The Best Day Trips From Tucson, Arizona

Although there is plenty to do and see within Tucson, Arizona, the city also makes a good base for exploring southern Arizona. Here are our ideas for great Tucson day trips.

Art And History In Tubac, Arizona

Tubac, Arizona, tags itself as the place where “art and history meet.” For decades, Tubac has attracted artists, drawn to the area by Tubac’s “good light.” The village contains over 100 galleries, housed in colorful brick and adobe buildings. Inside the shops you’ll find a variety of art and artisan works. Located within a few block area and connected via landscaped walkways, the walk from shop to shop is a pleasant, easy one. Every February, Tubac hosts the Tubac Festival of the Arts, southern Arizona’s longest running art festival.

Tubac Village, Arizona, shops — Donna Janke

A Spanish presidio founded in 1752 made Tubac the first European settlement in what is now Arizona. Explore Tubac and Arizona history at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, located on the ruins of the former Spanish military complex. Within the park you’ll find an underground display of presidio ruins, refurbished buildings, and a museum with interpretive exhibits about Native American life and the various eras of Arizona’s past.

Tubac is located 45 miles south of Tucson at 1-19 Exit 34. Note that highway signs along I-19 are marked in kilometers.

Desert Grassland Wine Trail

The area around the communities of Sonoita and Elgin in the high desert grasslands of southern Arizona was once primarily devoted to mining and ranching. Today, the area is also known for grape growing and wineries. Visit the tasting rooms and patios of over a dozen wineries on a scenic drive through rolling hills dotted with oak and ash trees.

Sonoita, Arizona, hills — cobalt123 / Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sonoita is an American Viticultural Area, a distinctive grape-growing region designated by the U.S. government. The region’s altitude (4,500 to 5,000) feet, climate, and soil offer exceptional conditions for producing wine.

The Sonoita / Elgin wine trail is located along state Highway 83, just 45 minutes south of greater Tucson. You can find a map of its wineries here.

The Old West In Tombstone

As you walk the covered wooden sidewalks along the dusty main street of Tombstone, you may feel as if you have walked onto an Old West movie set, but Tombstone is a real community with approximately 1,600 residents. The town is perhaps best known as the location of the infamous 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral, a 30-second gun battle between the Earp brothers, assisted by their friend Doc Holliday, and the Clanton-McLaury gang. Today, that gun fight is reenacted daily at four different times.

A old-fashioned poster for Tombstone, Arizona — Noe Alfaro / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

You’ll step back in time as you walk or take a trolley ride through the historic downtown. The city is a National Historic Landmark District with “one of the best preserved specimens of the rugged frontier of the 1870s and 80s.” Several buildings dating from frontier days still stand. The Bird Cage Theatre offers self-guided tours and the Boothill Graveyard is open daily. The 1882 courthouse is now part of Tombstone Courthouse State Park and contains a museum and gift shop. You can tour the O.K. Corral, watch the events that made Tombstone famous at the Historama Theater, and visit the 1880s museum of Arizona’s oldest newspaper.

There are plenty of restaurants and saloons where you can satisfy hunger and thirst as you explore the town. From Tucson, take I-10 east and Arizona Highway 80 south. Tombstone is 72 miles southeast of Tucson between Benson and Bisbee.

Be Whoever You Want To Be In Bisbee

Located in the Mule Mountains of southeastern Arizona, Bisbee is a quirky, eclectic town where you’ll find historic buildings, mining history, and a creative spirit. An introductory video on the Bisbee government site says that “in Bisbee you can be whoever you want to be.”

Bisbee became known as “Queen of the Copper Camps” shortly after its first mining claim in 1877, but other ores, such as gold, silver, lead, and zinc, were also mined. Today visitors can explore mining history by donning a hard hat and miner’s headlamp on Queen Mine Underground Tours or by visiting the Smithsonian Institution-affiliated Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, located in the heart of Old Bisbee.

Downtown Bisbee, Arizona — Gabriel Millos / Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Old Bisbee is home to heritage buildings from the early 1900s when Bisbee was booming. While the area is compact enough to explore on foot, be aware that it is hilly. Look for the many Bisbee heritage stairs built into steep hillsides to provide access homes difficult to get to in other ways.

After mining ended in the mid-1970s, Bisbee saw an influx of artists. Today you’ll find plenty of galleries and artisan shops for your browsing pleasure.

If you’d like to extend your day trip to an overnight, book a stay at the unique Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court where your accommodation will be a 1940s or 1950s travel trailer. Note that the Shady Dell is only open seasonally in spring and fall.

Bisbee is located 95 miles southeast of Tucson. Go east on the I-10 and turn south onto Arizona Highway 80.

Stalactites And Stalagmites At Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park is built around a massive limestone cave containing rock formations of different shapes and colors. These speleothems, or cave deposits, formed over thousands of years as minerals were dissolved by surface water seeping through the limestone.

A tour will take you through a half mile of the cave. Inside the cave, you’ll see one of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites, the tallest and most massive column in Arizona, the world’s most extensive formation of brushite moonmilk, and many other unusual formations.

