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Chapter 1 Discovering the Best of Arizona
In This Chapter Searching out the top historical sites and attractions Finding the best places to explore Native American culture Participating in Arizona’s myriad activities Seeing glorious Western film–style landscapes Shopping for the top arts and crafts Discovering the best historic lodgings Dining at Arizona’s top Southwest restaurants
icture a land of silent, manly men and spirited, sun-worn women P leaving clouds of dust in the wake of their pickups as they hightail it through rugged canyon lands and parched deserts. Of noble braves in touch with Earth’s ancient wisdom. Of lonely Mexican cantinas and run- down roadside cafes . . .
Then give it a name: Arizona.
Okay. You’ve obviously watched too many Westerns and pickup-truck commercials.
Me, too. Before I moved to Tucson, nearly a decade and a half ago, I had many of the same preconceptions about the state. As it COPYRIGHTEDhappens, the men in Arizona are farMATERIAL more likely to golf, hike, or mountain bike than to rope cattle, and the sassiest females are generally from New York City, like me. Women here know better than to go out- doors without slathering on sunscreen, and if their skin gets parched, they head for the nearest spa. More contrasts to your possible precon- ceived notions: Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is lush with vegetation, much of the income of the southern Native American nations comes from casi- nos, and a long line often forms for the best Mexican restaurants, which tend to be in lively downtown barrios. 05_043075 ch01.qxp10/18/062:01PMPage10 10 Arizona
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12 Part I: Introducing Arizona
But back to those preconceived notions. The Arizona scenery is indeed as spectacular as anything you’d ever imagine (more than 80 percent of the state is undeveloped), ancient traditions are alive and well on the Indian reservations, and several cattle ranches are still active — some even rent out their rooms.
And Arizona has long stretches of open roads and a highway speed limit of 75 mph. Zooming down those wide stretches of macadam with your favorite tunes blaring on the radio, you may well experience the freedom and exhilaration you view in Hollywood versions of the Southwest.
This chapter, then, offers some of the best experiences that the state has to offer, proof that the reality of Arizona is as good as — in some places even better than — the fantasy.
Best Historic Attractions Over the centuries, Arizona has been home to conquistadors, missionar- ies, miners, and a variety of American Indian tribes — all of whom left their marks on the landscape. Today, these historic sites are among the state’s biggest tourism draws.