Two Days of Air, Space and Science

Our Local Expert Says:

On weekends, locals often sell fry bread and other foods under mesquite shelters in front of the mission.

Description:

The Mission San Xavier del Bac, also called the White Dove of the Desert, is nearly as iconic an image to Tucson as sunsets and saguaros. Built between 1783 and 1797, San Xavier del Bac is still an active Roman Catholic church for Tohono O'odham on the San Xavier Indian Reservation. The mission weaves together Moorish, Byzantine and Mexican Renaissance styles and is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the United States. The Mission San Xavier de Bac should be at or near the top of any visitor's list.

Description:

Whether you're opposed to open-pit copper mine and its environmental consequences or not, visiting this facility will leave you more knowledgeable about what was once one of the main industries in the state of Arizona. The earth science exhibits and displays of historic mining equipment are quite impressive, and you might want to view the multimedia shows before going on a tour of ASARCO's Mission open-pit mine.

Description:

Here's a museum south of Tucson that must surely be considered unique; a chilly reminder of the Cold War. Go underground and see one of the old Titan ballistic missiles, watch the roll-back silo door open, follow operations at the launch control center, and watch demonstrations of countdown procedures. Tours begin every half hour. To get here, go south on Interstate 19 and take exit 69 to the Duval Mine Road and follow the signs.

Description:

Southern Arizona's clear, dark skies have made Tucson an important center for Astronomy. Because of light pollution, the skies aren't as dark as they once were, but there is still plenty to offer to astronomy buffs. On the Tohono O'odham Nation fifty-five miles southwest of Tucson on a peak in the Quinlan Mountains sits Kitt Peak National Observatory. Here, is the world's largest collection of optical telescopes. There are daytime tours and nighttime programs that allow viewing through a 20-inch telescope.

Our Local Expert Says:

The food menu is short and changes monthly. The wine list is Tolstoy-like in length. If either leaves you stumped, be sure to ask Feast’s witty chef and owner Doug Levy for his suggestions. He often mingles with guests and knows as much about wine as he does about food.

Description:

This looks like a casual unassuming bistro, so you may be caught off guard by the sheer inventiveness of the gourmet dishes you'll encounter while dining here. Food is displayed behind a glass case, guests pick out their order, pay at the counter, and then once the dish has been served and prepared, it's brought to your table. Many in-the-know customers check the daily specials online, and then call in their order. Feast, Tucson's premier gourmet-to-go restaurant, has earned a loyal following with customers who appreciate the eclectic menu.

Our Local Expert Says:

The lounge at Lodge on the Desert is named Poet's Corner after the charming surrounding neighborhood where all the streets are named after poets.

Description:

Built in 1936 and completely renovated in 1997, this hacienda style hotel is a desert oasis, offering rooms and suites in a quiet residential setting. Guests enjoy well-manicured lawns, flower gardens and cactus gardens - all from a convenient central location. Most rooms have fireplaces and private patios. Rates for lodging in Tucson are usually considerably lower during summer months than they are during the winter season, so be advised to call in advance for current rate information.

Description:

This museum, which is the oldest anthropological museum in the Southwest, houses Paths of Life: American Indians of the Southwest, one of the state's most interesting exhibits on prehistoric and contemporary Native American cultures of the Southwest. The exhibit focuses on 10 different tribes from around the Southwest and northern Mexico, not only displaying a wide range of artifacts, but also exploring the lifestyles and cultural traditions of Indians living in the region today. In addition, the museum showcases a collection of some 20,000 ceramic pieces. This pottery spans 2,000 years of life in the desert Southwest.

Description:

The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is located on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, at the northeast corner of Cherry Avenue and University. This family-friendly center is open seven days a week, with planetarium shows available to school and youth groups on the weekdays, and to the general public on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. The family laser light show happens on Thursday nights, while Friday through Sundays is generally reserved for the very popular Pink Floyd laser music show. This is a great place to take the kids, or to spend an evening marveling at the night skies and learning the stories behind the constellations.

Description:

Nimbus Brewing Company produces Tucson's own homegrown classic ales, which are immediately recognizable around town by the friendly-looking money on the label. The restaurant portion of the brewery serves up delectable gourmet pizzas straight out of their wood-fired oven. Pool tables, large high-definition TVs, and an outdoor patio add to the feeling of conviviality that pervades this popular brewery, restaurant, and hang-out destination on any given night.

Description:

As Tucson receives more sunshine per year than any other city in the U.S., this is the place for research on the use of solar energy. Located conveniently next to the airport, the Environmental Research Lab features a solar oasis as well as educational exhibits on homebuilding in the desert, particularly energy-saving cooling and heating technology. Free tours are available the first Tuesday of every month.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Pima Air and Space museum can be daunting, but taking the hour long tram tour first can help you get your bearings. Afterwards, you can go back and spend more time at the planes that interest you most.

Description:

Dedicated to the preservation of the history of flight, the Pima Air and Space Museum houses over 27 historic aircraft, including John F. Kennedy's Air Force One, once used by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Also on display is the X-15 and Russian Migs, among many, many others. The museum is located next to the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, which also houses the Arizona Maintenance and Regeneration Center, also know as "the boneyard." Here, lined up neatly and surreally are hundreds of mothballed military aircraft.

Our Local Expert Says:

There are a couple branch locations of this legendary restaurant. While they serve the same excellent food, their look is generic. Stick to the original downtown location if possible.

Description:

El Charro Cafe has opened several locations throughout the Tucson area, but the downtown location on Court Avenue remains a favorite for locals and visitors seeking an authentic Tucson dining experience. Established in 1922, El Charro famously bills itself as the oldest family-run Mexican restaurant in continuous operation in the United States. It's not hard to see why the restaurant has survived for so many decades: the menu blends classic, never-out-of-style Sonoran-style cooking with Tucson-style Mexican creations. A local favorite, and perhaps the unofficial dish of Tucson, is the Carne Seca plate (literally "dried meat"), marinated lean Angus beef that is dried beneath the Sonoran sun, and then shredded & flash-grilled with green chile, tomato & onions. Served with guacamole, Pico de Charro salsa, beans or rice, and handmade flour or corn tortillas. If this sounds like your kind of dish, eat up while you're here. You'll be hard-pressed to find Carne Seca on any menu outside of Tucson.