Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [51]
Grab some sustenance in Tucson at La Indita, a vegetarian place that serves Michoacan Tarascan Indian food from Mexico. If you want to try some native cooking at home, pay a visit to the nearby Native Seeds retail store. Retire to Lodge on the Desert, a 1930s pet-positive resort that focuses on sweet relaxation – whoever’s been driving deserves the rest. The next morning, prepare for another time warp at Arizona State Museum, the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the state. The museum follows the cultural history of the Southwestern tribes, from Stone Age mammoth hunters to the present.
Even though they disappeared, the engineering and cultural marvels of Arizona’s first residents shaped modern Arizona and still wow visitors from around the globe. The people are gone but not forgotten.
Josh Krist
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TRIP INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
Phoenix is 150 miles south of Flagstaff and 118 miles north of Tucson.
DO
Arizona State Museum
Follow the history of the Southwestern tribes from Stone Age mammoth hunters to the present. 520-621-6302; www.statemuseum.arizona.edu; 1013 E University Blvd, Tucson; suggested donation $3; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Ranger-led tours November to April. Don’t confuse the monument with the modern town of Casa Grande, west of I-10. 520-723-3172; www.nps.gov/cagr; 1100 W Ruins Dr, Coolidge; adult/child $5/free; 8am-5pm
Crossing Worlds
Tours on Hopi, Navajo and other Native American cultures last anywhere from 2½ hours to several days. 928-649-3060; www.crossingworlds.com; Sedona; tours from $80
Heard Museum
A fascinating museum; be sure to check out the busy events schedule. Superb gift shop and café. 602-252-8848; www.heard.org; 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix; adult/child/student/senior $10/3/5/9; 9:30am-5pm
Montezuma Castle National Monument
The 1000-year-old castle-like structure carved into the side of a cliff is a jaw-dropper. 928-567-3322; www.nps.gov/moca; adult/child $5/free, combination pass with Tuzigoot $8; 8am-6pm, seasonal variations
Museum of Northern Arizona
Set 3 miles north of downtown Flagstaff, the focus is on the tribes of the top half of Arizona. 928-774-5213; www.musnaz.org; 3101 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff; adult/teen/student/senior $7/4/5/6; 9am-5pm
Navajo County Historical Museum
Free Native American dance performances every weekday evening in June and July. 928-524-6558; www.ci.holbrook.az.us; northeast cnr of East Arizona St and Navajo Blvd, Holbrook; donations appreciated; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat & Sun
Pueblo Grande Museum & Archaeology Park
Excavations here include a ball court and a section of the original canals. 602-495-0901; www.pueblogrande.com; 4619 E Washington St, Phoenix; adult/child/senior $5/3/4; 9am-4:45pm Mon-Sat, 1-4:45pm Sun, seasonal variations
Tuzigoot National Monument
Get an up close and personal look at the Sinagua pueblo dwellings. 928-634-5564; www.nps.gov/tuzi; adult/child $5/free, combination ticket with Montezuma Castle National Monument $8; 9am-5pm, seasonal variations
Walnut Canyon
Worth calling ahead to make sure the access trail is open (rock falls can close it). If the trail’s not open, admission is usually free. 928-526-3367; www.nps.gov/waca; adult/under 16 $5/free; 9am-5pm
Wupatki National Monument
Some pueblos stand several stories high. Check the website for details on the Crack-in-Wall overnight trip; it’s by lottery only. 928-679-2365; www.nps.gov/wupa; adult/under 16 $5/free; 9am-5pm
EAT
Fry Bread House
A small place that gets packed to the gills at lunch. Order a traditional fry bread stuffed with whatever your heart desires. 602-351-2345; 4140 N 7th Ave, Phoenix; mains $4-7; 10am-7pm Mon-Sat
Kai
Flavorful, authentic Native American cuisine and great desert views are worth the trip. 602-385-5726;