Why I love Tucson

When I arrived in Tucson for the first time a few years ago, it was dark. I woke up the next day, looked out the window, and realized the city is surrounded by mountains. To this day, the mountains are one of my favorite things about Tucson.

Tucson is world famous for it's golf courses, spas, and outdoor activities. Celebrities have been known to frequent Tucson's top rated health spas. But you don't have to be a golfer or spa fanatic to enjoy Tucson, anyone who appreciates the outdoors and a unique landscape should make Tucson a stop on his or her itinerary.

The high season in Tucson runs from October through May. The summer months bring a different kind of charm to the area. The weather is stifling, often about 100 degrees, but the morning temperatures are usually pleasant. You can save a bundle on hotels and most restaurants offer deals. Monsoon season hits mid-July and lasts through mid-September, when an almost daily afternoon down pouring can ruin any outdoor plans.

Quick Tips:

In the morning, take in a round of golf or get pampered. Two of my favorite resorts, the Starr Pass Marriot and La Paloma, have excellent courses and spas. Alternatively, go for a morning hike - localhikes.com has descriptions of several in the area.

You can refuel at one of the many eclectic restaurants downtown: Barrio and El Charro are two of my favorites. Or, head to La Encantada in the Catalina Foothills for some high class shopping and dining.

In the evening, opt for a local Tucson restaurant. If you're young (or young at heart) hit 4th Avenue, a street full of eclectic shops, restaurants, and bars that never fail to entertain. The Shanty is my favorite, but watch out for a strict staff - several of my friends have been asked to leave.

If you enjoy science, nature, or astronomy, Kitt Peak is a must do. About an hour away from Tucson, they offer an excellent nightly observing program. Adults and kids alike will love it, although it can get cold so dress accordingly. Tickets sell fast, so book a few months in advance.

The Desert Museum is another must do. The museum title is misleading, as this is a "living" exhibit filled with animals from desert habitats. It includes two bird atriums, a cat area, and a loop with coyotes and javalinas. If you don't have kids, have dinner at the Octillo Café within the museum, which is quite good and offers unique local tastes. If you're here in the summer, opt for the discount evening tickets on Friday nights.

Other highlights in the Tucson area include Karatchner Caverns, the Tucson Air and Space Museum, the Titan Missile Museum, Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon, and Nogales.

Best Way To Get Around:

The public bus system is good but limited. Rent a car if you can. If you're flying into Phoenix and staying with friends, several companies offer transport to Tucson for around one way.

The streets in Tucson can be tricky. Often, a street will end without warning, only to reappear a block later. To navigate, try to familiarize yourself with the mountains. Tucson is bordered by four different mountain ranges. To the north the towering Santa Catalinas, to the west the Tucson Mountains, the east the Rincon Mountains, and further to the south, the Santa Rita mountains.

The Westin La Paloma is my favorite hotel in Tucson. I've been to several in the area, but this one outranks them all. Nestled in the prestigeous Catalina foothills north of Tucson, the scenery is breathtaking, and the spa and golf course are world-class. I would recommend this hotel to anyone who enjoys the finer things in life and isn't on a tight budget.

The grounds are very nice and give you that feeling of being one with nature while also knowing your every need will be attended to. With five pools and a swim-up bar, you can get a tan, enjoy the surroundings, and sip pina coladas almost year-round. The food also fits the bill; it is very tasty and has a nice variety of standard favorites and local flare.

My favorite part about the rooms is the Westin heavenly bed, which is the best bed I've ever slept in. The rooms are spacious and the patio is a nice place to relax at night. The service is immaculate but never overbearing or annoying.

If you're looking for a relaxing luxury vacation at a moderate price, visit in the summer. Rates drop because of the heat and monsoons, and you can usually get good deals on golf and spa packages. The local restaurants also offer deals. All in all, if you're looking for a relaxing vacation in Tucson, La Paloma is the place.

