Publisher Description

Your All-in-One Guide to Arizona's Best Outings!If you've ever asked, "What should we do today?" then you've never seen Arizona Day Trips by Theme. This comprehensive guide to the Grand Canyon State is jam-packed with hundreds of Arizona's top spots for fun and entertainment. Take a simple day trip, or string together a longer vacation of activities that catch your interest. Destinations in the book are organized by themes, such as Airplanes & Railroads, Festivals, Ghost Towns & the Wild West, and Outdoor Adventures. So you can decide what to do and then figure out where to do it. Useful for singles, couples, and families-visitors and residents alike-this guide by Leigh Wilson encompasses a wide range of interests.Discover the state's unique attractions-lakes, museums, national parks, scenic drives, and more. The book's handy size makes it perfect for bringing along on your road trips. Plus, with tips for other things to do in the area, you're sure to maximize the fun on every outing. With Arizona Day Trips by Theme at your fingertips, you'll always have something to do!

Author Biography

Leigh Wilson is a travel blogger and freelance writer from Moline, Illinois. Travel has been her passion for as long as she can remember. Her parents loved traveling and had an RV when she was small. Her dad was a door-to-door Kirby vacuum salesman, so she often traveled with him on school breaks and summers. In 2017, After a 20-year marketing career, Leigh set out on a 4-month road trip with her Airedale Terrier, in search of a new town to call home. Leigh has always loved Arizona, and upon arrival in Tucson, she felt like she was home. When she's not writing or traveling, you'll find Leigh out hiking the many trails around Tucson. Writing this book has been an excellent opportunity for her to explore the deepest corners of her new home state. Every time she leaves home, the diversity of Arizona landscapes and attractions continues to amaze her.

Table of Contents

DedicationAcknowledgmentsCultural PursuitsPerforming & Visual ArtsArizona HistoryAmerican Indian History & CultureGhost Towns & the Wild WestHistoric Buildings & ArchitectureHistoric SitesHistory MuseumsRecreation & the OutdoorsThe Grand CanyonLakes & WaterfallsNational Park SiteOutdoor AdventuresSportsOn the GoAirplanes & RailroadsScenic & Iconic DrivesScience & NatureBirdingGardens, Flowers & ArboretumsRocks & MineralsScience MuseumsStargazingUniquely ArizonaFestivalsOdds & EndsUnusual ArizonaA Taste of ArizonaOrchards, Vineyards & WineriesIndexAbout the Author

Long Description

Your All-in-One Guide to Arizona's Best Outings! If you've ever asked, "What should we do today?" then you've never seen Arizona Day Trips by Theme . This comprehensive guide to the Grand Canyon State is jam-packed with hundreds of Arizona's top spots for fun and entertainment. Take a simple day trip, or string together a longer vacation of activities that catch your interest. Destinations in the book are organized by themes, such as Airplanes & Railroads, Festivals, Ghost Towns & the Wild West, and Outdoor Adventures. So you can decide what to do and then figure out where to do it. Useful for singles, couples, and families--visitors and residents alike--this guide by Leigh Wilson encompasses a wide range of interests. Discover the state's unique attractions--lakes, museums, national parks, scenic drives, and more. The book's handy size makes it perfect for bringing along on your road trips. Plus, with tips for other things to do in the area, you're sure to maximize the fun on every outing. With Arizona Day Trips by Theme at your fingertips, you'll always have something to do!

Excerpt from Book

AIRPLANES & RAILROADS Trains and planes are an integral part of Arizona's history. The arrival of rail lines hastened the development of Arizona communities as pioneers and cowboys rushed to the West. Trains ushered in the era of tourism at the Grand Canyon, and many Arizona towns owe their existence to the railways. Wide open spaces of the desert make for excellent military presence as well, and the Air Force makes up the bulk of the military population in Arizona. Both airplanes are railroads are well represented in Arizona attractions and museums. Arizona Railway Museum 330 E Ryan Road, Chandler, AZ 85286; 480-821-1108 The Arizona Railway Museum is a must for any train enthusiast. The railroad plays a strong role in Arizona's history. Between mining and tourism, train travel has been a critical link to the outside world. At any given time, there are several refurbished cars open to tour at your own leisure. The 1927 Pullman "superintendent's car" is a fascinating glimpse into the opulence of the past. Another car shows various seat configurations from dozens of train lines; from Canadian National to a Dallas Street Car. Visitors will spend most of the time out in the train yard, walking through gravel, so wear good walking shoes. Inside the small museum, you'll find smaller mementos of travel, including tableware and ashtrays from some of the train lines. Hours are limited to weekends, Labor Day through Memorial Day (closed in summer). Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona 2017 North Greenfield Road, Mesa, AZ 85215; 480-924-1940 Located at Falcon Field in Mesa, the Airbase is operated by the Commemorative Air Force, an international organization dedicated to preserving combat aviation history. The Arizona Airbase is the largest of 80 units around the world, with hundreds of exhibits housed in the 55,000 square foot museum and hangars. Visitors can walk around freely to get up-close looks at several airplanes, including the only airworthy example of a Lockheed Vega DL-1 that remains. If admiring these birds from afar isn't enough for you, the Airbase offers warbird rides. Prices range from $80 for a cabin seat in a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor to $850 for a nose seat in a Boeing B-17G Bomber. Open cockpit tours are also offered seasonally. Kingman Railroad Museum 402 E Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86401; 928-718-1440 The Kingman Railroad Museum is still a working Amtrak station. The adobe building went up in 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Southwest Chief makes a daily stop on its route from Chicago to Los Angeles. The museum is small but has several displays on the history of the railroad and how it shaped the town of Kingman. In fact, the name Kingman was taken from a railroad surveyor. Three working model train tracks are worth a few minutes of entertainment, plus memorabilia from the golden age of train travel. Pima Air & Space Museum 6000 E Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85706; 520-574-0462 Airplane fans must visit the Pima Air & Space Museum when visiting Tucson. This is one of the world's largest aerospace museums, and the proximity to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base means you're likely to see some planes in action during your visit. The museum includes over 350 aircraft on display in the six hangars and outdoor areas. See a Blue Angel's jet and an Air Force One from JFK's presidency. For a small additional fee, you can join a narrated tram tour of the museum grounds. I highly recommend adding on the Boneyard tour, but you must make reservations at least ten business days in advance. A background check is required due to the sensitivity of the area, so you'll need to provide a Social Security Number when making your reservation.

Description for Sales People

Popular, proven, best-selling format: Adventure's Day Trips by Theme books have sold more than 60,000 copies, strong numbers for regional titles Market: Residents and tourists--including singles, couples, and families--looking for things to do on simple day trips or longer vacations All-in-one source of information in a concise and handy guide Features nearly 250 activities and destinations from across the state of Arizona Reader experience: "With destinations arranged by theme, I can choose what I want to do and then find a location that's close to me"

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