With so much to see and experience, we know it’s a challenge to squeeze it all in.  So, we’ve developed some itineraries for birders, nature lovers, history buffs and especially you, the traveler.  We’ve included estimated times for the itineraries that will serve as a rough guide so that you can mix and match to customize your visit.

From Town to Post and Underground

By the end of this day trip, you will have been to the historic Berlin Wall and back.

Your first step into Sierra Vista’s past is the Henry Hauser Museum in the Ethel Berger Center.  Here, historic items from Sierra Vista are displayed in changing, themed exhibits supported and presented by volunteer citizens and business in Sierra Vista.  It also has a great museum shop to find that perfect souvenir or gift for a family member.

Next, envision where the U.S. Army held their ground against the Apache at the Fort Huachuca Museum and Annex.   These two buildings house a burgeoning collection commemorating the Post’s history from the 1870s and the famed Buffalo Soldiers, the Indian Wars and the Korean conflict.  Inside the Military Intelligence Museum are espionage artifacts dating from the Post’s beginnings through the Cold War, with a 12-foot segment of the Berlin Wall.  And don’t forget to stop by the outstanding gift shop.

Note:  The Post is an active military installation.  Visitor passes are available at the Main Gate with a current and valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of vehicle insurance, or rental agreement.  All passengers 13 and older must also have photo IDs.  Fort Huachuca is occasionally closed for maneuvers.  Current U.S. Army regulation stipulates that US citizens with proper identification and documentation may visit the Fort.  However, international visitors are not permitted access, unless they are sponsored and escorted by authorized personnel.

Then, it’s on to Kartchner Caverns State Park north on Hwy 90 only 20 minutes away.  From the day it opened, this living cave has been an international sensation.  Advance reservations are required.

From Peacekeeping to Peace

Begin your day by driving the scenic Charleston Road to Tombstone.  The “Town too Tough to Die” is one of the Old West’s best-known places as many of the armed conflicts between lawmen and outlaws have been immortalized in print and on the big and small screens.  While Tombstone may have been captured on film, there is nothing like the feeling of walking the same streets that Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and Big Nose Kate did.  Many of the buildings remain from that era, adding authenticity to the town.  Re-enactments along famous Allen Street are loads of fun for the visitor, as is the stagecoach ride.  Make sure you don’t skimp on the time you allow to see the town, Boot Hill and the O.K. Corral, marking the infamous 30-second gunfight.

After re-living a bit of the lawless past, visit the 75-foot Celtic cross located at Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine, just south of Sierra Vista on Hwy 92.  This beautiful Shrine, high in the Huachuca Mountains, has a serene chapel for spiritual relaxation.  The view of the valley from the Shrine is spectacular.  Learn the story of the couple whose devotion to their spirituality and passion for the ruggedly beautiful land created this beautiful retreat.  All faiths are warmly welcome.

For evening entertainment, take to the outdoors by visiting one of our most popular destinations – our night skies.  Just a short drive from Sierra Vista there are several observatories open to the public.  See the stars and planets through telescopes — those that you have only read about or seen on charts.  Our local astronomy buffs enjoy educating the public about the world outside our planet.  Be sure to call ahead for reservations and directions.

From Birds to Beadwork

(This is a wintertime trip — the cranes arrive in November and leave in February) Get an early start this morning and take the back roads past Bisbee (Hwy 92 to Hwy 80 and then Double Adobe Road) to Hwy 191.  As you drive from Elfrida to the Willcox Playa, you will see thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese who make their home in this area during the winter season.  They overnight in the Playa, spend the morning feeding in the agricultural fields around Kansas Settlement and then fly south to the Elfrida area and Whitewater Draw for some relaxation.  Whether you are a bird watcher or not, this is a marvelous opportunity to see these 4-foot Cranes in a natural environment.

Education can be immensely fun – it can be stimulating and have the “wow” factor.  If you’d like to experience that thrill of learning more about the Native American art and culture, take a road trip to the Amerind Museum.  The Amerind, a contraction for American Indian, is located in beautiful Texas Canyon and is a museum of Native American archaeology, art, history and culture.  From Hwy 191, it’s a short drive to Dragoon and the museum.  The exhibits tell the story of America’s first peoples with art and artifacts.   On Native Arts weekends, Indian artists demonstrate their skills in pottery, weaving, culinary arts, painting and sculptures, just to name a few of the talents.  The museum store offers unique southwestern arts, crafts and books on the Native American cultures.

From Canyons to Cool Tunes

Take in some of our phenomenal nature at The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Ramsey Canyon is world-renowned for its bird life, especially the hummingbirds that make the canyon their home from late April through September.  Resplendent in hiking trails, docents conduct guided nature walks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9am, March through October.

A quick drive will take you to the popular public bird feeding stations in Miller Canyon at Beatty’s Guest Ranch and in Ash Canyon at the Ash Canyon B&B.

Also remember that Carr Canyon, with the popular Carr House, is nearby.  These canyons have a wealth of rare bird sightings, such as the Slate-throated Red Start and the Crescent-chested Warbler.

