5 Fun Phoenix, Arizona Day Trips Lead to Treasure

Many people see Phoenix, Arizona as a retirement city populated by barbecue joints and cactus, but they are missing out on some of the full flavor of the state. These five fun Phoenix Arizona day trips offer up treasure of many types.

Find the Treasure of Our Ancestors on a Day Trip to Tonto National Monument or Casa Grande National Monument near Phoenix, AZ

Tonto National Monument is accessible via Interstate 60 from Phoenix, AZ then heading north on State Route 88. Alternatively, one can take State Route 88 from Phoenix, but we were warned in advance that it was an unpaved road for a great deal of the way and found this to be true. You almost drive off the side of a cliff then slip and slide around hairpin turns with no guardrail and follow along spring run off streams clogged with giant boulders. Its very peaceful to stop in places and the views gorgeous, but the Interstate route is much easier and quicker and you will have time left over to visit Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Tonto National Monument is well preserved and explains much of the layout of the various Indian cities. Plan a minimum of three hours for a visit to Tonto National Monument.

Alternatively, Casa Grande National Monument near Phoenix, AZ makes a nice day trip experience. The Casa Grande National Monument site is much smaller than the Tonto National Monument, plan a minimum of 1.5 hours for a visit to Casa Grande National Monument. The road passes a historic church and the Picacho reservoir accessible from a side road is worth a fishing or bird watching trip. Take I10 South to Hwy 387, then onto Hwy 87 to the Reservoir and then return to I10. Continue on to Tucson if you're just driving.

Day Trip to Tucson, AZ Offers Chances at Two Aviation Treasures and a Scenic Byway from Phoenix

A visit to Tucson via I10 can net you two great Aviation museums. South of Tucson about 45 minutes is the Titan Missile Museum where you can walk through a retired Titan Missile Control Center and hear some of the history of the Titan Missile program, allow 2 hours minimum. Much closer to downtown Tucson, the Pima Air and Space Museum has extensive grounds with old airplanes and even more in the field where they store aircraft. The day is a long day. A return trip along the Pinal Pioneer Parkway Hwy 79 features pullouts for viewing Sonoran desert wildlife and vegetation, the Tom Mixx Memorial and the McFarland Historical State Park with a replica courtroom and exhibits of Arizona politicians.

Naturalists Will Treasure Day Trips to Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum near Phoenix, AZ

Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum near Phoenix, AZ offers a picnic area and a day hiking trail. The trail winds around the gardens and offers glimpses of the natural garden landscape. Local birds can be spotted around the grounds along with wildflowers and insects and other wildlife. Take Hwy 60 East and South.

[1] Arizona Atlas and Gazeteer

[2] AAA Arizona & New Mexico Tour Book