Southern Arizona trip

Planning on flying into Las Vegas and driving south through Laughlin and seeing the southern part of AZ (Tucson area). Want to visit some cactus natiional parks down that way.

Any advice about what to see for sure, restaurants and motels? Any casinos down that way. We plan on staying in Laughlin before heading further south and then back to Las Vegas for our flight home.

Thanks

Old Tucson Studios, which is a old western town used in many old westerns, and Arizona Sonora Desert Museum should both be on your list. The Desert Museum is especially well done as it shows desert animals in a natural habitat as well as giving a natural history of the area.

While driving through Phoenix, take a few hours and explore the Desert Botanical Gardens, https://www.dbg.org/. While exploring Southern Arizona, you might want to visit Uof A's campus, Mt. Lemmon, Tombstone and Bisbee.
As for places to stay, it depends on what you want. We have everything from 5 star resorts to Motel 6.

For Chessie's consideration:

__DonDiego thought that Casino del Sol was the best casino in the Tucson area, . . . low limits, decent games, lots of small tournaments, and things like that. But he hasn't been there in several years.

__Kartchner Caverns is one of the better cave tours in the country. It hasn't been open very long, and the preservationists are trying to maintain the cave atmosphere to "keep it alive". Visitation is limited; reservations are recommended.

__The town of Bisbee near the Mexican border is a well-preserved-touristy-type-town now becoming an artsy-fartsy-community with lots of history. The Copper Queen Mine Tour is excellent; the visitor dons a helmet, carries a lantern and slips on a slicker before riding a train into the mine.

__Chessie and companions of any sex and age, . . . because it's none of DonDiego's business anyway with whom Chessie chooses to hang, . . . shouldn't pass up a visit to Tombstone - The Town Too Tough To Die where they can tread in the footsteps of the Earps and visit the saloons in which Doc Holliday played cards, got drunk, wandered out to beat up "Big Nose" Kate, and shoot who knows how many sons-a-bitches what got in his way. DonDiego recommends one carry at least a boot knife.

Everybody else's recommendations are good ideas and I have nothing to add...except....make sure you figure your time wisely.

Vegas to Laughlin is a 1.5-2 hour drive (depending on traffic and your speed, etc.), Laughlin to Flagstaff is 2.5-3 hours, Flagstaff to Tucson is 5-6 hours. (times are VERY approximate)

Out of what people have said, my favorite was the mine at Bisbee.

Have a great time!

I concur with input above. I will also add Tubac to the mix. Tin Cup was filmed here. Nice hotel, restaurants, shops and arts.

Not sure how often you get to Mexico, but if you are this close a walk across the border might be a consideration.

I assume the Phoenix area is considered Central Arizona and not on your radar. If not, there is a whole new world of options, including God's country -- the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior.

I'd stop in Oatman while in the Laughlin area. There is a more direct way to get there, but by heading East on 68 to the town of Golden Valley, then making a right on Aztec Rd and then simply following the winding road, you end up on a great stretch of Old Rt 66 which takes you over the Black mountains, passing some working gold mines before taking you into Oatman. Head west after leaving Oatman and you can either take the fork to Route 95 or continue on 66 to Tolpock Gorge and Rt.40. I prefer the Toplock Route, although both roads get you to almost the same spot.
On the way to Laughlin from Vegas, Nelson's Landing is an interesting little detour. You'll add about an hour to the trip if you make the detour.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions for our trip. We are not planning on being near Phoenix.

We thought about venturing into Mexico but do you think it a safe idea? Would it be okay to drive over the boader (rental car) or would it be better to walk. If we do walk, just how far would that be and what advantages are over the border? Good buys?

Thanks, again

Enjoy your trip Chessie! A friend and me will be doing something similiar; we decided to visit the Harrah's casinos in Phoenix, San Diego, Reno, and Tahoe before heading to Vegas. Two weeks!

We really enjoyed visiting Bisbee and the Copper Queen mine tour. If you go to Tombstone don't forget the Boothill Cemetary. Very interesting. Takes some time though if you want to read the grave stones.