Are you and your family looking for your next great trip? Look no further than Sierra Vista, Arizona! Spanish for “mountain view”, Sierra Vista is located in Southeast Arizona and fits its name, offering beautiful views of the Huachuca Mountains. The area has a unique history and is an ideal place for nature lovers. My family and I just returned from a trip to Sierra Vista and I’m here to tell you about 5 things you’re going to want to do! 

1. Stay at Casa De San Pedro B&B

Nothing makes you rest at ease like knowing the perfect place to stay for your next trip. Luckily for you, there is no better place to stay than the Casa De San Pedro Bed & Breakfast. This beautiful bed & breakfast is located in Hereford, Arizona, just a short drive Southeast of Sierra Vista, and is inspired by traditional Spanish and Mexican architectural designs. The property’s 10 acres are situated on the San Pedro River and Riparian National Conservation area, which makes it the ideal spot for any bird watcher or nature lover! And with so much history nearby, the kids will enjoy learning something new. To top it all off, you can feel good about your stay knowing that the hotel is eco-friendly, as it relies on solar panel use for electricity.

2. Visit the Henry Hauser Museum 

Named after the former mayor of Sierra Vista, the Henry Hauser Museum is a great place to take your kids if you are interested in learning about the local history of Arizona. The museum features displays on the history of the town as well as information on Native American tribes such as the Yaqui Clans. Did you also know that Sierra Vista was home to the first McDonald’s drive-thru? You can learn about this and many more things on your visit!

3. Play at the Tombstone Monument Ranch 

When you think of the wild west, the first thing that comes to mind is Tombstone, Arizona and the O.K. Corral. What better way to take you back in time to those days than to visit the Tombstone Monument Ranch? Located a short drive Northeast of Sierra Vista, the Tombstone Monument Ranch is great for the whole family. Featuring historic mines, wells, rails, and indian artifacts kids can enjoy their visit by participating in various activities. We opted for a beautiful horseback trail ride that allowed us to explore the region and see some of the city’s most notorious places. But that’s not all! The ranch also features archery and pistol shootings, ATV rides, and historical reenactments. So grab your boots and lasso and ride out to the Tombstone Monument Ranch!

4. Learn at the Patterson Observatory

If you live near a major city, like me, you know that it is sometimes difficult to get a clear view of the stars and if you do, you may only see a few. One of the beauties of traveling is learning to appreciate the things you most often take for granted. The Patterson Observatory, a NASA Space Place, is located at the University of Arizona South in Sierra Vista and features a 20 foot telescope. This telescope is capable of viewing objects that are one million times fainter than a person’s eye can detect. What’s even better is that the observatory hosts “Public Nights” once a month, which offers guests a chance to stargaze at the night sky for free. Be sure to check out their schedule to see if one is offered during your trip!

5. Explore the Coronado National Memorial Coronado Cave

If you are looking for an adventure, grab your gear and hike down to Coronado Cave. Named after the famed conquistador, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the cave is located in the Huachuca Mountains just south of Sierra Vista. The main cavern is over 600 ft long and in some areas up to 70 ft wide. The cave is believed to have been used by humans dating back to as early as 8,000 years ago, and is mostly famously known for being a hideout for the Apache leader, Geronimo. The cave has many different rooms, some of which require you to crawl to enter. And while these rooms may be difficult if someone is claustrophobic, the main cavern is expansive enough for most to feel at ease. Just remember to bring a couple of light sources and some good hiking shoes and you’ll have fun exploring the cave and its history.

There are so many great things to do in Sierra Vista. From exploring a historic cave to stargazing in the night sky to traveling back in time to the old west, there is truly something for everyone. As the famous lawman Wyatt Earp once said, “I have no regrets. Were it to be done again, I would do it exactly as I did it at the time,” and I most certainly will be visiting Sierra Vista again!