Sierra Vista, AZ Road Trips

1 Sierra Vista Visitor Center, 3020 E Tacoma St (in the Oscar Yrun Community Center), ☏ +1 520-417-6960, toll-free: +1 800-288-3861, [email protected]. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9PM-4PM. (updated Feb 2017)

For travelers interested in military and local history, Sierra Vista offers some museums and sites. In addition to this, the views to and from the nearby mountain ranges are fantastic and many of the city's best attractions are actually located outside the city itself. 1 Fort Huachuca. An active military installation, the fort was established in 1877 and played a pivotal role in the Apache Wars of the late 19th century.Note: All visitors who do not have a DoD (Department of Defense) ID, CAC (Common Access Card), Military ID, Military Dependent ID, or Gold Star ID must make a formal application and submit to a background check at the 2 Visitor Control Center (VCC, ☏ +1 520-533-3269, open daily 24 hr) by the Van Deman Gate (East Gate). The process takes about 30 minutes; details and instructions are outlined here. International visitors are required to arrange for an official escort prior to their visit, and in addition to formally applying at the VCC should contact the 3 Sierra Vista public information office (Sierra Vista City Hall, ☏ +1 520-458-3315, [email protected]) at least three weeks in advance. Free. (updated Feb 2017) 2 Fort Huachuca Museum, 41401 Grierson Ave, ☏ +1 520-458-4716. M-Sa 9AM-4PM. Has a small gift shop. Free. 3 US Army Intelligence Museum, 122 Hatfield St, Bldg 41411 (next to the Fort Huachuca Museum), ☏ +1 520-533-3638. M-Sa 9AM-4PM. Free. (updated Feb 2017) 4 Old Post Cemetery. Has the graves of US Army Cavalry and Buffalo Soldiers, who fought in the Apache Wars, as well as several Apache scouts and their wives.

Bird watching. Various locations in the Huachuca Mountains offer excellent opportunities for seeing birds as well as wildlife. SABO (Southeast Arizona Bird Observatory) and the Huachuca Audubon Society (☏ +1 520-803-1160) offer guided walks and tours throughout the area. (updated Feb 2017) 1 Huachuca Astronomy Club, 1140 N Colombo Ave (University of Arizona South), ☏ +1 520-366-0049. Enjoy sharing the boundless dark skies of Sierra Vista. The Huachuca Astronomy Club hosts public events, both at the Patterson Observatory (operated by the University of Arizona) and at other outdoor locations. Free. (updated Mar 2015) 2 Huachuca Mountains. The Huachuca Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest, and have many great trails to challenge both the novice and expert hiker. The guide book Trails of the Huachucas by Leonard Taylor is an excellent resource, available from Amazon and the public library. The Monday Hikers and Tuesday Hikers clubs (☏ +1 520-458-2008, ☏ +1 520-417-6960) meet weekly, hiking locations vary. (updated Feb 2017) 3 Sierra Vista Ranger District, 4070 S Ave Saracino, Hereford (off of Hwy 92), ☏ +1 520-378-0311. Sells hiking maps for $10, and has updated trail and camping information. 4 Ramsey Canyon Preserve, 27 E Ramsey Canyon Rd, ☏ +1 520-378-2785, [email protected]. Mar-Oct: Th-M 8AM-5PM; Nov-Feb: Th-M 9AM-4PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. More than 170 species of birds have been found here, including 14 species of hummingbirds.

The local restaurant scene includes American diners, Mexican restaurants, pizza places and some places with Asian food but also a surprising number of German restaurants and cafés. 1 Angelika's German Imports, 1630 E Fry Blvd, ☏ +1 520-458-5150. T-Th 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Has a good deli counter, with great potato salad. Also has a good selection of imported German groceries and other products. $5-10. (updated Feb 2017) 2 The Landmark Cafe, 400 W Fry Blvd, ☏ +1 520-459-4624. Sa-Tu 6AM-2PM, W-F 6AM-8PM. This well-established family restaurant is especially known for large breakfasts. $5-10. (updated Mar 2015) 3 Rodolfo's Taco Shop, 862 E Fry Blvd (on the SE corner of Fry Blvd and 7th St), ☏ +1 520-439-4000. M-F 6AM-10PM, Sa Su 6AM-11PM. Cheap, fast, authentic Mexican food, featuring tacos, burritos, and carne asada. $3-10. (updated Feb 2017) 4 La Casita, 465 E Fry Blvd, ☏ +1 520-458-2376, [email protected]. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. A busy place known for excellent margaritas and Mexican food. Mains $10-20. (updated Feb 2017) 5 Country House Restaurant, 4373 S Hwy 92, ☏ +1 520-378-4400. Daily 7AM-8PM. Offers reliable American classic diner food. $11-30. (updated Feb 2017) 6 The German Cafe, 1232 E Fry Blvd, ☏ +1 520-456-1705. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Excellent, authentic German food. Reservations recommended. $10-15. (updated Aug 2017) 7 Peacock Restaurant (Peacock Vietnamese Cuisine), 1287 E Fry Blvd, ☏ +1 520-459-0095, [email protected]. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa noon-8PM.