A view of the Big Room in Kartchner Caverns — Mike Lewis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This is a living cave, which means its formations are still growing. Strict protocols are followed to minimize contamination of the caves. Check the website for tour and protocol details. Note that tour reservations are recommended.

Kartchner Caverns is located 53 miles southeast of Tucson. Head east on Interstate 10 and turn south at Arizona Highway 90.

Under The Glass At Biosphere 2

You may not expect rainforests or oceans in Tucson, but that is what you’ll find at Biosphere 2, a University of Arizona laboratory designed to advance the understanding of natural and man-made environments. It houses seven model ecosystems including a mature rainforest, an ocean, forested swamps, a tropical savanna grassland, a coastal fog desert, desert hillslope grass-shrubland, and a campus that serves as a model urban ecosystem.

On the Under the Glass Tour, guides take you through the rainforest and the coastal fog desert, across the ocean overlook, and underground into the technosphere that moderates Biosphere 2’s air pressure. A new Ocean and Beach tour lets you see the indoor ocean up close.

The grounds of Biosphere 2 in Arizona — sk / Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Biosphere 2 is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Under the Glass guided tours are included in the price of admission and offered every 30 minutes on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Ocean and Beach tour is available at select times for an additional fee.

Biosphere 2 is located north of Tucson off Arizona Highway 77. Turn onto Biosphere 2 Road at Mile Post 96.5.

Mt. Lemmon Vista

Mt. Lemmon is a 9,157-foot peak in the Santa Catalina mountain range surrounded by the Coronado National Forest. It offers skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The chair lift, which is operational all year round, offers scenic views of the Santa Catalinas and the city of Tucson.

Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter is an observatory and science learning facility run by the University of Arizona. Evening stargazing programs, which include an astronomy lecture, a light dinner, and a guided navigation of the night sky, are available by reservation only.

Mount Lemmon Arizona — Nelo Hotsuma / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

To get to Mt. Lemmon, follow Catalina Highway (on the northeast side of Tucson) 27 miles toward the town of Summerhill. Follow signs pointing to SkyCenter and Ski Valley and turn right on Ski Run Road. Ski Valley is two miles up the road. Continue another two miles farther to reach Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter.

Granite Boulders And Native American Art In Dragoon

Texas Canyon is an area near Dragoon known for its giant granite boulders. The impressive rock formations, some of which look as if someone deliberately moved them into place, are jaw-dropping. A good place to view and walk through the boulders is the Texas Canyon Rest Area on Interstate 10, located east of the exit for Dragoon.

Afterward your walk, head back west and take exit 318 onto Dragoon Road. One mile south you’ll find the entrance to the Amerind Museum. The museum’s exhibitions tell the story of America’s first peoples and are home to one of the largest collections of Zuni and Navajo jewelry. The Ethnology Room contains Apache and Navajo artifacts. Exhibits in the Archaeology Room focus on an excavation done in Paquimé, Mexico, by the Amerind Foundation 60 years ago. In the Fulton-Hayden Art Gallery you’ll find works from the gallery’s permanent collection as well as exhibits by contemporary indigenous artists.

On Saturdays, your day trip can include a stop at The Rock Saloon and Grill at Triangle T Historic Ranch. Enjoy a mesquite grilled steak in a rustic bar and restaurant built around a giant boulder. The saloon, which is open daily for people staying at the guest ranch, is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dragoon is located 65 miles southeast of Tucson off Interstate 10.

Photo Credit: John Reiring / Flickr(CC BY-SA 2.0)

Visiting Hamilton Pool Near Austin, Texas

A sunken grotto and blue-green waters? It sounds like something from a fairy tale, but the magical spot that is the Hamilton Pool Preserve is very, very real — and it’s just a short drive from Austin, Texas!

The Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was formed when an underground river collapsed due to erosion. Now part of the nearby Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Hamilton Pool was first identified by the Reimers ranching family. While sunken grottos are considered a threat to grazing animals, the Reimers family recognized the pool’s potential as a recreation area. And thank goodness that they did! Generations of locals have fallen in love with it. Since 1990, the 232-acre Hamilton Pool Preserve has been a designated nature preserve focusing on habitat preservation and restoration and wildlife protection.

Now a hugely popular destination for swimming, hiking, and more, Hamilton Pool will make you feel like you’re a million miles from the city and stress. If you’re planning a visit, here are the most important things to know before you go.

map of hamilton pool preserve — Google Maps

Where Is Hamilton Pool?

The Hamilton Pool Preserve is located off of Highway 71 just 23 miles west of Austin, Texas. It’s the perfect day-trip destination to escape the city!

What To Do At Hamilton Pool

If you enjoy working up a sweat and then cooling down with a refreshing dip, Hamilton Pool is the place to go. Here’s what you should do while you’re there.