Frost is the newest (and as far as I know, only) gelato shop in Tucson, and it is amazing. There's tons of authentic Italian flavors like amaretto and lemoncello, along with the usual favorites like chocolate, cheesecake, and strawberry. What is gelato, you might be wondering? It's an ice cream like dessert, but it has less milk fat and no eggs or butter. It has less air than ice cream which results in a much thicker, creamier texture and more flavor.

Frost is great because they have a huge variety of flavors and a fun setting. The place is decorated in cool blue and white tones, and has the feel of an upscale diner. When I visited in November, there was a line out the door. They also have fun extras like a little cookie in each scoop, and affogato - espresso and gelato combined. The gelato is very filling, so if you can decide on a flavor you can save a few bucks if you split one. I was full after about half of my single scoop.

If you want to treat that someone special, or yourself, to a great evening, go to dinner at Wildflowers, Bluefin, or one of the other great restaurants in the Casas Adobes Plaza (www.casasadobesplaza.com), and then finish at Frost. It's a great night you wont forget. I sure haven't.

If you are a wine snob who only enjoys the finest California can offer, Sonoita is not for you. If, however, you're an amateur wine enthusiast who enjoys taking in local flavor, Sonoita offers an enjoyable day trip from Tucson.

Located about an hour southeast of Tucson, Sonoita is a tiny community that is home to a growing wine region. Currently there are a half dozen or so wineries within a few miles of each other. Sonoita Vineyards was the first winery in the area, established in 1983.

I visited Sonoita Vineyards with a group of friends, and found it to be quite enjoyable. The winery itself was small and the staff a bit standoffish, but you could tell they definitely enjoyed what they did. A tour of the winery was very informative and entertaining, and the following wine tasting was plentiful. The wine pourer told us that Sonoita Vineyard tends to make wines that pair well with meals, instead of wines simply for drinking. Their wines tend to be drier and more complex, where as drinking wines are often sweeter and simpler.

Because we were a group, we had lunch catered at the winery from Cafe Sonoita, which included wine from the vineyard. It was absolutely delicious. Our group left with two cases of wine between us and smiles on our faces.

Mount Lemmon is a peak located in the Santa Catalina mountains, north of Tucson. It's a favorite passtime of locals and visitors alike, and has something for everyone.

The access road is Catalina Highway, off Tanque Verde road on the north east side of town. From there, it's about an hour drive to reach the top. The views are amazing, both of the surrounding nature and the city below. Make sure to stop at the pullouts and look around.

The drive itself is quite interesting as you will see four distinct ecological strata and the temperature will drop about 30 degrees. You'll see everything from Saguaro cacti to evergreen forests, and if you're lucky maybe some snow in the winter.

Mount Lemmon is part of Coronado National Forest, so if you want to camp or hike you can visit their website for more information. Spencer Canyon is great for summer camping to escape the heat, and there are several hiking trails nearby.

In addition to the views, camping, hiking, cabins, snow and skiing, there's pie. The Mount Lemmon Cafe in Summerhaven serves some of the best pie I've ever tasted. Get the sour apple or sour cherry - I know it sounds weird but trust me, it's good.

Fourth Avenue is THE place to go in Tucson if your looking for a unique, truly Tucson experience. Nestled between downtown and the University of Arizona, this strip of road is frequented by a diverse crowd of college students and locals and has a fun flavor.

By day it's a shopping area filled with boutique clothing shops, pottery and other imports from south of the border. It also boasts a natural food store, an art gallery, and several delicious restaurants. At night the Tucson weather can truly be enjoyed by walking from one watering hole to the next and enjoying a beverage on the patio.

Most of the shops on Fourth Avenue are open by 10am and the bars stay open until 2am. If you get there early there is usually plenty of parking along the street or behind Maloney's on the south end of Fourth Avenue. To get there, take Speedway east from I-10 and turn right onto 4th Avenue.

4th Avenue also holds a semi-annual street fair (one in Spring and one in Fall). They close off the road to cars and fill it with tables full of goods from the shops nearby. Its a great way to see 4th Avenue in one afternoon.