On arrival into Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport, collect your bags and your rental car, and head south on the short drive to Tucson.

Tucson, Arizona, is a desert town brimming with history and natural beauty. Surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and the iconic saguaro cacti, it offers a unique blend of Old West charm, rich Native American heritage, and world-class stargazing. With nearly endless sunshine, it’s the perfect destination to start your old wild west exploration.

Begin your stay in Tucson by checking-in at the Lodge on the Desert hotel in Midtown. This hacienda-style hotel has many varied stories to tell as it was often frequented by old western movie stars from the late 1930s onwards. The hotel has become a Tucson landmark and now provides a modern welcome whilst preserving is southwestern legacy.

Phoenix Airport > Tucson | 107 miles

Lodge on the Desert or similar

The town of Tucson, and the area surrounding it, is easily explored from your hotel.

You may like to drive out to Saguaro National Park, where towering cacti dominate the rugged desert landscape. It is perfect for morning hike and scenic photography. You can also visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a unique blend of zoo, botanical gardens, and natural history museum showcasing desert flora and fauna.

For history enthusiasts, Mission San Xavier del Bac, an 18th-century Spanish Catholic mission, offers breathtaking Baroque architecture and intricate frescoes. Alternatively, aviation lovers can marvel at over 400 aircraft at the Pima Air & Space Museum, one of the largest aviation museums in the world.

In the evening, we recommend taking advantage of Tucson’s dark skies by stargazing at Kitt Peak National Observatory, or Mt. Lemmon Sky-Centre, both offering unparalleled views of the cosmos.

Lodge on the Desert or similar

From Tucson, it is about an hour’s drive to the historic town of Tombstone, Arizona. On arrival check-in at the Tombstone Monument Ranch, a themed guest ranch designed like an authentic Old West town. Your bedroom could be in the ‘Marshal’s Office’ or the ‘Old Courthouse’.

After settling in, you can visit Allen Street, one of the historic streets of Tombstone town. It is lined with old saloons and historic buildings.A must-see is the O.K. Corral, where the legendary 1881 gunfight took place. Watching the live reenactment brings the town’s history to life.

On your second day, you can choose to spend the morning on a horseback ride from the ranch. Your guide will take you through the rugged beauty of the Arizona desert, explaining the plants and wildlife that you spot along the way.

In the afternoon you can visit the Bird Cage theatre, once a rowdy saloon and gambling hall, but now a fascinating museum filled with Old West artefacts.

For the evening, you can retire to Tombstone Ranch’s Old Trappman Saloon, where you can enjoy a drink and enjoy live entertainment. You can dance to live music or learn how to play ‘Five-card draw’ with Arizona Bill.

Tucson > Tombstone | 75 miles

Tombstone Monument Ranch or similar

On arrival at White Stallion Ranch, one of Arizona’s premier Dude Ranches, the resident wranglers will match you (based on your experience) to a horse for the duration of your stay. Having some horse experience in Tombstone, you can opt for a scenic trail ride to explore the surrounding desert scenery. Afterwards you can relax by the pool and then enjoy a ranch-style dinner, and sit out by the campfire.

The following day you can try your hand at something more adventurous like cattle sorting or team penning. Spending time with real-life cowboys you can learn rope skills to lasso everything from a static cacti, to one of your fellow guests. The professionals will be able to show off the rodeo skills as a demonstration for you.

You could choose to relax with a massage on your final afternoon, or continue learning skills by trying archery or target shooting on the range. Ending the day with a sunset ride-out is perfect to witness the changing colours of the landscape and then the desert sky at night.

Tombstone > Tucson | 75 miles

White Stallion Ranch or similar

There will still be time for a morning horse ride, before having to say goodbye to the cowboys and the horses, and checkout of the ranch.

The drive back to Phoenix is relatively easy, but leave enough time to return your rental vehicle and check-in for your return flight home, or to continue your American adventure.

Tucson > Phoenix Airport | 107 miles