplorer
Tag, you’re it!
{ 10 comments }
You got me…haha…
Great list you made.
BTW, the La Olla link doesn't seem to work – but maybe it's just me.
Now I go an romance my own stars!
Super tips, thanks for sharing!
I love observatories. I'll have to check these out for star-gazing when I make it to Tucson. Great secrets, Donna!
Thanks for playing, Donna. Great Arizona travel gems. Although I lived in Arizona for 11 years and traveled the state extensively, you've shared a lot of places I've never been!
Nice list, Donna. If I ever make it to Tucson, I'll definitely check out your secrets!
Oohh, the observatories have got my attention, would love to visit them one day. I also think it's very interesting that there are city ordinances to protect the night sky. When I've been to remote places in the world and looked up at night, it's hard to believe that all those stars are up there no matter where you are. We just can't see them from so many cities and urban areas!
The Mini-Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, located in Tucson, Arizona is a 15,560 square foot, state-of-the-art museum displaying an entertaining and interactive array of antique and contemporary miniatures as well as enchanting artifacts and is the only museum dedicated to miniatures in the Southwest. It's a great new place for Tucson Visitors.
I visited the Mini-Time machine in its former location. Time for me to
visit your new building. What a fantastic collection of miniatures!
The Mini-Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, located in Tucson, Arizona is a 15,560 square foot, state-of-the-art museum displaying an entertaining and interactive array of antique and contemporary miniatures as well as enchanting artifacts and is the only museum dedicated to miniatures in the Southwest. It's a great new place for Tucson Visitors.
I visited the Mini-Time machine in its former location. Time for me to
visit your new building. What a fantastic collection of miniatures!
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