1 Jo2Go Coffee, 40 Avenida Escuela, ☏ +1 520-266-5298, [email protected]. M-F 05:30-18:00, Sa Su 07:00-17:00. Along with a variety of coffee options, Jo 2 Go also features such “Grab N’ Go” eats as muffins and protein bars, those ever-popular frappuccinos, smoothies made with 100 percent crushed fruit, a selection of black teas, lemonade, and flavored water refreshers. (updated Sep 2021) 2 Livia's Coffee, 2480 E Wilcox Dr, ☏ +1 520-559-1640. M-Sa 6AM-4PM, Su 9AM-4PM. Local Coffee Shop serving coffee, espresso, macchiato, cold brew, cappuccino, latte, mocha, americano, chai tea, frozen drinks, Red Bull or Monster blends, specialty drinks, and sugar free options. (updated Sep 2021) Gypsy Sips Cafe', 999 E Fry Blvd suite 106, ☏ +1 520-224-7303, [email protected]. M-Sa 8AM-4PM, Su closed. Serving unique coffee blends like Wanderlust, Gypsy Blend, Gypsy Vine, Tambourine and specialty drinks. 3 Wanderlust Kaffee, 84 South 2nd Street #C, ☏ +1 520-335-8935, [email protected]. M-F 06:30-15:00, Sa Su 08:00-15:00. Wanderlust Kaffee was opened to provide jobs and support the Jennifer house women’s transitional home here in Sierra Vista. All profits go to the Jennifer house! They serve coffee, specialty drinks, tea, smoothies, and non-coffee options. (updated Sep 2021)

1 Ramsey Vista Campground, 4070 South Avenida Saracino, Hereford (on a steep mountain road with switchbacks), ☏ +1 520-378-0311. 8 dry tent campsites, with water and toilets available. Trailers under 12' permitted. Reservations can be made online. $10/night. 2 Reef Townsite Campground. Located on the site of the old mining town of Reef, with many relics of the old town still visible. Great views, toilets available, no water. Trailers under 12' permitted; longer trailers cannot navigate the steep switchbacks up the mountain. Reservations can be made online. $10/night. 3 Windemere Hotel & Conference Center, 2047 S Hwy 92, ☏ +1 520-459-5900, toll-free: +1 800-825-4656, fax: +1 520-458-1347, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, although earlier checkins can be accommodated. Swimming pool, pets permitted. Includes one free happy hour drink at the onsite bar, as well as continental breakfast. Free wi-fi. While earlier online reviews of this hotel have in general been positive, reviews from 2014 are for the most part negative describing the hotel as run-down and filthy. $69-79. 4 Beatty's Guest Ranch and Orchard, 2173 E Miller Canyon Rd, Hereford (off of S Hwy 92), ☏ +1 520-378-2728, [email protected]. Popular with naturalists and birdwatchers, this lodging is surrounded by National Forest and offers six units with breakfast. $70-120/night. 5 Lazy Dog Ranch, 3123 N Thistle Rd (drive west of Sierra Vista on Charleston Rd, turn right on E Escapule Rd), ☏ +1 520-458-5583, [email protected].

Sierra Vista is 75 miles (121 km) from Tucson, the nearest major transport hub. Tucson International Airport (TUS IATA), 250 S Tucson Blvd, ☏ +1 520-573-8100. Served by a number of airlines, this is the closest airport with commercial service. 1 Sierra Vista Municipal Airport (FHU IATA), 2100 Airport Ave, ☏ +1 520-458-5775. It does not serve commercial flights. (updated Apr 2019) The following shuttle bus companies offer transportation to and from Tucson International Airport, as well as to nearby communities. Three Canyons Transit Company (Arizona Sunshine Tours), ☏ +1 520-803-6713, [email protected]. Offers shuttle service from the Tucson airport, and from Benson, Whetstone, Sonoita, Patagonia, Tombstone, and Bisbee, and even to hiking areas. Reservations are best made by phone, not email, at least 24 hours in advance. The same company also offer guided bus tours of the region. $98 from Tucson. (updated Apr 2016) Huachuca Shuttle, ☏ +1 520-439-0439, [email protected]. Provides shuttle service from the airport; reservations made less than 24 hours in advance have a $7 surcharge. Also provides transportation service within the Sierra Vista area, with no prior reservation required. $77-105 from Tucson, depending on hour of departure. (updated Apr 2016) Arizona World Shuttle Express, 51 N Garden Canyon Ave, ☏ +1 520-458-3330. Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance. (updated Apr 2016) Take I-10 heading south of Tucson or west from Silver City, NM, then head south on Hwy 90.

2 Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 743 E Fry Blvd, ☏ +1 520-458-2425, toll-free: +1 800-736-8222. M-F 7:30AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-noon, Su 1-4PM. 3 Vista Transit Center, 2050 E Wilcox Dr, ☏ +1 520-417-4888, [email protected]. The public bus operates normal routes Monday-Friday, with limited service on Saturdays. Route maps and schedules are available for download. Single trip: $1.25 (adults), $1 (military), $.75 (seniors/students/disabled), $2 (curbside service); monthly pass: $40 (adults), $24 (concessions); book of 20 tickets: $25 (adults), $15 (concessions), $40 (curbside service). (updated Feb 2017) The city is very bicycle-friendly with a well-developed network of bike paths and bike lanes. Maps of bike and multi-use paths can be downloaded here.