Visit the Arizona Folklore Preserve.  Guest artists are scheduled to perform at the Preserve when Dolan Ellis (the Official State Balladeer of Arizona) has commitments elsewhere.  Be sure to call for the name of the performing artist.  Reservations for the matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday a must.

True Treasure of Coronado, Art and Architecture.

See the stunning views that Coronado and his men were treated to as they forged their trails pursuing stories of great riches of the Seven Cities of Cibola.  While the cities were a tall tale widely told, the Coronado National Memorial is undoubtedly the real treasure.  There is really nothing to compare to its stunning wilderness scenery, with endless views across the San Pedro and San Rafael Valleys, and even the grass plains of Sonora, Mexico.  Be sure to include Montezuma Pass (elevation:  6,575 feet) on your driving tour; it’s only fifteen minutes from the Visitor’s Center.  There are many hiking opportunities throughout the Memorial; however, most require a little stamina.

While at the Coronado National Memorial Visitor’s Center, be sure to get your free pass to explore the Coronado Cave.  It’s only ¾ of a mile from the Memorial’s Visitor’s Center.  It’s also known at Geronimo’s Cave.  According to legend, the Apache leader used the cave as a hideout in the late 1800s.

A short twenty-minute drive from the Coronado National Memorial is the artist community of Bisbee.  Following Hwy 92 to the east brings you into the Old Town of Bisbee, whose mining history is displayed at the Smithsonian affiliate Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum.  Browse along Main Street where the Victorian architecture is prominent. Spend time visiting the many art galleries, quaint shops and coffee houses.

Birds, Mammoths and Ghosts

Birding in the cool early morning can only be improved if you also happen to be in the heart of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.  Over half of the known breeding bird species have been sighted here.  Visitors can choose from regularly scheduled bird, interpretive and river walks, all led by trained docents from the San Pedro House.

Next up:  Murray Springs Clovis Site, where one of the most archaeologically significant and internationally important Mammoth sites, was discovered.  The Clovis peoples lived in the San Pedro River Valley over 11,000 years ago, and these big game hunters left behind hand crafted spear points as well as a unique, and rare, wrench-type tool made of mammoth leg bone.  A self-guided interpretive tour is available.

It’s back-to-the-future from prehistoric times to a stop in the 1800s, when mining left its mark on the banks of the San Pedro with some of the area’s most famous ghost towns, Millville and Charleston, across the San Pedro from each other, sprouted up to serve the Tombstone mines during their boom days.  Fairbank, with its over half-dozen remaining structures, is worth the hike.  And Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate is one of the best-preserved Spanish presidios (fortress) in the Western U.S.

• Sierra Vista Arizona, Southern Arizona, Arizona Vacations

Located at the center of one of the finest birding areas in the United States, Sierra Vista is often referred to as “The Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.” The mild climate, proximity to Mexico and diverse habitats, including 9,000-foot mountains and the magnificent San Pedro River Valley, make southeastern Arizona a major hot spot for rare and unusual species of birds.

The best times to see tropical species such as hummingbirds, trogans, warblers and flycatchers is from mid-April through September. Spring Migration peaks between late April and early May, as tens of thousands of colorful songbirds make their way north. Late summer is also an excellent time to observe both resident and migrant birds. Spectacular thunderstorms in July and August bring cooler temperatures and create a “second Spring;” blooming wildflowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, while flocks of migrating birds feast on the bounty of seeds, fruits and insects.

Winter birding has its own special appeal. The Sierra Vista (Ramsey Canyon) Christmas Bird Count regularly has one of the highest inland species totals in the U.S., with over 150 species. Lowland sites such as the San Pedro River and Sulphur Springs Valley support the greatest variety of wintering birds. Within a two-hour drive of Sierra Vista’s 1700 + hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and 85 + restaurants are habitats ranging from mesquite shrub land, desert grassland and lowland riparian (streamside), to high mountains with Douglas Fir and Quaking Aspen. As your “home base,” Sierra Vista allows you to take day trips throughout southeastern Arizona and explore to your heart’s content, always knowing you have cozy accommodations waiting for you at day’s end.

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• Southern Arizona
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In March 1877, Captain Samuel M. Whitside and Company B of the 6th U.S. Cavalry rode into the southeastern corner of what is now Arizona charged with two missions: protect the settlers in the area and prevent the Chiricahua Apache raiding parties from escaping into Mexico. After inspecting the ruins of a former U.S. Army camp and determining it unacceptable, Captain Whitside scouted the surrounding mountains, finding a heavily wooded canyon far better for his soldiers and their mission. So, Camp Huachuca was established. Five years later, the camp was declared a permanent U.S. Army post, as Fort Huachuca.

Almost a decade later, Fort Huachuca became the headquarters of Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles, whose campaign against Geronimo is legendary. Shortly thereafter, the arrival of the first black soldiers of the 10th U.S. Cavalry earned the post the name of the Home of the Buffalo Soldiers. After the turn of the century, in 1913, these black soldiers, The Buffalo Soldiers , served under Brigadier General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing in the 1916 punitive expeditions into Mexico against Francisco “Pancho” Villa.