Go Swimming

Hey there, gorgeous waters! Hamilton Pool is a stunning swimming spot. The pool is fed by a 50-foot-high waterfall, which only adds to the beauty and tranquility of the place. Note that while the water quality is monitored on a regular basis, there are times when swimming is prohibited due to high bacterial levels. If you have your heart set on swimming, call the info line to confirm that you will be able to.

There are no lifeguards at Hamilton Pool. There are, however, some life jackets available on a first-come basis at no charge. A lot of people bring along their own inner tubes and floating noodles.

The water of the Hamilton Pool Preserve will feel especially refreshing after a hike, but in the spring, the water can be as cool as 50 degrees. Some people might call that refreshing, but others might call it bone-chilling cold! On a sunny summer day, however, the water is perfect for cooling down.

hamilton pool trail — B Norris / Shutterstock

Go Hiking

The Hamilton Pool Park Trail is a 1.8-mile trek that is rated as moderate. You can also hike behind the waterfall itself. Sneakers are recommended, since there are some slippery spots. You’ll enjoy beautiful views along the way, but note that there’s one member of your family who won’t be able to participate: your dog. Pets aren’t allowed anywhere within the preserve. Sorry, Fido!

The trail isn’t stroller-friendly, so babies will have to be carried. The hike is manageable, but it isn’t the easiest trek.

Get In Touch With Nature

The Hamilton Pool Preserve is home to some very special plants and animals, including the chatterbox orchid, the eastern red bay, the bald cypress, turtles, golden-cheeked warblers, and cliff swallows. And if you have a keen eye, you might be able to spot fossils embedded in the grotto walls behind the waterfall.

The preserve offers guided hikes every Saturday at 10 a.m. for the first 20 people who are interested. It’s the perfect way to identify plants, insects, birds, and geological features you might otherwise miss.

Pretend You’re A Star

Does the Hamilton Pool Preserve look vaguely familiar to you? That might be because it’s been in a long list of movies, including The Hot Spot, Teeth, Predators, and The Tree of Life. While you’ll likely need special permission to set up your own blockbuster, the preserve is the perfect place to work on your photography.

Have A Picnic

There are no concessions in the Hamilton Pool Preserve, so you’ll have to bring in your own picnic treats. Thankfully, Austin is the perfect place to stock up on gourmet goodies.

In the city itself, Phoenicia Bakery and Deli offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. The amazing Central Market provides gourmet groceries. And the Sustainable Food Center has a market feel and a focus on local goods. Cooking is prohibited within the preserve, so make sure all of your snacks are already cooked. If you’re craving barbecue, Salt Lick BBQ, just outside of Austin, will happily pack you up a to-go box of menu favorites.

When it comes to beverages, you’ll want to bring your own water (none is for sale at the preserve), but leave all alcohol at home. There are strict rules prohibiting it within the preserve.

There are a few picnic tables within the preserve, but we recommend that you bring along a picnic blanket in case the tables are in use. And remember that the toilets by the parking lot are the only ones you’ll find!

How To Visit Hamilton Pool

While it may sound like the perfect spontaneous road trip, a visit to the Hamilton Pool Preserve does require some planning in advance.

Most of the year, visitors to the preserve must make a reservation. This is to protect against overcrowding and promote environmental sustainability. Reservations are required every day from March through October and on weekends and Travis County holidays from November through February. If you do not have a reservation during these times, you will be turned away at the gate. You might also be turned away at the gate during the off-season if the park reaches capacity. There is only one way to make your reservation, and that is through the Travis County Parks website, which is also a great source of information about swimming conditions at the preserve.

You may make a reservation for a morning visit (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or an afternoon visit (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.). You must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the end time of your reservation slot.

Reservations cost $11 and are payable online by credit card. A maximum of 8 people can be included on one reservation. You must also pay $15 — cash only — for a vehicle entrance permit when you arrive at the gate. If you come by bike or foot, the entrance fee is $8 per person. If you’re trying to be frugal, you’ll save a bit of money by carpooling with friends, since the vehicle admission cost is per automobile, not per person.

Remember, reservations do not guarantee swimming, since that is dependent on water bacteria levels, which you can check online.

The Best Time To Visit Hamilton Pool

Peak season for the Hamilton Pool Preserve is between March and October, when you’ll need a reservation to visit. You won’t have to share the preserve with as many people if you visit between November and February, but the water will be too cold for swimming.

Photo Credit: Brett K / Shutterstock

Where To Hear Great Jazz Music In New Orleans

There’s no place in the world like New Orleans. It’s where the fresh water of the Mississippi meets the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico at one of the country’s largest ports. It’s where the Spanish, French, and British flags once flew. It’s where scores of immigrants landed on the first step of their American journey — and where many stayed. Everything in the city — from the food and the architecture to the celebrations and culture — is the result of a blend of influences, influences that have been marinating together for generations to produce a unique style.

This is especially true of the city’s music, particularly New Orleans’s own genre: jazz.

Fashioned from African rhythms and European chords, the innovative musical improvisation we call jazz was born in New Orleans more than a century ago. Many of its geniuses — Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Sidney Bechet, among others — were born and raised in the Crescent City and refined their jazz chops there.

