These are some worthy day trips that can be taken from Phoenix to areas that are outside of Tucson. For Tucson day trips, see the separate category for Tucson.
Vineyards were first planted in Arizona in the 17th century by Franciscan missionaries. Today there are several active wineries in the state, with over 650 acres of grapes being grown for the purpose of wine production.
Once a thriving copper mining town, Bisbee is now home to retirees and artists. Your About.com Guide to Southwest For Visitors takes you there.
Patagonia is internationally known as a premier bird watching destination. Here you'll find the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.
Saguaro National Park has majestic saguaros, hiking trails and well-stocked Visitor's Center. See photos of this "must visit" spot in Arizona, by your About Guide to Southwest For Visitors.
Arizona's Wine Country is about 55 miles from Tucson. Get the details from your About.com Guide to Southwest For Visitors.
A large scale ecological laboratory and Western branch campus of Columbia University. Inside Biosphere 2 is a rainforest, a million gallon salt water ocean, a coastal fog desert, and four other wilderness ecosystems. Located in Oracle, Arizona.
"Casa Grande Ruins, the nation's first archeological preserve, protects the Casa Grande and other archeological sites within its boundaries. You are invited to see the Casa Grande and to hear the story of the ancient ones the Pima call the Hohokam, 'those who are gone.'" Located in Coolidge, Arizona.
Cave tours, riding stables, museum and more. Just south of Tucson in Vail, Arizona.
Located in Benson, Arizona. "Allow at least three hours for the entire park experience, which includes the cave tour, a walk through the visitor center exhibits, gift shop and enjoyment of the outdoor scenery."
56 miles southwest of Tucson. The summit of Kitt Peak is at an elevation of 6,875 feet. Operated by The National Optical Astronomy Observatory, there are three guided tours daily.
"Located in the Coronado National Forest , Mt. Lemmon, at over 9000 feet, is a wonderful place to get away from the desert heat in the summer, enjoy the changing leaves in the fall, and play in the snow in the winter."
Picacho Peak rises to a height of 1,500 feet above the desert floor, and is a magnet to hikers. Camping and picnicking are the preferred pastimes here. North of Tucson.
In Sahuarita, AZ, about 25 miles south of Tucson. "The Titan II is a second-generation liquid fueled ballistic missile and the largest Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) ever developed by the United States."
"The courthouse presently houses a multitude of displays of past life in Cochise County including ranching, mining, and gambling." Located in Tombstone.
"While visiting Tombstone, tourists will find themselves stepping back into the past as they witness re-enactments at the O.K. Corral or take a stroll along the boardwalks on Allen Street where they might want to unwind and relax in the Bird Cage Theater, Big Nose Kate's or The Crystal Palace, some of Tombstone's best known tourist attractions and saloons."
"Remnants of the military fort founded by the Spanish in 1752 have been uncovered by University of Arizona archaeologists and preserved by Arizona State Parks."
Founded in 1752, Tubac is the first European settlement in the region that later became Arizona. Today the community is known as a haven for artists and craftspersons, and the village offers over 80 shops, studios and galleries. About 45 miles south of Tucson.
The park tells the story of the first Europeans who came to southern Arizona and of the native people who lived here. Tour the mission church, cemetery and outlying structures and grounds reminiscent of the period in which they were established.
