Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [27]
Superstition Mountain Museum
Yes, it’s known for its Lost Dutchman Gold Mine exhibit, but there’s also the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel. 480-983-4888; www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org; 4087 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ; adult/child/senior $5/2/4; 9am-4pm
University of Arizona Mineral Museum
Miners’ oral histories and lots of rocks sit below Flandrau Science Center on the university campus. 520-621-7827; www.uamineralmuseum.org; 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ; adult/child under four $5/free; 9am-3pm & 6-9pm Thu & Fri, noon-9pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun
EAT & DRINK
Asylum Restaurant
The fantastic views and wine list make Asylum the most upscale place in town. Just ask the ghosts who haunt it. 928-639-3197; 200 Hill St, Jerome, AZ; dinner mains $18-29; lunch & dinner
Cafe Roka
Four-course dining is the rule at this sophisticated restaurant, so prep those taste buds for dishes like the signature roast duck. Reservations essential. 520-432-5153; 35 Main St, Bisbee, AZ; dinner mains $15-25; dinner Thu-Sat
Palace Saloon
Arizona’s oldest frontier bar comes complete with a swinging saloon door, framed photos and Old West memorabilia, including antique gambling machines. 928-541-1996; www.historicpalace.com; 120 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ; mains $8-20; lunch & dinner
Spirit Room
A dark, old-time saloon with a pool table and bordello scene mural. Live music every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and some weeknights. 928-634-8809; 166 Main St, Jerome, AZ; 10am-2am
Stock Exchange Saloon
Keeping the legacy of historic Bisbee alive one drink at a time, the long bar is a prime place to meet local characters. 520-432-9924; 15 Brewery Ave, Bisbee, AZ; 11am-1:30am
SLEEP
Connor Hotel
Rooms waft old-school flair while staying spiffy and comfy. Rooms 1 to 4 get most of the noise from the Spirit Room bar, below. 928-634-5006, 800-523-3554; www.connorhotel.com; 164 Main St, Jerome, AZ; r $90-165
Copper Queen Hotel
The Copper Queen combines late-19th-century elegance with modern amenities. Its downstairs restaurant and patio bar draw locals and tourists alike. 520-432-2216; www.copperqueen.com; 11 Howell Ave, Bisbee, AZ; r $90-180
Hotel Congress
A historic property where old-fashioned radios are the in-room entertainment. Opt for a room at the hotel’s far end if you’re noise sensitive. 520-622-8848; www.hotelcongress.com; 311 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ; r $70-120;
Jerome Grand Hotel
Get a third-floor balcony room for otherworldly views of the valley below. It’s a 10-minute uphill walk from the main strip. 928-634-8200; www.jeromegrandhotel.com; 200 Hill St, Jerome, AZ; r $120-460
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.azjerome.com
www.discoverbisbee.com
LINK YOUR TRIP www.lonelyplanet.com/trip-planner
TRIP
11 48 Hours in Greater Phoenix
19 Tiny Towns of Rim Country
21 Southern Desert Wanderings
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Return to beginning of chapter
Dam Diving
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WHY GO The Southwestern states haven’t let a lack of ocean-front property deter them from introducing scuba diving to their activities rosters: they simply moved the sport to the lake. Saying you’ve gone “dam diving in the desert” is damn cool, but the fact that it’s eco-friendly makes this backyard scuba experience even better.
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TIME
4 days
DISTANCE
700 miles
BEST TIME TO GO
Jun – Aug
START
Santa Rosa, NM
END
Las Vegas, NV
ALSO GOOD FOR
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The Southwest USA has always been a bit of a rebel. This is cowboy and Indian country after all. Home to the Wild West of lore. So it’s no surprise that when locals and researchers decided they wanted to scuba dive in New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada, these states figured out a way to make it happen. Despite being more than a thousand miles from the nearest ocean. How? Enter the National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center (SRC), an elite group of underwater archaeologists based in Santa Fe. The SRC team dives in dams around the region. Why? The region’s dams are filled with all sorts of archaeological wonders, from a crashed B-29