New Orleans is understandably proud of its jazz heritage, and hearing this music live should be a part of every trip to the city. Here are some of the best places to grab a drink, catch a set, and marvel at the gorgeous complexity of this music.

Preservation Hall

Founded in 1961, this legendary venue in the French Quarter offers some of the best unadulterated jazz in New Orleans in a bare-bones but historic setting. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs here on the regular; it is well known for its appearances at Coachella and for its collaborations with performers like Elvis Costello, Foo Fighters, and The Black Keys. The Preservation Hall Foundation provides mentoring to younger musicians and helps to preserve New Orleans’s jazz tradition.

The venue is open nightly, with hour-long sets at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. It is a rite of passage in New Orleans to stand in line to enter this hallowed hall, so arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your preferred show and prepare to queue up for an experience that is absolutely worth the wait. General admission, standing-room tickets cost $15 to $20, and limited reserved seating starts at $35.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub

Another old-school jazz joint to check out is Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub on Bourbon Street. Like Preservation Hall, it’s been around since the early ’60s and occupies a historic building in the heart of the French Quarter. It’s an intimate — perhaps even snug — setting, with a variety of bands and performers playing every night. There’s a one-drink minimum, but no cover. If you want a seat, be sure to get there early. Also, be ready for the inevitable impromptu dance party that’s sure to break out!

Little Gem Saloon

Little Gem Saloon, located in the Central Business District, was completely renovated in 2012. Now the first floor serves as the main music venue, while the second-floor Ramp Room accommodates private parties. The Little Gem is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat: Its kitchen serves up delicious Creole fare for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. There are plenty of cocktail offerings to wash down both the food and the great music. Word to the wise: Little Gem also has a killer happy hour. Table reservations are highly recommended, and concert tickets can be purchased separately.

Davenport Lounge

For a bit of swank with your jazz, stop by the Davenport Lounge, located at the Ritz Carlton on Canal Street just off the Quarter. From Wednesday through Saturday, this upscale spot named for trumpet player and headliner Jeremy Davenport swings with the sounds of the standards. The cocktail list is both cultivated and refined. Shareable offerings include Cajun-inspired classics: Crawfish toast and grilled andouille are both on the menu.

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

Snug Harbor, a quick cab or Uber ride downriver from the Quarter, is nestled in the mostly residential and history-heavy Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. For more than 30 years, the Snug has cranked out jazz and New Orleans cuisine in a renovated storefront. Local, regional, and national acts perform here, and like at other jazz dinner clubs, tickets must be purchased separately from table reservations. Performances take place seven nights a week and feature lineups that read like a who’s who of jazz: Kermit Ruffins plays here regularly, as do Ellis Marsalis and Charmaine Neville.

Maple Leaf Bar

You’ll want to head to Uptown at least once during your New Orleans visit for the stately homes, great cafés, and famous Maple Leaf Bar. You just might brush shoulders with a celebrity at the Leaf; Bruce Springsteen once surprised the crowd by sitting in on a set, and Bonnie Raitt did the same. It’s not at all uncommon to see the crowd spilling into the street during a set; that’s why the Leaf offers live streams of its nightly performances on its website. It’s such a hotspot that the Uptown Mardi Gras krewe begins and ends its annual parade there. The bar has been mentioned by many authors and poets in their work — it is truly a New Orleans institution. Visit yourself to see — and hear — why.

Tipitina’s

Another tried-and-true Uptown venue where you can experience live jazz is Tipitina’s (or Tip’s, as the locals call it). It opened its doors on Napoleon Street in 1977 as a place for the famed pianist Professor Longhair to perform in his last years. The club is named for his song “Tipitina,” and it has hosted some of the most iconic names in jazz during the past four decades, including Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. National artists spanning genres — including Pearl Jam, Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, and Willie Nelson — have also played at Tip’s.

Tipitina’s is home to a foundation dedicated to supporting local musicians; its main goal is to provide instruments and uniforms to New Orleans’s many talented high school marching bands.

Fun fact: When it first opened, Tipitina’s featured a juice bar. The juice bar is long gone, but the banana in the club’s logo is a permanent reminder that it once existed.

Commander’s Palace Jazz Brunch

The weekend jazz brunch is a New Orleans tradition, and there’s no better place to experience it than at the legendary Commander’s Palace. Internationally known and lauded for its gourmet, elevated takes on Creole and Cajun classics (the restaurant consistently wins James Beard awards), Commander’s is located in Uptown a short streetcar ride away from the bustle of the Quarter. The restaurant has been around since 1893, and it is still the place to see and be seen in New Orleans. Famous for its turtle soup and Creole bread pudding soufflé, plus its amazing wine list and crafted cocktails, Commander’s weekend brunch also features live performances by a jazz trio. Reservations are required, and there is a dress code: This isn’t a place to casually check out a set. But for a true, upscale experience of the city and the music that first took root there, it doesn’t get better than Commander’s.

jass fest — New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Jazz Fest

Want to listen to some of the best names in jazz, rock, and funk with tens of thousands of other music aficionados? Plan your visit around the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which takes place annually during the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May. Jazz Fest began 50 years ago, and today it is held at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course. Performers at the festival have included Eric Clapton, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dylan, and the late Aretha Franklin.

