4 Day Trips to Enjoy When You Venture from Your Assisted Living in Tucson

Moving to great assisted living doesn’t mean you won’t want to get “out of the house” every so often. Though the BridgeWater assisted living community in Tucson has just about everything you need, it’s nice to stretch your legs every so often and enjoy a little day trip.

You might think an outing is only a great idea if you have family nearby or coming to visit. But getting out isn’t just about having visitors. You’re also welcome to suggest any day trips you’d like to investigate on your own—we’ll provide transport too.

Here are four great ideas you might appreciate:

1. Saguaro West National Park and Saguaro East National Park

These national parks to the east and west of Tucson are the only place in the world where saguaro cacti grow. The Sonora Desert has a wide variety of flora and fauna you can explore and discover through the walking trails. There are even opportunities for camping trips and multi-day hikes. Here you can also experience the Rincon and the Tucson Mountains and the stark and beautiful scenery.

2. Colossal Cave Mountain Park

If the desert is too hot for you, why not dive underground? Twenty miles south of the city, Colossal Cave beckons, with three and a half miles of underground passages. It’s a consistent 70 degrees all year long—much more comfortable. Many species of bats thrive in this subterranean palace, including some rare and threatened ones. Some live here year-round, and others find it convenient as a waystation on migratory routes.

There is a half-mile long family-friendly guided walk which takes about 40 minutes to complete, in which you’ll learn about the ecosystem of the caves, the history, and how the caves were formed, and maybe even enjoy some ghost stories.

3. Tumacacori

This was one of the first Spanish missions in the Tucson area, and its ruins still lie out in the desert surrounding the city. The mission was built in the 17th century and has been preserved as the Tumacácori National Historical Park. It was never rebuilt after the 19th century, when Apache raids made living there untenable for the farmers and ranchers in the area.

At this fascinating location, you’ll also see items of historical significance to the Franciscan missionaries and a historic cemetery. Learn about the O’odham, Yaqui, and Apache people who met and mingled with the missionaries, settlers, and soldiers and formed the modern Arizona we know today.

4. Bisbee

Further south is the city of Bisbee. Instead of going under like many of the ghost towns that dot this landscape, Bisbee focused on tourism to maintain its economy. A center of art, culture, and history, its roots are in mining and the gold rush of the Wild West. Take in the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum and the Bisbee Restoration Museum, and you can also tour the nearby Queen Mine.

You might choose to wander through the regal Muheim Heritage House, still full of its original 19th-century furniture and Queen Anne architectural influences, or enjoy the gardens and mountain views. And of course, you’ll be able to find all kinds of tours of the city, including ghost tours.