Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Description:

• The biggest attraction to this monument is the massive four-story building, constructed of high-lime desert soil referred to as Casa Grande. It illustrates the high-level of development reached by ancient Pueblo builders. It is the nation's first archeological preserve.

  The visitor center is a good place to begin your tour of Casa Grande Ruins. There is an information counter, a museum exhibit area, a book store, a public phone, rest rooms, drinking fountains and a wheelchair available on site. The site is fully accessible with level paved and packed-dirt surfaces. From the visitor center there is a 300 yard self-guided walking trail around the ruins with interpretive signs that tell the story of the ruins. Regularly scheduled guided tours occur from January through April. The monument is open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but is closed December 25.

  The park is in Coolidge, Arizona, about an hour from either Phoenix or Tucson.

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010