The Fair Grounds is a huge space, and it is a bit far from the Quarter and Uptown, but all that land is necessary to fit the dozen stages featuring jazz, blues, zydeco, and gospel music. Then there are all of the handicraft booths, food tents, and bars to check out. Bring a blanket and sunscreen, grab a hunk of crawfish bread from one of the vendors, wash it down with an Abita, and laissez les bons temps rouler!

On The Street

There’s a place where you can hear some of the city’s best jazz without a cover charge, drink minimum, or ticket. From youngsters working to refine their chops to old jazz cats whose histories are steeped in this music, jazz performers abound in New Orleans’s streets. Stroll through the Quarter at nearly any time of day, and you’ll hear street musicians or bands busking on a corner. Sometimes you’ll catch them near the Saint Louis Cathedral or performing in the Royal Street pedestrian mall. No matter where you hear them, know that you’re taking in jazz in its original form. This ubiquitous music was born on the streets of New Orleans, and the street is still one of the best places to catch it today. Stop, listen for a while, and enjoy the rich jazz tradition that has been passed down for generations. You won’t regret it.

Photo Credit: Rainer 81 / Shutterstock

How To Visit Arizona’s Gorgeous Horseshoe Bend

Geographically speaking, Horseshoe Bend is an incised meander (that’s a fancy term for a horseshoe-shaped bend!) in the Colorado River. But spiritually and aesthetically, it’s so much more. A sight of incredible natural beauty, the power of the flowing river, and the steadfastness of Horseshoe Bend’s beautiful red cliffs resonate with visitors from all around the world. The Horseshoe Bend lookout is on a cliff 1,000 feet above the river and it may be the most stunning river view in the world.

Where Is Horseshoe Bend?

Thankfully, this gorgeous spot is just a 10 minute drive from Page, Arizona, about 2 hours from Flagstaff, and just under 3 hours from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, making it the perfect destination to add to any roadtrip of the American southwest.You can fly to Page from Vegas or Phoenix but, if possible, the drive is well worth it. Page is surrounded by some of the most spectacular national parks, state parks, and national forests in the United States.

A map showing Horseshoe Bend and Page, Arizona's proximity to Las Vegas and Flagstaff — Map Data: Google

If you do fly in (or perhaps get dropped off by friends), note that Avis is the only rental car operation in town.

Getting To Horseshoe Bend By Car

From Page, drive south on Highway 89 and look for the exit lane and dirt road between mile 544 and 545 (on the west side of the road). There’ll be a sign saying “Horseshoe Bend Overlook.”

You’ll see the parking lot shortly after you turn off the main road. Parking is free and is RV friendly. During peak visiting hours, you’ll find the parking lot rather crowded. You might have to wait 30 minutes to get a spot during mid-day — or even wind up circling back into town before trying again later. Note that parking alongside Highway 89 and hiking all the way in is prohibited. Visiting Horseshoe Bend early in the morning or late in the afternoon means easy parking and fewer crowds.

From the parking lot, it’s a short 10 minute (0.6 mile) walk along sandy soil to the lookout point. Note that there are no amenities along the way. Bring your water with you. Even short walks can be HOT!

An aerial view of Horseshoe Bend and Page, Arizona — Map Data: Google

Visiting Horseshoe Bend By Tour

While it’s easy enough to visit Horseshoe Bend on your own, you might have more fun or make better use of limited time (or both!) by seeing it as part of a tour. Most day tours to the nearby Antelope Canyon include a stop at Horseshoe Bend, as do many that visit the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Day trips from Las Vegas include 10 hours of driving when you factor in the 4.5 hour trip each way from the city and the time spent going between attractions. And while Flagstaff is a shorter distance at just 2 hours or so away, you’re still going to be spending a lot of time sitting in a vehicle. It’s well worth investing in a tour that focuses on comfort by providing buses with washrooms, Wi-Fi, and snacks.

If you are short on time or flush with cash — or maybe just want the scenic experience of a lifetime — you can enjoy a helicopter tour (or small, fixed-wing aircraft tour) of Horseshoe Bend. Tours nearly always include views of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell Resort, Wahweap Marina, Padre Bay, Lone Rock, and the surrounding desert. Alas, Antelope Canyon isn’t included. It’s really only appreciated from land. There’s not much to see from the air for this special spot!

But depending on which location you take off from — Page, Flagstaff, or Las Vegas — you’ll get a lot of other scenic sites thrown in. The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, the lights of Las Vegas, and Red Rock Canyon are all possible inclusions.

The least expensive tours operate out of Page and nearby communities, last about 15 minutes, and start at $119. Those from Vegas might be as long as 4 hours (with approximately 70 minutes of flying) and include hotel pickups and possible touchdowns at key tourist attractions starting at $279.