The early days of Sierra Vista:
Typical of U.S. Army installations, a small community formed outside the post gates. As it grew, the community underwent several name changes. In 1915, it was called Buena, then changed to Overton, then to Garden Canyon and subsequently to Fry. When incorporated in 1956, the city was once again renamed and became Sierra Vista.

The U.S. Census of 1950 recorded a population of 50 persons living in Fry. In 1956, when incorporated, the population had reached 1671. Today, the population of Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca is over 40,000.

Located 75 miles southeast of Tucson, Sierra Vista serves as the main commercial, cultural and recreational hub of Cochise County. The city is easily accessible for those wishing to drive or fly in. It is a short drive from Interstate 10 on State Highway 90 with a scenic view of the mountains and grasslands. For those wishing to fly in, Sierra Vista has its own airport (Airport Code FHU).

At an elevation of 4,623 feet surrounded by mountain peaks reaching nearly 10,000 feet, Sierra Vista enjoys a moderate four-season climate with abundant sunshine. The picturesque setting among the Huachuca, Dragoon, Mule and Whetstone Mountains confirms its Spanish name meaning Mountain View.

Visit Sierra Vista

“The Town too Tough to Die,” Tombstone was perhaps the most renowned of Arizona’s old mining camps. When Ed Schieffelin (SHEF·e·lin) came to Camp Huachuca (hwah·CHEW·kuh) with a party of soldiers and left the fort to prospect, his comrades told him that he’d find his tombstone rather than silver. Thus, in 1877 Schieffelin named his first claim the Tombstone, and rumors of rich strikes made a boomtown of the settlement that adopted this name.

Days of lawlessness and violence, which nearly had then-President Chester A. Arthur declaring martial law in Tombstone and sending in military troops to restore order, climaxed with the infamous Earp-Clanton battle, fought near the rear entrance of the O.K. Corral, on October 26, 1881. Over the course of 7 years the mines produced millions of dollars in silver and gold before rising underground waters forced suspension of operations.

After cashing in on the Arizona bonanza, Ed Schieffelin went back to the mining life he knew so well. He prospected in Alaska in 1882, and later in the Pacific Northwest.

Schieffelin died in Grant County, Oregon, on May 14, 1897, at the age of 49. At his request, he was returned to Tombstone for burial, nine days after his death. He was afforded a grand funeral at Schieffelin Hall. He was laid to rest on a hillside about a mile from town (beneath a marker in the shape of a miner’s claim).

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Visit Sierra Vista

The Shrine is a wonderful addition to any visit to Sierra Vista, located just south of town near Ramsey Canyon on the road to Bisbee. High on a hill in the Huachuca Mountains, a 75 foot Celtic Cross beckons visitors to come closer, and a large angel with open arms welcomes visitors to the Shrine. Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine, completed in 1998, extends a serene invitation for travelers of all faiths.  Consisting of a Cross, 31-foot Madonna figure, a chapel, and beautiful scenery, this is one spot not to miss on your tour.

Holy Trinity Monastery

An Olivetan Benedictine Community located on 148 acres along the San Pedro River, the Holy Trinity Monastery offers a serene and prayerful atmosphere among the cottonwoods, artesian ponds, and pecan trees. The monks, sisters, and oblates residing on the grounds wish to share the peace of the desert with all, offering traditional Benedictine hospitality to their visitors.

The 70 foot Celtic Cross, along with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Trinity Library, Gallery Trinitas and Museum, Benedict’s Market, as well as a 1.3 mile bird sanctuary are a few points of interest for visitors. The monastery also hosts two annual festivals, the Fiesta Primavera on Mother’s Day, and the Festival of Arts in the second week in November. A visit to the Monastery is a nice addition to an itinerary that includes the Amerind Museum which is located about ten miles from the Monastery.

Visit Sierra Vista

Begin the day by exploring Agua Prieta and/or Naco, Mexico.  Then, experience Bisbee which was once the largest city between San Francisco and St. Louis.  The historical mining town produced nearly $8 billion dollars in gold, copper and silver in the 19th and early 20th centuries.  Spend the night in Sierra Vista where you can enjoy dinner at a one-of-a-kind restaurant.

Agua Prieta, Mexico

Compared to other cities of Sonora, the city of Agua Prieta is regarded as a newcomer.  In fact, it was not until November, 11, 1942 that it received official recognition as a city.  The efforts to preserve the culture of the city are clear in Agua Prieta.  The city boasts excellent bars with unique atmospheres and restaurants with exquisite regional and international cuisine.

Naco, Mexico

This Arizona/Mexican bordered town has much to offer for Spanish/American History. A small town that was inhabited by a railroad in 1898. This railroad helped to haul supplies and goods from mining expeditions. The railroad allowed for the city to flourish into a bigger, more prosperous city. Today experience the American/Spanish history.

Bisbee, Arizona

Founded in 1880, and named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, a financial backer of the Copper Queen Mine. Once an Old West mining camp, at its prime Bisbee had transformed into a cosmopolitan city labeled an “Urban Outpost on the Frontier.” Today, Bisbee allows visitors to enjoy the splendor of the Old West while combined with a modern day artist community.

Visit Sierra Vista