|
Just a short drive south of Phoenix (and an equally brief distance in lifestyle) is Tucson - The Old Pueblo. Like its northern neighbor, Tucson boasts of the same sunshine (3,800 hours of it a year), breathtaking mountain ranges and fertile desert vegetation that have made Arizona cities residential meccas. With Mexico just 60 miles to the south, a still-lingering flavor of the Old West and a vibrant downtown that melds modern metropolitan and artsy college community (it's home to the University of Arizona) - Tucson's colorful personality and casual disposition make it simply irresistible. Briefly the capital city, Tucson certainly rivals both the lush and sophisticated and the historical and aesthetic aspects of Phoenix - just on a slightly smaller scale. In that respect, it too offers all the amenities of big city life - two world-class spas, spectacular arts venues, fine dining and a hip twilight scene - but with a distinctly small-town feel. Basketball fans will love the loyalty of Tucson residents to their Arizona Wildcats, perennial NCAA men's basketball tournament contenders. If it's natural wonders you're seeking, Tucson won't leave you wanting. Aside from the inherent beauty of its desert home, this city has a number of extraordinary natural sites. For a flavor of the Hispanic Southwest, plan a trip to Tucson's Barrio Historico and Armory Park districts where restored and authentic adobe homes still stand. But for some of this city's homegrown originals, head over to Saguaro National Park where you can get acquainted with the rare saguaro cactus (a plant found only in the Sonoran Desert), or beat the heat in a subterranean adventure at Kartchner Caverns. And for a little wildlife, check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden. Indoors, Tucson is the showroom for a thriving arts scene. While a number of its museums celebrate the region's historically Mexican and Spanish influences (Amerind Foundation, The Arizona Historical Society Museum Tucson and Arizona State Museum), Tucson is also stage to a dynamic contemporary and performing arts landscape. Its Center for Creative Photography offers one of the world's most extensive photography exhibits. Further, its vast and varied selection of theatre companies feature everything from mainstream productions (Arizona Repertory Theatre and the Arizona Theatre Company) to original works (Borderlands Theater) to liberal interpretations and interactive programs (Gaslight Theatre).
|