Person gets very close to edge of Horseshoe Bend, Arizona. — Unai Huizi Photography / Shutterstock.com

The Best Time To Visit Horseshoe Bend

They say that the best things in life are free, and that’s absolutely the case with Horseshoe Bend. It’s always open and has no admission fee or other restrictions. Photographers will want to arrive well in advance for sunrise and sunset shots. Note that at sunset, the sun appears to be ducking behind the rocks that frame the Bend, making for a beautiful, naturally styled shot.

If possible, avoid peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the attraction is most densely packed with visitors.

Keep in mind that, despite its location in the desert, the area is colder than you might expect at dusk and dawn. Lightweight layers are your best choice, plus a jacket during winter months.

Safety Precautions At Horseshoe Bend

While plans are underway to construct a safe viewing platform with rails, as of now Horseshoe Bend has no safety guards. It’s a 100 percent natural feature — with cliff drops that are 100 percent fatal. Deaths are not unheard of here and the pursuit of the perfect selfie comes at immense risk. Proceed with caution!

Other Things To Do Near Horseshoe Bend

Page may just be the luckiest town in America because it’s home to both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. This spectacular natural feature is actually split into two sections — Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon, each with their own unique beauty and pros and cons for visitors. You can only visit Antelope Canyon via a guided tour. If you’re visiting the area during peak season, be sure to book your tours in advance. You absolutely do not want to miss out.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is just 30 minutes away and gets a fraction of the visitors who go to the nearby National Parks. It’s the perfect place for quiet hiking.

Zion National Park is 1 hour and 50 minutes away. This beautiful National Park can easily be explored in a day or two and there is a good concentration of outdoor activity providers in the gateway town of Springdale, Utah. In summer, the Virgin River is relatively lazy and you can rent inner tubes and float along in the cool waters.

Flagstaff — and the gateway to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park — is just over 2 hours away and has the fantastic, low key vibe of a university town. It’s home to an incredible observatory, great restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene.

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is 2 hours and 40 minutes away from Horseshoe Bend. It looks much closer but alas, the road it a twisting, turning one — with great scenery too! Many national park enthusiasts consider the North Rim to be the prime spot to visit, as it receives fewer visitors than the South Rim and it’s a bit cooler too (a key consideration in the peak summer months).

Photo Credit: Tom Gainor / Unsplash

Be Kind For Everyone Is Fighting A Battle: A Lesson Learned On The Southwest Chief Train

My feet ached as I stood on the platform, waiting for the train in Chicago. I was going home to Kansas City after a two-week train trip with eight stops throughout the southeastern U.S. As a travel writer, these trips are often marathons of interviews and a schedule that runs from early morning to late at night. After bouncing from city to city, my reserves were waning. Chicago to Kansas City was the last leg of my trip, and quite simply, I just wanted to get home.

I spotted two seats together, a luxury on the Southwest Chief that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, and felt the tension I’d been holding in my shoulders start to release. At least I could stretch out — and maybe even nap a bit on the seven-hour ride — before arriving in Kansas City.

Kansas City skyline — Colton Sturgeon / Unsplash

Just as I was spreading out, almost possessively making the public space my own — pillow against the window, book out even though I knew I wouldn’t get into more than a page before drifting off — a young man came bustling down the aisle to sit next to me, huffing from the quick dash he’d made before the train departed.

I moved my possessions out of his way to make room. As I did so, I took a better look: One side of his head was shaved, the rest of his curly hair was a shock of blonde and pink locks. His lips were pierced with studs and he was exceptionally large, both in height and width. And he had the worst cold I’ve seen in a long time — he was visibly congested, continually sneezing and coughing.

As he sat down beside me, I tried to make myself as small as possible to allow him, his bag, and his pillow to squeeze in. I wound up crunched against the window, listening to his hacking. I was unable to sleep due to being so cramped (he was half on top of me) and decided to head to the observation car for a bit and then eat dinner.

I sighed as I said Excuse me and tried to squeeze out of the seat. As I tried to escape, he softly said, “I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

I stumbled (because on a moving train you don’t saunter to the next car — you toss from side to side as the train jolts, grabbing seats for balance, sometimes lunging into fellow passengers’ laps) toward the café car. On the Southwest Chief, you have a choice of a white tablecloth dinner in the dining car or snack options in the café car. I felt grungy from two days of travel and opted for the low-key café.

As I settled in with a microwaved hotdog and a cheap half bottle of wine, I thought about the young man’s words. “I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.” Such a poignant, gracious statement. And here I was running off to avoid being “uncomfortable.” His words touched my heart and I thought about it as I ate.

