The state of Arizona has so much to offer and now with Arizona airfare being reasonable in the shoulder and off-peak seasons we really should visit and discover the state.  You may want to visit the Grand Canyon with the wonder of nature showing you just how persistence and time can change something into a true thing of beauty.  Or you may want to visit some of the outstanding galleries the state has to offer with the rich history of the Native Americans, Hispanic culture and western culture all available in different locations.

This is a great way to discover your Arizona travel.  The Heard Museum in Central Arizona is a must “visit” for everyone interested in the heritage of the area. Here you will be shown some of the best in traditional and contemporary American Indian art.  There are 10 exhibition galleries that include five long-term and 5 changing exhibitions with two different locations for you to tour. 

While you are visiting the Phoenix area you may wish to visit Pueblo Grande Museum which is an archaeological site museum and repository. The purpose of the museum is enhancing the knowledge of prehistory, history, and ethnology of inhabitants of the Southwest.  The museum is positioned at a 1,500 year-old Hohokam village ruins.  You can study reproductions of the prehistoric Hohokam homes when walking along the ruin trail.  At the site is also one of the last surviving intact Hohokam irrigation canals. This is a fantastic piece of Hohokam history.

A few hours to the southeast, you will find wonderful Tuscon attractions.  Travel on down to Tombstone where you can relive the Old West.  Tombstone is known as “The Town Too Tough To Die,” and is the most infamous of Arizona’s historic mining camps.  This region produced millions of dollars of gold and silver during a seven year period.  While you are touring Tombstone you will discover the chance to see Boothill Graveyard, the old Tombstone Courthouse and watch many of the residents dressed in period style. 

Near Tucson you can visit the Titan Missile Museum which was home to one of the Titan II Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles.  There were 18 Titan II missile sites located near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.  The Titan Missile Museum is the only Titan Missile site that remains intact; all the others were destroyed.  You can go on a guided tour that includes the launch control room with a simulated launch and then go on through the 200 ft tunnel for a close up look at the Titan II missile.  It’s an awesome tour, be sure to make time to stop here.

Travel on over to Yuma and visit the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.  There you will be able to visit the prison that housed 3,069 prisoners, 29 of whom were women.  The prison was last used in 1909 before the prisoners were moved to a new facility.  Today you can visit the prison and see the front gate that is so familiar to anyone that has watched western movies.

Here are a few preparation ideas to make the most out of your Southwestern America Culinary tour.

The perfect way to do justice to your culinary trip is to have a big appetite. What’s the purpose of paying for the chance to taste the best culinary delights of a specific area or culture when your stomach can’t accommodate more than a bite?

Of course, possessing a big appetite doesn’t mean denying yourself the day before.

Just make sure you don’t eat too much the day before your trip. If possible, take a pill to ensure your stomach’s certifiably empty for the food fest ahead.

Prepare for the Heat
Spicy is a term often associated with the Southwest in more ways than you might think.

First, a majority of the dishes of Southwest food are especially spicy. Chimichangas, nachos, taquitos, stuffed peppers, chile relleno, chili con carne, and salsa are just a few of the well-known dishes that can get you hopping mad out of the restaurant with burning taste buds. If you’re not accustomed at eating spicy stuff, make sure you have a small canister or jug of iced water with you at all times; there may be instances when you just can’t wait a minute longer to cool your tongue off.

Second, Southwestern states are not exactly the coolest areas of the United States. The weather in this region, especially in Arizona and Texas, can be quite stifling in its heat. You can’t beat Arizona vacation.  But be sure you’re dressed comfortably in cool, airy clothing. Wearing a cap or sun visor as well as a pair of sun glasses can help protect you from the heat.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are always a possibility, so again, having a ready supply of water with you at all times is vital.

Get Ready for the Weather
Concerning the heat, there are also certain characteristics of the weather that you might need to watch out for. Insects are a nominal but annyoing problem, but one that a mosquito repellent can easily cure. Rainfall can also be a cause of trouble, but not if you come
ready with a rain jacket and umbrella.

Clothing
Since we’re on the subject of clothing, be sure to ask your vacation organizer if you’ll visit any locations with a requisite dress code. Knowing what to dress can also help ensure that you pack light for your Southwest US trip.

Bring a First Aid Kit with You
Trip planners always have first aid kits with them, but there’s no telling when you’ll find yourself lost and separated from your group. Thus, it would do you no harm to have your own first aid kit with you.

Now, if you’ve considerable experience vacationing, you probably already have a first aid kit packed with your things. There are, however, extra things you could add to your kit in consideration of “special dangers” you might encounter during your Southwest US tour.

If your trip includes a trip to the desert, antidotes for snake bites and medication for other kinds of bites (remember: scorpions and spiders can cause harm, too!). High altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also a possibility if your culinary tour includes a short but challenging mountain climb.

Double Check Everything
Last, review your travel checklist several days before you depart for your tour. Call your tour planner to guarantee that everything’s fine in their side as well.

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Have a Big Appetite