Special Guest
Judy Hector – Marketing & Communications Manager for the City of Sierra Vista
Website: https://www.sierravistaaz.gov
Social: @VisitSierraVista
Colleen & Catie’s Picks for Sierra Vista, Arizonal
Colleen
Where is Sierra Vista: 1 hr, 15 minutes southeast of Tucson
Accommodations: Casa de San Pedro Bed and Breakfast
Located in Hereford, right near Sierra Vista
Located on 10 acres adjacent to the San Pedro River and Riparian National Conservation Area
Pool and hot tub
Full hot breakfast served daily
Access to natural areas and plenty of bird watching nearby
Eco-friendly hotel with solar panel use, recycling, eco-compounds
Starting around $179/night www.bedandbirds.com
Restaurants: Indochine Vietnamese Family Restaurant
Free/Inexpensive Activities:
Apache ATV Tour – A variety of tours available, prices vary. Most tours last 3-4 hours
www.apacheatvtours.com
Henry Hauser Museum – First McDonald’s Drive-thru
Stargazing at Patterson Observatory – University of Arizona South
Tips: Fly into Tucson, rent a car. Only an hour and fifteen minute drive.
Catie
Accommodations: Tombstone Monument Ranch is located 2 ½ miles from the center of the West’s most iconic cowboy town, “Tombstone, Arizona.” Situated in the Tombstone hills in Cochise County, and the ranch is surrounded by historic mines, hand dug wells, old railroad trestles and ancient Indian Petroglyphs.
Rates start around $200 per person with a discounted price for additional guests in the same room.
Can’t bring alcohol onto the property but there are some drinks available at their saloon
Swimming pool and hot tub
Full American Plan (standard) rates include lodging, three meals daily, guided horseback riding, ranch activities, evening entertainment and wireless internet.
Restaurants: Farmers Market at Veterans Memorial Park
Free/Inexpensive Activities:
Horseback riding at Tombstone Monument Ranch
Coronado National Memorial and Montezuma Pass
Arizona Folklore Preserve Concert – Variety of shows available year round
Tips: Consider visiting from April to May and from September to October. These shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather and reasonable room rates. Winter is also a good time to consider, with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures
“What’s” with the “Trip Sisters”
What’s in Your Suitcase?
Dafni Allure Cordless Hair Straightening Ceramic Brush – $159 on https://dafnihair.com/
Straightening your hair in record time, the DAFNI Allure has renowned patented technology and boasts having eight times the surface area of a straightener. Innovative and unique in its cordless design, once charged, the hot brush can be used on up to three heads for a long-lasting, sleek style. Practical and well-made, it provides extra bristles for better control and uses minimal optimal temperature for protection against heat damage. A thermal safety cover and its portable size make this a perfect accessory to travel with.
What’s on your phone?
SeatGuru – Free on iOS and Android
The SeatGuru app helps you find the perfect seat for your flight. Their detailed seat maps help you choose your preferred seat by doing all the research for you. SeatGuru gives you access to over 1,100 seat maps from approximately 140 airlines, Plus, it gives you access to advice from tens of thousands of passenger reviews, so you can always find the best possible seat – all from the comfort of your phone!
What’s the tip?
Tips for Visiting Arizona
The most popular time to visit southern Arizona is from January to March, while the northern areas are usually popular in the summer months i.e. from June to August. Consider going in the shoulder season to save some money and avoid the crowds.
Experience the local culture – Arizona has a rich history and heritage with over 22 Native American tribes residing in the state. You can visit these tribal areas to experience the different customs and cultures of the place. The Arizona Trail is an unforgettable journey, perfect to get up close and personal with wild and rugged Arizona. Ensure that you pay the utmost respect to their rules and understand the cultural and sentimental significance attached to these places.
Alcohol is banned in some areas though but not too many. Some restaurants are even BYOB so be sure to check ahead of time.
Dress accordingly – Bring casual, and comfortable clothes for outdoor activities. Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are necessary throughout the year – certainly in the summer. Summer months call for shorts and cotton shirts while winters demand sweaters and jackets.
Take note of the time zone – It might be a bit difficult for international tourists to adjust to the drastic time difference. Note that the state of Arizona follows Mountain Standard Time in the winter and does not acknowledge daylight saving time which is sensible. In the summer, Arizona is in the Pacific Time Zone.