The back of a person wearing a gray hoodie with the hood pulled up — Christian Wiediger / Unsplash

Every single time I have ridden on the train, I have met someone I connected with deeply. Its as if my seatmate is personally chosen to help me with a lesson I need to learn. On this same trip, while traveling from Chicago to New Orleans, I sat with an African American schoolteacher. I was a tad uncomfortable then, too, having to sleep next to a male stranger on an overnight trip in coach. But the next morning, after we both woke and had coffee, we started to chat. He explained landmarks as we passed — the Blues Highway, catfish farms, small-town folk sitting in plastic lawn chairs, waving at the train as it passed. By the time he detrained in Jackson, Mississippi, I thanked him and took his photo.

So I knew not to trust the initial uneasiness I sometimes felt with a fellow passenger. I wondered about the young man I’d just met. Why was he sitting by me? I don’t normally judge, so I wondered if my crankiness and eagerness to get home were affecting my discernment. I decided that this could not be different than any other trip: Either I needed to meet him, or he needed to meet me. So I (somewhat begrudgingly, I admit) went back to my seat instead of relaxing in one of the comfortable chairs in the observation car for the rest of the trip.

As I walked down the aisle toward my seat, I saw that he’d switched seats. When he offered to move back to the aisle, I told him to stay put as it would give me more room to have the aisle seat.

“I thought you wouldn’t come back,” he said.

My silence in reply hung in the air like mildewed laundry. It was stiff and obvious. Finally, after a long moment, I said, “What brings you to Kansas City?”

“My mom passed away and I’m going to live with my grandma in a suburb outside KC.” Only 16, a senior in high school, he was trying to decide what to do with his life.

His name was Jason, and after sharing such an intimate revelation, the talk became lighter, easier. My mother instincts woke up and we discussed interests that could lead to jobs, college options, and how to adjust to life with his grandmother. We chatted and joked the last several hours of the trip.

Kansas City's Union Station at dusk — Janis Schwartz / Shutterstock

As we got ready to detrain, a woman sitting across the aisle who hadn’t spoken to us once throughout the trip, noticed our laughing and said, “You two are way too comfortable with each other. If I hadn’t seen it, I’d never have believed you just met a few hours ago.” And we were comfortable.

We walked together to the parking lot where our rides were waiting to take us home.

I hadn’t planned to share this story of my intolerance and initial judgment, but I keep thinking about Jason and his journey. The quote “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle” comes to mind. We never know someone’s story — or where their heart lies — and we surely can’t deduce it from a first impression.

Traveling gives us the opportunity to expand our perceptions, meet like- and not-at-first visibly alike folk, and the chance to connect that we might not encounter at home in our comfort zones. And even though Jason was desperately craving the attention of a mother figure, I benefited from the connection as much as he did. That coincidental meeting, brought to us by the Southwest Chief, was meant for us both.

Photo Credit: Ehimetalor Unuabona / Unsplash

I Did A Volunteer Trip To Africa And It Changed My Life

There is a growing belief that “voluntourism” can be harmful to the communities which it aims to serve. Individuals seeking to add volunteer positions to their resumes, those who just want cool photos for their social media, and travelers who are merely looking for a cheap vacation have certainly smeared the term “voluntourism.” Some who seek to improve a destination through their efforts are calling it “impact travel” to get away from negative associations with “voluntourism.”

And while there’s controversy around all these types of travel, I booked myself a trip to volunteer in Africa, and it changed my life. Unlike some voluntourism experiences, my trip was pure citizen science: It furthered the cause of science and changed my life at the same time. Not a bad combination!

Why I Decided To Try Volunteer Travel

Contemplation of a volunteer trip started when my youngest was entering his senior year of college. I knew at this turning point I could continue to be a special part of my children’s lives, but was no longer a manager — or even an influential mentor. Both my children would soon fly solo. It is not as if I wasn’t busy in my own life; I had been a university lecturer in social sciences and a college consultant in private practice who also spent a great deal of time volunteering at a local high school. However, I wanted something different, something more.

Volunteers walking on the beach in Tofo — Tam Warner Minton

The different that I sought came when I saw the BBC Natural World episode “Andrea: Queen of Mantas.” The program followed the life and research of Dr. Andrea Marshall, the first person to earn a Ph.D. studying the elusive manta ray. Mantas have fascinated me ever since I saw them in Florida as a little girl. I watched and became more impressed by the minute by this young woman who’d gone to Mozambique alone and stumbled upon a resident population of manta rays.

Her discoveries, one of which was that each manta had a unique identifying pattern on its belly, led her to realize that two things were needed to continue her work: identification photographs and tags so she could try to understand why some mantas were resident in Mozambique while others migrated. My love of the ocean and animals excited my interest — Why couldn’t I do something like that?

Why I Chose Mozambique

As an avid diver, I wondered if there were programs that included scuba diving as part of scientific projects. I ran across a company called All Out Africa which had a project in Mozambique, in the same town where Dr. Marshall does her research. I started a discussion with a company representative, asking questions and getting detailed information about the location and work involved. I have four titanium rods and eight pedicle screws holding my lower spine together, so I would require a few considerations to participate, like not having to pick up my own scuba tank or carry gear a long distance.

The representative contacted the Mozambique team, and they said, No problem. I was so excited about the project and the possibility of meeting Dr. Marshall that I booked a trip to spend three weeks in the program. That’s right! Me! Traveling to volunteer in Africa — in Mozambique — with a fish I had always dreamed of diving with!

A diver photographic manta rays — Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

My family was a bit concerned. Maybe more than a bit. We are a dive family, so the diving was not as much a concern to them as the getting there. To say I’m an absentminded professor is a very apt description. I lose and misplace things constantly. Another habit they worried about is my tendency to fall. I become excited and distracted and have been known to trip or run into things. It’s the way I am, and I would gladly become an organized, focused person if I could. I decided on this trip, I would be that person. I had an opportunity to remake myself in the image I wanted to be: calm, utterly focused, knowing where everything was.

Here’s What Happened

In three short weeks, I was off — boarding my plane! I won’t bore you with the details, but I couldn’t keep track of anything. I had security guards running after me because I forgot something at security. That happened several times. I tripped in the airport. Okay, no harm done; I hadn’t met anyone yet.

After my flights on huge British Airways planes, I boarded a small Mozambique Air plane in Johannesburg for the flight to Inhambane, Mozambique. Okay, I thought. I wanted to do this, so I got on the tiny plane even though I was a little dismayed. We landed in what looked like a field, and I spotted a shack nearby, which turned out to be the airport. I met several of my fellow volunteers, and off we went in a van, squeezed tight and bouncing like crazy as the potholes were huge.

The tightly packed van on the way to the volunteer house — Tam Warner Minton

After arriving at the volunteer house, I still had a few shocks to the system coming. Our other volunteer mates were already there, and I shared a room with a young woman named Leslie. The house was clean enough, with mostly outdoor bathrooms and showers. We would wash our clothing in a sink outdoors and hang it on a line. From there, our guide took us on a tour.

Of course I was the oldest person in the group. Most of the others could have been my children. I had the impression there would be other 50-somethings, but nope, just me. The stairs to the beach from the volunteer house were up a hill, then down a long way, and featured concrete steps that were broken, steep, curvy, and completely dangerous. I learned that everyone called them the Stairs of Death. And that’s exactly what they felt like.

The beach was beautiful, and featured what’s known as singing sand. The sand “sings” because it has a certain amount of quartz in it, which causes it to produce a sound when it’s stepped on or the wind blows over it. The sand was also very deep. There was no way I could keep up with the younger, fitter volunteers. I felt panicky.

By the time we were back at the house, after climbing up the Stairs of Death, I knew I had made a very serious mistake. There was no way I could do this. I was even more convinced after my first dive trip. There is no marina in Tofo, Mozambique, just big, crashing waves. The zodiac (a rubber boat) had to be pushed out over the surf, then each person jumped in and we continued to get over the surf line. I couldn’t jump. They had to drag me over the side. Embarrassing.

I didn’t know some of their dive terminology. The water was rough, the visibility nothing like I was used to. We had to swim to the bottom as fast as possible so we could stay together. I ran out of air first, of course, which was also embarrassing. I also missed my safety stop because I was ashamed to tell the dive master that I was so low on air. That was stupid of me. There were no health facilities in the village.

A messy volunteer room with bunk beds — Tam Warner Minton

The point being, of course, that I was totally unprepared, and sure that there was no way I could manage to the end of the trip. To make things even worse, it took everybody about a day to realize I was a consistently disorganized mess. So much for making an impression. But an amazing thing happened: I refused to quit, and three weeks later a stronger, slimmer, and more educated woman returned home.

A beach in Tofo, Mozambique — Tam Warner Minton

Yes, I did it. I filled out fish surveys, did the dives, did the ocean safaris, attended the seminars about marine life, walked the Stairs of Death at least twice a day, and came home to myself. The trip taught me who I really am, and showed me what I’m capable of. Without daily life, obligations, places to be, others to consider, I had moments of just being me. I’ve come to realize that few people experience those moments, and I had to find mine by going out of my comfort zone, getting away into a completely different environment, and working hard to be able to complete the work I went to do. By myself. Solo.

How Did It Change My Life?

My volunteer trip allowed me to realize how strong I am and how determined I can be. It gave me a thirst for more opportunities to challenge myself. It’s funny, but I’m still in touch with most of the volunteers who were on that expedition. I might be old enough to be their mother, but we bonded in an experience where passion and determination came together. I’ve seen many of them since, and had dinner with one of my housemates just last week in La Paz, Mexico, where he is finishing a Ph.D. in shark ecology.

Tam and three other volunteers—all young men — Tam Warner Minton

Since Mozambique, I’ve participated in scientific expeditions in Thailand, Myanmar, Ecuador, Isla Mujeres, Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park, and Revillagigedos Archipelago, and I’m headed to the Coral Triangle next January for another expedition. Meeting Dr. Marshall in Tofo has led me to places I never thought I could go. But as I learned on my first volunteer trip, I can do anything.

Photo Credit: Tam Warner Minton